< Return to Talk
07.22.08, 09:52 AM General Topics
23 replies
Please help with opinions/advice: dd will be five next month. We have never had a "real" party for her. Is it worth paying to have the party at a specific place (zoo, farm, etc.)? Or does it make sense to have an unstructured party at home (maybe with play/craft stations)? What do you think as the host and as the guest? Thanks for those who have BTDT. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 07.22.08, 09:52 AM Flag
 

Dear UrbanBaby community,

Thank you so much for being a valued member of the UrbanBaby community. We wanted to inform you that we are shutting down the site on July 6th. We are grateful for your participation and support that has helped make UrbanBaby such an important resource to parents for many years.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email us at urbanbaby-support@cbsinteractive.com.

Thanks so much,

UrbanBaby Support

»
Much prefer a home party and there are lots of cool things to do at that age. But of course it is a lot more work for you. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 09:53 AM Flag
»
Could you elaborate? What activities? Why do you prefer it (as a guest or host)? If we had a home party we would still have to rent a place out because are in the middle of renovating bathrooms, but it might be worth it. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 09:57 AM Flag
»
So a home party isn't even an option for you. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:06 AM Flag
»
Not "at home," but we might be able to rent a party room in our co-op. I think the party room is smallish though, so the parents might be on top of one another. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:10 AM Flag
»
What do you think she would like? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:00 AM Flag
»
I asked her if she would like to have a party and she said yes. Before that she hadn't even mentioned anything (maybe because we haven't had a party where she invites friends before). I think she would like anything. But if we did something unstructured dd would probably just end up playing with her bf and the other friends would be ignored (by dd and her bf). [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:08 AM Flag
»
We have the space so we've done both and it really just depends on how much you want to be bothered. I've noticed with the at home parties a lot of times both parents will come even if it's only with one child, so that means more mouths to feed. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:07 AM Flag
»
^^^We've also done a party at the Prospect Park Zoo. Lots of fun and good if you don't really know the parents of dd's friends. They can drop off or hang around the zoo. The kids did a craft, got to touch some live animals, had free play and did refreshments. The zoo provide everything including the goody bag. All I brought were the refreshments. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:11 AM Flag
»
Yeah, that is cool. I also thought about Puppetworks, but we are in Queens. Dh thinks Brooklyn is too far for ppl. Pretty sure Queens Zoo doesn't allow/host parties. However, we were thinking about the Queens Farm Museum, though we would provide everything and they would be in charge of the activities. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:14 AM Flag
»
Three things I am worried about re an "at home" party: 1. coming up with activities/play areas for the kids 2. the parents being crowded in one corner 3. people lingering at the end (I am a lingerer myself). [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:12 AM Flag
»
1) tons of ideas online 2) parents can take care of themselves 3) standard party-break up protocol applies [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:13 AM Flag
»
Or, I had my childless clown of a brother come in a lead the kids in old-fashion games like simon sez, freeze-dance, pin the crown on princess. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:17 AM Flag
»
Yeah, Our family is on west coast, so everything is on us [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:18 AM Flag
»
Hire someone, or ask a friend. Just make sure they really like kids. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:21 AM Flag
»
Yeah, if I have to hire someone then I should just have it someplace cos it will cost about the same. Most friends are teachers, and while they like kids doubt they want to entertain a bunch on the weekend! [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:26 AM Flag
»
Actually we used dd's music teachers and one of the kids that helps out at her afterschool [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:29 AM Flag
»
The way to avoid lingerers is to break out the goody bags. The kids will be running to the door so they can get their loot. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:19 AM Flag
»
OP here: So which do you prefer as a guest: a structured party at a place or an unstructuerd part "at home"? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:25 AM Flag
»
I like any party that serves alcohol. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:28 AM Flag
»
Yeah! If we had space to have a BBQ (or had planned enough in advance to get a Parks permit) we would have gone this route. We are from CA--it is in our blood. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:31 AM Flag
»
LOL! We never bother to get park permits. Just send dh over early and claim a good spot. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:34 AM Flag
»
Do you BBQ like this? (Honestly, I don't know of any good places in Queens either). [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:41 AM Flag
»
you don't need a permit to do a BBQ in a park. I don't know Queens but I'm sure there are some great parks nearby [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.22.08, 10:49 AM Flag
Refresh » New Post »
Select Category
close [X]

close [X]

Select a Category (only 1)

category
Stages
Regions