Despite their reputation, two-year-olds aren't always terrible and tantrums are usually saved for parents, so a party for this age-group can be great fun. The children won't expect the earth, so don't waste time and money on too extravagant an affair.
Understanding your two-year-old
As he heads for his second birthday, your child will probably be clingy and dependent one minute but mobile and freedom-seeking the next. While he will happily play alongside other children, your two-year-old won't yet be truly social. As he can't put himself in another child's shoes yet, he may hit, bite, snatch toys and make other children cry without realising why. Although embarrassing and upsetting, this is normal two-year-old behaviour. If you think it may be an issue, prepare yourself by checking out our expert advice on preventing kicking and biting. The key to keeping the peace is to have good adult supervision and not too many guests.
Who to invite
Your child may want to help you choose or make the invitations. Making home-made invitations will while away an afternoon and be a quality structured play activity for you. Different paint effects, such as sponge painting, may work well. No one expects sophistication!
Toddlers, especially shy ones, can quickly become overwhelmed by having a lot of people around at once. About two to eight friends is plenty, depending on your social circle. Parents will need to stay, so you should have plenty of help and support. Remember, your child will only just be learning to relate to other children at this age, so don't expect great levels of co-operation.
Getting the timing right
Some children of this age still take afternoon naps, so take this into account. Mornings or lunch time can be a good time, especially if the birthday falls at the weekend. Keep the party short and sweet -- an hour is ample time for frazzled parents.
Games and activities
Most children of this age love dressing up, so keep a box of dressing up clothes handy. Balloons are great fun, but the noise of them bursting may scare more timid tots. Remove burst ones quickly, for safety's sake.
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Simple but structured games with clear instructions, like Ring o' Roses, Simon Says and dancing to music are great fun. Action rhymes go down well -- or consider a short story after food to calm them down for home time.
If you have prize games, like Pass the Parcel, then you may want to ensure every child receives something to avoid tears -- at this age, they don't understand rules too well! A Lucky Dip can work just as well without the competition.
They'll love to make a noise, so blowers and horns will create great excitement. Outdoors, a bouncy castle may work well, but will need a large garden space and plenty of supervision. In warm weather, a paddling pool or ride-on and push-along garden toys will create all the fun that's needed, but, again, spot-on supervision is needed (and plenty of shade from the sun).
Music is a fun distraction and you could organise some live or recorded music for dancing. Do you have a friend who can strum a few chords on a guitar? Hand out the instruments, shakers, drums and clackers to kids and parents and you have a band on your hands!
Choosing a venue
Home is still the best place, but you may be lucky enough to have a safe local park or toddler indoor play area nearby which you can hire if you have a lot of guests. Alternatively, a small, cheerful church hall can be an excellent venue -- it keeps your home clean and tidy, and means plenty of space for food, games and running around. Check the venue first -- some halls can be musty and bleak rather than welcoming! You may want to take some large toys, such as cars, pop-up tents or see-saws, and put up some colourful decorations.
What food to serve
Food will need to look colourful and inviting in small portions. Animal-shaped sandwiches, bite-size pieces of cucumber, cheese and tomato, mini party pizzas, jellies in little pots (you can buy ready made) and iced party biscuits are always popular. You will need enough high chairs or small, child-sized tables and chairs -- or how about a picnic, perhaps a teddy bear picnic, on the grass or floor. Choose a bold, instantly recognisable cake, possibly of your child's favourite characters or shaped like one of his favourite toys, such as a train or teddy. You can often hire cake tins in the shape of numbers or toys from a local cake shop or toy library. Food is bound to be spilled, so spill-proof cups and party food boxes are an excellent idea.
Choosing a theme
Opting for a theme depends on your child's likes or dislikes. A jungle or farmyard theme works well for this age group -- aim for animal musical rhymes, animal-shaped foods and animal costumes. You could choose a 'dotty' or 'stripes' theme and encourage guests to dress in theme as well as take inspiration for food and decorations.
An arty session may work well -- drawing and colouring, play dough or sticking pre-cut material pieces onto paper to make collages. You may find that party supply companies have helpful suggestions for themed party packs, decorations and the like.
The party bags
By the age of two, guests will appreciate a little goody bag. Don't spend a fortune, but beware of too many cheap sweets which are usually high in colourings and may contain gelatine (no good for vegetarians). Cheap plastic toys, such as animal figurines, crayons, purses, glittery bangles, plastic sunglasses, whirly windmills and magic painting books will provide excitement and amusem*nt.
You could also make your own party presents like some homemade play dough (perhaps jazzed up with a little lavender oil or glitter), little biscuits or a craft project like beads and wool to make a necklace.
Choosing presents
Presents which stimulate and fire the imagination are what's required at this age. Play dough is a great favourite, dressing up, and role play toys, such as cash registers and toy cookers, plus accompanying toy food and pots and pans. But two-year-olds also have boundless energy, so may enjoy a paddling pool, mini ball pool or other garden play equipment. Don't forget to include a great book with an engaging story or pictures of a favourite theme (for example animals, vehicles, sea creatures).
Top tips for a successful party
- At two, some of your child's guests may have started potty-training, so expect some accidents. Keep cloths and kitchen towel handy.
- Have a potty or two handy, plus a child toilet seat cover -- and plenty of wipes.
- Toys will be fought over, so keep anything precious locked away and where possible, try to have at least two of everything.
- Ask parents to stay -- then any tantrums become their problem, not yours.
- Don't create a second party for parents -- provide drinks and nibbles only.
- Don't expect much food to be eaten by the kids - perhaps have play time and then a sit-down eating time later on.
- Put the food out at the last minute and clear away quickly when it's finished.
- Serve the savoury foods before the sweet.
- Make sure you have plenty of spill-proof cups available or drinks with little straws.
- Keep games short, simple, structured and fun so that little ones don't get bored or confused.
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