A Party Plan for Your Child's Second Birthday

I offer this mantra for a successful second birthday party:  "Appealing toys and the opportunity to move about."  Think of these little playmates as land rovers who move about to briefly investigate whatever strikes their fancy, stay a few minutes to play, and then move on again.  This is why the play station idea is tailor-made for toddler birthday parties.

The second distinctive feature about two-year-old toddlers is that they love to walk, run, skip, hop, and dance.  Physical movement of every sort is play for them.  Build on this idea by including group games that encourage the children to romp around the room or lawn.

Second Birthday Party Tips

• Schedule the party for sixty to ninety minutes only and select a time of day when everyone is well rested.
• Enlist the help of a few of the parents present when getting each game under way and corralling the children.
• Plan one arrival activity for toddlers and parents (or caregivers) to do together.  (This helps the children adjust to the "group" in a secure way and is a good waiting activity as latecomers arrive.)
• Assemble toys and props to create a few play stations, and perhaps plan one or two short group games during the party.  Plan to have birthday cake sometime in the middle or at the end of the party.
• Monitor the mood of the children and add high-energy play ideas to let off steam, or quiet-time activities to allow them to settle down as needed.