2 yr old birthday party in May advice needed

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So I'm someone who before I became a parent had very little experience of children and obviously with lockdown there have been no parties, my DD will turn 2 in mid May when we should fingers crossed be able to have an outdoor gathering so I'm thinking about having a little do in our garden, but we're a bit clueless!

I am thinking of doing it in the morning (from about 10am?) for her plus 5 "friends" she has from nursery. There is a toddler music class we used to attend that was really good with a woman who also does parties so I am considering hiring her. That will be about 45 minutes. Then just some snacks and playing for a bit? Will that be enough?

Also will people want to come in mid-May or will there be too much else on offer with the rules just having been relaxed?

We didn't start parties until 4/5 - when they were in Primary 1. 2 seems quite young, you won't just have the kids there but the adults and siblings will all stay as well. We just had family round for them when they were so young.

@rainbowthoughts that will be an issue because we can only have 30 people max. I will need to make it clear that only child + one adult can come or we will go over numbers. Do you think that will mean people won't come?

It sounds just right. If you do it on a weekday before half term, I think everybody would come.

I agree. Children’s parties start at the age of 4 or 5 normally - a party for a 2 year old would have been unusual for my 3 (and infact didn’t happen for any of them).

Also, 1 child + 1 adult only works for families with 2 parents or where 1 parent isn’t at work. Otherwise no other siblings and no other parents doesn’t work.

2 is a bit young, they really wont get anything out of it. We first had a party age 3, but really it was just a play date with two friends and a cake.

I will need to make it clear that only child + one adult can come or we will go over numbers. Do you think that will mean people won't come?

Honestly? Yes.

I heard a good tip of having the same amount of DC as the birthday child's age - so for DS1s 2nd birthday we had 2 little friends round (plus both parents) ...that was a nice, non overwhelming amount.

I've done them from age 1.
Normally just a tea party for 1st.
2nd add maybe a pass parcel and bits
Being as may time I'd do something in garden. And get garden toys out. But of food and let them play

I think you need a plan for what you will do if the weather is bad.

I'd box food for each dc rather than having a table of food.

Tbh May seems early for a party of this type, and I'm not sure a 2yo will get more out of a party with friends than a celebration with family.

DD was attending birthday parties from age 1 (pass the parcel was amusing - essentially 10 adults passing a parcel on a circle). Obviously it was mainly an excuse for the adults to get together. From age 2 though, the kids did have fun. Either a small bouncy castle or some portable soft play (party companies hire it out), some food and running about outdoors. They got something out of it even at that age. If you have a professional doing activities it should work well. 1 parent /1 child will be a problem for some but not that many I wouldn't have thought. Go for it.

If the forecast isn't great, then a portable gazebo or two might be an idea.

Nothing wrong with having a party for a 2 year old. 😊
The music lady sounds great! I'd do it from 11-1pm personally so you can lay on a buffet lunch. No need for games as they're to young. Do you have play equipment outside in your garden such as a slide? Balls? Sand table is a great one!

I think it would depend on how well you know those you are inviting and their situations. At that age if only inviting a few you are likely to know if they have siblings or if both parents work. I would count people based on their circumstances not on a blanket rule 1 adult 1 child. If you don’t know the situation maybe go with something like ‘we’re planning based on each child being accompanied by one adult. If you would prefer additional family to join us let me know and we will try to accommodate them if possible, within the restrictions of Covid’

And you definitely need a contingency plan for rain!

@AtleastitsnotMonday unfortunately I barely know them at all because with lockdown we're not allowed to hang around chatting outside the nursery...I know them to say hello to but that's it.

I think I'm going to go for it, maybe invite one less from nursery and a couple of family members instead, so if all else fails we have them there!

Timing wise, I’d do it so that it ends enough before nap time that the other parents can get their dc home with enough chill out time.

I’d not be in a rush for a party currently and most gardens can’t have 30 people with SD in place and if the weather turns it wouldn’t be much fun.

Generally, the only parties for a 2 year old I've been to were for adult friends. Birthday parties are awkward and unenjoyable for adults in the best of times, but if the adults aren't even friends, it's a bit odd. Because the kids don't really interact with each other at that age (or if they do, they're often a nightmare and just fighting over toys, especially if your dc isn't used to having friends over to play). I would do a party with close friends and family instead, other adults who actually want to be there to celebrate with you. And I'd start the kids' parties around 4 ish.