What the hell do we do for DS's birthday just before Christmas?

[MollyBloomYes]

DS is going to be 6. He's going to have his 'proper' party in January with his friends with school once I've gotten Christmas out the way and we know what's going on with restrictions (I posted on here asking for views about trampoline party straight after term ending, glad I decided on January now with plan b looking!)

However, his actually birthday, a couple of days before Christmas we still need to do a little something really. It's just me, his brother and me. Grandparents very involved and possibly I can ask a mutual friend of both the boys if they want to join in, so very small and select. Initially I thought maybe bowling but DS1 (older brother) got quite upset about it because the last time we went a couple of years ago he found it way too much-he's autistic and the noise, lights etc were completely overwhelming.

I'm a bit stumped. Grottos are all booked up. Cinema is a bit boring. Walk round a local NT park all decorated for Christmas might be nice but bit dull if you're 6. Go karting he's too young for. What else might there be that I haven't thought of? Can't really be outside because god knows what the weather will be like! Maybe cinema will have to do. With mountains of sweets and cake at home. I asked DS and he suggested paintball ffs. I don't think he's even allowed to do that at age 6

Same here. DS's birthday is Boxing day.

We'll be over at the in-laws so will celebrate there then have a party in January instead.

The best party we had for Ds a couple of years ago when he was 7. he invited 5 friends and it was just a simple at home party playing traditional party games such as pass the parcel, musical statues, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs in the garden. I made hotdogs and jelly&ice cream. All the children had an absolute ball the parents the next day said their children couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had. it was cheap too, could you do something like that?

My daughters birthday is Christmas Eve and we are going to sift play and out for dinner with some family. She had her party the weekend just gone.

Is there a skating rink near you? Quite a few outdoor ones seem to have popped up recently. Or a farm park, or crazy golf? I know they are outside but would be fine as long as not pouring down…

Would your son (with the birthday) like to go bowling? It seems a shame to allow his older brother to be able to veto this if he does. Christmas birthdays are tricky enough.

Do you have an old-fashioned skittles alley near you? It's similar to bowling, but tends to be quieter and without lots of lights.

Could one of the grandparents stay home with DS1 while the rest of you go bowling?

I would go to town on the home decorations, get some music on, play loads of games and just have a family party. He is six, it doesn't need to be groundbreaking, you make your child feel special by making a fuss of them.

One of our best ever birthdays was just us - we decorated the living room like a jungle (it was covered in green vines made from paper etc) and the kids 'camped' in there.

You don't need to go anywhere IMO for a six year old, just pick a theme and go with it.

@Squirrelblanket unfortunately yes, he absolutely would want his brother along. He is absolutely devoted to him and would never countenance doing a birthday treat without him! It's incredibly sweet because DS1 can be a right curmudgeon with him sometimes but DS2 is all love!

A traditional 'at home' party sounds lovely but I just haven't been organised enough to sort out contacts at school (I don't know any of the parents), get DS to do a list, get him to edit the bloody list etc etc. Hence doing the 'proper' party in January with all the school friends. Plus I'm leery of at home gatherings being cancelled last minute

However, got struck with inspiration and think I've got it, the boys have a mutual friend who's lovely and parents are great so they're up for coming along and DS has just announced that his latest desire is to be a zookeeper when he grows up. Which reminded me that we have an animal hospital/wildlife sanctuary nearish (named after a certain Beatrix Potter character 😉) which he will adore. They're open, it's mostly open air but has undercover bits of weather is awful and hopefully will stay open to visitors as far as restrictions go. So think I've cracked it but thanks so much for the suggestions!

@MollyBloomYes

Hope your DS has a lovely birthday, that sounds really nice

Do you have a garden? Maybe a winter treasure hunt around the garden and winter BBQ food.

Ah I was going to suggest something like this - DD's birthday is 2 days before Christmas and we have done the zoo quite a few times!

This year we are doing the local pier amusements.

I see you have sorted it with the zoo, but in a similar situation we did an hours (led) pony trek from a local stable and that worked well.

Skating. We do it every year for dd1's Boxing Day birthday

@BestZebbie that was my next idea! Until someone warned me that if they fell in love with horse riding that could soon become a very expensive habit 😂 a pony trek sounds amazing though, we don't have anything like that in our area, it would have to be a one off lesson at stables

@scooterbear I did think about skating but I've been once when I was 10 and was utterly dreadful so I'd need one of the Penguin things for me as well as the kids! And don't think my parents would be any help either, clearly we never went when we were kids!

@rrhuth thank you. Normally I'd be a lot more chilled about it but he was so incredibly brave and stoic about his birthday being cancelled with a days' notice last year thanks to the Christmas covid restrictions that I just really want to make sure he gets a nice day this year bless him!

Cupcakes on a tray
Games
Movie
Arts and crafts