Farm party for 2yo DS - would you?

[wetnoodle]

DS will be 2 in October and I would love to throw a party at Bocketts farm. I've been in the autumn before and I just love the way it looks at that time of the year.

I think it would cost about £250 (including party bags).

I didn't do anything for his 1st birthday as I couldn't see the point and I'm wondering if 2 is still too young for a proper party.

Would it be better to wait until next year?

I'd wait until next year. I know my DS (2 and a bit) would love it though so maybe a family trip this time and a party with friends next year?

Thanks. Think that's a good idea. As much as I'd love to have a party it seems like a lot of effort and expense for a child so young

DD1 just coming up to 3 and realising about birthdays properly, I would wait a year.

It's quite fun thinking of things to do isn't it? My secret pleasure is a page in my notebook with birthday party ideas up until DS's 16th :o I love party planning!

Ooh bocketts is near me! It's really lovely. I agree that maybe a family day out would be better for age 2 and a party when a little bit older. We had 1st proper party for DS1 at age 4 and he still remembers it. Ds2 will get his first proper party this October actually age 5 when he's started school (I was very poorly last oct so we couldn't do one then)

If farms are the day out of choice. And you wanted to save bocketts for when you do a party there is also Holmbush farm near horsham. Also a really great farm day out. Hope he has a great day!

AKMD, I know what you mean re: party planning. I think I just want to throw a party and DS a good excuse.

TiredTeddy, I'll have a look at Holmbush too. Maybe a "research" trip in the next few weeks

I'll be a dissenting voice and say it depends on the child. My ds absolutely loved his second birthday party last year, and we all had a great time. We did it at home with 12 children so not huge and we have some outside space and were lucky with the weather. Key was a great entertainer (Garg at Impeyan productions) and that my son loves animals so it was clear what to do for the event and that he would enjoy it.

But I think a family outing will feel like a party to your ds and he won't miss the party, so you should do what works for you all.

I did 2nd parties for dd1 and dd2, but not ds. Dd1 had one at home - low key seemed to enjoy. Dd2 had combined one with dd1's 4th in a hall and was miserable, ds got a family outing to theme park. None of them now remember their 2nd birthday, not sure that I they remember their third, but they do remember 4th.

I would have a small low key party at home or a day trip this year, and either do farm when 3 or 4 depending on whether there are specific friends you want in the numbers, or if you are happy for random selection of preschoolers. A 3 year old will be pleased to see most people, by 4 they are getting more picky.

I'm thinking small party at home in the week for ds's 3rd followed by family day trip, and a bigger party when he is 4.

I thought about party at home but it would be entirely dependent on weather. Could comfortably host 10-15 LO's + parents outside but no way could we cope inside. Also thought about a hall + entertainer and/or soft play but would be same expense and effort as farm but not as cute

I have done two parties at home before, one for one group of friends and another for another group of friends. Although it means two cakes, most other things are no more expensive. For hiring a hall I find that by the time I've paid for hall, food, party bags, stuff for games etc it is usually 6+ pound a head, and some soft play areas aren't much more than that, but I enjoy doing it and the entertaining etc.

The farm does sound great, but the memories will soon fade at 2, by 3 they will remember it for a month or two or more. Winter birthdays are annoying as you have to go inside, but then I guess at least we know it will probably be wet/cold, in the summer you could plan for garden party and end up squashed indoors.

We have a local farm park. Went to a 2nd b'day party there and the kids didn't really get it. A year later went to a third birthday party there and it was the best party DS has been to.