While your child’s 1st birthday may have involved little more than party hats and a smash cake, you’ll need to up the ante when they turn 2. Not only is your little one more active and social this year, they’ve also developed their own unique tastes—3 things that make for a perfect guest of honour!
Before you send out the invitations for your toddler’s big day, consider these helpful 2-year-old birthday party tips.
Cater — literally — to 2-year-olds
If there’s one thing toddlers unanimously love, it’s snacks, so be sure to have plenty of safe and nutritious foods available for munching at your toddler’s birthday party.
Parents should keep the food simple, healthy and child-friendly. Sliced fruit, yoghurt cups and finger foods like chicken nuggets or mini sandwiches are great ideas.
Be sure to find out if any kids attending have food allergies, so you have options available for them as well.
Time it right
Remember: most 2-year-olds still nap, so be mindful of the time you’re having the party. The ideal time to host it is in the middle of the day, sometime after their nap. If a party is too close to either side of naptime, party guests—as well as the birthday boy or girl—may be feeling a little sleepy and/or cranky.
Another timing issue to keep in mind? Attention spans! Two-year-old birthday parties should be kept brief, as toddler attention spans are short: 2.5 to 3 hours is plenty, and this should include free play, some activities and cake.
Keep it interactive
While 2-year-olds will be delighted to see other children and people they love, don’t expect them to entertain themselves—or sit still for too long.
At 2, the attention span for crafts isn’t quite there yet, so interactive entertainment is usually the best way to keep them amused. Anything that adds a fun and unique touch, such as balloon artists, bouncy castles or costume characters, is sure to be a hit.
Have stations
Stations that allow toddlers to play together are great, but make sure there is one of each item per child to avoid territorial squabbles occurring. Also, each game or station should be run by at least 2 adults: one running the game and the other tending to the children and making sure that they take turns.
Keep it contained
Parents of toddlers know to keep an eye on kids at all times. Nonetheless, it’s important to keep the party area safe and well-secured, since this age group is always on the go.
Whether you’re having a birthday party at home or renting a space at an indoor venue or outdoor park, keep the area well-defined, and make sure at least one parent is staying to tend to their children. Toddlers are constantly on the move, and the pressure for the hosting parents to keep all the kids safe is huge.
Pick what your child loves and stick to it
Be it a favourite book, show or activity, all 2-year-olds have their thing—so use it.
Choose a theme based on whatever captures your child’s imagination most. Then, carry that theme throughout the party—from the invitations to the party bags to, of course, the cake.
Now for the fun stuff. Here are 15 brilliant 2-year-old birthday party ideas.
1. Petting zoo
A petting zoo is always a huge crowd favourite with this age group. But if the word “zoo” sends your mind into overdrive and you’re imagining ponies trampling all over your azaleas, don’t worry—there are plenty of small-scale petting zoos (think bunnies and chicks) available for kids’ parties.
2. Bouncy castle
When it comes to 2-year-old birthday ideas, it doesn’t get much better than a bouncy castle. Jumping up and down in a soft, colourful structure for an hour straight? That’s any toddler’s dream.
3. Bubble party
Bubble parties are fun and super easy—and there’s more to them than just soap and water. In addition to blowing and chasing bubbles, kids (and adults!) can also pop bubble wrap. Talk about a sensory sensation!
4. Sandcastle party
If you can’t make it to the beach for your 2-year-old’s birthday party, don’t worry. They—and all of their friends—will have just as much fun making sandcastles in a sandpit or sand table in the garden. Just be sure to have enough buckets and spades for everyone!
5. Art party
Whether they’re colouring, finger painting or drawing on the patio with chalk, an art-themed party is a great way for any 2-year-old to spend a few hours. (And it’s very cheap, too!)
6. Circus party
If you’re feeling ambitious, a circus-themed party, will provide the opportunity for plenty of toddler-friendly activities. Think popcorn, clowns (if your child isn’t scared of them) and lots of red-and-white-striped decor.
7. Character party
Hiring your child’s favourite character to come play games and sing songs with the kids won’t just entertain the little ones, it will give you a break, too. At the end of the day, you want to be able to spend time with the kids and enjoy the party, not run around like a headless chicken trying to manage everything the entire time. Check out the characters at Character Visits for inspiration—there are some real crowd favourites in there, like Peppa Pig, Elsa and Spiderman, to name just a few!
8. Face painting party
Bunnies, tigers and butterflies—oh my! For the 2-year-old age group, face painters are always a big hit.
9. Rainbow party
There are about a zillion different things you could do for a rainbow-themed birthday party. And don’t just think about decor—think cakes, cupcakes, goodie bags and even multi-coloured sensory bins!
10. Favorite book party
Does your child have a book they ask you to read over and over? Why not turn it into the theme for their party? Think of all the snacks you could offer at a “Very Hungry Caterpillar”-themed party!
11. ‘Sesame Street’ party
From the decorations to a possible character visit, the options for a “Sesame Street”-themed party are endless. And of course you need a cute cake to go with it, like this one from Anna’s Sweet Treats.
12. Water play party
If you’re looking for summertime 2nd birthday party ideas that will keep everyone cool, what about a water play party? Kids will love splashing around in paddling pools and sprinklers, and playing with toys at a water table.
13. Balloon artist
Few things will widen a 2-year-old’s eyes like a long balloon being feverishly turned into a poodle. Hiring a balloon animal artist is a great way to keep kids entertained, and they make for adorable party favours.
14. Construction-themed party
Traffic cones for decoration, mini hard hats as party bags, toy lorries filled with snacks—there are so many ways to bring construction-themed parties to life. Check out these adorable digger cookies from Kayla Block—a must!
15. Ball party
A ball-themed party? Yes, really.
Old-fashioned activities go down really well with this age group: building blocks, sandpits, simple relay races and basic playthings, such as inflatable balls that are easy to kick and throw about.
And in keeping with the theme, a paddling pool filled with colourful plastic balls is guaranteed to give toddlers a fun time—as well as some seriously good photo ops.
