Last month was Wolfie’s birthday and he had a special request. MINIATURE GOLF. Aw yeah! I was only too happy to oblige. It’s funny, when your child turns one or two, their birthday party is just as much for you as it is for them—more like “Hallelulijah! We made it through the first year!” But as they get older, they have more opinions and it’s less about snazzy decor and themes (although I love a good theme….and of course fun decor!) and more about doing something that THEY are into. And in my boy’s eyes:
We found a local place that did birthday parties and boy did we hit the jackpot! This place was super cool and funky and filled with lots of retro accents. Check out this sweet little midcentury “party room”!
I love those umbrellas! The kid’s played mini golf and then we hit the patio area where we feasted on pizza and cupcakes….and lollipops.
I admit, I always do a goody bag. I know people have mixed feelings about them, and it’s sort of lame that kid’s “expect” them these days. BUT it does make the kid’s happy and I think they can be fun. My tip is to make sure it’s super simple and filled with small, inexpensive things that I think the kids will actually be able to play with or snack on. I usually use a brown paper bag that we decorate, but this year I found craft paper handle bags at the dollar store and we filled them with a plastic tiki mug, tattoos, moustaches, Ring Pops and Candy Necklaces. Cheap but lotsa fun!
I think I had just as much fun as the kiddos. I was joking around and told them all that I was a golf pro….really bragging about how they better watch out, just to be funny. The kids were laughing and rolling their eyes. And on my first try? I got a hole in one! HAH! (I may or may not have played air guitar with the golf club in my excitement. Ahem.)
After cupcakes and birthday songs, we hit the mini arcade where the kids played and laughed and snapped up tickets that they could turn in for small treats. It was a HUGE success! It was an easy party for Greg and I, and my little guy had a blast. And that was all that really mattered.
So two questions. What do you do for Goody Bags? And when was the last time you played miniature golf?? It it’s been longer than 2 years, get thee to that putt putt range STAT! It’s the best!
Fab party idea. And Wolfy and his friends are all such little well-dressed hipsters!
haha yeah, they have their little “cali style” going on!
: )
Sooo much to love here! The golden golf ball for the birthday boy, those insane umbrellas, and is that a miniature Disneyland castle–be still my heart.
What a genius birthday party idea! And I love the goody bags!
Would anyone notice if I “borrowed” that windmill?
I can’t remember the last time I played miniature golf, but boy does it look like a FAB time. You have me looking anxiously ahead, once again. What a cutie little Wolfie is with his buddies. And love the goodie bag… Those were always second to cupcakes for me. Who’s trying to get rid of goodie bags!?
Ashley
I love making goodie bags and I also love a good theme, so I’m sure it’s the designer in me coming out when I adore putting these togther. I agree the cheaper the better, but I hate it when my kids just get junk at a party. My goal is to keep it simple, but something kids might actually use! I like art supplies for that reason, and of course a sweet treat or two.
I like what you have used here because it is something the kids are using to have fun at the party. I can’t tell you how many little broken plastic bits have been added to the landfill from our party going.
If you don’t mind me asking, what is the name of this mini golf place? We are going to be in the bay area for my niece’s bat mitzvah next weekend and we are going to have around 10 kids to entertain in-between family events. This looks perfect!
I am with you….if Wolfie wanted it, I would do insane themes. Alas, he has no interest in dress up play, doesn’t like sweets (so there goes having fun themed cakes or cupcakes!) but this was a really fun compromise! And yes, I’ve been at so many parties where the parents buy things that are little plasticky bit that the kids look at and then promptly leave behind. Not like I’m some genius, but it was really fun to see them all wearing the moustaches and tattoos and they all filled up their tiki cups with water ($1 Store Summer special!).
The mini golf place was really fun. Its in Castro Valley and just a totally normal place, but had all these cool old school touches. There are two “paths” for your mini golf gaming. We split up into two “teams” which i recommend with 10 kids. AND they do parties—you can get the midcentury little shack or just sit outside under those groovy umbrellas. The teens working there were TOTALLY nice too! Not at all jaded. http://www.golfland.com/castrovalley/
Uh, yes you are some kind of genius! Thanks for the info, lady. We are gonna try to sneak in a fairyland visit too!