My youngest son just turned three, and we had a great time celebrating at our favorite little local pumpkin patch (“Another Pumpkin Patch” in Gervais, Oregon). The pumpkins were a great backdrop for this autumn-born boy! The birthday theme was Batman (how do preschoolers learn about this stuff, anyway?). We didn’t get too fancy, but let me share a few tips for throwing a great on-location birthday party.
1. Choose a Great Location for Your Party
We chose this pumpkin patch because it has a hay fort and a corn maze, a tent in case it rains (which it did!), and because it is a working farm run by some friends (and ALL the proceeds go toward charity!). As a bonus, the tent was decorated with pumpkins and had tables, so we didn’t have to add any extra decorations. A good location enhances the party just by being a cool place!
2. Choose Meaningful Details Like a Homemade Cake
And if you don’t have time to make your own cake, have a willing relative or friend do it! This Batman cake was made by my sister. It’s just a simple two-tier cake with a paper skyline on it and the Batman logo with my son’s name in it. We have all seen those amazing parties on Pinterest, but don’t feel like you have to go all out to have a successful birthday party. Kids are pleased with simple things: food they like, somewhere to play, and of course, a couple of presents!
3. Invite Your Favorite Friends and Family
Our birthday parties so far have been family affairs, so the guests are usually grandparents and aunts and uncles. My kids always look forward to celebrating with the special people in their lives.
4. Serve Portable Food
image: cupcakes and cutlery
At the pumpkin patch, we had hay bales for seating, and no convenient tables where we could eat, so having portable food was a must! Every birthday party needs drinks (we brought a gallon of lemonade in a jug with a spigot — this might have been my three year-old’s favorite part of the day!), a cake, and some snack foods (like SunChips – one of my personal favorites) or even a meal.
Here’s a great recipe for a Walking Taco from SunChips, which are a great addition to birthday parties or any other occasion. I have been a fan of SunChips since they hit the market back when I was a kid. A one ounce bag (used in the recipe below) provides 18 grams of whole grains, has no MSG, artificial flavors or preservatives.
Disclosure: This post sponsored by SunChips. Opinions are my own.
41 Comments
Nancy B
Family and friends make the perfect party. There’s nothing like celebrating with those you are closest to.
wintu nancy
What a novel party, looks like everyone had fun.
rosemary cantrell
Love pumpkin patches! This looks like a great party. I agree, parties with family members are the best, especially when they are young.
Terri P.
Good food and good friends!
Laura
My mom used to go all out for my birthday parties as a child. What I most remember though is how excited she was to see me react to surprises, and she kept everything a surprise :)
Katherine
The best birthday parties have lots of love! And yummy cake.
MelodyJ
Ice Cream, cake, presents and being with people you like, love and care about.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
Sara
Love this giveaway and love the idea of using Sun Chips for walking tacos!
Melba of buggalcrafts
Wow! Sounds like u had the perfect party! The best thing u can do for a perfect party is to have lots of kids and something fun for them to do.
Megan
Fun activities! Thanks for the giveaway!
Kelly
A Walking Taco sounds – YUM!!
Diana Rambles
WOW! Walking Tacos with Sunchips. BRILLIANT idea!!
Diana Rambles
Perfect party? Kid picks the theme! Then go wild. You don’t have to spend a lot to make it special!
Donna O'Neil
Yummy food and cool decorations!
Danyelle
I think good friends and a special cake can make a party.
Elena
I think the guests make the perfect birthday party. Food and cake and decorations are fun, but good friends make it memorable.
Amanda D
Cute party. Love the sunchip meal idea.
Stephanie
Having my family there to celebrate with me makes a perfect party (and maybe receiving some scrapbooking supplies too :) Thanks for the giveaway!
Robin (RsIslandCrafts)
Happy Birthday to your lil’ man!! I always say the simple parties are the ones the kids remember the most. Time to run around and have free play are important.
Joy
My son’s Boy Scout troop makes the walking tacos all the time at camp, but they use Fritos or Dorito snack bags.
Lisalou
A great activity makes a great party. We have had spa parties, fashion show thrift store parties, splash parties for my girl. Hot Wheels (racetracks galore!) and Beyblade tournament parties for my boy.
Cheryl in AL
I like simpler parties with good food and family. Of course I am vibrating with excitement since my grandbaby is 11 months old. It might change very soon.
Serena
Birthday parties are most fun in a comfortable and fun environment for whoever the birthday boy or girl is…I think when they are having fun, everyone else follows suit!
Tammy C
I love a small party consisting of close family. Thanks for the giveaway!
Vanessa
Lots of family and laughs!
Wilma P
I think smaller parties are the best. When my son was really little I kept the number of guests to how old he was…3 kids at his third birthday, 4 at his fourth. That way he never got overwhelmed. Of course when he got older that all went out the window.
Steph @ Crafting in the Rain
The best party is when the person of honor feels loved :)
martha
Must have family friends all your helpers,
Sheri
The perfect party includes family and friends, simple but yummy food, and of course great dessert–that includes chocolate in some form. :)
Your party looked like a lot of fun! If anyone in my family had a birthday in the fall, it would be a blast to have it in a pumpkin patch! I LOVE the idea of portable food like the Walking Tacos from Sun Chips! Thanks for the great idea and the cool giveaway opportunity. Good luck to all! :)
Lora W.
Having fun with great friends is the most important part of great party.
Kathryn
Inviting guests with a positive outlook on life along with plenty of food and activities.
Naomi
Happy kids and relaxed, stress-free parents!
Joan J
I love the idea of the “portable” taco! Definitely going to have to write that one down for afternoons at the playground with my grandson.
Joan J
The perfect birthday party…. I’m a grandparent now, so the perfect birthday party is watching MY kids have to go through all the birthday party prep for THEIR kids… and all I have to do is show up!
Amy W.
Family and friends make the perfect birthday party.
Patricia
Family and good fiends are essential. And, good food of course.
Amy Z.
Wonderful family/friends always make the perfect birthday party!
Angi Mullis
I love the Walking Taco idea! Im a nanny/preschool teacher and we are always looking for easy snack ideas! Thanks! I would LOVE to win the prize pack! Pretty please!
sunny
Cute pumpkin patch party! My kid’s bday is in a week or so…but I think this year we’ll celebrate by taking him to Disneyland for the first time. The past two years I’ve gone all out with a theme and decorations. I like to do as many handmade touches as I can, including baking cupcakes or treats and making giftbags. This year, since he loves Mickey and the Dollar store always has cute mickey and friiends themed things, especially stickers and pencils…I’ll just make him a car trip goodie bag to get him even more excited!
sarah oswald
the pefect birthday party is when everyone i love is there family and friends to celebrate with me. the more the merrier!!
Jenna Z
I think the perfect birthday party starts with a good blend of guests, I like mixing family and friends because I think they each get each other talking about different aspects of the birthday person!