Ideas for 2nd bday party

I'm thinking of having a small get together at the park or lake but not 100% sure. BD & I are not together & I'd like to do it in a place where my family & his family won't have to cross each other much (there have been issues between them). They've agreed that they will be civil and do their own thing for my son's sake. I worry about being outside though. His bday is at the end of March. I just want things to be fair for both me & my son's dad. And I don't want to exclude him from any plans since we've been making better attempts to be civil with each other. Any different ideas or suggestions? My main thing is just making sure that everyone has a good time, and that my son has a good birthday.

Honestly, if there's problems between the families why don't you each throw him a separate party?

Honestly I would just have each family throw their own party. We've been doing this for the past 5 years and it works out really well for everyone. I'm not sure an outside birthday party at the end of march will work out depending on your weather. We're going to do a Sesame Street themed party in the beginning of march in our house. All of our guests will be adults so I'm going to make pomegranate martini s and claim it's an Elmo inspired cocktail. I might try to get a bounce house if I was having it outside or something.

He mentioned to me having one together, and I don't think he's in a financial place to supply everything. I;m not quite sure what is entirely happening yet. I just wanted to things to be fair to him as well. Cause last year he didn't get to have or be at my son's first birthday party. Visitation hadn't been worked through yet.

Wild West
Ride 'em Cowboy! Wild West themes are great for a group of active little ones. There's plenty of opportunity for pretend play and fun costumes. And the party can be held inside or out. A hint: Stick to rodeo games and party favors, and avoid toys or games that would encourage a "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" atmosphere.
Game: Pony Ride or Stick Horse Race. If you've got good outdoor space, consider a pony ride as a party event. Make sure you call for reservations four to six weeks before your party to ensure availability. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. If you must pick from the Yellow Pages, ask the vendor for references. Also, set up a craft to keep kids entertained while they are waiting for their turn.
For those without a good lawn for partying, keep the western theme by arranging a stick horse race. Mini broomsticks in horse decor will stand in for the real ponies. It's nice to have one for each guest, but for the race, you really only need two -- one for each team.
Party favor: Sheriff's badge stickers. Stay away from the six-shooter/bows-and-arrows favors. Not all parents will approve.
Planning timeline

• Six weeks before party day: If you're considering a pony ride, now's the time to make calls and line up a vendor. A popular local pony may have a very busy schedule.
• One month before party day: Make guest list, plan menu, send invitations.
• Two weeks before party day: Shop for party favors, paper goods. Ask a friend or relative who has RSVP'd to act as your assistant on party day.


• One week before party day: Shop for menu items.
  
  

Teddy Bear Picnic
Throw a picnic party, indoors or out. Encourage guests to bring their favorite teddy bear along for the big event. Use a picnic basket for a centerpiece, and put sandwiches, cookies, and lemonade on the menu.
Game: Bear Paw Relay Race. You will need two pair of heavy socks or mittens. For each player, you'll need one small cookie (Teddy Grahams are a good choice) wrapped in tissue paper or other easy-tear wrapping. Divide the guests into two teams. At the signal, each player must put on the socks or mittens, crawl across the floor to the cookie dish, take out one cookie, crawl back to the team, unwrap the cookie, and pop it in his or her mouth. (It's tricky with paw-hands!) Then give the mittens or socks to the next player. The first team to finish wins.
Party favor: Bear stickers.
Activity: Make fun bear-shaped balloons.
Planning timeline
One month before party day: Make guest list, plan menu, send invitations.
Two weeks before party day: Shop for party favors, paper goods, and items needed for the relay race. Ask a friend or relative who has RSVP'd to act as your assistant on party day.
One week before party day: Shop for menu items.




Crayon Party

If there's one toy every toddler can agree on, it's the ever popular crayon. A crayon party, with plenty of color choices for everyone, is sure to get the creative juices flowing. Invest in some boxes of fun colors and sizes -- nice big fat crayons are an extra bonus.

Game: Color a Tablecloth. Take a page from your favorite kid-friendly restaurant. Tape sturdy white paper over the dining room table and turn the mini artists loose. Grown-ups can join in too (if they can muscle in a place at the table). Save your tablecloth as a memento for your birthday boy or girl.

Party favor: Bouquet of new crayons. Go for some unusual colors and shapes.
Planning timeline

One month before party day: Make guest list, plan menu, send invitations.
Two weeks before party day: Shop for party favors, paper goods, and items needed for the tablecloth art project. Ask a friend or relative who has RSVP'd to act as your assistant on party day.
One week before party day: Shop for menu items.




Frog Party

Have a hopping good time with this fun theme. It's a little off the beaten path, but certainly won't require much explanation. Everyone loves a happy hoppy frog. It's good for indoor or outdoor parties, and most materials will be easy to find.

Game: Frog Pass Relay. You will need two large round green balloons. Divide your guests into two equal teams and ask each team to line up. Each player at the head of a line gets a balloon. At "Go!" players on each team pass the balloon frog over their heads to their teammates. The balloon passes head over head until it gets to the end of the line and that player take the balloon and runs around to the front of the line and begins passing it backward again. The race continues until every player has had a turn at the front of the line. First team to do this wins.

Party favor: Rubber frog toys.
Planning timeline

One month before party day: Make guest list, plan menu, send invitations.
Two weeks before party day: Shop for party favors, paper goods, and items needed for the balloon pass game. Ask a friend or relative who has RSVP'd to act as your assistant on party day.
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Im having the same problems with my family, im not throughing 2 parties though, i just told them that if for the sake of my kid, they cant make nice for a few hours then they shouldnt come. because for once in thair life they need to think of someone other than themselves.