PW: Birthday Activity Ideas Wanted

[MissMusic]

OK so heres the deal:

My dad and his wife will be visiting for Peanut's birthday next week.  They are not too big on doing kid stuff, they mainly like to go out to eat.  Ex: last year we took L to ride the kiddie choo choo train, and my dad didn't want to go on with her.  So, yeah.

We JUST got an email from my IL's--SURPRISE, they're going to be visiting, too!  Nice to have everyone here, but its getting complicated! ILs are in good shape but definitely slowing down and not capable of too many rigorous activities; they are both in their early 80s.

I need ideas for something special to do with Lillian on her birthday.

Its can't be something like the zoo, because those places on a weekend over the summer are a death trap and have huge crowds.  Its also going to be in the upper 90s, so IL's shouldn't be out too long in that weather.  IL's also just took Lillian to Build-A-Bear, which would have been perfect for the birthday activity.  I was thinking a kiddie movie at the theater?  They often show kids movies for $3...

Any other ideas that would be fun for a kid but ok for elderly grandparents (and maybe reluctant grandparents)?

[cbear]

Can you just do a a bbq? And set up a sprinkler, kiddy pool, water table etc for Lillian? We did that this year for elise and she loved it! And it was nice to just relax and watch her play!

[gk12]

What about an indoor play place? There was one we went to in GA that had more than just bounce things and they had party rooms.

[barefoot84]

Bowling? Tumaini loves it, and if you have one of those places with a guider for kids, it's really just placing the ball and letting it roll.

[starfishy]

Do you have any little kid theaters that do shows or plays? We have one near us and they do short plays- usually storybook ones like Pinocchio or Hansel and Gretal.
Cupcake decorating class
Animal or nature show
Pottery place- where you paint the pottery
Sports event like minor league baseball

[britbratjf]

Bowling would be fun! Miniature golf? Although it may be too hot. A sporting event would also be fun - WNBA or a baseball game?

[versed]

I like the ideas of bowling and pottery painting. Both are in temp-controlled places with lots of sitting.

[lainikins]

I don't know if you have one by you, but for Emmett's birthday activity we brought him to a little arcade. It was geared to younger kids. There was a carousel ad ride on toys. He played some games and got some tickets and picked out a prize. He thought it was amazing.

[MissMusic]

Oooh good ideas! Pottery painting, arcade, and a theater might go over pretty well I should start looking! She likes art, the carousel and puppet shows...

Art and movies or show is great bc ILs will be able to sit down.

[justbeth]

We took Emma to a hibachi grill last year and she loved it. Random, but elderly friendly and still entertained the kid.

The art museum here has an awesome kids areas with fun activities, anything like that in your area?

[sarahandeddie]

I just took both girls to see Inside Out and they both liked it. We've also done paint your own pottery and they had lots of fun. We also enjoy Chuck E Cheese but the weekend might be crowded. We normally going in the morning during the week.

Everyone gave such good suggestions!