Anonymous wrote:Can you just make it a costume party in February? Most three year olds would love to break out their Halloween costumes again, especially at an odd time of year. Then your daughter could wear her ballet outfit and you could just hire someone to get the kids up and dancing (doing any variety of dance moves). We went to a birthday party today with a woman who sang and got the kids jumping and dancing in all sorts of silly ways. The kids were all 3 and 4 (mixed gender) and had a ball.

Are you in the DC area? If yes, can you give me this woman contact info? Thanks!!

Anonymous wrote:OP here: I know some boys like to dance, and although the theme/decor i am imagining is ballerina/pink and boys may not like that, I think any child would like a candy/sweets table, face painting and dress up costumes for the kids, not limited to ballet/girlie stuff.

I am only struggling with the "dancing/music" part. If it was strictly a ballet party I could try to hire one of the ballet teachers to do a "mini session," but I don't think boys would like that. Maybe something more "spunky" like hip hop? Well, not REAL hip hop, but you get the drift.
While my DD didn't ask for a ballet theme party, it is the things she most like at the moment. She would love a ballet/dancing party.

Anyway, just brainstorming....

OP, since the guests will be three, ask the teacher to do a creative movement class. Let her know to expect boys. It will be perfect.

Can you just make it a costume party in February? Most three year olds would love to break out their Halloween costumes again, especially at an odd time of year. Then your daughter could wear her ballet outfit and you could just hire someone to get the kids up and dancing (doing any variety of dance moves). We went to a birthday party today with a woman who sang and got the kids jumping and dancing in all sorts of silly ways. The kids were all 3 and 4 (mixed gender) and had a ball.

OP here: I know some boys like to dance, and although the theme/decor i am imagining is ballerina/pink and boys may not like that, I think any child would like a candy/sweets table, face painting and dress up costumes for the kids, not limited to ballet/girlie stuff.

I am only struggling with the "dancing/music" part. If it was strictly a ballet party I could try to hire one of the ballet teachers to do a "mini session," but I don't think boys would like that. Maybe something more "spunky" like hip hop? Well, not REAL hip hop, but you get the drift.

While my DD didn't ask for a ballet theme party, it is the things she most like at the moment. She would love a ballet/dancing party.

Anyway, just brainstorming....

Anonymous wrote:ok, i'm the dissenter - I think you should go w/ a more neutral dance theme and that I would think it would be odd for DS to be invited to a ballet theme. DD's been to batman parties, but it seems different (yes, I realize it's sexist but it's amazing how early kids lock into "boy" and "girl" things!).

THanks to that type of gender stereotyping. Maybe you can travel back in time and suggest to Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov's parents that they ought to keep them out of ballet as it's for girls?

Be sure to let your daughters know they should not aspire to be doctors, lawyers, military officers, or anything other than SAHMs or sectretarys--but only until marriage.

I would be fine with it but I know a few parents that would raise an eyebrow; they probably still come.

FYI, the little dance class in our area has costumes for boys and girls, things like capes and crowns that are unisex.

ok, i'm the dissenter - I think you should go w/ a more neutral dance theme and that I would think it would be odd for DS to be invited to a ballet theme. DD's been to batman parties, but it seems different (yes, I realize it's sexist but it's amazing how early kids lock into "boy" and "girl" things!).

My 9 yr old son has been taking ballet since he was 3. Along with ice hockey and soccer.

Why is ballet girlie? Does everyone thing that male dancers just hatch magically at the age of 18 to accompany the ballerinas? Can we please not be quite so.....1950s?



To answer the question, I think it's fine. Obviously.

Unless your child has specifically asked for a ballerina party why do you want to do that theme when you know she will want to invite boys?
I think its ok to invite boys but I think you should go with a more gender neutral theme.

I agree with another poster that mentioned a dance party. Even if you do stick with the ballet idea, you can still invite boys.

My sons love dolls and dance, in addition to bakugans and beyblades. I would be very happy if they were invited to a ballet party. Thank you for thinking of the boys too!

My son turns 3 next week. He has been to several princess parties and had a good time.

My son is 3 and completely clueless about gender cues of any sort. He informed me the other day that he'd like a dress like his friend Kate because she has "very pretty dresses." Kids like parties. They don't really care much about the theme at this age I don't think. Especially the boys.

I think 3 yr olds would be fine with it however you could theme it a little more as a dance party with a ballerina aspect and that way there could other types of dance as well.

My daughter just started pre-school and although I don't think she has any "favorites" yet, she is usually much friendlier with boys. And likes to play, run around them. I am starting to think about her 3 year birthday party next February (yeah, really!) and I think it will be a ballerina theme party. She LOVES her ballet "classes" and dancing. She insist on dancing for street performers (you know, see a guy playing a guitar for money and starts twirling around) and the like.


If I go ahead with this theme, I will probably hire a face painter, maybe someone to "teach" the kids a few steps and the decor will be mainly pink ballet related.

I am just wondering if young boys would enjoy something like that or if we will get a big eye roll from their parents if they are invited to a party like this.

Or maybe I just choose a more unisex theme?