Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you trying to avoid calling it a play date vs a party?

I don't want to plan a party. I just want to have a normal casual play date but sing happy birthday for my child.

I don't want parents to feel obligated to bring gifts. I don't want to do favor bags or plan activities.

Say “Please, no gifts!!”
Have a cake and put up a few $1 helium-filled balloons from Safeway. Give one balloon to each guest as they leave.
No activities needed.

Safeway has $1 helium balloons? How did I not know this? And to think I traveled a few miles to Party City to get my helium balloons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you trying to avoid calling it a play date vs a party?

I don't want to plan a party. I just want to have a normal casual play date but sing happy birthday for my child.

I don't want parents to feel obligated to bring gifts. I don't want to do favor bags or plan activities.

Say “Please, no gifts!!”
Have a cake and put up a few $1 helium-filled balloons from Safeway. Give one balloon to each guest as they leave.
No activities needed.

Anonymous wrote:How many kids?

We did this, but w people we knew well so I had no issue saying “hey do you want to come over for a play date on Saturday? It’s Larlos birthday on wednesday so I might order an ice cream cake and we can sing.”

There are 10 kids in her class. I doubt everyone would come. I think most of the play dates so far usually have 50% attendance.

No one has hosted an all class party yet in the class. We have been invited to one party so far and we were the only one from class who came. I don't know if others were invited but definitely not the entire class.

It's the best home party. We did that for bday 2 and 3. No gifts. Cake and lunch (ordered sandwich platters and some veggies and juice boxes). Done. Everyone had fun.

How many kids?

We did this, but w people we knew well so I had no issue saying “hey do you want to come over for a play date on Saturday? It’s Larlos birthday on wednesday so I might order an ice cream cake and we can sing.”

Anonymous wrote:What are you trying to avoid calling it a play date vs a party?

I don't want to plan a party. I just want to have a normal casual play date but sing happy birthday for my child.

I don't want parents to feel obligated to bring gifts. I don't want to do favor bags or plan activities.

We did this. I also had this craft set up on a table which got compliments from the parents.

http://www.paper-and-glue.com/2015/04/invitation-to-create-cupcake-factory.html

Served cupcakes.

Sounds like you want to only invite a few people instead of everyone?

What are you trying to avoid calling it a play date vs a party?

OP, what is the difference between birthday party and play date? What you describe sounds like a home birthday party, and those are the best! The difference between a play date and a home party is that a play date doesn’t have decorations or birthday cake or anything relating to a birthday.

We had a neighbor who did this, they served cake but didn't call it a party. I think mostly because they didn't want (birthday) gifts - if that is also your goal; otherwise it's a home party.

We did bday play dates when we were in an apartment with a social room. They were fun!

I did this. The kids had a great time. If you serve cake, its a birthday party.

Thats a home party. Sounds like fun.

My daughter is turning 3 and I originally was not planning on having a party with her classmates at her new preschool. The parents have been organizing play dates at parks and homes. I wanted to invite kids over anyways.

Would it be ok to just call it a birthday play date or should I just call it a party?

We have a large playroom and should be able to entertain guests for 2 hours.