Help! How to avoid disaster at son's 1st birthday! (San Antonio: daycare, buying)

[AEB7985]

My son is turning one. I booked Nani Falcone Park off Bandera (if anyone knows about the pavillion or has pics that would be great!) and I set the date for July 3rd. I know, dead heat of the summer. But I plan on having quite a few people, too many for the house.

My question is, does anyone have advice on how to keep the parting going (have booked for 4 hrs) without everyone being bored or afraid of dying of heatstroke if they do anything? I also want to avoid people just coming, then leaving quickly, or not coming at all cause of the heat. Please help!

[majormadmax]

That time of year I would have tried to find a place that had water activities, but I digress....

First, there are pics on the park's web site. It looks nice, and folks say the playground and pavilions are pretty neat too.

Secondly, the park also has a frisbee golf course, so you might want to try that. Obviously you need to ensure sunscreen and hats are used, and the participants drink plenty of water as even though Frisbee golf is not a strenuous sport, dehydration will still be a threat. But it not only kills and hour or so of the time, it keeps people “locked in” as you can’t really quit halfway through the course now, can you?

Thirdly, given the heat, you might want to still consider water games, such as buying squirt guns or maybe a slip and slide (if the park allows them). Do you know if you'll have access to water? If so, a few small inflatable pools might be a good idea; anything where the kids can splash, play and keep cool!

Otherwise, keep the kids under the pavilion as much as possible and try to limit the amount of sugary drinks they consume. The usual party games should keep them well occupied but if I may say so, please don't try to keep the party going for the full four hours. It'll take at least an hour to set up, then maybe 1½-2 hours for the actual party, then clean-up. Anything longer than that for the actual celebration gets to be hard on both the kids and their parents!

Good luck! M2

[AEB7985]

Thanks! Good idea about the water guns and other water activities! And i saw the pics on the park web site, not the best close up pics of the pavillion though. Will just have to take a drive this weekend.

[stoneoak]

I agree -- four hours is way to long. Birthday parties are typically an hour and a half to two hours max and, trust me, that is loooong enough for both the hostess and the other parents / kids.

[SATX56]

Remember to take lots of photos. Without them a 1 year old will have absolutely no recollection of the event.

[SabresFanInSA]

I'd like to know how this turns out. My daughter's birthday happens to be July 3rd and every year (she turns 9 this year) we have been beaten to death by the heat, unless of course we did something indoors like Peter Piper or something.

[TexasRedneck]

Try one of the city or county parks with pavilions - they give excellent shade, usually are trees around, and all that helps to provide cooling effect. However, I would submit that if you're having a party that large for a 1 year-old, it's for mom and dad, not the baby - because it'll not even realize what's going on. Not a dig - an observation....keeping it smaller and more intimate could be a lot more fun for those involved.

[Mom2Feebs]

I would cancel and do something else. Four hours outside with a one year old (not to mention other people's children) in the heat of July? You'll be paying for sure, a lot more than money.

[RGJ]

Sorry, but this just sounds incredelous. Water guns at one year old birthday party? Are they gonna squirt the baby in the face while his in the stroller? Slip and slide? Throw the baby down the slip and slide? Summertime in San Antonio is no place for a one year old to be outdoors for four hours.

Sounds like what you really ought to do is have a backyard BBQ with a couple of kegs for the adults, with a splash pool for the one year old. Personally I'd be against the splash pool since it only takes a couple of inches and minutes for a baby to drown. You can purchase water mister hoses at a local store and that would help keep the heat down. Also, since it's in your backyard, if the heat becomes overwhelming, you can move the baby indoors.

[RoamingWolves]

Its a bit early to be blowing out the birthday budgets in this kids life. You would be much happier with a small casual thing for the first birthday. As the kids get older they start providing more feedback into what they want to do and what it might entail. If YOU want a big party that's cool and all but as you said being outdoors in a hot place you are going to have a hard time getting anyone to come out and do much.

I big part is what are the ages of the poeple coming. If it is a bunch of parents from daycare with 1 year old they are probably not going to be interested in sitting out in the heat with a child they probably cannot let out of sight for a moment (being near a road/public place).

I also agree with the whole go out there and see what it is like as soon as possible and expect it to be high 90s maybe 100s. It looks like there is water there so if you are waiting till the cooler hours insects are going to be an issue.

You are also talking July 4th weekend. Lots going on.