Posts Tagged ‘birthday parties’

School applications, ERB testing, daily play dates, swine flu fears. It’s no wonder urban babies’ lives are on overdrive. Time to stop and smell the roses, the hydrangea and some thyme.

Occasion9 (O9 for short), a weddings and events floral shop in West Chelsea, offers flower arranging classes and birthday parties for kids (ages 4 to 12). Not your garden variety extracurricular (or bday soiree), this “horticultural therapy” is arts and crafts, science and a “green” education all rolled into one. Founder Jasmine Jung-ah Chae, who studied horticultural science in her native South Korea, teaches budding floralistas the art of designing with and nurturing plants and flowers.

Now no one can accuse Junior of being a late bloomer.

Occasion9, 214 West 29th St., #1003, (bet. 7th & 8th Ave.), 646-321-7344, occasion9.com.

Since the scrapbooks and baby journals are still sitting around half completed, you’d like to attempt a project you can actually finish.

The paint-your-own pottery studio Make (formerly Our Name is Mud) opened a flagship shop at FAO Schwarz. Crafty kids can choose from 400 ceramic pieces to paint any color of the rainbow (starting at $10). Leave the original work of kitschy art behind to be glazed and kiln-fired, with the option to have the finished piece delivered or available for pick-up. Or, book the entire studio for a keepsake-creating birthday party.

Besides, you can never have enough coffee mugs.

767 Fifth Ave. at 58th St., 212-644-9400, fao.com.

Wonder what all of the laid-off MBAs are going to do post-Wall Street? Start their own businesses, of course.

Baking enthusiast Jessi Walter was ahead of the trend. After losing her job as a VP, the Harvard grad founded Cupcake Kids, a hands-on cooking company. Whether it’s a group class or a birthday party (events held at P*ong restaurant, or your pad), little ones can learn how to measure, mix and make a treat from scratch (using math and reading skills). Coming up on the agenda are Valentine’s Day workshops (different sessions for ages 2 to 14) where sweetheart cookies and strawberry lemonade are on the agenda.

Ah, sweet satisfaction.

Visit cupcakekids.com.

With your 401K and disposable income both heading south, it may not seem like the time to party. But you can’t let junior down when her best friend just celebrated her second birthday with a “small gathering” of 100 in a wing at the Met. Below are some ways to ensure that your little darling has a happy birthday without spending thousands on cringe-worthy entertainers.

One Singular Sensation: Babies
A first birthday is all about the photo op. Your kid sure as heck isn’t going to remember this party, so keep it simple. Spend $25 for a park permit and host the soiree in Central Park. Supply blankets, some large playground balls and plenty of bubbles for guests. Forget the chichi bakeries with beautiful confections that taste like cardboard. Order a cake from Food Emporium — shockingly delicious and adorable. As for favors, buy a few bags of basic bath toys — ducks, pirates, dinosaurs — and hand out one to each kid.

Terrible Twos Plus: Toddlers
Instead of hosting a costly fiesta at your child’s dance studio or play gym, hire his instructor to run a class in your building’s party room or the local park (remember the permit). Many of these teachers are recent college grads and/or out-of-work actors who are happy to earn $150 for an hour of work. Bake a few dozen cupcakes and have kids decorate them with sprinkles and colored sugar mixes. As guests bid adieu, let them choose an item from the “Boodle Bag” — a pillowcase or decorative sack with small wrapped presents like books or inexpensive toys.

Small City Slickers: Pre-Schoolers
Keep in mind that many of those spectacular party venues are merely taking a basic idea and slapping an expensive price tag on it. So DIY, and host a pizza-making party at a local neighborhood joint. Have the dough ready for kids to toss on the sauce, cheese, pepperoni, etc. To entertain the masses while the meal cooks, offer a quick and easy art project (try Oriental Trading for supplies). Then, chill out with an ice cream cake from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory or Maggie Moos.

Pace yourself. You’ve still got the Sweet 16 to think about.