Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

We were going to do Wood Kingdom for Ava's 5th, but we went to a party there last week and she hated it. They had a young guy doing magic and a treasure hunt and just getting the kids all pumped up. Ava freaked because he was too loud and cried for most of the party.

So, she said she wanted a roller skating party. My Mom and I took her today to book the party and to skate. She got her skates on and was thrilled. Then, the DJ started talking over the speaker and she freaked, we had to leave. Thankfully they refunded me the party deposit.

I left feeling angry, sad and defeated. I feel like everything that I do for her never works out. I feel cheated, like why can't she just be normal and enjoy life, why does everything have to be so hard??? Then I spent the rest of the day hating myself, for being upset with her.

So, what are my party options??? She talks every day about having her birthday party and inviting all of her friends.

Here are the parties we did in the past.

1st- Catered backyard party, tent, Elmo,Clown

2nd- Pet Den Party Jungle-Commack

3rd- Kidz Connection- North Babylon

4th- White Post Farms

What do you think?

Re: Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

when my son was still in a special ed preschool for his 3rd birthday... we had a class with 6 out of 8 kids on the autistic spectrum. plus a friend from outside who's son is autistic.

we had his party at all american gym in bellmore. (they have a tot room with size appropriate equipment.

the kids had a blast. and i had many of the parents coming up to tell me what a great party it was. i spoke to the place ahead of time about the types of kids we were having. they were very accomodating. and when it was apparent circle time was going to fail miserably, the person leading the party came over to me and asked if i really wanted them to do the circle time for the few kids who were interested, or let it just be a free play type thing. we opted for free play (since my son wasn't going to sit either) and the kids really did enjoy themselves.

the gyms are probably the easiest type of places to go with. you don't have to have music in them, and the kids can all run around and have fun without it being too structured.

hth

Re: Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

How about an ice cream party at a place like this

http://www.candyconesandchaos.com/plan_a_party.htm

Or maybe a swimming party

A baking party at a place like Little Chef's

I just saw the above post and a gymnastics type party would be great also

Message edited 1/10/2009 10:03:23 PM.

Re: Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

gymnastics, maybe a princess/dress up party at home, build a bear....?

Re: Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

I know my little cousins would have their party on SI...dress up and it was a tea party theme.

does LI offer anything like that? It was always a hit.

Re: Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

Posted by Summerrluvv

How about an ice cream party at a place like this

http://www.candyconesandchaos.com/plan_a_party.htm

Or maybe a swimming party

A baking party at a place like Little Chef's

I just saw the above post and a gymnastics type party would be great also

Re: Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

Sorry to crash but just thought I'd suggest Little Ladies Club. A coworker had her DDs bday party there and she absolutely loved it. And it seems like it could be a much more low key setting.

Re: Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

Honestly, a child I worked with has the best party every year - a movie theater party.

He doesn't have to socialize, he sits and watches a fun movie, the mom doesn't have to worry about noise because she rents the whole theater, it is affordable, and the kids get popcorn, etc. included. Even the cake and everything was done there... He does it every year!

Re: Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

What about a plaster craft party? There's a place in Commack that has a bunch of different plaster items. Kids can pick which one they want and then paint them. In the back, they have a room where you can eat (and dance if you want - and you may be able to moderate the sound level a little).

Re: Does anyone have any Birthday Party ideas for kids with Sensory Issues?

The best party Cole ever went to was at Pump It Up ... he had the time of his life. All the jumping was really calming.