Maya's second birthday party - need inspiration

I need some help/inspiration.

I can hardly believe it, but my baby girl is turning 2 next month. We're going to have a party at our place with maybe around 10-12 toddlers. I'm hoping that the weather will play along and the kids can play in the yard.

Now, I'm just looking for ideas on how to entertain them. (preferably with things they can't fight over - lol. We have a slide in the yard, but that's about it. I might buy some more cheap balls, so there will be a few balls for them to play with. I was thinking of either borrowing a jumping castle from a friend or hiring one. Does anybody have any other ideas. I don't want to spend too much money...

I'm also looking for ideas for a birthday present for her (and that could be something that can be used as entertainment at her party, too, but doesn't have to be). Originally I was thinking of getting her one of those balance/walking bikes (like a bike, but without pedals, so you push along on it and learn to balance). In Europe it seems like almost every kid has them and they look easy enough to use. They say they're suitable from 2, but I'm now thinking she's not quite ready yet, so might wait until christmas with that.
Her little brother or sister will be born about a month after her birthday, so I would like to get her something that she can entertain herself with (maybe outside), for example while I'm BFing. I was thinking of a swing set, but that requires me to push her. A sandpit,... but I just know that the sand won't stay IN the sandpit. Do you guys have any great ideas? We do have a playground really close by, so I don't need to emulate a full on playground at home. I do actually prefer to take her there where she might meet other kids. Am just thinking of those times when I'm either too busy or too lazy to get ready and face the public ;)

Sorry this is so long... I really appreciate any input.

Sasa

Hi there - do you have a wooden fence at all? Just thinking you could give the kids a small container of water and a paintbrusha and they could paint the fence with water. Playdough is good too - although you'd have to watch them closely - Playdough is tasty!!!!(apparently;))
with regards to a present - What about one of those Little trikes cars. My dd3 got given a hand me down one and she loves it! She can only go backwards in it at the moment, but she'll go forward soon!
Trampoline's are great too - the enclosed ones though. You can get toddler sizes ones - that are cheaper than the big ones.
The sandpit can be messy, but my youngest dd loves it (the bigger girls do too) We have one of the shell ones, so you can cover it up when you don't want them to play in it.

Good luck. I hope you find something.

JaZaHMum, thanks for your ides.
She has a trike and our neighbours have lent her a ride-on train, so she has that kind of stuff.
My mum bought her a trampoline for Christmas. But my dad (orthopaedic surgeon) made us give it back. In his opinion, they are just too dangerous for under 3s as they are not coordinated enough to time their "landings" and not only can it lead to immediate injuries (like twisted ankles or even broken bones), but also to long term damage to the joints. I know a lot of really little kids have them here, I suppose he just sees the side effects more than the average person.
Yes, I might have a think about the sand pit. The shells are very inexpensive, too. And she just loves the sandpit at the park across the road.

Yes, playdough is one of DD's favourites, too. She was playing with it for about 3 hours this morning. Nothing else holds her attention like this.

I've been looking around on the net for toddler party ideas and I think I might have an animal themed one. She just loves animals and so do most of her little friends.
So, to go along with this theme, I thought we could have a face painting station where we can do really simple animal faces on the kiddos. Of course with a mirror, so they can see what is happening to their faces.
An animal shaped Pinata obviously could go along with it.
And maybe lots of balloons with animal faces drawn onto them...
Bubble blowing (nothing to do with animals, but kids love it)

Goodie bags could include plastic animals, animal board book, animal colouring books, tiny teddy biscuits or animal shaped lollies animal face mask, animal strickers.

Sasa

Sasa what fab ideas you have!!! I am sure Maya will LOVE her animal party.

When my DD#2 turned 3 earlier this year, i hired some 'little tikes' toys......the roller coaster slide (not as scary as it sounds, more for 2-5 yr olds), a basketball hoop and ball and a twirly thing. It cost me about $80 and the kind lady let us loan it for a week, as oppose to just the weekend. Unfortuantly it rained on her birthday - but we just had the toys inside and the kids had great fun.
Libraries also have toys to hire.....or you could google something of the like.

I find with 2 yr olds a lot will just entertain themselves, so dont go too overboard - the pinata for a 2yr old maybe a bit hard to hit - but ive seen these great ones at shops where you just pull a piece of string (there is many strings) and one piece of the many strings is attached to the pinata lolly section......easier for the little ones.

Good luck...

Just thought of another present idea - how about a dress up box? You wouldn't necessarily have to buy the ready to go costumes, but could put different hats, necklaces, pieces of material etc.

Thanks so much for all your input. What a great resource you all are.`

I love the dress-up box idea. It's also one of those things you can add to over the years.

And i love the idea of hiring toys (as in bigger play furniture). Just wondering where I would find such a service. But I'm sure googling (or yellow pages) will help.

Good point on the Pinata with pullstring. I was at a 2nd birthday a few months ago. And although the kids managed to hit it, it was almost impossible to destroy. Even the blokes couldn't do it. I think they finally cut it open with a box cutter - a bit of an anti-climax.

By the way, not all kids will be 2. Most are a little older in fact (2 1/2-3) with one boy being 5.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your ideas or come up with some for me. It's getting me to think along different lines.
Sasa