AGE 5
Where Birthdays Are Child's Play
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Friday, February 24, 2006
I have a complete game plan for my son's fifth birthday next month: wheelbarrow races, red light-green light, potato sack races and a loud, lively game of balloon burst. And perhaps the kids will play duck-duck-goose -- renamed pterodactyl-pterodactyl-T-rex.
"Five-year-olds are ready to play games and to follow simple directions," said Shelly Nasworthy, program coordinator at Reston Sport and Health, where Eli will have his party. "At this age, they really get it and enjoy it."
Eli celebrated turning 4 with a gym party, too. Last year, the big hit was the three-room Kidz Zone, with its colorful, two-story climbing apparatus made up of a spidery maze of tunnels, cargo nets, slides and a ball pit.
Two staff members supervise the two-hour party while parents exercise elsewhere for free if they wish. "We set up everything," Nasworthy said, "supply the entertainment and then we clean up. Parents get to sit back and actually enjoy their own party for once."
The gym will furnish pizza, drinks, invitations and decorations. All I have to bring is the cake and party favors.
I've purchased dinosaur children's books and stickers, not the typical goody bag fare of candy and plastic prizes, but appreciated by parents.
We plan to invite 10 boys and five girls.
"We'll need a really, really big piñata," Eli said. "Dinosaur big."
The piñata is still a maybe.
At almost 5, Eli understands he's approaching an important transition stage from preschooler to kindergartner. He's entering "big boy" territory, like his older brother, Alexander, 8. And frankly, Eli can't wait. I want to tell him to slow down, the birthday will come whether he is marking off the days or not. Don't be in such a rush to grow up.
Alex is happy to be going back to a birthday party at the health club. He didn't lose "cool points" playing with much younger kids last time.
Having a party setting that suits both boys makes my job easier.
RESTON SPORT AND HEALTH 11445 Isaac Newton Square, Reston. 703-904-7600; http:/
