• Make the second birthday something to remember.birthday image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
  
  A second birthday party is easy to plan and doesn't need to be extravagant or stressful. Toddlers respond well to simple, colorful and lively entertainment. Plan a few games or set up some toys but don't go overboard---children are also happy doing their own thing. The key to a stress-free, fun party is a manageable number of guests, good adult supervision and a few creative activities.
  
  

Simple Games

• The average 2-year-old doesn't have much of an attention span so don't showcase your most elaborate entertainment program at a second birthday party. Keep games simple, short and fun, and don't worry if the kids wander off partway through to investigate the cat or your kitchen. Play Ring a Ring o' Roses by holding hands in a circle, skipping and singing the "Ring a Ring o' Roses" song. On the line "We all fall down" have everyone fall to the floor. Also, try a bean bag toss game. Cut circles out of the bottom of a cardboard box, decorate the box and place it upside down on the floor. Have the children take turns trying to throw beanbags or filled socks into the holes. If you're giving prizes, make sure there's a small gift for everyone.
  
  

Messy Play

• Often, all kids need is some sand or water to make a fun mess. In warm weather, set up a paddling pool and some garden toys outside. Or you could provide a sand pit with some buckets and spades and help the children make sand pies and castles. Bubbles will catch toddlers' interest. Fill buckets and pots with bubble liquid and give everyone wands to shower them through the air. The adults might want to provide a steady stream of bubbles for children who aren't able to blow their own. Playing with modeling clay is another activity that keeps children busy and happy.
  
  

Keeping Memories

• Create some scrapbook pages. This is an activity that's more for the parents but will make a great keepsake for children to look at when they get older. Leave blank spaces for adding photos from the party and ask guests to draw and write messages to the 2-year-old. You can add embellishments like party invitations. After the party, you can put the scrapbook pages into a time capsule, adding decorations, notes and toys and sealing it to be opened when your child is a teenager.
  
  

Creative Color

• Toddlers have a concept of color and often favor a particular shade. They will enjoy coloring and creative activities. Leave out large pieces of paper plus crayons, pencils, markers or paint and let the children create their own colorful masterpieces. On a sunny day you can tape the papers to a fence outside or set up easels in the garden or yard. Pop the results in goody bags for the children to take home. You could also give the toddlers sticks of outdoor chalk and let them draw all over the driveway.
  
  

Music and Movement

• Toddlers can get a lot from music and love to dance. Put on some upbeat tunes and let the children dance "free-form," the crazier the better. Adults can join in, too. Add excitement by providing blowers and horns or percussion instruments like tambourines and drums. Put out a box of dress-up clothes so the children can try on different costumes. After all the noise and excitement, calm the them down with a short story so they're not too worked up for when it's time to go home.