This is the second part of the series on Ziki’s Party Planning Edition. If you missed the previous part, read it here. I shall share with you how we pulled off a simple and enjoyable book party for our little man who just turned one. I will give you tips and recommendations that may also help you coordinate your child’s birthday party.

Planning first birthdays sets the next birthdays your child is going to have. Basically because you will always refer back to how you did it the first time. So it is important to come up with certain principles in choosing the party details for your child’s special event. I will share more of them over at TML.

Of course, one important factor in planning a birthday party is where it is going to be held. The venue is quite crucial because it will either make or break your event. When my husband and I agreed on having a book-themed birthday party, we looked for places that is suitable for a baby’s first birthday. So we came up with these terms:

1. It must be baby/child-friendly;
2. Cool and comfortable since it is so hot this summer;
3. Appropriate for our party theme; and
4. Affordable

We originally wanted to do it in a library, but sadly there are no public libraries elsewhere in the metro that is satisfactory enough to hold a birthday party. I searched online for uncommon event venues that is accessible to us and our guests but still connected to our party theme. Then we found Museo Pambata! Not only do they have excellent party venues, but they also offer cool event packages.

What we love about this venue is that it agrees to all our terms. Their packages also made it easier for us because we won’t have to look for additional suppliers to provide for the sound system and party program. The kicker here was the free museum tour! We knew our little guests will love it {And they actually did! The grown-ups also had a lot of fun revisiting their childhood during the tour. Hihi!}, so we arranged an ocular visit to check it out.

Museo Pambata have three party avenues, the Multi Purpose Hall, the Karapatan Hall and the Outdoor Area. Since the date of the party coincides with another event which was in Karapatan Hall, we chose the Multi Purpose Hall, which according to their website is:

A 288-square meter fully airconditioned rooom with male and female restrooms. Located outside the museum. Seating capacity of 100 persons.

 This is how it looked like before.

Although their website says it can accommodate 100 persons, we were able to seat about 150 people, both adults and kids. The space wasn’t too cramp even with the buffet table and the candy buffet set up.

Since we had our own contact for the caterer and we’re DIY-ing the party, we just paid a corkage fee for the catering. But in case you want to use Museo Pambata for your venue, they also have a list of accredited caterers and party organizers that you may choose from.

So how did that barren hall looked like after?

Here it is with all the party decors. :)

Photo credits: Pat Datul and Kris Chan

We really enjoyed hosting our event here. Shout out to Diane {the lady in the second photo} who accommodated us all through out. Thank you so much! Ziki’s first birthday is truly enjoyable and memorable not only to us but to our guests as well.

So if you are planning your child’s birthday party, you may want to consider having it in Museo Pambata. You will never regret it I promise. :)