Ishaan’s Space-Themed 12th Birthday Bash

This year, Ishaan turned 12, and we celebrated with a spectacular space-themed party. Living in the historic city of Ujjain, we chose Jantar Mantar as the perfect venue to complement our celestial theme. Our celebration began at this iconic location and was followed by a delightful meal at the nearby Hotel Solitaire.

---

---

Setting the Stage

Given the inherent beauty and thematic relevance of Jantar Mantar, minimal decorations were needed. Instead, we focused on a few key elements to set the mood. We created eye-catching posters for the entrance and welcomed our guests with bubbles and Mazza drinks. To add a touch of fun, we gave the kids a secret password, “Babby ko SPACE pasand hai,” which they used at the ticket counter for free entry. Each child received a space-themed crown to help us easily identify our party guests amidst the crowd.

---

The Games Begin

The first game, and undoubtedly the most loved, was the Space-themed “Treasure Hunt.” My talented friend Ambreen painted pebbles to resemble alien monsters, which my friend Niharika and I hid at various spots within Jantar Mantar, such as the Shanku Yantra, Vedic Ghadi, and Big Globe. We prepared a clue sheet and handed it to the team leaders. The excitement was palpable as the kids raced to find the alien monsters, with the fastest team emerging as the winner.

Next up was the “Moon Rocks Relay Race.” We crafted moon rocks using newspaper and aluminium foil, which were then placed in a bowl. The children, divided into teams, had to transfer the moon rocks using sticks from one bowl to another in a relay format. The team that completed the round in the shortest time won.

The third game, “Musical Planets,” was a space-themed twist on the classic musical chairs. Using the planet models at Jantar Mantar, the kids had to run around the acupressure track while music played. When the music stopped, they had to stand in front of a planet. The judge would then call out a planet’s name, and those standing in front of it were out. The last player standing was declared the winner.

Our fourth game was “Ghost in the Graveyard,” played within the spooky confines of the Digyansha Yantra, known for its echoing sounds and labyrinthine passages. The kids had a blast playing hide-and-seek in this setting.

---

The Grand Feast

As Jantar Mantar closed at 5 p.m., we gathered the kids and headed to Hotel Solitaire. One of the kids, who had been hiding as the “ghost” in the last game, had to be found before we could leave. Badi mushkil se usko dhoond ke laaye hum.

After two hours of outdoor play, the children were very hungry. The delicious spread at Solitaire included Cheese balls, crispy corn, Pav bhaji, Veg Noodles, Manchurian, Sandwiches, and ice cream. The food was delicious, prepared with a mild spice level as requested and perfectly suited for the kids. The children eagerly enjoyed the meal and then returned to playing on the hotel lawn.

---

Double Celebration and Heartfelt Message

It was also Ishaan’s grandfather’s birthday, so we had two cakes to cut: a butterscotch cake for Dadaji and a space-themed chocolate cake for Ishaan, expertly crafted by the talented Neha Khandelwal. After the cake cutting, we distributed prizes to the game winners and gave each child a return gift (a DIY Nano tape balloon with putty kit) and an alien monster as a souvenir.

The party was a hit, enjoyed by both kids and adults alike. To my dear son Ishaan, on your 12th birthday, I have this message: “Aim for the Moon, because even if you miss, you will land among the Stars. And no matter what, my Moon, my star, I love you to the Moon and back, to Infinity and Beyond, Forever and Ever. Keep making me proud as you always do.”

---

This day will be remembered for years to come, not just for the fun and games but for the love and joy we shared together.