Mine loved seeing the animals! We went twice this past summer when she was just over 1. I think that would be a grand idea to even just try it and get that time as a family. I don't even know what I want to do for our Little's second birthday yet. Definitely not a big thing but probably a small gathering for a cookout or something.
They will enjoy the zoo but probably won’t understand it’s a special day. Still fun.
We took Ayden to the museum of natural science for his birthday last year for the day itself! There's a new dinosaur exhibit that is actually history in the making because they are unearthing a pair of skeletons found near each other to try to figure out why they had been found near each other
We did two small parties last year ( one for our friends and my parents.... One for hubby's immediate family in the area.... )
The beach is another fun option or a waterpark that is toddler friendly
Took our June baby to the zoo and he LOVED it. He could have spent so long at the sting rays to pet them. Feeding the giraffe was cute. Monkeys though. That was hilarious we went back to them a few times. Even birds got him cackling. Our lil zoo has a water splash park and play area as well which was great to hang out in too. I think a lot of zoos have activities like that. I think the zoo would be a fun thing to do for a celebration. Go eat some ice cream afterwards