How to structure birthday party at home

[blatantchanger]

I'm having a 3rd birthday party for my DD this weekend and I'm getting nervous. It's at our house. So I thought .. they can arrive and just play toys for the first hour ? Then do a few party games in the garden - musical statues, pass the parcel and then lunch ? Then they can play again ?

Do I need a few more games ? I'm planning on having lots of toys out, also bits in garden . The kids can go into various rooms, lounge, playroom, garden, hall. Most friends have been for play dates here previously.

Also do I need prizes for musical statues etc like sweets?

Doing cake & party bags.

How many children and are any parents staying?

I wouldn't let be free range in the house- some organised games - sleeping lions is good if they get too excited and pass the parcel (presents in every layer an adult to help enforce 1 layer only ) have some toys out and have a "quiet" table with colouring or stickers for any quiet ones.

Oh and prizes for everyone! They only have to be small.

I used to put stair gates up across the rooms I didn't intend children being in. I also preferred having a couple of activities to try and keep the party in one area, partly as it felt a bit more party like that way but mostly so I could keep an eye on things.

My children found sharing some toys a bit tricky at that age, so there was also a lot of moving stuff before hand to make sure the current favorites were out of the way. Sometimes we'd arrange between the group of us to bring a few extra bits, especially if we were out in the garden. A couple of extra dolls buggys, or rockers did seem to help things run smoothly at certain ages.

Bubbles are good in the garden for burning off a bit of energy.

One year I did made a big batch of playdough which they loved.

Pass the parcel I think needs little prizes in each layer at that age, but I never bothered with prizes for any other games. I seem to remember a lot of "hunt the teddy". Kids keep their eyes closed while an adult hides to toy, then the kids race to find it and bring it back. If you keep up a reasonably fast pace at hiding it again they seemed to mostly cope with not being the one to find it.

I am currently party planning for my soon to be 15 year old. It's not looking that much different. We have bubbles at her request, and we'll get out the kids circus skills kit. I suspect they could all easily step over a stair gate these days, but we do still find it helps, mostly so younger DS can hide behind it. Food wise I am expecting they may eat rather more than 3 year olds though

8 kids 😬 yes parents staying, so need to garden space please don't rain! My DD is mostly good at sharing toys, but good idea about gating off the other rooms. I planned to remove, anything I didn't want touched. Our house is pretty child proofed and quite minimalist really. DD has already broken most of our stuff

Great idea about a few activities. I don't think I can think of enough party games to pad it out.

Pass the parcel has toys each layer yes !

I think the forecast for the weekend is that it will be very hot! So, I would try and make sure there was some shade, if possible. Also have spare sun cream readily available in case anyone forgets.
If it is hot, would a paddling pool be possible? That might be fun, as I doubt they will have had much use this year so far!

For 3yos I don't think you need to have too many structured activities. Could you get your hands on a bubble machine? You can get a lot of mileage out of bubbles. Also balloons.

Agree, my first thoughts - even before I saw it was 3 yr olds rather than a little older - were "bubbles, balloons, food, rinse and repeat". Agree some sort of water based stuff potentially good. Pass the parcel will need a lot of help but might even be easier at 3 than it was for a 5th birthday party (early in the year so most were 4) - the one party we did I was slightly surprised how hard many of them found it.

I have just done a 3rd birthday party and I am planning a 6th one this weekend. We are lucky enough to have a reasonable garden, so kids prefer to roam around on the climbing frame and sandpit as opposed to more structured activities. I have given up on pass the parcel, although sleeping lions last year was interesting. Face painting is always fun and we handed out foam pirate swords or tiara's (child's choice) for the 3 year old's party.

For the 6 year old, we are going with a supervised paddling pool, handing out water squirters that double up as giveaways (cake gets inhaled as it is put out, so we don't bother with goody bags either) and giving the parents wine. Food wise, DH is doing a BBQ, followed by ice cream cones. Everyone is looking forward to it.

What do I do with the bubble machine just turn it on and let them go for it ?

I could get some extra props. Hmmm?!

Don't worry about the shade we have a north facing garden, it pretty much full shade until 4pm, which then if you press yourselves against the back fence you might get a slither of sun.

@TheABC sounds like you're a pro. I can't trust my DD with a water squirter, she is the type that thinks it's funny to squirt in the face.

Duck duck goose is a fun game.

Blind man's (buff/bluff?)

in and out the dusty bluebells

The farmer's in the dell

It's been 16 years since I hosted a 3 yo party so my memories are a bit hazy.