to be worried that my dd isn't going to enjoy her party?!

[Mogandmeg]

My dd turns 3 next month and we have booked a small hall for her to have some friends to a party. Unfortunately due to low budget we can't really stretch to bouncy castle or entertainer so far only have planned music and dancing, food, cake and pass the parcel. Am getting worried that this won't be enough? AIBU to be fretting? My dh is sure they will just be happy zooming around to music etc but I would be so very grateful for any ideas you might have? Some parties seem to full of stuff am worried this might not be 'enough'. We have about 12 dc coming along, Thank you

Bubble wrap - goes down a storm!

You can buy long strips of it from garden centres and hardware stores pretty cheaply. Lay it out on the floor and let them jumpo away popping the bubbles.

Also - lining paper and crayons. Make a really big long picture.

Oh it sounds the perfect party Mogandmeg!

Honestly even if you could have an entertainer they are so young would they sit and watch one do a whole show? In my experience whizzing about dancing and jumping up and down is just what they loveat 3

Bubbles are a great idea. I couldn't get mine to sit for long to do proper party games until they were about 6.

Keep in to no more than an hour and half tops. And can I suggest (as a party veteran) that instead of plates of food you give each guest a small party food box of their own.

Its sooooo much easier, they love having 'their own' little box of goodies and you don't end up throwing it all away .

That should read 'just what they love at aged 3'

Many thanks for the ideas - am now feeling much more inspired and will take a chill pill!!

Cripes. My Dd didn't even have a third party. I would think that games and cake are a winner with 3-y-os!

IMHO not a great idea to set a precedent so young - what are you going to do for your DD for all her birthdays when she's of school age??? You'll run out of ideas if you use them all when she's so young!

We couldn't be bothered with such a fuss, we just took DS out for the day, took a lovely picnic with us and had cake when we got home. No organising, no extra costs, no stress = ideal 3rd birthday.

We did that with all of ours, lovechoc. It was great. DS is eight now, and we're still doing a picnic and family day trip for him as that's how he likes it!

we must be in the minority VicToryA! everyone seems to be in such a rush to orgainise official birthday parties for their 1 year olds upwards. It just seems a bit daft when they don't really 'get' birthday parties until they are quite a bit older. And as others have said, too much stimulation and too many guests will just overwhelm them at that age. Oh and then there's the cost...

Absolutely, Lovechoc.

people have parties for 3 year olds?