How many to invite and what to do for DD1's 3rd birthday party.

[TickledOnion]

All my other mum friends are having soft play parties for their kids, but DD1 doesn't really enjoy soft play that much so I was thinking of having her party at home.

Would an entertainer be over the top at this age? She likes singing and says she wants to do musical statues and hokey cokey for her party.

The last party at home that we went to the kids got bored after one party game but it was in the garden with a hired bouncy castle so they still had fun. I'm worried that she is too young to understand that she won't always win the party games.

Also, I could potentially invite about 15 kids which seems like a huge number and heading into the hiring a hall territory. Really not sure what to do.

My friend had a hall party for her DDs 3rd. About 15 kids and the girls all loved the party games and dancing etc. The boys hadn't got a clue what was going on, couldn't / wouldn't join in and just ran about or ate. I wouldn't spend £££ and maybe just invite half a dozen to your house for 2hrs max.

Agree with trixie123 half a dozen to the house. Two hours max.

3 is too young for an entertainer or structured party games imo - girls a bit better than boys but really all they Wang to do is run about in a hall environment. I'd go for half a dozen max at home. Treat it more like a big playdate.

That all makes sense. The problem with a big play date is that DD won't enjoy it as everyone will be playing with her toys. (She understands the theory of sharing but not how it applies to her.)
I can see the appeal of soft play parties now. Is there anything I can do to make it less playdate like and more partyish?

You could clear a room, get loads of balloons and bubbles, put some music on and let them have a dance and a play?

Maybe let them outside too?

My ds1 went to a party where good behaviour was rewarded with tat treats, but it made them all behave beautifully!

So musical statues, pass the parcel with a tiny treat between each layer (like a small haribo bag, bouncy ball etc)

I'd vote a bouncy castle, lots of balloons, music and pass the parcel. That's what I'm doing for mine.(though he'll be 6)

Oh, and clear all her toys away.

When DS was 3 (he is 4 tomorrow! ) he had about 5 friends over, they did a few games like musical statues, pass the parcel , then party tea and running around the garden. Cups of tea and cake for the mums, most of whom were pg (including me).

Good idea about clearing her toys away.

How about a pull string pinata? She plays the peppa pig party game on DH's iphone and they have one so she knows what it is. Could be full of little toys and sweets that they get to share out. Is that a terrible idea?

My other idea was an ice cream station. (Can't think of the right word for it). Basically everyone gets a scoop of ice cream and then there are little bowls of sprinkles, fruit and sauces so everyone gets to make their own little sundae.

Piñata and ice cream parlour sound lovely.

But I wouldn't do it, not at three.

Scwabbles over the piñata gifts, and kids will get as much sprinkles etc an it will all melt and spill and they'll be sticky. Sorry-just my personal opinion.

Maybe when they're a little older?

Face painter?
Balloon artist?

We had a party at home for dd and 9 of her friends. We had an entertainer but she was the lady who does the baby and toddler and music class that dd went to, so it was like having an extra class. Dd and her friends loved it. A bunch of strangers aren't going to be able to tell you whether or not your chil will enjoy something, so its more gut feel. Btw, we had originally invited 13 children and 4 couldn't make it. On the day, I was glad because the 9 guests (plus a parent for each child) was a little bit overwhelming for dd and it took her to get into her stride. In hindsight, 6/7 other children was enough for my dd. Good luck, hope she enjoys!

At that age we had 4 or 5 kids over. Lots of balloons and some music. Played a few games when they tired of this. Fed them. (Jelly and ice-cream desert went down really well.) Played hide and seek. (This gets played every year. Keeps them amused for ages.) Sent them home.

You are all right and very sensible.
I have a bit of a problem with numbers as some of my NCT group have invited us to their parties. As have some of DD's friends at nursery and we have cousins who she wants to be there. However, she will definitely be overwhelmed if there are too many kids. Maybe I should send the invitations out late so that some people can't make it.

For my DD's 4 th birthday we invited 5 friends for a tea party and that was enough. You can make the house party-ish easy enough- clear a space if possible, decorate with bunting/banners/balloons etc, don't forget balloons on the door! Use paper plates and cups (we had Hello Kitty ones) and do a party tea of sandwiches, sausage rolls etc and obviously cake!

For activities we decorated party hats, had a treasure hunt in the garden, did pass the parcel and musical statues. Pin the tail on the donkey is another good one!

Make sure there is a start and finish time on the invite- 2 hours is plenty.

Personally I think soft play-type parties are wasted on 3yos and also really overpriced with awful food. At that age all they want is party games, balloons and cake!

Not everyone will make it.

I invited 23 last year and 17 came

This year I'm going to invite 15, and assuming some won't turn up.

What about a birthday tea for good friends and arrange a park playdate and picnic for everyone with balloons etc. then your dd might not feel as over powered by everyone?

So many options!!!!