Birthday party for 3 year old - what games can you suggest and also party food

[Holymoly321]

DS1 is coming up to three and we're having a party for him. 2 hours long and around 12 of his friends. Having never done this before, what games should I have the kids play and what sort of food should I serve. Or should I just let them run around as if it's a playgroup and then let them have some cakes and sarnies?

You will probably need some sort of structure, or at least some ideas in reserve incase they can't/won't play. If you're at home and have a garden, have plenty of toys out and ready to play, but perhaps think up some sort of 'race' games combined with obstacle course activities eg running with bean bags, kicking balls, crawling under/over things. Also some drawing or cutting/sticking activities can sometimes be useful if children don't want to play. If it's wet/indoors most children still enjoy the old favourites such as musical bumps/chairs/statues and pass the parcel. I usually find about an hour of play/activities, then tea and leave about 1/2 hour for pass the parcel etc before going home. Plenty of helpers are always useful!! Good luck.

I have found that 3 year olds find party games quite difficult. However, treasure hunts and pass the parcel do seem to go down well.

we just did pass the parcel, and then let them run riot in the garden. Oh, and put music on and they all had a good dance, but they were happy just messing about in the garden tbh! we did get one of those pinata things one year, but no one was strong enough to break it lol!

2 hours and 12 children NO!!!

Less time, less children, structured play or else your house will just be a free for all. (A stairgate is a good idea to stop them roaming all over the place, unless you don't mind that).

Have a clear area for jumping around and let them whack balloons about when they arrive. Then you can gather them for games.

Pass the parcel, two circles, two presents, one lot of music and a sweet in every layer with a bowl of sweets handy to give anyone who didn't get one.

Musical statues, who can keep still when the music stops (not musical chairs, its just a fight at that age).

Party bags filled and in a room near the front door so you can lift to the front door and hand out to everyone leaving (saves tripping over children as you run around the house). Have someone else cut the cake and fill the bags when you are doing games.

Tie down everything. Expect everything, including wet pants and sickness. Lots of helpers to be on toilet duty.

Gin for after

Party food?

Cocktail sausages, mini babybel cheese, grapes, crisps, jelly babies, quartered sandwiches (jam, ham and egg mayo always seem to be winners). Anything that doesn't need too much prep. Don't spend too much time on it, often it all goes in a bin bag.

Have everything in two bowls so both ends of the table have the same. Saves a whole bowl of something being dropped on the floor and losing the lot.

Paper cups and 2 types of juice in a massive jug with one person in charge of juice.

If your helpers all know their jobs and stick to it, it makes a big difference. Nothing worse than everyone trying to do the same jobs whilst kids run rings around you.

So someone can do the running and someone does the juice and someone chats to the table and listens to "I don't like this sandwich"

A big box or a big bag for the presents to go in when everyone arrives. It might seem rude but its normal! That way you can open everything after the party and note down who gave what for the thank you notes. Tell your DS in advance so he doesn't dissolve into tears.

A helper in charge of the camera is good so you can see what happened You will be busy and not always able to catch the moments you'd like to.

If you have a digital camera try to get a photo of each child (maybe at food time). You can print off small pictures and glue them inside the thank you cards.

thank you everyone - these are great ideas. Do you think it would be rude to have the kids sit on the floor in a circle like a picnic for the food? We've got a wooden floor - as they won't all be able to sit roud the small table...

holymoly, I'd put the party at just 1.5 hours - 2 hours is a lot to fill with that many 3 year olds.

When we've had parties and can't eat outside (rain or too cold) I've pushed all the furniture to the side in dining room and put picnic mats on floor and kids are happy to eat on floor. Easy to clean up afterwords as well.

3 years don't really get games tbh. It's painful trying to help them along with pass the parcel . What about a treasure hunt? Finding choc coins in back garden, or hiding bunched up pieces of tin foil (shiny and easy to find)

have fun!

floor is a good idea, picnic style, they'll love it, if its warm enough, do it outside, even less tidying up!

hi, i have got a little boy who will be 3 in the summer, his father and i split a little while ago. my little boy i think has had a confusing time just recently, so was thinking of doing something quite 'big' and 'bright' i can appreciate that we are going to have lots of birthdays ahead of us, but i wanted to make a little extra affort this year considering what has happened over the past few years. ideas are welcome.
p.s. havin a party at my home isnt really an option for me atm. which is why i am kinda stuck.