B'day party for 2yo - too much? Too little?

[theretheyare]

My dc's 2nd birthday is fast approaching - we're having a small party for about 6 children aged 1.5-2.5yo. Was just planning a couple of hours of toys, food and party bags and balloons to take home. Is that enough at this age? 2yos don't do party games do they? Really want to keep everything quite low key but would hate to look like we hadn't made an effort! What's the right balance?

My DH is an entertainer and he only does parties for age 3 plus! This is because they have a short attention span and more importantly they are not fussed what they do so you can save your money for the years when they do realise.

What you have planned sounds perfect and will also ease pressure on other parents having similar dialemma's.

For my DD 2nd bday we had a few kids over and put out all the toys and played some music and let them do what they wanted. I did play pass the parcel and they managed that fine. They love to chase balloons and jig along to cbeebie themed music so i did that too.

Keep party bags simple - cake, choc treat and bubbles go down great at that age with also a balloon to take home like you say.

Hope it goes well

Thanks lazy - that's really reassuring. Just bought bubbles and stickers for party bags and sorting out some colouring and sticking to keep them busy. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly!

We're having a little party for DS at the weekend and the only game I have planned is pass the parcel. The weather should be nice (fingers crossed!) so I was going to put the play tent up in the garden and let them run riot out there.

There's no point planning elaborate games for little ones. They'll lose concentration and/or throw a tantrum if they don't win.

Our party bags will just be a couple of bits of plastic tat, bubbles and a slice of birthday cake.

May as well keep it simple while you can! Before too long, they'll be wanting elaborate parties with hundreds of friends...

Also got dd2's second birthday coming up - we've got a few more people than that coming but only because everyone we know has older children as well so all the older siblings and parents are coming too. Am planning to do pass the parcel, a treasure hunt (I just scatter choc coins around the house and they find them) and maybe musical statues if they're bored but I do have a range of ages coming. We have a vague peppa pig theme so party bags are a peppa pig melamine mug, peppa pig choc lolly and peppa pig pencil.