Birthday party for a 3 year old

[div22c]

Posted on the Mumsnet Local page as well a little while ago, but dont think that page is frequented very much. Re-posting here, hoping someone can help.
This is the first birthday party we'll have for our daughter (1st was day out with her, 2nd was family time with the grandparents) - she's now very interested in birthdays, dressing up, cake, presents...so think it's time! We have alot of friends, and dont want to exclude kids who are not our daughter's age. So, the age group will vary from babies to 8 year old as well as adults. An ideal scenario would be a place where we can have a play area for kids, and a separate party hall where the adults can chat and eat. Definitely want to cater for foods for adults as well as kids - would prefer to organise it myself (ie not by the party venue). Expect it to be a big party - about 50 people (adults + kids). And it's March, so not sure what the weather will be like - maybe indoors? At a loss for ideas esp since I've not organised one before, or even attended many kiddie parties, any idea most gratefully appreciated. If it helps, we live in Woking.

Hi
wow 50 people is a lot for a 3 year olds birthday party - might she get a bit overwhelmed?

For that many people, I suggest hiring a church hall or community centre, its usually not expensive to hire for a couple of hours, tables and chairs are provided and there is often a kitchen. You could ask at your local church/community centre or look online for rooms to hire. If you hada 2 hour party, then you would need some kind of entertainment (can hire someone for that) and then you can do the food yourself and just bring paper tablecloths, napkins,paper plates, cups, food, drink etc. bring some music for whilst they are eating the food. a bubble machine is good. balloons. bring slide/playmats/tunnel/ride ons etc from home.

alternatively you could hire a soft play, but they don't do parties for that large a number usually.

have a great time!

Would second the hall/community centre idea. Just done that for my 3 yo DD. Costs about £10 per hour. If there is a mother and toddler group using it they may hire out their play equipment.

We had 15 children (aged 18mths - 10) plus parents (mainly one per child) which was plenty to cope with - I wouldn't recommend having much more than that even if your DD is used to being in a nursery environment.

It was 2 hours long and we blew up a load of balloons so that as they arrived they played with them (big hit - being able to run around letting off steam without getting in the way of other groups like you would have at something like a Wacky Warehouse). Once everyone was there we did a load of party games (musical bumps, musical chairs, pass the parcel - which takes ages with that number of children). We then had tea, just basic stuff like grapes, cheese cubes, carrot sticks, crisps, cocktail sausages, breaded chicken strips plus birthday cake. Afterwards we played some music and they all danced and entertained themselves. Little party bags to take home with piece of cake.

Mince pies, mulled wine/tea/coffee on tap for the parents.

It was a lot less hassle than I thought it might have been and the children were really happy just being able to play around with each other and let off steam. The other parents who were more used to going to/giving parties than us said it was really relaxed and they appreciated a more traditional approach. Whether it would would with slightly older children is debateable but for 3 yr olds it was fine.

HTH

Hello there,

I've been in the business of entertaining children for over 18 years now and I am experienced in all ages from babies up to around 7 years old.

I offer very affordable puppet parties for young children, best have a look at my website for more details.
dianes-puppets.tripod.com

I hope you have a lovely party whatever you decide. :)

Apologies everyone, just realised I had never responded yo all your suggestions . That's what comes of posting the same query in two different places! Have indeed gonr for the church hall option, fingers crossed all goes well!