3yo Birthday party

[sismith42]

I'm planning a birthday party for my DD who's turning 3 in April, and wanted a bit of advice/place to think through a few things...

She keeps talking about birthday parties, so I'd like to have one for her rather than just a family thing. Our flat is too small to have more than 1 family over (esp since DH's parents will be in town for her birthday), so we're having it at the local City Farm.

We'd rather keep things smallish only know 3 children well enough to invite so she'll have 3 friends plus a parent/parents (since they're all 3ish), plus us and my in-laws and maybe the childminder. so much for small The farm does an "organized party" with food, decorations, entertainment (a tour, a handling session, feeding goats, and games if there's any time left), and cake but they need a min number of children that exceeds the number that we know (or even "know" if I start inviting co-workers who have kids of approximately the right age), so we're just renting the party room and taking a DIY approach. Which is where this post comes in.

How do I fill 2 hours for the 4 three year olds? Or is 2 hours too long, and it should be 1.5 hours? 1 hour? Do we assume the farm, cake, and snacks will be interesting enough, or plan games? If so how many (and WHAT?) Do we book the "cuddle corner" animal handling session (it's 15-20min long) and if so, for what point of the party? One friend suggested having them decorate hats, which would fill some time, but what if the farm is too interesting and it is totally unnecessary? Would buying party hats make more sense at that age, anyway? How long should we expect set-up/clean-up to take?

Any advice offered gratefully received- maybe what I really need is just a slap :)

Hi I'm afraid I can't help much as not done a party like this before (currently planning first party for DS's 4th birthday) but wanted to bump for you. You could also try asking the lovely helpful ladies on Shirley's party planning thread :-)

I think it sounds lovely :)

Party hats will probably last approx 30 seconds before they get ripped off. Stick to easy games, like pass the parcel. Treasure hunts are good, if you have the room, but probably wouldn't work in a farm.

Would a picnic work better than the party room, perhaps? I suppose April is a bit hit and miss for weather. When DS was 3 we just invited everyone (again about 4 children and assorted accompanying adults) to the park and said bring a teddy, and had a "teddybear's picnic". It was October but hadn't been that cold leading up to it - it was very windy on the day! I had hoped to do it in a bit of woodland, but that didn't really work at all.

The trouble with three year olds is they're si bloody unpredictable do make it v hard to plan! DS is almost four now, but I think a year ago he had a v short attention span. He may have stuck to an activity for 25-20 mind but I wouldn't have counted on it.

Would it be possible to make the party 1.5 hrs but keep it going a bit longer if everyone's having fun (given that there's s small number if families involved)?

I reckon that doing a pass the parcel and maybe one other simple game would be enough. As Bertie suggested, a treasure hunt is good, just within the party room would be enough for such small children. I have been to parties where they have been done with ball pit balls or large plastic gold coins. You don't even need to hide them - three year olds ate seemingly blind!

We live in Scotland, so the weather is too hit and miss for something outdoors like a picnic, unfortuantely, BertieBotts :-)

DD has started the dressing up phase, so I'm set on the hats (plus colouring will be a good way to start?)

I might sort out a pass the parcel (probalby with something small between each layer, I gather from here that that's normal at this age?) as a "just in case" activity, or maybe musical bumps? now that Mr Tumble has shown me how to play!

"schedule":
2pm- party starts, kids decorate hats, snacks out for the adults
when that gets boring/once everyone's arrived- explore the farm
3pm- return to room for small animals (what we've agreed with the farm)
330- wash hands and cake + ice cream (prob everyone will wander home when this is over, maybe a game if they race through their food and want something to do. or a game before animals so we're collected and waiting for them to come in?)

I wasn't going to bother with party bags but DH seems keen so we hand those out at the end, yes?

Thanks everyone- I was starting to think I wouldn't get any replies/advice am too shy to crash the big party thread

I like pass the parcel and children see to enjoy it (tho lots of people on here seem to dislike). It should be find for a small number if children. Yes, sweets in each layer is expected now! Don't forget to take music and also wrap each layer of the parcel in diff paper to prevent taking off two layers at a time.

They are small enough not to need party bags but I know DS LOVED receiving them from parties when he turned three (and still does of course, but he's come to expect them now I think). You don't need much in them , and yes save them for the end of the party.

Your schedule sounds fine to me. If you have music you can always do extra game (musical bumps or a dancing competition) if you find you need to fill more time. But I expect time will fly by.

Have fun, it sounds like a lively party.

P.s. there's a thread at the top of active convos asking for tips for parties for young children - that's quite interesting and may be worth reading through for ideas.