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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

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Original poster

Party for 3-year old - ideas needed!!

38 replies

wobblyknicks · 02/04/2006 16:40

Seeing as there seem to be loads of birthday threads around atm;

Dd is turning 3 soon and this will be her first proper party (didn't see the point earlier so just had family do), need some ideas for games/entertainment that don't cost hundreds and aren't competitive at all (less to do with my lentil-weaving stance, more to do with keeping my sanity!!). Thought of a bouncy castle or someone doing balloon animals - any better ideas?

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 02/04/2006 16:41

Don't do party games, they're a recipe for tears at that age!!

Bouncy castle, balloon animals, space to run around perfect. Maybe face painter? Feed them full of sugar and colourings and send them home :o

Original poster

wobblyknicks · 02/04/2006 16:43

Thought so, can't imagine trying to explain to 3 year olds the point of a game, then expecting them to play it, THEN expecting no tears at prize time - might as well go and punch yourself in the face repeatedly. Thought of face painter but then only one at a time can be done, but feeding them full of sugar sounds like a brill idea

OP posts:

Hulababy · 02/04/2006 16:46

We had DD's 4 th birthday yesterday and didn't bother with any formal games at all. It was a free for all play session.

We did her party in a sport's hall and had a bouncy castle inside the hall. This was by far the favourite attraction - even the daddies had a go :)

We also had a craft table with some simple sticking and pasting, and colouring in.

The parachute was nice when a few of the children wanted to play a game together.

Hulababy · 02/04/2006 16:47

Oh, and we had loads of balloons just blown up round the place - all the children seemed to like just playing and throwing them about.

Original poster

wobblyknicks · 02/04/2006 16:49

Thanks hula!

OP posts:

Tommy · 02/04/2006 16:54

2 hours max and, if you're doing food, have the party around a time when they would normally be eating - e.g. 11-1, then they will actually be hungry. Pass the parcel is good for 3 year olds - put the same little present in each wrapper (like a mini bag of buttons) including the last one so that everyone gets the same.
Would secind the balloon idea.

rummum · 02/04/2006 17:00

church halls are really cheap to hire..
if you do have games make everyone a winner with a little prize for taking part..

have fun

hazlinh · 02/04/2006 17:04

went to a party earlier this year for 3 yr olds with someone doing balloon animals. that went down a treat!! was thinking of hiring such person for my own party!! (but think beyond my budget a bit...

SoupDragon · 02/04/2006 17:06

Balloon animals aren't that difficult to do TBH. Blowing the s*dding balloons up is the hard bit!

And food in boxes - it's much less hassel. Well, most in boxes bar drink and those things youput in to make it look healthy but in reality 90% of the children won't eat. I did boxes and then had trays of grapes & boxes of raisins on the table and therefore easily salvagable at the end of the party so not wasted.

CODDYPANTS · 02/04/2006 17:07

i hate d shoing stuf fin boxes
wodul have beenf aster to shove it lal on plates

SoupDragon · 02/04/2006 17:07

Forget Pass the parcel - you have to remember who's won and who hasn't and it's a nightare :o

SoupDragon · 02/04/2006 17:07

Ah, but all your food work is done by the time of the party, Cod. Just dish out the boxes and sit back, drinking heavily.

CODDYPANTS · 02/04/2006 17:08

yes ds3 had his last week and they just played

Gingerbear · 02/04/2006 17:12

At Hula's party, the dads hogged the bouncy castle AND the football net.
Top tip - Ban all dads from 3 YO parties

FrannyandZooey · 02/04/2006 17:12

You can do games like musical statues or Simon Says without having a winner. Aged 3 they just like jumping around and think it is great fun to do it 'wrong'. You can give everyone a prize at the end if you want.

Gingerbear · 02/04/2006 17:13

Oh, and hire Hula's sister as the cake baker - her chocolate brownies were fab!

SoupDragon · 02/04/2006 17:13

Oooh - kind of like musical statues but the have to be, say, a tiger when the music stops. DSs used to like that one.

EvesMama · 02/04/2006 17:13

we're paying £4.99 a head(about 15 kids coming) at wacky warehouse.
they have a huge softplay/climbing/sliding safe room for the kids to go wild and then someone else tidies all the mess up after you!
then they have a hot meal or sandwhiches and drink, plus party bag, party games and balloons!!..i think excellent value for money..and because we've actually paid to have the soft play room private(no one elses kids making things madder!)and 10am, we also get the full resteraunt to ourselves as it doesnt offically open until 12pm..so very ..they even give you party invites, thankyou cards and a free hour in wacky another day!
will cost about £100 all in, which i think is well worth it cos i have nothing to do!(had parties for first and second birthday too which were chaotic!cos i did all myself)

Enid · 02/04/2006 17:13

we had dd2's in a village hall (cost a tenner to hire) with a bouncy castle. I had also organised a pass the parcel and a craft thing (decorating paper crowns), the craft thing was quite good but tbh the bouncy castle was all they wanted. Quite good to provide pens and paper for littlies overwhelmed by bouncy castle though.

Gingerbear · 02/04/2006 17:14

Sticy pictures table is a great idea- some children are happier doing this than leaping around on a bouncy castle or running riot.

Gingerbear · 02/04/2006 17:16

Hello Evesmama, good to see you back!

maltesers · 02/04/2006 17:17

Those were the days... my older son is 18 t'mrow and i have said yes to a party at home .help !At least your three yr olds wont get drunk sick and randy !

EvesMama · 02/04/2006 17:17

hi Gingerbear

Gingerbear · 02/04/2006 17:19

DD has been to a Wacky Warehouse party today.
I hate to say it but it was dire, badly organised by 19 yo 'supervisors' and the food was gross. The best part was the run around in the sweaty sock and pee-smelling play area.
I take do DD to another soft play place, so have no problems with them generally, but this WW was the pits.

Gingerbear · 02/04/2006 17:20

18 yo party = American Pie.
I am dreading that!
lol

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