3rd birthday party ideas

[MrsHowardRoark]

My DD turns 3 in November and I've decided to have her party at home.

We will have around 8 children and their parents and our house is quite small. I'm considering hiring an entertainer or activity but I'm not sure if the children are too young.

I just don't know what to do really. Is it enough to provide food and let them run around for a couple of hours?

Any ideas or help will be gratefully received.

Anyone?
Just think of the sad birthday girl when she sees her rubbish party

Marking place - will be back later but am late for work but I have ideas! :)

Play dough party, make lots of homemade play dough and have cutters etc out. Put out baking trays and cake tins and let them make "cake" and "pizza" etc. Play dough and a cutter as the party bag. Probably only spin out the play dough for half an hour or so, so have other things out too. Plus a party tea and maybe dancing at the end.
Teddy bear picnic, bring a bear, picnic on the floor on a rug with lunch in boxes, lots of toys out, very simple party games.

At three they just like charging around but I find a little structure helps me. So roughly 40/50 minutes activity/toys then lunch/party tea and cake for about half hour then some simple party games/ dancing. Two hours max!

At 3, DS went to a party with a magician and was a bit young really, but dd (3 next month) has happily been entertained by a lady who came with little instruments etc and did a sort of music and movement party.

i had just 4 guests to my 3 year olds birthday (i was very pregnant and having a terrible pregnancy). We did pass the parcel, statues, some dancing, we got the Elefun out and then had a nice tea, cake etc. then they just wanted to play with toys for a bit...

... and they had a great time, they really did!

Honestly it was a great decision for that age and I have been to some amazing, hugely costly parties and I don't think the children had a better time at them at this age. Often they just seemed overwhelmed and confused at the bigger events.

Thank you for your replies.

I think 3 is a tricky age as they are a bit too young for a fully organised party and too young to ignore it completely and retreat to the pub

I mean too old to ignore!

Lots of balloons. Millions of balloons. Kids love chasing a balloon....

Also agree as there's only eight pass the parcel not too onerous to prepare, dancing, musical statues, crazy dance competition, piñata? Can you tell I've just had a party in the house?! They will also be fine for a bit of random playing with your dds toys for a while. I agree that a house party at this age is generally better. Feels much more personal, although there's nothing wrong with a venue if it suits the child. Parents I know spent an absolute fortune on a themed Minnie Mouse 3rd birthday party with entertainment in a hotel and the birthday girl spent the whole two hours refusing to come in the room. Such a shame for her and them (dd loved it though!). Good luck and get a nice bottle of wine in for yourself for later.