fireman party for 3 year old - at speed!

[time4tea]

hello, my ds is 3 today & nuts on fireman sam & Firefighters generally(aren't we all?)

He has 3 friends coming for a little tea/play on Sunday morning, and I wanted to make a bit of a themed effort without going mad (I had a c-section 3 weeks ago & am breastfeeding ds2)

any thoughts about simple games/activities? I'll cobble together themed cake & a few snacks, but games?

i see some of the amazing party websites on these threads, most are US-based, and the fire dept there seems to have time to do home party visits, can't see that happening here...

thanks for tips!!!! I need that MN inspiration

Are you anywhere near the West Midlands, by any chance? You can hire a fire engine for a party here but they are Midlands-based. You might find there are other people who do a similar thing in other parts of the country.

someideas here

party hat

my favourite party ideas site

Dh who is a firefighter says if you contact your local fire station to ask them if they sell any goodies. At dh station they sell plastic helmets, water shooting plastic extinguishers, small blaze bears etc. Also they usually have colouring books etc to give away.
Where abouts are you time4tea? If you are near me we might be able to help as we have real helmets etc

What about getting a large cardboard box and painting it red and making it into a fire engine, we have done this lots of times and the kids love it, they put their helmets etc on and have a fab time. We also got a 'siren' ring tone on our mobile phone and used that as the sound of the fire engine.

thanks FO for the tips! I've settled at last (given the newborn! I must have been insane when I started this thread!) to make do with just a Fireman Sam cake... but will be in touch with the local firestation about stuff.

Thanks all for the tips

T4T

We went to the fire station for ds1's party a couple of years back, just contacted them and they arranged it for us, they got the fire engine out and the kids could dress up in helmets, go on the engine, then they got the hoses out and let them have a go with the hoses. They had such a good time, then back home for tea (in the garden), after which they had a huge water fight.

I'll put a picture of his cake on my profile if you like.

Only just saw this but maybe for next year....we took our DS and his friends to a local firestation for a visit, they got out all the ladders, hoses, showed them all the equipment, the kids LOVED it! We made a donation to the firemans fund, it was worth it!