Is it possible to do anything at a party for 3 yearolds?

[firstmum45]

My dd is 3 between Christmas and New Year I have invited a few of her friends secretly hoping halfof them might be otherwise engaged but it seems I couid be entertaining 10 - 14 2-3 year olds.

I still think they are too young for an orgainsed party with games etc.

I've got the space and don't mind the catering, but is there anything that 2-3 year olds can do?

Normally at other gatherings for children this age we restrict to 2 hours the children enjoy free play and party food whilst the mums have a chat etc. We then cut the cake and everyone goes home.

Can I do anything myself to make it a little for exiting bearing in mind these children are only 2-3. Can't you tell I'm a first time mum!!!!!

Thanks

Pass the parcel? IME the only game they really 'get' under the age of 4! Or dancing around with balloons?

Definitely pass the parcel. Also dancing games - do some action type songs - heads shoulders knees and toes, sleeping bunnies, farmer's in the den, here we go round the mulberry bush.

Decorate biscuits with sweets and writing icing. Then give them the biscuits to take home instead of a party bag.

pass the parcel (with mums hovering behind to help) - make sure you put a sweetie between each layer and that everyone gets a go at unwrappingg.

I think we did musical bumps at DDs 3rd.

we often do some sort of hunting game - so hiding pictures, toys or sweets around the house and they have to go and find them. Also, some sort of craft - decorating paper crowns to wear etc

Rich tea biscuit decorating. Get lots of sprinkles, make some icing in plastic bowls, mini marshmallows etc - then 'show' them what to do, then let them loose. One or two of them may actually decorate the biscuits! There is nothing small children enjoy more than a temporary suspension of the rules - allow them to play with their food!

I did this at ds1's 4th, but there were younger children there.

You could do a simple craft activity eg decorating crowns with stickers, jewels and pompoms (places like Baker Ross and Yellow Moon sell cardboard or foam crowns, stickers and gems/pompoms etc with peel off backs so no messy glue involved)

You could do action songs, stood/sat in a circle - farmers in the den, hokey cokey, head shoulders knees and toes, etc.

Or borrow a parachute and play parachute games - you will need some adults to help with this probably though.

Another small word of advice... serve only drinks which won't show when (not if) spilled on your carpet. For most of us that means apple juice or lemon squash only. No blackcurrant or orange!

ems mum is right. apple juice served in little boxes with straws are fab

wow thanks for all your helpful advice.

will check out baker and ross.

Good advice about drinks children will be mostly in a large conservatory with a washable floor but still need to keep mess to minimum.

Thanks again mumsnetters

i know you didn't want an organised party, but i have seen this woman in action and she is fantastic. Parents are pleased too. They can just let her get on with it. She goes to people's houses.

www.kiddoodle.co.uk/