First timer - House party for 2yr old...what games can I play pls?

[katienjay]

I have never done this kind of thing before and am really concerned this is going to be a flop despite it being for a 2 year old...what games/activities can i do please?

For dd we did pass the parcel with a prize for everyone.
Pin the tail on the donkey without blindfolds
And dancing/musical animals (when the music stops call out an animal and make the noise!)

V v simple and no more than bout 20 mins on games.

Otherwise, just get some toys out that you're happy for the guests to play with - keep it as low key as poss.

Good luck!

2 year olds don't really do games IME - they're not very good at waiting for their turn! even with 3 year olds it's a bit of a struggle.

if I were you I would just have lots of toys around the place, lots of yummy food, some music for jiggling about to and maybe a bouncy castle or trampoline for the garden if the weather's nice.

Definitely agree games are a bit pointless at this age, though pass the parcel is kind of OK. DS's birthday is in July and last we planned a party in the garden with all that goes with that. Due to the monsoon weather we were faced with fitting ten 2 year olds plus parents in our house leaving little room for big toys. I got some foam crowns from Baker Ross bakerross.co.uk and lots of glue sticks, glitter and stick on bugs etc, washable crayons, huge rolls of paper and set up an arts & crafts table for them. They also filled empty Laughing Cow cheese triangle boxes and other vessels with lentils and made and decorated shakers. We blew up lots and lots of balloons and covered the living room floor with them which caused great delight too!

Lots of balloons and some music for dancing would probably do it.

Traffic lights, children move around being a car, bike, train etc you shout out "Red" -stop "Orange" slow down to walking speed "green" go. To finish, they all 'park'. No winners.

Hunt the teddy - shouting hotter or colder.

Follow the leader

Wheels on the bus/row row/here we go round the mulberry bush/old macdonald

None - they don't even really get pass the parcel at that age. Agree with music and balloons and toys. Singing songs and doing actions. I have never been to a 2 yr old party where much more that toys were required.

DD's birthday is January so we were stuck to indoors.

We had all her toys out in one room so if they were just happy playing they could do just that. Then, in the kitchen we had star shaped biscuits for them to decorate with the tubes/pens of icing and smarties etc. Then in the dining room I cut out a load of big coloured stars for them to colour in and decorate. It meant there were different things for them to do and spread them out a bit !

Presumably yous is coming up so you can use outside space ? They'll probably be happy playing wiht outside toys weather permitting !

It's my DS1' s party this weekend and I'm planning some balloons scattered around the place and some songs (old macdonald, wheels on the bus etc) and toys. Then picnic tea.

I'm hoping that will be enough!

have been shopping and bought balloons and a nursery rhymes CD. Have also bought a couple of books for pass the parcel and see how it goes...
thanks for the replies, it makes me feel better that I don't have to plan loads to do!

I've got a Party Games book by Practical Parenting. Its really quite useful. (Unless after this one you decide never again!).

I also recommend wine and a take-away for yourself in the evening. Don't underestimate how exhausting it is!

Good luck

I am doing one tomorrow

we aer doing running around in the garden
ring a ring a roses and the farmers in his dell
pass the parcel

then tea

then a treasure hunt

she will be the youngest at her party

3 x 3 year olds
3 x 5 year olds
1 x 8 year old