3rd birthday party and a tiny flat - dont know what to do!

[vannah]

Hello all,
Just need some advice re parties, am a bit new to it all. The first was easy, just 3 babies and not much happening.

Now DS will be 3 soon, and we have a very small flat - our living room is smallish. And DS has about 8 kids and all the parents now to squeeze in.
WOrth hiring a place? If so, what's good? (I live in crouch end north london)
and if we have it at home, what do you do for a 3 year old's party (activities)? A few parties Ive been to have been in houses where the kids were out in the garden - we have no garden.
Ive seen a pass the parcel being done too...

any suggestions?
thankyou

Is there a local park you can go to? Taking ballons and picnic and games if you wish?

Alternatively at smallish home -

Keep guests to 3-4 close friends (hopefully adult friends you like)
make sandwiches and buns and have crisps and fruit about.

Games, yes pass the parcel,
also
dance and freeze - you play music they dance, you stop they freeze.
treasure hunts work even in the smallest of spaces.
craft activity - set up a table wioth something to do, they can come and go as they wish. Something like, make a party hat/bag etc.

Most of all, let them play themselves! the friends will want and need a bit of time to charge about flat looking at toys. allow for this.

then serve food, then have a couple of games, then let them free-range again.

Oh also, if you don't mind, put your mattress on the floor and turn on your bubble machine (which you may have to buy ). Bouncing = good for burning off sugar rush

then give adult friends drinks and chat away and enjoy.

Then give children going away gift/party bags and you're done

re number of guests.. I reread OP, I would want to invite all, but only you know size of flat. Hiring place can work well if you can find somewhere.

Local church hall? ours are quite cheap.

thankyou both. SMQ mine is cheap too, but I thought he might confuse it with a normal day at playgroup. Maybe not...

Thanks Slur for all those ideas, very helpful for a beginner to parties! I think the bubble machine/mattress is a brilliant idea!! Not much room for a craft table. But again treasure hunt v do-able. Will limit to closest friends, but 8 were the closest..(his friends will bring siblings)

Don't get into the habit of inviting siblings!!!!! Honestly, you may regret it later on when he's at school!