Entertainer for a 3 year old party or not?

[Seussy]

I've hired a venue for my son's 3rd bday as will be inviting about 15 of his friends. We have the hall for 2hours. Would it be wise to hire an entertainer or come up with some activity craft things. My son's not into pass the parcel games but does like the dancing bits and also puppet show, having brought him to other 3 YO parties with entertainer.

I personally think entertainers will probably be better for 4 YO but am not up to amusing 12 little people for 2 hours!

Any ideas/suggestions most welcomed!

Spend the cash on a bouncy castle and a shitload of balloons, they will not be interested in doing anything else! I tried pass the parcel at 3 year old DS's and it did not work

Thats a lot of 3 year olds! are the parents staying too?

I am an entertainer and start with age 4. Some 3 year olds are ready but some are not.

Save it for age 4 and they will all have a ball.

The best party mine went to when they were little was in a hall and the mum had begged and borrowed lots of ride-ons and little ELC seesaws, trampolines etc and the children just bumbled around for the party.

You could try some basic party games but none where the children are out. And singing and action songs - nothing too structured though.

I agree pregnantpeppa about getting someone specially recommended for 3 year olds. Amongst my entertainer friends very few do 3 year olds as it requires a very different approach/act.

Also all parents stay at 3 year old parties and they can be a hindrance sometimes!

Thank you soooo very much for all your advice - I wasn't keen on entertaining the 3 YOs as will be 8 months preggers then! yes - all the parents are staying.

However, do like the idea of borrowing ride ons & slides etc. My son doesn't quite do the sit down pass the parcel thing so structured games out of the picture. That was also part of the reason considering an entertainer to get the kids to do stuff.

Will ask around anyway for a recommended entertainer as a backup.

I went to a party recently where they had Jo Jingles - absolute hit, she had all the three year olds mesmerised for an hour singing, playing instruments etc! Liked it so much I am booking the same for ds!

Tumbletots parties work well with 3 year olds too.

Ah yes forgot to mention ds is 3!