'messy play' party theme/ideas for 3 year old

[pecanpie]

I'm trying to organise my daughter's first proper birthday party and she would love a 'messy play' party with painting and sticking etc. I've spoken to someone who can come and do this for me, but it seems pretty expensive when I can do this sort of thing quite happily myself (we do lots of painting etc at home and have started to when friends come over). Not sure if it's worth it but want to scope it our first.

Does anyone have any good ideas for specific activities or even a theme? I'm really looking for one painting activity and one 'making something' idea to be followed by pass the parcel etc.

How about t-shirt painting, or flower pot painting so they get something 'proper' to keep? Could get seeds etc to plant the flower pots, or send seeds home as a party bag type thing. Places like Primark, Matalan and QS are good for cheap, plain t-shirts. Not sure where you could get terracotta pots for, though it's worth checking out the pound shop and The Works.

Brilliant idea! We've decided to have tables for painting, pladoh etc but flower pot painting will be great to take away and like the idea of seeds in the party bag. Thanks!