Birthday party ideas for 3yo

[Deleted]

We're trying to get our act together for DS's 3rd birthday at the end of the month. I'm in such a pregnancy brain fog I'm having trouble focusing on what to do. We'd probably invite 5-8 kids. It's too cold here to do anything outside. We live in the boonies, so there are little to no children's museums, no Little Gym. The bouncy house place is geared toward 15+ kids and is very expensive.

So we're thinking of having the party at our house.  Do we need activities for the kids? What should we do? Organizing and running a craft for 8 kids while 37 weeks PG is making my head hurt.  :? But I can't think of anything else to "do." Ideas?

[lolo]

winecheery had some very clever carnival themed games that were self-directed at her LO's party.

[ginkgoleaf]

Ice cream sundae bar, hope for snow and have them play outside (go sledding?), coloring station, decorate cupcakes

[turtlegirl]

We have never done any "activities" for our kids birthday parties. We usually have about the same amount of kids and just having toys out to play with, eating the snacks/meal/cake, opening presents has been enough.

I think the fact that you'll be 37 weeks pregnant gives you lots of leeway and everyone will understand.

[lilac05]

At 3, we had a regular play date, but added cake and presents. Oh, I also blew up a bunch of balloons and put them in a dryer box and dumped them t for the kids to play with. I think I had foam stickers they could make into a snowman (kit from Target), but there was no "craft time"...it was just there if they wanted to do it. It was perfect. Everyone had a blast.

[Ashley&Scott]

We had M's 3rd birthday at a community center, it was a large room. We didn't have organized games or activities, we had a few toys out & an area for the kids to run/play. We also had an activity table with crayons, paper & stickers. Adults & kids joined in on the fun.

At 37 weeks I would plan something that is less work for you, or recruit lots of help with set up/clean up. The kids will have fun no matter what

[holly116]

Ds1's 3rd birthday is valentines day. We're having a ninja turtles theme and he is beyond excited. DD's fourth birthday was the first time we did anything beyond just a party at the house (we had a pool party at our swim club/gym). I think for three you can certainly get away with just presents and cake. Maybe pick up a piñata or a prepackaged game at target and let the kids run around.

[karinothing]

We had a construction truck party. Can you do an indoor bounce house? They rent/sell small ones

[Deleted]

Feb 3, 2015 19:28:31 GMT -5 karinothing said:

We had a construction truck party. Can you do an indoor bounce house? They rent/sell small ones

LOL no. We have a 1400sq ft ranch home. It's small. A few kids plus their parents is already going to be crowded.

[spankswife]

Decorate your own cupcake. Just have plain ones with frosting in the side and different sprinkles.

Foam crafts are good.

[Deleted]

Just let the kids play. Lots of balloons. Put on music. It'll be fine.

[karinothing]

Feb 3, 2015 19:34:32 GMT -5 @supergreen said:

Feb 3, 2015 19:28:31 GMT -5 karinothing said:

We had a construction truck party. Can you do an indoor bounce house? They rent/sell small ones

LOL no. We have a 1400sq ft ranch home. It's small. A few kids plus their parents is already going to be crowded.

U might be surprised. Like we could put it in our living room (our house is 1700 sq feet) but i have seen them on row houses too. I mean obviously it takes up one room, but if you have a living room and family room it could work

[Deleted]

Feb 3, 2015 19:50:44 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Feb 3, 2015 19:34:32 GMT -5 @supergreen said:

LOL no. We have a 1400sq ft ranch home. It's small. A few kids plus their parents is already going to be crowded.

U might be surprised. Like we could put it in our living room (our house is 1700 sq feet) but i have seen them on row houses too. I mean obviously it takes up one room, but if you have a living room and family room it could work

We do not have both.

[SpartanGirl]

When DS was 3 we did superhero stuff. They made superhero capes (just peel and stick felt shapes onto a felt cape), searched for hidden glow sticks (kryptonite) and tried to thaw superheroes (imaginext figures) frozen in ice. It was fun and easy.

A bounce house and decorate your own cupcakes works well too. 3 year olds aren't picky.

[karinothing]

Feb 3, 2015 19:56:14 GMT -5 @supergreen said:

Feb 3, 2015 19:50:44 GMT -5 karinothing said:

U might be surprised. Like we could put it in our living room (our house is 1700 sq feet) but i have seen them on row houses too. I mean obviously it takes up one room, but if you have a living room and family room it could work

We do not have both.

Oh yeah, that is a bit harder. The row house i was in just had everyone hang out in the kitchen/dining area. But anyway i think toys and food is enough.

[pierogigirl]

We also live in a small house. We did a bowling party for DS2's 3rd. It was a lot of fun. Is that an option? I think an at home party with food and letting the kids play is also a great option.

[minzy]

We had a party at home for DD1's third birthday with six of her friends. I had our coffee table set up where they could decorate what became their piñata bags. It was a pull piñata (as opposed to one you whack). We did pass the parcel, and the last kid got to keep the wrapped gift (a book). I tried to get them to guess objects in a box without looking at them (i.e., spoon, clothespin, etc.) but they didn't really get it. There was food (chicken, pizza, fruit, veggies) and cupcakes. Overall it was a big success.

[Deleted]

None of the "at home" parties I have ever been too have had "activities". Mostly just balloons,music, pizza, cake & ice cream.

If you want to go all out can you get a "performer" like Elmo or Mickey to come to the house. My dad made Bert & Ernie heads when I was a kid & they were special guests at all my parties. Can you rent a Minion costume or something & your H can disappear & all of a sudden a Minion shows up? Call your local party rental & see what's available?

[Deleted]

Feb 3, 2015 20:35:04 GMT -5 pierogigirl said:

We also live in a small house. We did a bowling party for DS2's 3rd. It was a lot of fun. Is that an option? I think an at home party with food and letting the kids play is also a great option.

Nope, no bowling alley even remotely nearby

[Deleted]

Lots of ideas here: www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com/toddler-party-ideas.html

As someone that grew up in the middle of nowhere, I feel confident saying expectations will be low. They know what's available. As long as the food is good, you're golden.

[karinothing]

Oh we had a kids musician come to DS's second party. It was fun. We just used the guy who teaches music classes at DSs school.

[Deleted]

My friend just lets the kids run around and play with regular toys then cake and presents. I donmt think you need anything special.

[hrp22]

I've been toying with the idea of doing my son's 3rd birthday in the morning, and having everyone bring their kids in their jammies for a pancake birthday party.  

[winecheery]

Feb 3, 2015 18:47:58 GMT -5 lolo said:

winecheery had some very clever carnival themed games that were self-directed at her LO's party.

Awww, thanks lolo!!

@supergreen we threw DD's 1st bday at our home, and we have a fenced in front yard where I set up the following:

1)  ring toss - I spray painted wine bottles colors that went with the theme and set them in a crate; bought a set of rings off Amazon
2) bean bag toss - I found a set of three wooden crates at Michael's craft store in graduated sizes, and set them up next to a basket of bean bags my mom made out of felt and dried beans
3) a "photo booth" with a draped piece of fabric, and instant camera and fun props to play with (I went to Michael's again, found a bunch of wooden things on a stick!  Sunglasses, hats, bow ties, etc.  Painted those, made them readily available)
4) tin can alley - saved 6 cans, washed them out, bought a small ball, stacked em up like a tower.

I just posted a sign next to each activity, and people understood that you could come and play as you please.

I realize these might not necessarily all be good for indoors (you said it's too cold where you live) but perhaps they can spark something for you to work with.  You can find ways to do these things easier too, whereas I got all into the DIY and the theme, etc, and went super nuts at the craft store.  That way you aren't too hard on your pregnant self!   It wasn't hard, for the record, but if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, it might not be something you're in the mood to do.  

[hermione]

Toddler Drive in? Get a box for each kid, let them decorate it as a car (paper plate wheels etc), then they can sit in it and watch a short show.