It is GS's 3rd birthday in August (my doesn't time fly!) so after a bit if umming and aahing about what to do we've decided on a tea party at home for close friends and family and their children, there will be about half a dozen or so toddlers so I want to put on a few party games, make some party bags etc but desperately need ideas please!!
Anyone got any links to blogs or websites with ideas for toddler parties, things I can perhaps make for the goody bags or games? Anything you've tried yourself that went down well? I'd be very grateful if you could share!
I already have in mind to put on a buffet of traditional party food; homemade biscuits & cupcakes, Angel delight & starwberries, sandwiches, sausage rolls, pineapple & cheese on sticks, homemade pink lemonade, etc. I'll be roping in family to help me prepare it, and then it can all be ready before guests around so I can mingle better without rushing around. Going to get a cool box and pop ice in it to keep adult drinks cool so people can help themselves. I remember last year we had a BBQ at August bank holiday and I seemed to spend most of it in the kitchen fetching drinks, cutlery and cloths as Mr G.T was busy guarding the BBQ, so want to avoid that this time around!
I did a Hungary Catapiller one for Maxi, it was great fun http://themadhouse-themadhouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/very-hungry-caterpillar-party-maxis-5th.html
ReplyDeleteHow about a pirate theme or dinosaurs? If the weather is good, how about a paddling pool for a 'pool party!
ReplyDeletePS - i dont think you can go wrong with games like pass the parcel and musical chairs/statues x
ReplyDeleteYes pass the parcel is great! The flapping fish game is good fun too - paper fish to flap along the floor with a rolled up newspaper - you can do that one a few times over, the adults will probably enjoy it more than the children because it's so ridiculous! I did a few themed parties when mine were younger but I don't think they noticed much! The parents did though and I enjoyed them. What did help was having one activity - something that they could make and then possibly take home - like icing biscuits themselves or a simple sticking activity - but then that relies on having plenty of adults around too. I have to say I found when mine were really little all the guests were happy just to play with our toys, because they were novel, and generally didn't need too much organising, as long as they were fairly contained - I found that the more I tried to pack in the more stressed they got, they were mainly happy just hanging around together with toys and playing alongside each other, so just setting out lots of toys for them can stop the tension of feeling you have to entertain them every minute. The downside is they sometimes don't want to stop playing with the toys and come and do anything else! Of course if they can be in the pool or the garden you may not need to do much else at all! I went for traditional party bags with sweets, a balloon and some very cheap toys and some cake, but a friend of mine found some little stationery sets with pens and crayons in etc. and just gave those out with some cake one year and that was a really nice idea as it was something to keep. Hope it all goes really, really well. xx
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas so far thanks so much for the input!! I've thought about getting some good quality card and printing off some printables like bookmarks, door hangers, photo frames etc as giveaways for the goody bags. Pool party would be good long as it's nice, we do have a lovely new pool that would squeeze in a couple of little uns, I am being swayed by a bouncy castle though, not cheap at all but GS loves them and has never had a proper go on one, hmmm will have to check the budget lol
ReplyDeletePirate themes are always good. "Dead Fishes" game for when they are ready for calming down!!! My daughter was always very good at this!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's usually the tried and tested favourites that work the best,and simple things like little pots of bubbles to blow can be fun and cheap!Linda:)
ReplyDeleteThe food idea is great: simple, delicious. theme? At age 3, they don't necessarily have to have a theme. It can just be "Birthdays!"
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