Hi Mamas,
Just looking for some cute (and inexpensive) ideas for a party for DS in June.
All of the "play places" around here - Pump It Up, Jump Zone, Gymboree, etc... - are crazy expensive ($250+). We'll really only be inviting family, so we'll have maybe 6 kids between the ages of 2-6 there.
Any ideas on how to make it fun or different? We just did a cookout last year, and then walked over to the local playground.
Just had my son's 3 yr party yesterday. At the house with a few friends. I ordered some capes from Oriental Trading company (5.50 ea), and some self adhesive foam stars. Also got some self adhesive foam letters from Wal Mart. The kids got to decorate their own superhero cape (which was also the parting favor) - then they played (3 year olds love it!!!) until it was time for "Batman" cake. Whatever you choose enjoy...
Nothing wrong with park and playing. It's inexpensive, a little work and structured things for 3 yr. olds don't always work out. They just like to run and play. Keep it simple while you can!! When he's 10, 12, 13 ....it'll be so much tougher to please him.
Enjoy these days now.
(mom of 3 teen boys...the last one is going to do us in, though)
With kids that young, you don't need to do much. If you want to do it at home you can just set up some different stations of toys. I usually do a bubble area, a chalk area, outdoor toys, plus we have a swingset. Last year I hired a balloon artist/face painter and the kids loved it! You could also do maybe a craft or a game. Tattoos are usually a bit hit and those are easy. If you're only having 6 kids, who are mostly family, don't overthink it. I feel that picking a theme is better for me b/c then I can plan the craft and food around it. You could do generic ones like sports or zoo animals or you could make it more personal if he has a favorite animal, book, tv show, whatever.
Another cookout sounds good. You guys can decorate with ballons, streams etc. Have potatoe sack racing, tag, pin the tail on the donkey, things like that. Maybe have the adults get involved as well. Before you know it, it will be time to pack and go home. I'm sure whatever you decided to do, will be great. Have fun. :)
keep it simple & keep it at home! Focus on the child & not the venue....
summer parties are great....set up the yard with a variety of activities & have the adults play the games, too. It's a blast seeing Gma/Aunt/Uncle try the hula hoop! & we have such a fun-loving family that we have to make the adults behave & give the kids a turn!
Try googling simple children party games....there's a ton of choices!
I have been thinking about what to do for my son who turns 3 this summer. I think I'm going to keep it simple, invite some friends over to the house and let them just have playtime and maybe do a simple craft or obstacle course in the backyard followed by pizza and cake. I think doing a cookout and playing at the playground is a great idea also!
Keep it super simple...
- Easy food like pizza or chicken fingers with fruit, veggies or fries
- Cake
- "Classic" party games like pin-the-tail on the donkey; pinata, ring toss, etc
- Simple craft that is also the "goodie"
We are keeping it super simple this year for my son's 3rd birthday (also June) and have invited his two "best buddies" and their parents to join us for a day at the zoo. We found a local zoo that charges $5 per adult and $3 per kid... all we have to bring is the cake!
My son will be 3 this spring as well.
I say do the cookout again and the playground. Really, it's likely at this age that he won't care what you do. I think my son would LOVE to just have the cake and play with his cousins/friends. Spend money on the 'construction' plates or the 'elmo' napkins (whatever your son just loves). Save your money for another year, when he's really going to appreciate the big parties.
3 year olds, get excited with anything.
It really does not have to be a huge planned venue kind of party.
And you will be inviting only family and 6 kids. It is a small party.
You can just have a party at home.
That will cut costs.
Then, get some goody bags.
Plan some games.
Or hire a balloon maker etc.
Have a buffet kind of thing. If the party will be at a meal time.
But to cut costs further, just have the party at a non-meal time and have cake/ice cream etc.
A Pinata
A treasure hunt
These are good sites for good cute Birthday party themes and accessories:
www.birthdayinabox.com
www.orientaltrading.com
How about swimming at the local YMCA and pizza? Or another park district pool? It will be warm enough.
We had Miss Tracey come and do a storytime for my son's party. http://www.kidwinks.com/KidsEvents/7/StoryTimeatTheBrownC... is some info on her weekly shows at The Brown Cow in Forest Park. We LOVE her. She's so much fun. You could also do a superhero party, or a pirate party. I sell sing-a-long books about pirates at Barefoot Books that would go along with that theme perfectly...
Good luck!
T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com
