Any ideas for an inexpensive 3 year olds party?

Question

Our daughter will be 3 in December and we are looking to invite around 6 - 7 children. Our flat is too small and parties are a minimum of 10 and fairly expensive. I was thinking of hiring a hall and doing the food but how do I entertain the little poppets??!!! All ideas welcome!!

Answer 1

Go right back to basics, pass the parcel, musical statues or bumps, Simon Says etc, at 3 they love it.

edit - they also love What's the time Mr Wolf? at that age

Answer 2

Think of a theme and go from there. You a can have a balloon theme and have tons of balloons and play games like paint faces on the ballons, have a popping contest. Or you can buy face paint, go to an arts and crafts store and buy the supplies to make bracelets or necklaces, simon says is fun, musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey, dance contest. Or if you go with a princess theme make it a tea party make or but crowns and wands give them juice in tea cups an dyou can do their make up buy little high heel shoes from a dollar store or little dress up kits with braclets and necklace you can find those cheap. Those are a few ideas.

Answer 3

If you can afford it, hiring a bouncy castle is always good. Make sure you have music, deccorations and lots of party games ie. pin the tail on the donkey, pass the parcel etc. and a party hat and party bag for each child. All of these things can be quite inexpensive if you look in the right places! good luck! x

Answer 4

Good one awkward age hum! Blind mans buff

Answer 5

Ahh! MsDonald's is always a favorite for youngsters and very inexpensive

Answer 6

Indoor bouncy castle

Face Painting

Toys to play with

Music and dancing area

At 3 I would only have a party for 2 hours maximum esp in a hall with minimum to do! Have the parents stay as then they can supervise bouncy castle, facepaints, take them to toilet etc.

Other ideas:

Go somewhere like activity centre-parents can pay for own children (sure most will understand)....as there's only 6-7 you shouldnt have to book so people can just turn up. Or if its not an expensive place you might be able to pay for the kids entrance. Then afterwards invite them back to yours for food! That way you dont have to have lots of space for playing and games simply layout food and have places for people to sit!

Answer 7

In all honesty, you can't go wrong with Chuck E Cheeses! (if you have one in your area.

At three years old, they can't sit and focus on games.  Thats the age where they like to run around and do their own thing, so what better place is there for them to do that other than Chuck E Cheeses.  

If 6 or 7 kids is not enough to reserve a party, then don't reserve a party.  Just let the other kids parents know that you will be at Chuck E Cheese on X day at X time, and tell them to bring their kids. Tell them pizza, drinks, and a few tokens will be provided.

You can buy the pizza for the kids, and you can give them a certain amount of tokens (the same amount they would have gotten with the party).  You can also bring your own cake.

Thats the best way to go because for one, you don't have to worry about entertaining them, for two, you aren't on any time limit as to when you have to leave, and for three, no clean up!  You just pack up your little one and leave!

Answer 8

Set up different tables for them to do crafts.  You could have play dough, stuff to make party hats, a necklace and bracelet making table, or a table with shaving cream on it for the kids to draw through.  The shaving cream is very easy to clean up.  You could also play pin the tail on the donkey, bean bag toss, follow the leader, and musical chairs.    I wouldn't do a bouncy castle unles you know all the kids can go it and you have some standing beside it the hole time because the kids could fall off and hurt themselves.

Answer 9

A potato printing party, cover the floor on polythene first.