We are doing a home party for O later this month. It'll probably be about half adults and half kids, maybe 8-10 kids max ages 2-8 or so. I'm trying to figure out what activities I need to have set up. The weather will be iffy-could be cool but OK outside, or could be windy or pouring rain. If we can use the outdoor space, we have a tire swing, 4 goats who love kids, and lots of cool wooded areas to play right around the house. Plus a deck with a small bball hoop, a plasma car, a trike, scooter, etc. I think we will be fine if we can go outside. If we are stuck inside, I'm really struggling with ideas about what to do. O has no attention span for crafts, so I'm not sure it is realistic to do a sit down activity. She has plenty of toys, but I feel like maybe we need something more organized to do? Any ideas?
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Would you consider hiring some kind of entertainer? A 3 year old is probably too young for a character like Elsa or Spider-Man, but something like a magician or a singer (like at a kids music class)? Or, is there someplace in the house you could fit a smallish bounce house? My friends have one they set up in their sun porch. Plus you could still have some simple crafts for the other kids even if you know your LO won’t do them.
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@Foodnerd81: Probably no on the entertainer, although that would definitely make it easier! I'm pretty sure that doesn't even exist where we live anyway, haha. We could definitely make space for a bounce house. That might be the best option. I'll do some measuring and see what is out there.
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@Mrs. Turtle: my friends have something like this one.
Little Tikes Jr. Jump 'n Slide Bouncer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QGSMSO6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ux6UBbWSX8M7E -
What about clearing some space for a toddler dance party? At pick up my son’s class listens to a medley of goofy songs like Bear Hunt and Baby Shark.
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We use it for every party. Honestly we use it at least 4 times a week just because the kids love it and it wears them out.
Aside from that you could set up a small craft area, maybe the other kids will like it and encourage O to participate.
I love making slime with the kids (then you can put them in little plastic bags they decorate with stickers to take home as a favor. We just use school glue, sprinkle a little baking soda, dash of food coloring or sparkles, then add a squirt of contact solution.
I think I remember that you live on a small farm?? Could you do a hayride? Or a scavenger hunt?
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime:
Ohhh yes, dance party!
I recommend getting these for the ultimate dance party
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FMWR5WC/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=enjothesmal08-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07FMWR5WC&linkId=4016dc5fdcb2b6d381e632a262a16290 -
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: This would be fun!
@RonjaL7: so cool! We don't have anything for a hay ride, but could definitely do a scavenger hunt if the weather cooperates. -
I'm thinking we could decorate pumpkins... glitter, paint, etc. Fun?
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For my son's 3rd bday party I set up a sensory bin inside using mostly stuff I already had, just bought a huge bag of rice from costco. I took a storage bin I had, put it on a low table, threw in the rice and some random construction trucks, funnels, shovels, etc. I put a towel underneath to catch the rice but there was still a fair amount I had to sweep up. There were only three kids though.
Personally I love the idea of decorating little pumpkins (plus it doubles as a favor) but DS is not into crafts or painting or drawing at all...he might cave into peer pressure if other kids were doing it though.
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@LadyDi: O is into the idea of it, but on her own only lasts a few moments before she's off to the next (usually jumping related) activity. But I know she does more art/craft activities at school. I'm totally counting on the whole Halloween thing plus peer pressure to make it interesting for her haha.
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@LadyDi: The sensory bin sounds great, but I could also see her deciding to organize a rice throwing party... she's a natural leader and doesn't always have the greatest ideas.
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Honestly, I've never had scheduled crafts or activities for any of the home birthday parties for my 6 year old! None of the ones we have been to have had them either. The kids just play and the adults socialize. About 50% of the time there has been a bouncy house but that seems to be the extent of it.
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@Mrs. Turtle: I may be in the minority but I think her existing toys plus snacks, singing, cake, other kids and the novelty of it will be enough! I haven’t hosted a bday specifically but I’ve had 5-8 kids over before with their parents for brunch etc and they have a blast playing with what is already here. No special stations or anything.
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@KT326: Yes. Same!
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i made this for my LO's b-day... since little kids can't really hit a pinata, it's another game where they can get some candy or prizes... it was a big hit! they "punch" a cup and get the candy/prize inside
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/63683782210836312/
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We just let the kids play last year. They ran around and were insanely loud and my daughters playroom was an epic disaster but all of the kids had so much fun.
I'm riding the lazy party train until my daughter starts requesting specific stuff -
@Mrs. Turtle: I was just at a party where kids 2.5 to 10 painted pumpkins. Most of the kids liked it. They had brushes but I think it would be more fun with fingerpaint at least for kiddos up to 5 or 6.
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@KT326: @wrkbrk: @MamaBear87: Oh good. This is what I was hoping, but then I started picturing 8 bored toddlers racing around and thought maybe I needed more structure. I may do pumpkins if anyone wants to decorate, but I think you're right, I won't go overboard with any other plans. Chances are, 3 year olds won't follow the plans anyway!
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@Ms. RV: Good to know! I was thinking I might order something like this, which would be less messy than paint/glitter etc.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07977X454/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A3VYMXKWTHF7TH&psc=1
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@Meso: That's super cute! She'd love punching the cups.
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@Mrs. Turtle: at some of the home parties I have attended they brought in a face painter, or character/ entertainter. Additionally I have seen temporary tattoo stations set up
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@Mrs. Turtle: feathers too for the pumpkins.
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Obstacle course, using things like pool noodles, hula hoops and cones.
I wouldn’t for craft, but that’s just me, until the kids are older.
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We often have some kind of activity set up and available but do not have it as an organized/timed part of the party. A little area over on a kid-sized table with coloring or some other party-themed crafty activity.
We've done coloring sheets printed out and buckets of crayons for kids who like to color, make-your-own crowns for a princess party (foam crowns from Amazon, stick-on gems, markers), and also purchased an at-home face painting kit and just set that out - parents typically will just do their own kids face based on the kit insert. We also will have an on-theme movie playing inside if kids want to chill out there vs. active play outside for whatever reason (101 Dalmations for a puppy party, Little Mermaid and Peter Pan for mermaid/pirate party, rotated through Disney princess movies for her princess/knights party, etc.).
We have never had a bounce house, entertainer, or an organized activity except last year's pinata (5 yr old bday, that's about as young as I'd go with one) and we always have backyard/house parties. We do discourage playing in her room with her toys though, as that can lead to a gigantic mess at the end of the day.
Something that comes out every year (and all year-round inbetween) are the plastic kiddie pool filled with ball-pit style balls. We bought a big bag on Amazon for about $20 and kids really enjoy playing around in there with them and tossing them around the yard.
Have fun!
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