BDTD $5.99: What do toddlers do for fun besides be adorable?

gutsymama · March 2014

So I've been browsing around a few things for Luke's birthday party, and came across some people talking about a schedule and games and some such nonsense.

It had not occurred to me that we should have scheduled activities. We will not be having scheduled activities.

But we will be having several kids in the 1-4 age range, assuming their parents can come and want to bring them along, so I want to make sure we don't bore them to tears. We're planning to get Luke a swing for his birthday so that should be up in our backyard tree before the party, and we'll probably have some bubbles for any kids who want them. Is that enough? Maybe some crayons and paper? We also have Luke's baby toys and books, of course, but I'd rather not have a bunch of kids' germy hands all over all his stuff (wow, that sounds really snotty! but you guys know where I'm coming from).

I mean, I know I don't have to entertain everybody else's kids, but I want everybody to have fun so if we can have something available to keep the kids busy the parents will be more free to enjoy themselves too.

Pink724 · March 2014

We're planning to have a story time and a kiddie band perform. Most of our young guests will be closer to 1, though.

gutsymama · March 2014

Pink724 said:

We're planning to have a story time and a kiddie band perform. Most of our young guests will be closer to 1, though.

See, that seems like way more planning than I was planning to plan

But we're doing a Where the Wild Things Are theme - I bet my mom would be thrilled to read the book to a bunch of adorable children.

Pink724 · March 2014

mimi4347 said:

Pink724 said:

We're planning to have a story time and a kiddie band perform. Most of our young guests will be closer to 1, though.

See, that seems like way more planning than I was planning to plan

But we're doing a Where the Wild Things Are theme - I bet my mom would be thrilled to read the book to a bunch of adorable children.

Oh yes, that would be perfect for your theme! Another fun idea might be to have a "wild rumpus" of your own, and let the kids put on some sort of crazy outfits and have a little parade.

gutsymama · March 2014

somerandomchick said:

I was recently talking to a mom of a 2.5 year old who was basically rolling her eyes at the fact that everyone does all these fancy "stations" for a 2nd bday party. Her son doesn't want to go to the face painting station and then the music station and then the whatever. He just wants a soccer all to kick for hours and hours, or a basketball to dribble for hours, or whatever. Maybe ask one of the moms of toddlers you're inviting what their kids like and just go with that. Don't overthink it.

Absolutely - I just wanted to have some things on hand if the kids wanted something to do. Adding a ball to the list

mrshudson618 · March 2014

Pink724 said:

We're planning to have a story time and a kiddie band perform. Most of our young guests will be closer to 1, though.

I seriously thought this was a joke.

I am a lame mom.

coco2787 · March 2014

I think that if there are a handful of kids there around the same age they'll play with each other just fine without structured activity. I don't know how big your yard is (or if it will be warm enough) but maybe a sprinkler? Just tell parents to have kids bring a suit and towel?

Pink724 · March 2014

mrshudson618 said:

Pink724 said:

We're planning to have a story time and a kiddie band perform. Most of our young guests will be closer to 1, though.

I seriously thought this was a joke.
I am a lame mom.

Sadly, no. And you are not a lame mom! It's just sort of the norm up here to have something like that, and I am a follower :-S

MRads · March 2014

If you have a kiddie pool, you could fill it with cheap balls, pool noodles or even sand (or water with toys). That way the kids would have a place to play.

gutsymama · March 2014

@Cfreymc‌ we live in the city so our yard is small. A sprinkler would hit the deck too. Filing that away for the next house though, thanks! Everybody loves sprinklers. Apparently I have forgotten how to be a kid

(

chiboo9 · March 2014

Toddlers gonna toddler!

Lelo2006 · March 2014

Pink724 said:

mrshudson618 said:

Pink724 said:

We're planning to have a story time and a kiddie band perform. Most of our young guests will be closer to 1, though.

I seriously thought this was a joke.
I am a lame mom.

Sadly, no. And you are not a lame mom! It's just sort of the norm up here to have something like that, and I am a follower :-S

I'm going to a party in a couple of weeks and the Easter bunny will be there...

mrshudson618 · March 2014

In all seriousness though, you will be surprised at how little entertainment they need. Some basic toys like balls or sidewalk chalk and they will mostly play with each other.

PrimRoseMama · March 2014

Balls (of all sizes)
Bubbles
Stuffed animals
Blocks
Coloring & fingerpaints

PrimRoseMama · March 2014

We are having a ball pit, bubble machine, & coloring area. Add a sprinkler & our kiddie folk singer Mr. Will (from Playgroup). Fun for all!

DenverBride2005 · March 2014

At DS1 1st bday we had a water table and bubbles, maybe sidewalk chalk too. That and some food and cake, they were good to go. 2nd bday we did a pool party at our neighborhood pool, with a playground and tables for pizza and cake nearby. Simplicity at its finest!

bobcee · March 2014

I wouldn't worry much. We've never done planned activities for kids that young at any of DD's parties. PPs gave some good suggestions, but like others have said, they'll run around and entertain each other. Especially if the weather is nice and you can be outdoors. My DD just enjoys playing in the dirt and with rocks a lot of times when we're outside, but maybe she's just a weirdo.

thegoodpotato · March 2014

My neighbour doesn't do anything but cake and food. Put a bunch of toddlers/kids together and they make up their own games.

24karat · March 2014

Toddlers will entertain themselves quite well. Straws, balloons, bean bags, napkins, etc. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. The impromptu stuff tends to be what they like best. If you feel the need for something slightly structured, you could always do something simple like fruit loops necklaces. Food crafts FTW.

new2011mommy · March 2014

My DS is 3 and is not into structured activites. He just wants to play. We had DD's christening party in our yard last fall. I had the swingset, sandbox, and we have a small jump house that my brother in law gave us. It is the type you buy from toys r us and is only good for kids up to 5. We also had balls and bubbles. All the kids had fun just running around and playing. For DD's party, we will have about 9 kids that range from 6 months to 12 years old. I am planning the same activities and will probably setup the baby pool and water table if it is hot.

[Deleted User] · March 2014

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alimegan · March 2014

I have a 3 year old and some of the best outdoor parties were the ones with a jumping balloon. That was pretty much it. Sometimes a pinata and we would pitch in on some home cooked food. Hope that helps any?

ETA: A baby pool sounds good too.

gutsymama · March 2014

Definitely not planning structured activities! Just want to have some things available. Thanks ladies!

@alimegan‌ what's a jumping balloon?

kbugcmommy · March 2014

Balls, bubbles, balloons. Done.

alimegan · March 2014

@mimi4347 It's a big balloon type structure shaped kind of like a castle. They have air constantly flowing through it and the kids (and even adult) get in it and jump on it. I would post a picture but have no idea how to on TB.

ETA:https://www.uniqueworldusa.com/commercial-inflatable-bouncers.php?gclid=CK6PjYePtr0CFVQV7AodCy4A3w

sorry if it isn't clicky.

gutsymama · March 2014

alimegan said:
@mimi4347 It's a big balloon type structure shaped kind of like a castle. They have air constantly flowing through it and the kids (and even adult) get in it and jump on it. I would post a picture but have no idea how to on TB.

ETA:https://www.uniqueworldusa.com/commercial-inflatable-bouncers.php?gclid=CK6PjYePtr0CFVQV7AodCy4A3w

sorry if it isn't clicky.

Ah, ok, gotcha. Yeah, we won't be going quite that grand for the 1st birthday. Also that would take up our entire yard

alimegan · March 2014

mimi4347 said:

@mimi4347 It's a big balloon type structure shaped kind of like a castle. They have air constantly flowing through it and the kids (and even adult) get in it and jump on it. I would post a picture but have no idea how to on TB.

ETA:https://www.uniqueworldusa.com/commercial-inflatable-bouncers.php?gclid=CK6PjYePtr0CFVQV7AodCy4A3w

sorry if it isn't clicky.
Ah, ok, gotcha. Yeah, we won't be going quite that grand for the 1st birthday. Also that would take up our entire yard

Oh haha they don't have to be that ridiculous. It was the first site from Google. Where I live they are a huge hit with the kids so you can find small and cheap ones everywhere. Also maybe a few dollar store games? Kids are going to be kids and schedules don't really work with little ones, especially when they are having fun!

Kitten80 · March 2014

Balls, bubbles, coloring/stickers if they will be well supervised. Balloons are a hit (again, supervised). For books you could go to dollar store and buy several tub books - they wipe clean super easy and little kids always seem to love them.

You don't have to do more than basics. If you want a dedicated play station, you could get a longer/shallow rubbermaid type container and fill it with sand/if hot couple inches of water, noodles and scoops/measuring cups/dollar store animals or figures to hide in it. But, you don't need to do that. I think people do too much.

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BDTD $5.99: What do toddlers do for fun besides be adorable?

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