Tell me about your toddler's 3rd birthday party!

Emerald27 · July 2014

So DS turns 3 one week after I'm due with his little brother. We weren't originally planning to have a party for him, just because of the crazy timing, but then we were discussing the changes a new baby would bring to our family and decided that maybe making DS' birthday something very special would be good for him.

I'm thinking we'll plan the party a couple weeks after his birthday to allow some postpartum recovery time (am I totally insane?!).

So we will invite some family members and a few friends with children, mostly ages 4 and under. I'd expect maybe 10-15 adults and maybe 8-10 toddlers to come.

What do people typically do for such young kids' parties? Are games and crafts and structured activities too coordinated and organized for these little fellows, and would it be better just to bring food to a park and let the kids run and play?

Tell me about your kids' 3rd birthday parties. When I look at Pinterest, I'm immediately overwhelmed and start to think that we have totally lost our minds. lol - help!

fitmom82 · July 2014

I think with that many kids and if you're looking to take it easy a bit with the baby being so little I'd have it out somewhere. A jump place would probably be simple. A park would be a lot of running around chasing the kids and anything at your house would be a big mess. Unless you have a large, finished basement they can

fitmom82 · July 2014

run around in or a fenced in yard I think I'd go for having it a place. Get a pinata or party entertainer for a little extra fun.

BTW, for my DD's 3rd birthday we did a pinata at school and had a few family members over for dinner. She thought it was so great she asked for the same thing for her 4th birthday. We were considering doing something out because every other child in the class had a big birthday party at a place, but she was perfectly happy with a pinata and cupcakes at school. If your LO is in daycare that could be another super simple option.

Emerald27 · July 2014

@fitmom82‌ Is that a huge group for this age? Should we invite fewer families? What's a typical 3rd birthday party size?

Something I don't have to clean up does appeal, but I'd also like to keep the cost down. I'll have to do some searching and pricing. Thanks for the ideas!

fitmom82 · July 2014

Most parties we've been to have been out. We went to one home party for a girl's 3rd and 4th birthday there were about 8-10 kids in a large basement and they had a princess come and do some entertainment. Another house party we went to was about 10 kids for a 4 year old. They had the run of the house and the yard and the mom had a ton of activities set up. Arts and crafts, a small bounce house, photo booth, tattoos, bubbles.

I don't think it's too many kids if you have the space, for me it would be alot of work and a huge mess I don't think I'd be willing to take on. If you do it at your house it might also be difficult being the party host while careing for a new born, especially if you're breast feeding.

aglenn · July 2014

I would either have a party at a location or limit the size to family plus a couple close friends. I wouldn't have been up to hosting a party that soon after DS was born. He was 6 months old when DD turned 3 and that was hard enough! We just had two of her friends over plus the grandparents for her 3rd and she had a great time.

baloneydisc · July 2014

My niece just had her 3rd birthday party. The party was 3w after her birthday, her baby brother was about 6w old (he was originally due on her birthday). They grilled burgers and hot dogs and let the kids play in her new sandbox, inflatable pool and had a piñata at home. They had 5 adults and 3 kids over. I think they went to the zoo and then for ice cream with a friend on her actual birthday.

LSU628 · July 2014

Having done parties at my house and at other places here are my 2 cents:
I spend more when I have it at my house vs away. I think I tend to over decorate and try to cram more details into the party when it's at my house.
-Parties at the house last a lot longer b/c there's no set cut off time. After 2 hours I'm exhausted and ready for people to go!
- If the party is at my house I'm cleaning and stressing like a mad lady before and dread the clean up after the party.
We did DD"s 3rd birthday at her gymnastics place. Easiest party ever! I bought drinks, snacks, a sandwich tray and cupcakes. Few decorations and that was about it. I was about 6 mo pregnant at the time and my DH was working out of town so I was looking to make things as easy as possible. I showed up, threw up my decorations, the kids all had a blast, and when it was over I got the presents and pitched every thing else. It was pretty cheap too (I think 185 for up to 25 kids?). Definitely a winner in my book.

chardonnay24 · July 2014

I was about 9 weeks pregnant and feeling pretty crappy when my son turned 3. I had actually planned most of a party (camping theme) but decided to hold off a year on the party and do something simple instead. We took his best friend and cousins to an aviation themed water park for the day and he had a blast. We also did cake and presents at home with grandparents.

If you really want to do a party, I'd probably rent a room somewhere (children's museum, gymnastics center, community center, indoor play space) and bring in pizza or sandwiches, a fruit tray, drinks, and cupcakes. At 3, kids don't really need structured activities or crafts, and holding it somewhere saves you the hassle of setting/cleaning up and gives the kids plenty to do.

Spin313 · July 2014

DD had about six or seven kids over for a play date. It was a "play and punch" princess theme. They dressed up in costumes, played with toys, had brunch and cupcakes. Easy-peasy.

dancingmatilda · July 2014

I agree with the others, have it somewhere other than home!! I think the size group you mentioned is pretty typical. Don't even look at pinterest!

We went to a birthday party recently that was supposed to be outdoors, but it rained, so they improvised a "movie" party and played movies for the kids to watch while they were playing & visiting and got popcorn from the local movie theater. They also served chips, hot dogs, cake, & ice cream. The kids had a lot of fun!

It's very popular to have "bouncy houses" here. At 3 the kids don't remember what they did as much as that they felt special. Don't stress too much about it!

Emerald27 · July 2014

So there's a county park nearby that is a real working farm farm and is free to visitors. They have pigs, cows, sheep, horses, chickens, etc., and they do hay rides, and have a carousel and a playground. There are picnic tables for people to bring food, bathrooms, a country store, and one day a week there's a farmer's market. This place is pretty cool.

I am thinking we could meet there for DS' party. I'd bring cupcakes, a couple costco deli and produce platters, napkins and plates, and an ice-filled cooler with bottled water and juice boxes. I'd figure out something simple for favors (that's still a thing, right?!) and the kids and their parents could all eat and socialize and then go play.

Clean-up wouldn't be too much. There are trash cans near the tables so any garbage can be tossed there, and we could just bring home any left-over food to stick in the fridge.

Thoughts?

ETA: So there's the benefit of no activities needed and not much clean-up because it's not at home, and it's free, but they don't do anything for you so we would have to manage some clean-up.

SunAndRain · July 2014

Emerald27 said:

So there's a county park nearby that is a real working farm farm and is free to visitors. They have pigs, cows, sheep, horses, chickens, etc., and they do hay rides, and have a carousel and a playground. There are picnic tables for people to bring food, bathrooms, a country store, and one day a week there's a farmer's market. This place is pretty cool. I am thinking we could meet there for DS' party. I'd bring cupcakes, a couple costco deli and produce platters, napkins and plates, and an ice-filled cooler with bottled water and juice boxes. I'd figure out something simple for favors (that's still a thing, right?!) and the kids and their parents could all eat and socialize and then go play. Clean-up wouldn't be too much. There are trash cans near the tables so any garbage can be tossed there, and we could just bring home any left-over food to stick in the fridge. Thoughts? ETA: So there's the benefit of no activities needed and not much clean-up because it's not at home, and it's free, but they don't do anything for you so we would have to manage some clean-up.

I think this sounds fine, actually. Just be certain that you can provide a specific location and clear directions on where to meet. Nothing frustrates me more than getting lost and I'm directionally challenged so if the location says "Smith Park" and I know the park is huge and no other identifying info is provided, it might enough ambiguity to compel me not to go. Much as I love parties (and I do!). And a ready-made picnic party sounds like a lovely ay for the kids to burn off some energy and for the adults to socialize (unless they have to run after their kids?).

I gave party favors at DD's birthday parties and received them at the few we've been to as well. Kids love them. Why not? Oh, except for one where we received a pin at a 3 year old's party. Really, I can give a pin to my toddler?

Emerald27 · July 2014

@SunAndRain‌ The picnic area is right next to the parking lot, so it should be very easy to find. I'll definitely include specific directions on the invitations, though, just to be sure. Thanks for the suggestion!

LSU628 · July 2014

Emerald27 said:

So there's a county park nearby that is a real working farm farm and is free to visitors. They have pigs, cows, sheep, horses, chickens, etc., and they do hay rides, and have a carousel and a playground. There are picnic tables for people to bring food, bathrooms, a country store, and one day a week there's a farmer's market. This place is pretty cool. I am thinking we could meet there for DS' party. I'd bring cupcakes, a couple costco deli and produce platters, napkins and plates, and an ice-filled cooler with bottled water and juice boxes. I'd figure out something simple for favors (that's still a thing, right?!) and the kids and their parents could all eat and socialize and then go play. Clean-up wouldn't be too much. There are trash cans near the tables so any garbage can be tossed there, and we could just bring home any left-over food to stick in the fridge. Thoughts? ETA: So there's the benefit of no activities needed and not much clean-up because it's not at home, and it's free, but they don't do anything for you so we would have to manage some clean-up.

I think this sounds perfect. My kids would love seeing the animals, being outside, and being able to run around and burn off energy. If you wanted to do favors, I'd do something cheap like the bandanas or straw cowboy hats you can order from Oriental traders. My kids would play with those vs a bunch of candy or cheap trinkets that are going to end up in the trash. It also sounds like it would be a pretty low-stress party for you.

sarahandeddiejune212008 · July 2014

DD's 3rd birthday was at the children's museum. It was great because the kids had tons of fun and I didn't have to stress about cleaning the house. DD#1's 2nd birthday was 2 months after DD#2 was born. We had the party at Monkey Joe's (bounce house place). They did all the set up and clean up. We just had to show up with a cake! Choose something that will be easy for you.

SusieBW · July 2014

LSU628 said:

Emerald27 said:

So there's a county park nearby that is a real working farm farm and is free to visitors. They have pigs, cows, sheep, horses, chickens, etc., and they do hay rides, and have a carousel and a playground. There are picnic tables for people to bring food, bathrooms, a country store, and one day a week there's a farmer's market. This place is pretty cool. I am thinking we could meet there for DS' party. I'd bring cupcakes, a couple costco deli and produce platters, napkins and plates, and an ice-filled cooler with bottled water and juice boxes. I'd figure out something simple for favors (that's still a thing, right?!) and the kids and their parents could all eat and socialize and then go play. Clean-up wouldn't be too much. There are trash cans near the tables so any garbage can be tossed there, and we could just bring home any left-over food to stick in the fridge. Thoughts? ETA: So there's the benefit of no activities needed and not much clean-up because it's not at home, and it's free, but they don't do anything for you so we would have to manage some clean-up.

I think this sounds perfect. My kids would love seeing the animals, being outside, and being able to run around and burn off energy. If you wanted to do favors, I'd do something cheap like the bandanas or straw cowboy hats you can order from Oriental traders. My kids would play with those vs a bunch of candy or cheap trinkets that are going to end up in the trash. It also sounds like it would be a pretty low-stress party for you.

@Emerald27, I think the park you're describing sounds perfect, and I love the idea of cowboy hats for favors! I think that sounds like a fantastic party!

blu-eyedwife · July 2014

The park sounds great. At this age, organized activities really aren't necessary for kids (I've been at parties where they tried to get 3 year olds to do the limbo. It wasn't happening) but being at a place where there is something for them to do is fantastic. Having the animals there is going to keep them entertained without any effort on your part.

One word of caution however - we did the first and second birthday parties "out" (at a park and a museum). There are loads of perks to not having it at your house, but it's not quite as stress free as people would have you believe.

Make sure you have people to help. Mostly because it's really hard to set things up when your kid is running around wanting to play with you or show you (the pig, cow, goat, whatever). You also need to think logistically about bringing everything to the area you're having it. Which means loading up a car (or cars) with everything you need, and arranging times to pick things up from Costco, the bakery, etc. Also, from experience, having it at a park also means no set end time, since the park doesn't close, people will hang around. And you're trying to deal with cleanup right around toddler sugar-crash meltdown time.

Emerald27 · July 2014

That is a good thought. DH and I were discussing earlier the merits of having an early birthday party instead (so before baby arrives). If we did it 1 week early, that would be the weekend baby is due. I really don't expect him to be on time so that could work, and then I would just have to manage the party pregnant instead of with a newborn. Decisions decisions. :P

fitmom82 · July 2014

Emerald27 said:

That is a good thought. DH and I were discussing earlier the merits of having an early birthday party instead (so before baby arrives). If we did it 1 week early, that would be the weekend baby is due. I really don't expect him to be on time so that could work, and then I would just have to manage the party pregnant instead of with a newborn. Decisions decisions. :P

I'm sorry but this does not sound like a good idea. You've got another 3 months to go, how can you possibly tell if the baby is going to be early or not? I don't think it's a bad idea to do the party early, but if I were you I'd feel alot safer doing it atleast 3 weeks early. Plus if the baby is born the day of or day before the party, who knows what money you may loss on any food you order, and rather than being excited about the birth of his brother, your son will be dealing with the disappointment of his birthday being cancelled.

LSU628 · August 2014

Do you have family in the area? If so, I'd ask them to come watch DS while y'all set up everything (although it sounds like you wouldn't have much to set up). I'd throw some checkered plastic table cloths on the table, some red plastic plates and cups from Sams or Target, the cake/sandwich/veggie tray and call it a success! The kids will be running around, the parents will (or should be) exploring with their kids. Give them a set time to come back for cake and just roll with it.

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