The Many Faces of Lena (and 1st-3rd month pics)
7 years ago
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A little help, PLEASE.
So I need a little help. Landon's third birthday is coming up in a little over a month and I asked him what he would like and he said "party and cake." So I guess I'll try my hand at a little kid's birthday party, the only problem is I have absolutely no idea the best way to go about this seeing as growing up we didn't have parties. We just celebrated with our family by choosing the dinner and dessert and opening presents afterwards. So really, what is the most common way of throwing a birthday party for a three year old. Do you keep it small with just two or three friends, or do you invite their nursery class? Do you go somewhere like Chuck-e-Cheese or Bounce U--or just have little games and cake at your house? Oh, and what time of day works best for toddlers? My two usually don't take a nap until the afternoon, but does it make sense to have a party in the morning? What is a good length of time for a party? Do you use a theme (Landon loves Mickey Mouse, Max and Ruby, and Pirates)? Or is that just too complicated for a three year old? I have no idea, as you can tell. So I'll just wait and hear what all you wonderfully creative people have to say on the subject.
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7 comments:
Well I don't know how much help I'll be because DA's 2. But I would have the kids over to your house--no more then 5 so you aren't overwhelmed. A party at 10am on any day of the week or on Saturday should work out for your little friends. Cake & icecream sounds fun--cupcakes probably will be less messy. A pirate party would be fun and the activity could be a candy hunt--like an easter egg hunt. An hour or an hr or 1/2 should be enough time. You could also make little telescopes out of paper towel rolls and have them color or decorate them. Have fun and don't go over board on spending $ cuz it's easy to be cheap with youngins. :)
Kyra--I love throwing parties for my kids and admittedly can go overboard. Just remember though, he's turning three and won't remember a whole lot about the whole party. I have figured that I will invite the kids that my kids seem to get along well with. It seems weird to me to invite kids that are mean to my kids, just because they share a class together. But then again you can't single one kid out and not invite them. I think you should ask Landon who he wants to have there. I bet if you just bought some balloons, made or bought a fun themed cake, and got some basic decorations, he will be thrilled! Just make him feel special and celebrated on his day and he will love it. Don't stress. I like doing my parties in the evening-not too late. But cranky kids can happen any time of day. If you need a fun activity, let the kids decorate cookies/cupcakes or do some sort of art project. Anyway, that's my two cents. Hope that's helpful.
I am only doing parties for my kids on certain years. Kevin had his first this year when he turned 5. I heard the best advise is invite as many kids as years your child will be. I wish I had stuck to that. I had 10 kids come and it was hectic. We decorated sugar cookies, made snow globes, broke a pinyate, played games with balloons, and regular party games. Kevin's next party comes at 8 and Andy will get one probably at 5 too. For 3, I would just invite 3 kids and go to chucky or bounce. That's just me though.
Ha, I have to write articles about parties all the time. :) From my "research" the big thing is to stick to a theme. It helps you with the invitation, activities, decorations, food, party favors, etc. - everything. I know people say the kids won't remember what you did, but they will still look back at family albums and you will remember. Also, cater to your kids not the other way around. If your birthday boy is grumpy at his own party that wouldn't be much fun. So if he takes afternoon naps plan the activity for mid morning. I think its late enough to do it at 10:30 or so, and end at 11:30 or so. You can invite parents to stay so you don't have to babysit and host the party with them being so young (most parents will stay from what I've noticed). I would also keep the number of kids to a smaller number too. And I'd say just do it at your house. I don't know how expensive chuck-e cheese is, but I'd wait a few more years before planning that maybe? Once you choose a theme just google it and you will be amazed what you find that you can do for an inexpensive price. Good luck!
We always ask Max what kind of party he wants. I read once that you should only invite as many kids as your child is old, so if he's going to be 3 friends is the limit, but that's up to you of course. We had a huge party for Max because we have so many good neighbors. For his 3rd birthday, Max chose a Toy Story party and we just invited his buddies over and hit a pinata, fished for prizes over the fence and ate cake and ice cream. I made little goodie bags for the kids and gave them to the kids while Max was opening his presents so the kids didn't feel jealous. It was fun:)
I would plan on having it on the Saturday before his birthday, that way if any of the moms work they could be there with them and Ben could be there to either help with the party or keep Katelyn occupied.
If you do a pirate theme I have a pirate costume that Ben wore for halloween. Landon could where that and you could have the kids you invite dress up as well. Mickey Mouse theme you could make Mickey Mouse ears using dollar store headbands and make ears out of either black paper or black felt. Wish I could be there to help. Have fun and take lots of pictures, Ben could do that as well.
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