Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

DS turns 3 in a month. We were not going to do a party bc he tends to be shy. We went to a bday and he had fun and when I asked him if he wanted a party, he quietly said yes. Now, it's all he can talk about.

So, I planned on a barnyard party and put a deposit down on having a small petting zoo. I don't think DS would enjoy a clown or anything like that, he'd be afraid.

But, when figuring out the party budget and seeing it would come out to about $600, DH said it was going to be very difficult. The animals alone are 1/2 the budget.

I realized I don't have the heart to not have a party for him, he's too excited and we're inviting his new class which could help for school since he's so shy.

Is it completely unrealistic to have a party for 3 year olds without entertainment? What would the kids do for 2-3 hours? Honest opinions please.

We have a great backyard (swing set, bouncer, toys) but in early October there's just no guarantee that we could have the entire party outside.

WWYD? DH said we could stretch and have the animals (reluctantly).

Re: Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

I think the good thing is that at 3, the kids don't really have any expectations of birthday parties yet and they are pretty easy to entertain. I definitely think you can get away with no entertainment if you need to but it will need a little more work on your part.

I would try and find a parachute to use - seems to be a big hit at that age and then let them dance to music or play freeze dance. I would also have some kind of craft for them to do to keep them occupied for a while. You can find some good ones at Oriental Trading or Startrack in Farmingdale.

If you can hold it out doors, you can have races etc. as well. Pinatas are a big hit too!

Re: Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

What about setting up some carnival games, things like an art and craft tables (make pirates hats, paint something like a box or birdhouse or make something that he would enjoy), a treasure hunt, dance contest, other types of games - musical squares,etc. Pinata would take a few minutes, tattoos, face painting. You could do all the above on your own if you have a friend or family member who could help run a table or some games. We have been to parties where they had some mother's helpers to do the tattoos and face painting etc.

Re: Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

I think you could totally have a 3yo party without entertainment. Kids just like to run and play.

You have the swingset, the yard, the bounce house. Add a few yard toys, like soccer balls, bicycles, etc....that will definitely keep them occupied.

We were just at a birthday party on Sunday and they didn't have "entertainment". My son is 3 and he had a blast running around in the yard with the other kids and going on the swing set.

I also didn't pay for entertainment for my son's 3rd birthday, and I don't think it was missed at all.

If the weather was bad, the kids could have played in my basement.

Re: Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

You could totally make up barnyard stuff.

Rubber duckies in cheap baby pool is a lake.

They have balloons that look like barn animals. Have the kids do a parade.

Make a photo booth.

It cost more than you think... Save where you can. We forked out too much for a 2 year old party.

Re: Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

I think it will be more then fine.
It is 2-3 hours of kids playing together.

MC a game of duck duck goose.
some hide and seek
maybe a small treasure hunt
pinata

Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

parachute game 100%!
good idea!

Re: Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

We just had our 3&2 year birthday party combined & had no entertainment. IMHO I think entertainment is a waste. Kids know how to entertain themselves. We set up an inflatable bouncer, have a mini swing set, toys up the ting Yang. All the kids, ranging from 10 months to 9 had a blast.

Re: Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

Thanks everyone. The $600 budget was with me doing so much myself. Getting printables from Etsy, serving pizza (which my mother can't get over, she thinks this is horrible) making cupcakes, buying solid color plates, etc. Crazy how it adds up. We need to rent tables, chairs for kids and parents, even if only 10-12 kids. We are on one income so DH was feeling stressed about it all.

Guess I'll find a new theme (want to save the barnyard for the future) and see what games I can come up with. Scared not to have entertainment bc if it rains, we are in trouble!

Re: Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

Message edited 9/4/2012 1:55:07 PM.

Re: Opinions please - 3 year old birthday party WITHOUT entertainment

We have attended plenty of parties without entertainment.

My kids have fun at all parties.