Ideas for my sons 3rd birthday, please?

Question

Help! My son is turning 3 on December 4th and we are at a loss as to what we should do for his party. We don't want to have a party at home as we have a 3 month old and a very friendly dog. Sure we could board the dog but to be quite honest we don't want the work that comes with inviting 30 people into our home. We figure that for the same amount as boarding the dog, purchasing the party supplies, food and cake, we could have the party elsewhere and not have to worry about the set up/clean up, etc.

Does anyone have any ideas on where we could have the party?

Please keep in mind that this is for a 3 year old, with his guests ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 10 years of age (not including parents and family).

We live in Southwest Scarborough (Toronto), Ontario.

Thanks!!!

For those of you that have suggested a park - good idea - but the party will be in December and it's Canada! It is getting cold here! Great for the older kids, especially if it snows but not for the baby.
I know 30 people is alot but that includes 4 sets of grandparents (both our parents are remarried), uncles and aunts, cousins and our closest friends with their kids. We've left out those we could (like great aunts/uncles, great grandparents, 2nd cousins, friends, etc..) - we have large extended families!! Next year we'll only do his friends but we want to have one last "family" party for him.

Is Chuck E. Cheese too "old" for a 3 yr old? I've never been but would think it would be for older kids.

Thanks to all of you for all of your great suggestions. I think we may just do a home party - after all it's only for a few hours, right?

Answer 1

keep it simple, minimize the guests, close fam and friends. have it at your house concentrate on the children they like finger foods chic nuggets purchased at bj's,Costco's, mac&cheese, juice, cheese doodle. We tend to cater to the adults and spend too much $$. He's only three what will he say "dag Mom & Dad you should've had my party @ such and such" or do you think he'll be in the sand box and his friends would say " yo man, your Moms and Pops picked a wack place for your party?" Once children get together they have fun with pots,pans anything! They're so easy to love, keep the party simple make/buy a cake, have 3-4dz of balloons, and take pictures. When you show him those pictures when he's 5+, he'll say "Wow!, It looked like that was a fun, terrific time, thanks Mom&Dad" Trust and believe. Put the dog in the backyard/bathroom/bedroom or if you know someone with a house ask them to allow your dog board for a few hours, they won't charge you, the party won't be going on till 6 in the morn.

Answer 2

Im not sure if youve been to Loblaws but some have an upstairs that is owned by a cooking school. They rent out thier room for kids parties.. staff from the school would do all set up and clean up and purchase all ingredients. They would jus let the kids make a lunch or something .. usually pizza simple stuff like that...
I work at one and kids usually have fun.

The Loblaws on Victoria Park , just south of danforth does it I think. You can call and find out any specifics if your interested , 416 - 694 - 3728 ask for Sandra. If you want to look for another location you can go to
http://www.loblaws.ca/en/cooking_and_kids_classes.asp
for the phone numbers or more info.

Maybe you should have told some of these people that in Toronto now its about 5-8 degreesC ....so park ideas....not so great...

Answer 3

Reserve a place at a nice local park. They usually have a playground for the kids and barbecues near the picnic tables. If you don't want to have to prepare a lot of food, then make it a potluck! Provide hot dogs and hamburgers and a cake. All you'd need for decorations is some balloons and some signs to point folks in the right direction. Kids like to have open space to yell and scream, it's inexpensive and easy to clean up. Just use paper everything and throw it all in the dumpster at the end.

Just remember to keep children's birthday parties simple. It's not like he's going to remember his third birthday party, except for pictures. And there's nowhere else that children look more happy and beautiful than playing outside.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

I'm going to play devil's advocate here - 30 people for a 3 year old's party is way, way, way too many. The rule by most child experts suggest inviting as many guests as your child is old plus one child. In other words - about 4 children. Also the age range is going to be almost impossible to try to come up with activities to keep a 1-1/2 to a 10 year old happy. Your main focus should be your child having a fun birthday. I would suggest that you scale it down a little as far as size. Sorry - I just think no matter where ever you have it - with that many - you are going to have a madhouse, and your son will get lost in the shuffle.

Answer 5

Wow, you must be a really good parent. So I'll help you.
How do you think about a party in your parents' house? They will be very happy.
If you don't like this idea, you may organize a picnic. You should invite your really-best-friend or some kids. Brings all the things that the picnic need. I think it'll so fun if you also bring some toys, balloons,...
Read some funny stories to relax, and remember to tell the others in your party. If many people smile, your son may smile too!
Make some humor acts for your lovely son.
Good luck!

Answer 6

McDonalds is a good idea for someone that age, its not as crowded as a chucky cheese or place like that is and most of the games at those places arent geared towards a 3 year old, but what 3 year old doesnt know what McDonalds is, try to find one that has a play yard.

Pizza places are great too, they usually have some sort of game they play with the kids but im not sure how well it will go with a three year old.

Good luck when mine turned 3 i had it at a family arcade place and hired Barney and Baby Bop.....Total NIGHTMARE barney was 2 hours late and showed with an attitude and the arcade was way to old for my son and his friends, i hope you have better luck than me.

Answer 7

Well i wouldn't suggest Chucky Cheese
It's Expensive for party's and it's crowded

Maybe Bowling little kid's love it and so do 7,8,9 and 10 year old's so it's a win/win suggesting
There party's aren't to expensive and there's more room

McDonald's(Everyone Love's McDonald's,They do party's and have game room's and play room's

The Movie's(Great party's the only problem is they wont have to much fun more and more there seeming to cut down little and kid's movie's last time i checked there was only 1 kid movie out!!!,And guess what my four and ten year old hated it)

The Circus(Who doesn't love the Circus?)

Answer 8

There appears to be chuck e cheese near Scarborough - check http://www.chuckecheese.com/ ; if that's something that doesn't work for you, you can have it at any family friendly restaurant that has a separate room. There are also other places like kids gyms and art centers that offer birthday party packages. Finally, consider asking grandparents to host...

Answer 9

Okay I don't know what there is in Ontario but hopefully this helps:
* Chuck e Cheeses
* Movie theatre (some places have where you can rent out the small room and throw a party)
* Local indoor swimming pool
* Local rec center and use the gym to play games

Answer 10

A clean grassy park with a place w/ tables and seats, like picnic benches ,people usually get the hint what`s going on. Then take streamers and surround the party area with them, kids love parties and they like to stay where the party is and the cake. Display the cake, let them see it, and with the few adults you do have, assign them their own group of kids