2007-06-06 07:56:59 · 11 answers · asked by LASHAUNDA 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Entertaining
First, follow this rule - 1 child per year of age. That means your 3 year old can invite 3 other children to a party.
also, we're dealing with toddlers here - so plan on 3 other mommies.
Food - kid friendly food such as pigs in blankets (little chunks of wieners wrapped in refrigerator biscuit dough and baked) are great. As are pretzels, cut up fruit, veggies. Frozen juice boxes keep food cool and are good to drink when they thaw.
Serve cupcakes or muffins instead of a regular cake. Easier serving - and skip the ice cream. Too messy and too much sugar. If you make muffins from scratch, you can help regulate the sugar if you're concerned about that - Do give each kid a candle to blow out.
Hold this close to lunch at a local play ground and let the kids play on the equipment there. Bring a box of wet-wipes to wash hands and faces before eating.
This should be no more than 2 hours - max - including an hour of play and an hour to eat.
2007-06-06 08:36:08 · answer #1 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep the number of guests fairly small so each child will feel happy and not overwhelmed. Simple, familliar food with a twist like mini hot dogs and mini burgers, mini carrot sticks, or mini pizza and mini cupcakes you can make ahead.
At three, they love to paint and draw so why not get a great big piece or roll of white paper or poster board, lay it out on the floor (put down an old sheet first) and get out the watercolors and let them paint all together? You could start them off by painting Happy Birthday or your child's name on it and let them go from there.
For any supplies you need the dollar store should be your first stop - they have great ideas, decent snack food and inexpensive decorations, such as the 'princess' theme lots of little girls love, balloons, crepe paper, paints, party napkins, etc. There's no need to spend lots of cash - the kids really just want to enjoy playing together. Have fun!
2007-06-06 09:32:29 · answer #2 · answered by marianne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice cream cake:
In a flat glass dish:
Lay out ice cream sandwiches so that they cover the bottom of dish.Top with Cool Whip.
Do another layer of ice cream sandwiches.Top with Cool Whip.
Garnish as desired. Place in freezer until ready to use.
Or buy a cake and make mini ice cream cups in clear small cups (bathroom cups will work) topped by Cool Whip. Place in airtight container; freeze until ready to use. Garnish as desired just before serving.
Suggested garnish (any or all):
chocolate or strawberry syrup, Cool whip
candle on birthday child's ice cream
Garnish will work on cake or cups. Could even put a small piece of pound cake in bottom of larger ice cream cup holder (some of those 8 or 9 ounce low clear plastic cups) before adding ice cream and topping. Would only need to add spoon. No flat plates.
Pigs in a blanket/corn dogs and/or peanut butter and jelly triangles, chips, drink. Use small plates or shallow bowls.
Not healthy exactly, but run the ideas by some kids. Hot dogs are okay but some kids always lose the meat or drop the bun.
Precook or prepare the sandwiches ahead of time; just heat and eat. Can even buy chips in small individual containers for lunches--bulk. Don't have to worry about where the kids hands have been.
If your budget stretches to it --for adults you can make chicken salad or pimiento cheese triangles. Or buy dinner rolls; sliced ham filling/mustard. With small children keep the food mostly finger foods. Mini cheese pizzas on refrigerator biscuit dough. Store Bought pizza sauce & some cheese/ or do the same thing on small flour tortilla bread.
Blow bubbles, balls...for games...maybe children's movie to watch.
Source(s):
20 plus nieces and nephews at parties and family gatherings
2007-06-08 15:03:40 · answer #3 · answered by sharing_s_caring 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to disagree with what the others are saying about only 3 kids. If you think you can handle more, than invite more of his/her friends.
Take them to the park. I remember as a little kid, no matter how many people were there, ranging from one to thirty people, I always had fun. Or if you live near a lake or beach, take them there. You can just buy ice cream and cake, or even make both, and that can be really cheap. Or take them to mcdonalds or something.
2007-06-06 13:24:02 · answer #4 · answered by supernatural_luver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep it to cake and Ice Cream... go to the dollar store for some decorations... invite the peeps and let them bring the gifts... if the 3 yr old remembers anything it will be the gifts...
The party is really for you mom... so bake your favorite cake hon...
What fun... to have a young family again.. hmmmm
Luck YOU
sew
2007-06-06 10:00:13 · answer #5 · answered by H.O.T. Dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pizza's easy but you can go even cheaper if you make mini sub sandwiches--- kids in my family love them!
Go to the bakery section grocery store and get the pack of 2 18'' long loaves of bread you can cut that like a huge sub bun. Get some ham and turkey and cheese. Make two huge sandwiches and then slice them into 3-4'' mini subs for the kids. Serve with chips and juice boxes.
2007-06-06 11:23:49 · answer #6 · answered by bernel1403 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when we were kids, our mom used to take us and our frineds to mcdonalds. There was an actual merry-go-round in our local one.. I don't think that still goes on though..
Have a party at your home or those home of a friend or relative. Come up with silly childrens games that they can play and award winners (and even losers) with small toys and treats. Pizza is a good, cheap party food for adults and kids.
2007-06-06 08:07:24 · answer #7 · answered by um hello... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main thing is what is your child interested in? Girl or boy? When my little boy was 3, he was interested in trains, so I made him a cake with a train on top. At 4, he liked dinosaurs, so I bought the cheap dinosaurs bag at the dollar store, made cupcakes and put dinosaurs on each cupcake - which thrilled all the kids, because they all got dinos to take home and play with. I got a watermelon, hid it outside and told them to go look for the dinosaur egg. They were so excited when they found it! Main thing is - you can go really cheap as long as you get what it is your child is interested in and make it for them.
2007-06-06 15:23:23 · answer #8 · answered by Karla R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They always say limit the guests to the age of the child. so have 3! finger food like chicken fingers if it is a meal but if not then cake and ice cream is fine. Thats all we had when we were growning up and everyone seemed to be fine. There were no ponies or clowns!
2007-06-06 10:13:47 · answer #9 · answered by barthebear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
decorate cupcakes. It is something to DO, EAT, and it takes care of the cake part of the party - no fancy cake to buy.
2007-06-06 10:39:56 · answer #10 · answered by raquel122203 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋