3rd Birthday Party...I need ideas!

Well, you've already blown my budget for a 3-yr old b-day party. That is a lot of people. Do they get to play at the gymnastics place? If so, I'd supply lots of water bottles and forget crafts or give aways. Or I'd do one or the other - make the craft the "goodie bag" item. Maybe you could have the kids make a "dance ribbon" - tie a length of ribbon to the end of a stick. Maybe for 3-yr olds that wouldn't be the safest, though.

 

The way to save on plates and napkins is to count one plate per person per the theme then buy plain colored plates, napkins and forks/spoons if they are cheaper. Be sure to compare price and quantity per package.

 

I'd figure more pizza per child. Some of the adults might want some, too. Buy your food at Costco / Sam's Club / Cash n Carry - depending on what is available. I'd skip the salad (expensive) and get veggie trays instead. Pasta is already starchy so I might skip the rolls since that would include also buying knives and butter. Does your family do ice cream with the cake? If so, you have to include that, too.

 

For the cake, I'd probably just order one from Costco, if possible since they are so reasonably priced. I'll have to think of a theme.

If it is only two hours and you have dinner planned, cake, presents nd gymnastics, I wouldn't think you would need any crafts. I think you will be pushing it to get everything in as it is. For the cake, I would just write Happy Birthday, ________. And maybe a big 3. It doesn't have to be fancy. For goodie bags (if you feel the need to have thm). I would put a couple pieces of candy and soe school supply type things (theby are cheep right now)

Have fun!

I also think there might not be time for a craft if they will be doing some type of gymnastic activity.

 

For the cake, I would just put sprinkles on it and as Happymom suggested--write Happy 3rd Birthday, Ds.

 

I would also just do pizza for both children and adults to make it easier on yourself.  I can't imagine bringing a meal of baked ziti and salad to a gymnastic school.  Just way too much trouble for me.  I always think simple.

 

I also always buy my plates and napkins from the clearance racks--I would think at 3, your son would be okay with almost anything.

 

And I agree with something simple for the goodie bags--even just candy will go over well with that age group.

 

Welcome to Mommysavers!

Actually, I would think a McDonalds playland would be cheaper. Here there is a $25 deposit you get back day of party. There is no fee, you just pay for food. Average happy meal $3 times 16 kids is $48. Adults generally pay for their own meals. (I worked at McDs for many years so that is where my info comes from). Playplace is entertainment. Even if you spent $1 per kid on a goody back you are still under $100.

 

Anyway, I wouldn't even mess with anything other than pizza. Do you have a LIttle Ceasers or a Dominoes? I would just get pizza and lemonade/iced tea. For a goody bag I would just maybe order some cheap medals like they get at the olympics. Done deal.

I know what you mean about places costing a lot of money, when I have looked into places for parties I couldn't believe they charge so much.  Do you already have the gymnastics place booked?  Assuming the party is soon, could you find a park that you can have the party at?  A lot of times that is way cheaper.  I personally could not fathom paying $200 for a place that didn't even include food.  Have you called restaurants that have big banquet rooms?  A lot of times they will let your use the room if you buy food from them and that may end up being cheaper and include food so you don't have to worry about that.  Also, they will have plates and silverware so you won't have to add that expense. 

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion of McDonalds, I may look into that my my next kids b-day party.  We are in the process of planning a combined b-day party with my sister and her two girls and my 2 year old.  Her b-day is in the summer, so it is easy to find a place outdoors that is cheap.  But for the one that has a fall b-day that might be a good idea.

I was going to say that we always have Ds' b-day at my mom's house. Our house is not big enough, so I set everything up, handle the food, and the clean up. That way I can spend more on food and decorations. Also, a friend of mine always has her son's birthday at the mall. They have a nice play area that the kid's get to play at, then she just order's pizza from the place at the mall. She brings drink boxes and cake plus party hats and goodie bags. The pizza place gives her plates, napkins, and plastic ware.

Okay, since it is in November the park is out.  It gets ridiculous how much these venues expect people to pay for a party, especially for a kid so young.  I have also gone the route of having the party at my parents house.  Do you have a friend that lives in an apartment building that has a community room?  I did that for my daughters first birthday last year, it was free and had a little kitchen.

 

Anyway, sounds like the gymnastics place is set in stone.  Do you have a Dollar Tree or other dollar store in your area?  You should be able to find party items for the goodie bags there, look for packages with multiple items so you can get more than one item for a dollar.  I would skip the craft like others have said, since they will be doing the gymnastics thing for an hour that is enough activity.  By the time you do the food and opening presents your 2 hours will be up for sure.  I agree with the idea of doing pizza for everyone, that should be enough.  I would plan on two pieces for each adult and maybe 1.5 per kid (just to be on the safe side.)

I don't see anything wrong with just pizza and maybe some chips and pretzels.  For that many people, I would probably get a big cake at Sams club.

 

I don't think you need crafts, the venue is your entertainment.

 

I get plasticware at the dollar store.  Sometimes I'll get a banner or tablecloth with the theme on it.  You could get some medals to put at each place to go along with a gymnastics theme http://www.orientaltrading.com/design-your-own-medals-a2-57_9088-12-1.fltr?Ntt=medals

 

For this age group you could send home play doh kits http://homemade.tipjunkie.com/make-your-own-play-dough-kits/

 

Homemade play doh in a gift bag with a note "Thanks for coming to my party" and a plastic cookie cutter.

 

I did these for Christmas with gingerbread play doh: