Old style party game for 3 year olds

xxvickixx

My DS is having a very small party for his 3rd birthday, just him and 4 friends. I was just going to have them all round for a play and some food but I would like to do a game of some sort.

The tricky part is that DS finds it hard to sit still, wait turns or follow instruction, and music seems to overexcite him more than his friends.

I'm happy to let him try games like pass the parcel at other parties (as I know he does need to learn these skills) as I can just take him off somewhere quiet if he needs to, but not at his IYSWIM.

Every game I can think of is likely to cause problems but I want DS to have as normal a party as possible and if I can find a game that he can pay nicely and fit in with his friends I think it would be good for him.

So, something calm where every child is involved all the time I suppose is what I need.

I posted this in OS as I think the OS games would probably fit the bill best hope that is OK.

Thanks for reading.

Buttercup2305

musical statues, sleeping lions, musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey...

sarahsarah

At my daughters 3rd birthday I bought a pinata, not one that you hit though, one with ribbons on the bottom, if you've only got 5 they could all pull the ribbons at the same time and then probably have a second go too... It is exciting when all the little toys fall out though! If you put like little cars or whatever in then probably they might spend 10 mins or so playing with the toys that fall out?

I was going to say as there's only 4 your could borrow a bought game like doh-nutters or elefun.. but then i realised there will be 5 including your ds so just ignore me on that!

At my DDs party there were 8 children and they were just happy to play with balloons, i had a bubble machine and then after i'd cleared the food away i put some toys out.. We did have pin the tail on the donkey but for that I just called a child one at a time from their playing.

fiscalfreckles

I think musical statues and musical bumps always go down well, and sleeping lions is always a good one to calm them all down. Make sure that whoever is out is then given the important job of helping you judge the others, so they are less likely to moan!

It is quite hard to keep them engaged at that age though, the games always take less time than you think. But have some free play too & some "dancing"; (really jumping around with balloons!).

I always used to print off some colouring in sheets too and that gets them all sitting down for a bit, you can make it a competition or just say they get a chocolate when they've finished.

One year we made party hats, cut out cardboard crowns & provided stickers to decorated them with (easy & not messy!), then had a fashion parade. I think that was when DD was 5, so 3 year olds might need some help?

Have a lovely party.

xxvickixx

Thanks Sarah, like the idea of pin the tail like you said less formal!

Thanks for the other suggestions, sitting down and music is too risky atm though! I just want to tailor everything to DS for his party - possibly the first one that he can really enjoy so don't want him to get over stimulated and distressed.

Loulou2010

hide and seek?

M.E.

3 year olds have a wonderful time with boxes. Get them one each, big enough for them to climb into or hide under. Their box can be his own "den".
The limit of fun is their imagination. The boxes can be decorated, cushions and blankets to make it cosy, lights out and a torch each, whilst in their box, even a book or colouring whilst in their box is great fun.
A variation of hide and seek... whilst eyes are shut one child hides under one box and keeps still (difficult when you are 3!).. the others guess which box has the child under...

if it gets too much, then order them into their own box, provide with drink and nibbles... peace and quiet!

ubamother

keep them busy! it is often at 'free time' that they can get over-boisterous. I would have several 'extra' games that you may not need to use, but can pull out if things start going a bit wayward.

Singing and action games are really good as everyone can join in together - for very young ones some games can be difficult for those who are 'out', or for those waiting for their turn. One solution is to have some colouring/basic craft that they go to do when they are 'out'. A special story-time with a big picture book is great to calm them down between active games, or before they need to sit and eat.