Birthday ideas for a 3 year old

MrsSippi

My daughter turns 3 in a few months time and I was wonderingif anyone had any ideas for a birthday treat/day out etc suitable for herage. I am going to invite some familyaround for a bit of cake etc and to give her any presents at some point in theday but I would like something for us to do with just the 3 of us.

I was thinking a trip out somewhere would be nice but herbirthday is on New Years Day which could be a bit tricky as I would imagine alot of places will be closed. Also theweather is likely to be on the cold side so anything too outdoorsy wouldn’t besuitable. I was considering taking herto a restaurant more geared to kids after we’ve been out but I am completelystumped on where to go/what to do before that. Does anyone have any ideas?

Dark_Star

Where are you - approx.?

What about the Rainforest Caf! in London?

http://www.therainforestcafe.co.uk/

Bound to be lots of kids stuff on in London even on New Years Day.

Maybe a cheap Travelodge type deal if not local so that you could go?

laineybird2000

I'd be tempted to stay home where it's warm and cheap (most places will be geared towards New Years) for my daughters 3rd, I put Christmas lights up all over our living room, blew up 30 balloons, we baked cakes together then painted. Candle lit bubble bath before bed. She loved the whole day. She'll love whatever you do

tyllwyd

To be honest, I agree with the poster above - there isn't going to be much for a three year old to do on New Year's Day, and at home she will have all her presents to play with and family popping in. If it was me, I'd save the trip out for another day.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Put out individual (cheap) mini cupcakes, bowls of glace icing with plastic spoons for drizzling and sprinkles in about 3 different varieties. Every kid gets to decorate their own cake - and that works for 13 year olds just as much as it does for 3 year olds (as I was told about 5 years later that the thing the teenager's friends remembered most about the thing was the cupcake table )



Other things we've done have been a pottery party using airdry clay - but you could make playdough or salt dough instead - pizza making, and everybody helping to make a huge painting using lining paper.

You could also give each child a card with a little picture on, and they need to find a little bag with a matching picture, which then contains the things that often go into end of party bags - noisy things, mostly - and let them use them during the party, rather than on the way home.

There's potato printing, handprinting, making shakers and drums and making music afterwards, that kind of thing. A well wrapped up walk as per We're Going On A Bear Hunt with a treasure at the end might be fun as well.


Of course, other people 'outdid' these party activities with pony rides, trampolines, clowns _pale_, fancy trips out and lots of conspicuous consumption - but they seemed to be well received by the kids and parents.



At 3, even if other parents want the fancy stuff, the kids just want fun. Which needn't cost anything near as much as you think.

MrsSippi

Thanks for the replies everyone - some good suggestions in there. I think I will try and come up with some good ideas for activities for us to do at home with her and then maybe just go for something to eat out in the afternoon. Unfortunately the only children she knows are those that she goes to nursery with (and that is in the next town) so it will just be adults really.

I will have a think of some activities she might like, though the xmas lights, bubble bath and balloons are good starting points.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

MrsSippi wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone - some good suggestions in there. I think I will try and come up with some good ideas for activities for us to do at home with her and then maybe just go for something to eat out in the afternoon. Unfortunately the only children she knows are those that she goes to nursery with (and that is in the next town) so it will just be adults really.

I will have a think of some activities she might like, though the xmas lights, bubble bath and balloons are good starting points.

Much as I dislike out of season food - can I suggest that a plate of strawberries in the bath is a good idea?


(It became the go-to 'everything's going to be alright' thing - worked wonders when her Dad left, for a start)

Gottodothis

My child is three in November.

We went to Peppa Pig world a few weeks ago that was her birthday treat as the weather was lovely and not cold.

On her actual birthday we will have a little birthday tea with all the family and we will all play games with her as this is what she likes to do

barbiedoll

I wouldn't bother trying to do something too special, she will probably have forgotten it by the time she's 4!

I echo the poster who said about blowing up 30 balloons. The one thing that my son remembers about his early birthdays was getting up in the morning and seeing the living-room floor covered with balloons. (We carried on this tradition until he was 13!) He used to run around stamping on them, I'm sure the neighbours loved it at 6am :eek: We did the same thing for DH's granddaughter when she was 3 (on Boxing day) and she loved it too.

As long as she has everyone making a fuss of her, and she has a few pressies to open, she'll have a whale of a time. My DS's birthday is just after Christmas too and everyone is skint, worn out after the festive season and the weather is usually horrid. We used to save a day out for the spring or summer, we joke that he's like the Queen, with two birthdays each year!

Janepig

I'm sure that many large theatres that have Pantomimes over Christmas, have a show on New Years Day - that might be a nice tradition to do on her birthday.

I've got the same problem of trying to find something special to do with DS as his birthday is on Boxing Day.

Jx

Counting_Pennies_2

Definitely echo the panto suggestion.

The only thing I would say is make sure it is a good one.

We have had Mr Tumble for a few years, but have noticed he has moved to Woking this year.

So hunt around your pantos over a few towns and find out if a favourite tv character is appearing locally.