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It is a big task to plan your little one’s birthday. So if you are searching for three-year-old’s birthday party ideas, we have got you covered. Turning three is an important milestone in the life of your little munchkin as they become more social and like to be around a few friends. Also, a birthday is a big deal as they get to invite friends, eat cake, wear new clothes, get pampered by everyone, and have a gala time. They now understand what a birthday is and like to celebrate it the best way possible. Thus, while planning for your sweetheart’s special day, ensure you pick their favorite things. Some of them could be selective of picking the themes and having their favorite cake or toys as gifts. Read in for a list of easy and exciting party ideas that you can use to plan your child’s birthday. You may also make some modifications of your own and give it a personal touch.
Where Can You Hold The Party?
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For a three-year-old, home is the best place. However, if you plan to invite a group of three-year-olds, you may need to reconsider the venue for birthday celebrations. Three-year-olds brim with energy and can quickly get bored.
You can choose a large area, such as an amusement center with soft game equipment, for your child and guests to play. It is best to select an ideal place that allows you to monitor and supervise all the children and ensure that they do not get hurt or lost when playing.
You must also consider various factors, including the distance from your home, ease of picking up and dropping the children, the impact of the weather, and your budget. If you have a large backyard, you can organize a backyard party.
Renting a public gathering area may seem expensive, but it is usually a more practical option. You can even choose party food and party bags at these locations. In addition, they usually provide you with a party leader or an entertainer so that you can relax and enjoy the celebrations with your child.
Who To Invite?
If your child has friends whom they meet on playdates or those who live around the block, you can invite them. Encourage your child to make invitation cards by adding a personal touch, such as a handprint.
Do not invite many children. It will become noisy, and children quickly get overwhelmed. Ensure that your guest list does not exceed more than 10 to 12 people. Apart from children, you can invite their grandparents, cousins, favorite teachers, or caregiver at daycare.
When To Hold The Party And For How Long?
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This is one of the critical aspects of hosting parties involving three-year-olds. At this age, they may take short naps at unexpected times. Therefore, if you want the party to go smoothly, you should hold the party before or after their nap.
You can train your child to take a nap at the same time every afternoon for at least a week before the party. On their birthday, let them take a nap as usual so that they are fresh. If they are in daycare, you can organize a party in the afternoon after lunch. You can even schedule it on weekends so that your children can have a good rest and working parents can also attend the party.
Ensure that the party does not last more than 90 minutes. You may consider an extra half-an-hour for people who are late or for any other unforeseen reason.
How To Choose A Theme For The Party?
Choosing a party theme is fun. As a three-year-old, your child usually has strong preferences and dislikes. You can consider their preferences and create a theme based on those.
Here are some theme ideas for your children:
Themes for girls
1. Princess theme
If your child adores princesses, tiaras, and castles, it is the perfect day to indulge them. Choose princess-worthy décor in pink or purple with lots of glitters. You can add tiaras and fake jewels to the mix. You could also consider Frozen as a theme. Arrange for an entertainer dressed as a princess to make an appearance during the party and interact with the children.
2. Unicorn theme
A unicorn is full of magic and rainbow colors. So make sure your décor corresponds to your child’s dreams. You could even get a unicorn cake, decorate the venue with unicorn balloons, and give out unicorn plush toys to your guests.
3. Mermaid theme
Choosing a mermaid theme means that the décor will be blue and green. In addition, mermaid themes are ideal for summer birthdays, where you can add an inflatable pool and fill it with the mermaid and ocean-inspired items.
4. Fairy theme
Fairies are second only to princesses in the hearts of young children. So you can dress your child in a lovely white tulle frock or skirt to make them feel like a fairy. Give them a phony wand and a pair of plastic wings to wear on their back, and your fairy is complete. You could even consider dressing them up as elves in green.
5. Tea party theme
You can throw a small tea party and invite your child’s friends. Make sure the tea sets you use are not breakable. Allow your child to serve tea or juice to their friends. They’ll have fun playing the host.
Quick tipThemes for boys
6. Dinosaur theme
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If your child likes pre-historic animals such as dinosaurs, this could be a fun theme for their birthday. Fill the venue with dinosaur-themed toys. You could also have a dinosaur cake made. If possible, set up a scavenger hunt or a ball pit with dinosaur toys that children can find.
7. Truck theme
As most children enjoy playing with trucks, this is a theme that will appeal to them. First, you can paint cardboard boxes like trucks. Then, your child and guests can race around in them. You can also get a cake with chocolate donut wheels.
8. Car theme
Children like fast cars. Lightning McQueen from Disney’s Cars is a massive hit with three-year-olds. You can add car cut-outs and even order a car-shaped cake. After the party, take your child for a ride in your car to round out their day.
9. Pirate theme
Most children enjoy donning pirate hats and shouting “Yarr!” So distribute pirate hats and eye patches to the children and let them go treasure hunting. You can also ask an entertainer to dress up as a pirate.
10. Firefighter theme
A firefighter theme is relatively simple to put together. All you have to do is to stick to a red-and-black theme. Then, dress up your little one in a firefighter costume and give them shiny badges. Give each child a plastic helmet. This will give the children a sense of accomplishment and make them happy. At the end of the party, you can drive through a fire station and have them wave to the professional firefighters.
What Food To Serve?
At parties, three-year-old children tend to eat very little. They will be more interested in playing and discovering new things. So, do not arrange a lot of food. Instead, keep bite-sized, appealing food for children to enjoy.
Here are some food options you can include.
1. Cucumber and carrot sticks
Most three-year-olds enjoy finger foods. Cucumber and carrot sticks are simple to make. You can chop cucumbers and carrots into bite-sized sticks.
2. Cherry tomatoes and seedless grapes
Cherry tomatoes and seedless grapes make healthy and exciting food choices for children. However, they are choking hazards. As a result, you must cut them into halves or quarters before serving.
3. Mini sandwiches
You can include various miniature sweet and savory sandwiches. Sandwiches with peanut butter, jelly, ham, cheese, and vegetables are always a hit at a children’s party. You can even use cookie cutters to allow the children to cut the bread slices for a sandwich.
4. Mac and cheese
Most children enjoy mac ‘n’ cheese because of its cheesy flavor and non-spicy taste. In addition, mac ‘n’ cheese can be made in a muffin pan to make it bite-sized and easy for children to pick and eat.
5. Muddy Buddies
Muddy Buddies, also known as monkey munch, is a combination of cereal, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. It’s a simple recipe to make with your children, and everyone will enjoy it.
6. Cookies
For any occasion, cookies are a crowd-pleaser. Children adore cookies, especially when they are decorated with whipped cream and sprinkles. You could also make theme-shaped cookies to delight the children even more.
7. Smash cake
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Children enjoy getting messy, so if you don’t mind a little mess, you can include a smash cake for your child’s birthday celebration. A smash cake entails the children smashing it with their hands and eating it.
8. Tater tots
Tater tots are small, bite-sized little foods that children enjoy. You can pick up some frozen tater tots from the supermarket and fry them. Then add various toppings to them. For example, you can top them with cheese, grilled ham, herbs, or ketchup.
9. Chocolate donuts
Donuts are second only to cake in terms of popularity among children. Get some chocolate donuts and let the children choose which sprinkles to put on donuts. Provide a variety of sprinkles in various shapes and sizes. You can also sprinkle some icing sugar on top for decoration.
10. Cheese sticks
Give children anything related to cheese, and they will undoubtedly enjoy it. Cheese sticks are a surefire way to win over the hearts and tummies of children.
11. Fruit salad
Children will be looking for something colorful and tasty to eat. So, you can serve fruit salads in bowls made from carved watermelon rinds. It is not only visually appealing but also extremely healthy.
12. Mini pancakes
Some pancakes can be made according to your children’s favorite cartoon characters. For example, you could set up a counter to serve mini pancakes where each child chooses pancakes made in their favorite shapes. They can also select the toppings.
13. Macarons
Macarons are colorful and appealing to children. Serve a plate of macarons and watch the children devour them in no time.
What Gift To Give To Your Child?
You can give children at this age art sets because they can use colors and paints more effectively. Tents, wooden puzzles, balance bikes, tricycles, and tool kits are also appropriate gifts.
What Party Favors To Give?
When handing out party favors, keep things simple. Include a limited number of small items and candies. You can include stationery such as pencils, crayons, paint sets, erasers, and mini craft kits. You can also give away books with a personal note. Helium balloons are popular.
11 Games For A Three-Year-Old Birthday Party
Three-year-old children enjoy messy play and running around. They have a lot of energy and will enjoy games that challenge their minds and bodies.
1. Ice cream and cookies
Bake a batch of cookies the day before and arrange them on wax paper on the day of the party. You can choose various icing and sprinkles. Allow the children to decorate and eat the cookies. In addition, they can make ice cream sundaes. Print an ice cream on a piece of paper and have them pin the cherry on it.
2. Paint
Spread some old sheets on the lawn and provide the children with some washable paint to create paintings based on their imagination. They can paint with their hands, brushes, or even leaves.
3. Water play
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If you don’t want to make a mess but still want the children to have fun, include water play in the party. Put in some water balloons or mix watercolors in water and freeze it. Then, the children can use the ice cubes to paint.
4. Craft
As the party draws to a close, set up craft stations for children to work on. You can give them construction paper, playdough, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, cookie cutters, and slime. They can make whatever they want and take it home with them.
5. Tea party
If you plan a tea party-themed event, you can include cupcakes, donuts, mini sandwiches, and cookies. You can also let the children choose their sprinkles or icing by giving them a variety of options.
6. Mud pie
Fill an inflatable pool with potting soil and water to make a mud pit. Then, put in some buckets and muffin tins to make mud pies or mud castles. Children can even make sculptures or play in the mud with their hands.
7. Movie theater
Make plans to watch a movie with the children. Then, get some popcorn, pillows, and bean bags for lounging, and play a movie. You can also hire a projector, put up a white sheet, and let the children enjoy the movie.
8. Dance
Toddlers enjoy dancing. Put on some popular kiddie songs (crowd favorites include Wheels on the Bus and Baby Shark), and let the children dance to their heart’s content. Make the experience more entertaining for them by including some lights and balloons.
9. Band
Provide your child and guests with pots, pans, and spoons. Allow them to create their music. They will have a good time doing this activity and learn how to create new sounds while entertaining others.
10. Superhero
Throw in some balloon or plush monsters, and let your children play superheroes who save the world. Then, distribute capes and masks to children and allow them to jump around.
11. Magic show
When you’re dealing with a group of three-year-olds, it’s a good idea to have a few basic magic tricks up your sleeve to keep them quiet for a while. You can also hire a magician to perform magic tricks.
Tips To Remember While Hosting A Birthday Party
- Keep supplies ready for children who aren’t potty trained or for other accidents.
- Ask all parents to leave their phone numbers in case of an emergency.
- Use post-its to write each child’s name and pin them to the children because it helps identify the children and call them by their names. Children respond better when they are addressed by their names.
- Call each parent individually and ask them if their children have any allergies. Plan food and other activities accordingly.
- Have plenty of tissues and wipes handy.
- Do not include a gooey cake that will stain dresses and bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I invite parents to stay at the party or drop off their child?
If you have help and can manage children at the party, then parents can drop off their children and leave. But if you do not have any help, it is best to ask parents to attend the party with their children. Also, if you have the budget, invite parents too, as it will help you get acquainted with them.
2. Should I have a bounce house or other inflatables?
You can have both or either one depending on your budget and the space of the party venue.
3. Should I hire a professional photographer or take pictures myself?
Hiring a professional would be a better idea because you may be unable to manage the party and children while also clicking pictures.
4. Should I have a face painter or balloon artist?
You can hire both or either one, whoever suits your budget.
5. How do I handle RSVPs and follow up with guests before the party?
Maintain a party file in which you note down every arrangement in detail. Create a separate section for guests and invitations in your file where you can mark names that need a follow-up and those that have confirmed their presence.
6. How can I involve parents and other family members in my child’s 3-year-old birthday party?
You can arrange for games and activities that require the involvement of adults. You can also arrange pair activities where every parent has to participate with their child.
At 3, your child is old enough to socialize and enjoy their birthday party. Their personality begins to shine through, so you’ll know their preferences. Fairy and dinosaur themes may excite them, and they may be excited to play fun games with their friends at the event. Thus, these 3-year-old birthday party ideas will help you plan and organize the best party for your beloved little one. Gifts, games, and food are some of the crucial aspects we have covered. Further, ensure you have made arrangements for quick clean-ups since tiny tots will be around. Also, get your camera ready to capture the day’s memorable moments.
Infographic: What Food To Serve At A Three-Year-Old’s Birthday?
If you are planning your three-year-old’s birthday party but cannot decide on a menu for the occasion, fret not! We bring you a list of delicious and easy-to-make food items you can add to the menu for the celebration. With this food spread on the table, we are sure that the children will enjoy themselves to the fullest. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
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Key Pointers
- Choose a theme to suit the environment of three-year-olds such as a unicorn or car theme.
- You can choose interesting games like Ice cream and cookies, Mud pie and Superhero to keep children engaged.
- Most important step to host a successful party is to plan food items that are safe for all the kids. Scroll down for other tips to make the birthday party a success.
