My daughter is turning 4 in a couple of weeks and there will be 14 kids (including my 3) at her ballerina birthday party. The ages ranges from 18 months to almost 7, with most of them being in the 3 (or almost 3) to 6 range. We are planning to do a handprint tutu craft, snacks, pin the tutu on the ballerina, freeze dancing, cake and presents.
I'm not thrilled at the idea of 14 kids turning every toy basket in my house upside down, so my question is - do I need one more game? Some of the stuff I have planned is only a 5 minute activity and the party is an hour and a half long. Any suggestions on what we could do that would be good for that age range? I would love to find something active and fun!
Thank you!
At young ages we just put toys in the backyard (with swingset) and let the kids PLAY. Mommas ate and gossiped inside and outside. .
Two words:
Lim
Bo
Seriously, I have seen groups of kids Limbo and Conga Line for an hour!
Download a couple versions of the Limbo Song and Hot Hot Hot, Conga (MSN), LaBamba, and grab a broomstick & you're all set!
put the toys away. Hide them in the closets. Remove game controllers.
Party-proof your home!
If you add one more activity, I think you'd have more comfort zone. A "Dance Relay" might be fun! Or even a Dance Off!
I think you have a solid lineup already. I agree with putting away any toys you don't want pulled out. At our daughter's fourth birthday party last year, opening presents took almost half an hour... and not because there were an insane amount of gifts, but because she opens presents like a girl, LOL.
If you do want to add another station, maybe make it something that kids can do when they're in between other activities. Like a story corner with ballerina themed books and dolls.
Do you have a Wii? Access to a projector? Get Just Dance and project it on the wall and let the kids dance. They don't even need to hold the controllers, just follow the dance moves. This kept my (multi-age one room) Sunday school kids occupied for at least an hour!
Sounds like you've got it covered. Maybe get some face paint as an extra/back up activity? That's pretty cheap and easy and kids love it.
I have three kids and we have almost always done home parties and never had a problem with kids pulling out toys. I keep the bedroom doors shut and make sure all (or at least most of) the toys are in there. Sure you sometimes need to tell a curious child "no, the party is not in there" and shoo them out but it's never been a big deal. Have fun!
what about a face painter? Each kid could take a turn, which would *remove* one or two from the other areas and keep a steady flow of movement.
No matter what you do, all the toys will be dumped. 2 and 3 year olds prefer toys to activities, there isnt much you can do about it.
