Suggestions & ideas for 3rd birthday party - advice please

[thechocolatemonster]

DD is going to be 3 in October. We don't have a garden or a very big flat which makes things tricky.

Is booking a ball park type place a good idea or too pricey?

Is it normal to invite everybody from her nursery school class - would be about 25... If not - how do I choose?

Would really appreciate anybody who's already faced all/any of these problems.

Many thanks

[Twiglett]

get a church hall .. they tend to be cheaper.. but still reckon on spending £150 - £200 on party .. gawd knows how but it mounts up

round here soft plays tend to be between £8 and £14 per head

[TwinsetandPearls]

I have always done a church hall party as I like a traditional party. Kids also go to loads of ball park type parties sot they like something different.

I have never invited everyone from nursery as dd goes to a couple of playgroups as well as having kids that we know from church and family. I usually choose a number and ask her nursery and ask them to recommend that number of children that dd plays with and likes.

[Mala]

For my dd's 3rd birthday we had it at a playcentre. There were 10 children in total, which I thought was a good number(though even 6-8 would have been good). I asked dd to choose 5 children whom she wanted to come from her nursery and I called three children who she plays with but do not go to her nursery. The cost depends on how many children you invite and different places vary in cost anyway.
I've been to a few where the whole class is invited and personally am not keen on them. Think this might be better for slightly older children. The only thing I would say about playcentres is that they get very crowded. We had dd's party at big playcentre and it was a bit much for that age I think - too many older children around which can scare some of the smaller ones. She had a lovely time, but some of her friends were very wary due to so many other children being around. DD's little friend had it at a much smaller place and that was great - much more relaxing. He had it quite early, so it was pretty empty too and they had the run of the place to themselves. Some places have it so only the birthday party gets to use the room, I think those are prob. the best, if you have something like that near you.
Good luck with you dd's party. It really is such a lovely age for them to have a party. My dd still talks about hers and is planning her next one already!

[Beauregard]

Soft play center

[Steppy1]

for my dd's 3rd we had a trampoliing party at the leisure centre..limited to 8 (which was great) then party and cake in one of the party rooms afterwards BUT, she has recently been invited to a party of one of her friends at pre school and i was so impressed by this imle idea (party at home) The invite came on pink paper, printed in pink then scrolled up and cellotaped together very carefully by a pink feather, the wording then read:-

PINK SHOES, PINK TOES, PINK FLIP FLOPS, WHO KNOWS ?
PINK PYJAMAS, PINK SLIPPERS
A VERY PINK PRINCESS, IN VERY PINK KNICKERS !

BE A PINK BALLERINA, WITH PINK BEADS AND PINK RINGS
AS LONG AS YOU'RE WEARING SOME VERY "PINK THINGS"

I DON'T MIND WHAT YOU WEAR, EVEN PINK HAIR
IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER..AS LONG AS YOU'RE THERE !!!

i thought it was fab...and of course DD, who just loves Pink is so excited about being able to get everything out of her dressing up box and get really girlied up....I am too !!!

The party is on Sunday so I'll let you know how it went and what else mum organised !

[Surfermum]

We had a soft play centre and it was great. DD loves it there so she was pleased and I was pleased as it was so easy. I turned up with a cake and a couple of bits for party bags and they did all the rest. It was £7 a head for dd's. I didn't invite anyone from pre-school, but she has friends from ante-natal and playgroup anyway, so they filled 12 places.

One of our group has done it at home, one is having a picnic next weekend and the rest went for soft play.