Party ideas for a 2 year old girl

[ameliarose2012]

It's my DD birthday at the end of June.

I want to do a picnic, but obviously cant rely on weather, so we're going to have it at my DP. They have a nice big garden (and house). There'll be plenty of room for all eventualities lol.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas for healthy buffet food (there'll be plenty of cake, I'm not a mean mum haha) for toddlers.

I am planning on inviting people with children around 1130, ready for lunch about 1230. Then other people to come about 1. So two parties, but merged together kind of.

I would also like some ideas for simple games we can play indoors (if it's sunny then I'm just planning on letting them run round).

I have no idea what I'm doing! Thanks in advance xxx

[ameliarose2012]

Anyone? Please help! xxx

[babybouncer]

How old are the other kids? Two year olds are likely to really struggle with games at that age - even pass the parcel ends in tears IME.
If there are some older kids, you can always play musical statues, simon says, what's the time mr wolf, grandmother's footsteps or singalongs like ring'o'ring'o'roses - which require no preparation, but stickers or sweets as prizes will go down very well.
I don't know how many you're inviting or how well they know each other, but it sounds like quite a long time to keep kids entertained - try and have quiet spaces with books or colouring or even a DVD on if the weather isn't too great, so that they don't get too overwhelmed.

[ameliarose2012]

It's mostly family, so age ranges from 18mo to 8 years, with a couple of teenage boys thrown in! So not the easiest to cater for. I was thinking of having a few footballs around, and stealing borrowing a few little bikes from somewhere. A book area is a great idea. And I suppose they'll have all her presents to amuse themselves too. I don't want to give myself loads to do, so was hoping for things that would allow them to amuse themselves. I think I might just be overthinking things a bit. Surely there can't be that much to organising a kids party?? xxx

[ameliarose2012]

Help!

[IShallCallYouSquishy]

Is there space for a bouncy castle in the garden? Will be a massive hit! I've just had DD's 2nd birthday party in a hall and all the little ones loved the bouncy castle/toddler play thing.

[MisForMumNotMaid]

For little ones I find a prise every time kind of games work best.

We have one that is loosely based on a paper chase. Little pieces of paper have an image on them and you have to find a certain image to get a treat (something like a dolly mixture or midget gem). We have a bit of an age range so the youngest who can't count need to find one, then older ones need to find three, four, five depending on age. At easter we do the same for mini eggs.

Another favourite, depending on the children, is putting a little toy or treat into lots of balloons and then just letting them loose on popping them all to release the treats.

Pin the tail on the donkey is a good one.

We also love singing the hokey cokey, farmers in his den and doing silly dancing to music.

A piniata is a good cross ages thing that they could take it in turns to wack.