HELP I need 3 year old b-day party ideas!

I am having a party at my house on Saturday for my DS. I originally planned on throwing him a party at a play place, but it just didn't wok out. There will only be a few kids anyway. Three 3 year olds, (one boy, two girls) and two around 8 year old girls, one 9 yr old boy. (I am just having family and his one little girl friend.)

So, I need some fun ideas.

The party is going to be Thomas the train themed.

All I have thought of so far is doing make-your-own sundaes for dessert.

I wanted to have some kind of main activity, not so much little games. (I figure they will be playing with his toys and what not, so no need for too many games.)

I WAS considering making tie dye shirts, but it might just be to crazy and messy. And how would we dry them?

Any ideas?

ETA: I'm kind of thinking along the lines of one fun craft or something. And I don't want to go nuts with the $$$

Message edited 1/1/2009 12:48:53 PM.

Re: HELP I need 3 year old b-day party ideas!

When I worked in day care we used to LOVE to make playdough..

Give me a few mins. and I can try and get you the recipe..

NO - COOK PLAYDOUGH

1 c. water
3 c. flour
1 1/2 c. salt
1/4 c. oil
Food coloring

Combine ingredients in bowl and mix. Add more flour if mixture is too sticky. Store in a plastic zip-lock bag.

OR

COOKED PLAYDOUGH

1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 c. water
2 tbsp. oil
1 tsp. food coloring

Combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt and 2 teaspoons cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in 1 cup water mixed with 2 tablespoons oil and 1 teaspoon food coloring. Cook over medium to high heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Remove from heat, cool and knead until smooth on wax paper. Store in an airtight container. Children will enjoy playing with the playdough!


Honestly, the cooked playdough comes out best.
You may want to play around to see how much it makes (I don't remember)..I **think** I used to double the recipe.

If you don't feel like doing the cooked, the non cooked comes out "ok" too.

Message edited 1/1/2009 1:09:06 PM.

Re: HELP I need 3 year old b-day party ideas!

Maybe making their own pizza's also ??

Decorating t-shirts or hats w/ fabric paint , a little easier than tye-dying...

A/C Moore will give you lots of inspiration I'm sure !

Re: HELP I need 3 year old b-day party ideas!

I like the playdough idea.. maybe I will test it tomorrow


The t-shirt decorating would be cute.

THANKS!

Message edited 1/1/2009 6:09:13 PM.

Re: HELP I need 3 year old b-day party ideas!

You could print out thomas and friends coloring sheets and have the kids color. I saw them on the thomas and friends website. My DS's 3rd birthday is in June and the way things are going it may be a thomas theme too cuz this kid is obsessed!!!!!!!!

Re: HELP I need 3 year old b-day party ideas!

Oriental Trading?

Message edited 1/11/2009 11:07:08 AM.

Re: HELP I need 3 year old b-day party ideas!

Maybe make those sand projects - you have plastic containers in shapes and different colored sands, and you layer it in the containers. This was an activity at my block party and the kids loved it. They also bought hollow bracelets and very small containers on cords for necklaces that they filled. A little messy, but nothing you can't clean up with a vacuum.

The bottles were different shapes - butterfly, boat, car, etc.