3rd Birthday-opinions needed

We live OOS from all family, but had a big party for DS first birthday 2 years ago at our home.. since we invited many people beyond our immediate family, we ended up having to rent tables, chairs, a bounce house etc. which ended up adding up fast.. For DS second birthday we just did heroes, cake and coffee in NY with my nephew (shared cost with SIL and BIL) who is three weeks older than DS (They were both born in Aug.) This year, I wasn't sure if DS was too young for a party at a place like My Gym, or little gym? We went to a party at My Gym a few weeks back, but DS did not seem interested in circle time, etc. I wasn't sure if this meant he would be too young to have something like this for his birthday?

I have debated having something at my home again, but each time we do this, it seems that my family in particular tend to rush things along b/c they want to catch a ferry. I am also thinking I would have to borrow chairs again, and do something for entertainment if I did a backyard BBQ?

What are your thoughts for this age and having something out? If you did it, was your child ok with the structure of the party? Just looking for opinions..

TIA!!

Re: 3rd Birthday-opinions needed

Hey! my DD will be 3 in August as well. For her 1st we did a pretty big party (tents, heroes, catered food, pool, cake ect) and for her 2nd we had a petting zoo and pony and rented tents ect..now for her 3rd we are doing something smaller because she doesn't have nearly as many friends that will be there this year. DD recently went to a party at My Gym too and wasn't interested in the structured-ness of it all! but, I am a SAHM and she has never really had to do anything very structured like that..she ended up just wandering around and doing her own thing. I don't think it was because she was too young (this was a 4yr old's party) I just think she wasn't used to the structure. If you have a decent amount of kids coming to the bday party, it might be really fun to have it at a place like My Gym! or maybe even a farm? we recently went to a bday party there and it was a lot of fun. We are probably going to get DD another pony & petting zoo in our backyard for her bday this year just because she hasn't stopped talking about it since her last birthday..it does add up though, we'll probably just get her cupcakes and BBQ and have the pool open. For a 3yr old, I don't really think you NEED entertainment..family, food and cake should suffice!. Do you have a large group of children coming? only then would I feel it's necessary to provide entertainment, DD's bday parties have mainly consisted of adults though :\. Hope that helps!! luckily they're birthdays are in the summer so the possibilities are endless!

Re: 3rd Birthday-opinions needed

both kids started going to those kind of parties at 1 and that was plenty old enough for them.

so i would say 3 is a perfect age...

we have been to too many bouncy parties, little gym, gymnastic parties etc. to even remember...

Re: 3rd Birthday-opinions needed

Re: 3rd Birthday-opinions needed

We've been attending parties galore. 3yo is a great age for party places like My Gym and Gymboree.

DS is only 3 but I would think those places would be too young for kids who are 5+.

Re: 3rd Birthday-opinions needed

MY DS will be 3 in august as well...he also has a very limited interest when going to places so we are just having a pool party in the backyard...easier imo..i figured i would wait to have parties at places for when he is a little older

Re: 3rd Birthday-opinions needed

We just had a small bbq this weekend and I put out a kiddie pool, water table and sprinklers. The kids had SUCH a good time we are doing the same thing for DD 3rd bday in August. We are going to get a couple of elaborate sprinklers and maybe an additional kiddie pool like this:
We also might buy a bunch of balls to fill a kiddie pool for a makeshift ball pit.
I will prob. order sandwiches from BJ's and make salads and chicken nuggets for the kids.
ice cream cake, cookies, watermelon for dessert.
Keeping it simple and they I know the kids will have a good time.

Re: 3rd Birthday-opinions needed

Thank you all SO much for responding and for your suggestions...

I think we might just stick to doing something in our backyard this year as well and save the party out some place for when he gets a little older.

I love that water slide! Where did you find that??

TIA!