Parties and preschoolers tend to be lots of fun – now that your child can walk, talk and understand the fun of a birthday, it really is a pleasure to watch them. The world of fantasy has opened up for kids of this age, so party ideas can be as imaginative as you wish.
Most preschoolers have limits to their patience and understanding of complex party games, so keep the party structured towards creative activities that allow them to decide when they want to move on to the next thing.
Party activity ideas for 3- 5 year olds
- Set up craft stations: Kids can paint, colour in at one table and then move on to the next table, where you might set up some messy play like shaving foam play or a play dough table.
- Music is their thing: Encourage them to dance and sing as they go about their party business.
Party theme ideas for 3- 5 year olds
Some party themes you might want to think about for your preschooler include:
- Masked mayhem: The concept of masquerade is quite fun for little kids, especially if they get the chance to make their own mask (which will occupy those busy fingers for a good deal of the allocated party time). Try printing these animal mask templates and let them loose with glue, sequins, glitter and textas.
- Storybook themes: Build your birthday party idea around your child’s favourite book characters or story. It could be as traditional as Snow White and Robin Hood or as modern as Where The Wild Things Are.
- Alphabet ABC party: As the kids will be getting to know their letters, this could be fun. Whether it’s A for apple or Z for Zebra, most kids will recognise letters and particularly the initial of their own name. You could make a letter for each guest and then bring the party to an end with a birthday cake created in the shape of the first letter of your child’s name.
In my experience you get two, maybe three birthdays where you have some say on theme and things. Once they hit pre-school age they have opinions and you have to accommodate that too. I like doing an activity of some sort, like an easy craft. I often get play doughs in theme colours as party favours too at this age. They love it.
There’s some really fun,simple cool ideas here.I the idea of the ABC theme makes life nice and easy for the parents too and no pressure to have to buy something new especially for the party. The craft party is cool too this could also alleviate the need for party favors as they could paint or create canvas art and take it home.
I remember the first birthday party for this age group we went to as a family my oldest 3 at the time was invited and talk about over the top man!! i couldn’t work out if it was for the id or the parents or what and you ask my son now about it and he barely remembers it, yet the same year he went to another friends party where they made cupcakes and decorated them to bring home and he talks about it as though it just happened…hes 11 now so was awhile ago and just goes to show these simple low key ideas and [parties are often the best for the kids
As my youngest`s 4th birthday looms this is quite timely to get ideas from. We don’t do venue parties eg McDonalds, Chipmunks etc as it is too expensive. We like to do parties at home. I like the idea of the kids masqerade party – they could even make their own mask to wear 🙂 And I love the music idea – my almost 4yr old loves dancing around, and I can just see him playing music and dancing around the lounge with his mates.
Great ideas. It really depends on the kid too I guess, but that age they are usually pretty easily amused. We tend to have the home part thing with just a couple of her close friends, easier and cheaper 🙂
There is some great simple ideas here like the painting and dancing to music all kids live music. Making masks sounds easy too and not complicated. I think a lot of people these days make things hard for themselves by making a party more complex when all kids just want is a party with there friends.
Some good and original ideas here. It’s nice to have options for home birthday parties as there are so many birthdays that seem to be held at venues these days.