Party Time
PARTY FUN
F O R L I T T L E O N E S !
Birthday parties for toddlers and little children are such exciting times. Your child is grown-up enough to be filled with anticipation of the event, and with their developing social skills you just know you are in for some wonderful photo opportunities as they play with their friends. You’ve got the presents, the decorations and the cake, but have you planned enough games to keep those short little attention spans entertained? Here are some cute ideas for a party to remember! BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES FOR TODDLERS AND THE PRE-PREP CROWD
HIDE AND SEEK
They’re little and they’ve got attention spans to match. What you are definitely going to need are some crowd-pleasing ideas with minimal fuss.
Go easy on the pre-prep crowd during a game of Hide and Seek. Make sure that you establish safe parameters and then let the game take
The party is a celebration for you as well. It’s your chance to reflect on how your beautiful child is growing. The last thing you want to do is be up to your eyeballs in complicated party bits and bobs when you could be having fun instead. These party games for toddlers and pre-prep kids require a bare minimum of material and planning. They’re spontaneous, they’re loud and they’re lovable – just like your little one!
FOLLOW THE LEADER This is a fabulous game for small children to play. It’s great for communication, listening and concentration skills – plus it looks SUPER cute! You’ll have a little line up of cuties following you around the garden in no time. Swap in different adults or older children to extend the game for longer. Get inventive! Editor’s tip: My little ones had the most fun when The Leader did funny animal walks: channel your inner bear on hands and feet with stiff straight legs; waddle like a duck; hop like a frog; be a dog with your nose to the ground following a trail; prance like a show pony, and make all the silly animal noises that go along with it. Have you ever tried Follow The Leader with land-based synchronised swimming? Hold your nose and start with a big splash, then get ready to waft and glide around the garden kicking your feet as you go.
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“Ready or not, here I come!”
care of itself.
“WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT” Do we all know the words? We’re not scared! This is a great game to close a party and provides the BEST alternative to party bags! Instead of giving your guests a bag full of lollies and little toys that will soon be forgotten, your guests will love finding their very own little bear to take home! Your local variety store is a great place to find cute little bears, and often at less than the cost of the contents of a lolly bag. Before the party, or while the kids are eating, hide the bears around the garden for the ultimate kid-friendly bear hunt. For a party of younger children, allow them to keep the first bear they find (they’ll be so proud of their achievement that they won’t want to let go!). For a party of slightly older children who are learning to read, find swing tags in the craft section
Your Local Families Magazine June / July 2019 www.familiesmagazine.com.au