I have a friend who recently threw a party for her 5 year-old son. She had planned to have an inflatable jumpy-jumpy (as I call them) and that morning thunderstorms were everywhere while the attendant was setting it up! She canned that idea needless to say! She is one of those resourceful and creative spur-of-the-moment moms (unlike myself!). She threw together several different stations of games for kids ages 2-7 in a matter of an hour or two. All it took was a trip to Wal-Mart and $20! Here are some of her ideas…
She had prizes for everyone from stickers in a bowl to fruit snacks
Hang a hoola-hoop from the ceiling and have several items like tiny beanbags to throw through it. Everyone gets to pick a prize after their turn.
Fill a small storage bin with off-brand Rice Krispies type cereal and hide 6-10 small items in there for them to find. Everyone gets a prize again!
Have a jar with a wide mouth open on the floor and have each child stand on a chair or stool and drop something like a coin into it. They get 3-4 coins (tries) and they get a prize for no matter how many they get in.
Have a large blanket and a beach ball. Do the “parachute” thing by having several kids hold the blanket around the outside and wave it up and down keeping the ball on the blanket.
She divided up the kids into groups of even numbers and rotated them from one game station to another. The parents who stayed were recruited to “man” a station. You can change the rules for prizes and the kinds of prizes. This is what she threw together at the last minute. Not bad, huh?
Alternatives To Getting Toys
If you prefer your child to have a party in which you request no toys here are some alternative ideas. Children love giving gifts almost as much as they enjoy getting them. Here’s how they can still give a gift:
Request your guests to bring a toy for a dog or a cat to be donated to your local animal shelter. The birthday child can still open the gifts so that everyone can see all the different kinds. It’s great fun!
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