While not old enough for a traditional pinata, the toddler set may enjoy a pull-string version.
Toddler birthday parties do not have to be elaborate. At this age, children are happy with simple activities and play materials. Toddlers enjoy pretend play and short activities. Competitive games with rules are too complicated for toddlers, but they may enjoy short, simple games. Schedule parties around nap time and provide plenty of snacks and drinks to prevent any meltdowns during the party. Does this Spark an idea?
Games
Children of this age will enjoy playing a game of musical statues. Play some kid-friendly music and have the toddlers dance. Whenever the music stops, the children should freeze. Play "pass the parcel" by wrapping lollipops, stickers or small trinkets in layers of different color wrapping paper. Have children sit in a circle and play music while the toddlers pass the parcel from child to child. When the music stops, the child opens one layer of the paper to reveal a small prize. Stop the music so that each child gets a prize.
Playtime
Provide opportunities for toddlers to play during the party. Fun playtime activities for this age group include bubbles, jumpers or a petting zoo. Create a painting activity by letting the children paint outside on a large sheet of paper tacked to a wall or fence. Avoid mess by giving toddlers paintbrushes and buckets of water to "paint" the fence or yard. Create an inexpensive ball pit by filling an inflatable swimming pool with balls. Make your own sand box for the party by filling an inflatable swimming pool with play sand, buckets and spades.
Tea Party
Have a birthday tea party with your toddler's favorite dolls, or a teddy bear picnic with stuffed animals. Invite each child to bring their favorite doll or bear and set places at the table for the extra "guests." Make small bite-sized sandwiches and finger food for the children to eat, and serve drinks from a tea set. Provide doll sized dress up outfits, hats and candy necklaces for the children to dress up their miniature friends.
Fantasy
For an inexpensive themed birthday party, provide dress up clothes for children (or invite toddlers to attend dressed in their favorite costume). Make inexpensive props for hours of pretend play fun. Make a large cardboard castle for a prince and princess themed party, and provide craft materials for the children to decorate tiaras and crowns. For a fire truck party, paint a large cardboard box to resemble a fire truck, and provide plastic fireman helmets for the toddlers to wear.
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