mcdonalds or hj party for a 3yr old

[Myztiks#1Fan]

so if you had to choose out of those 2 options for a birthday party for a 3yr old, which would you choose. i am looking for something that will be low stress for me as i am majorly stressing over this atm and its been on my mind all day what to do with only a month to go until coop turns the big 3.

have you been to any parties before at either or even both. what did you like about them etc etc. just trying to work out what to do. there is a maccas not far from here which everyone would be able to get to, hj is a bit harder to get too but i know we could get there no problems at all. what did you think about the prices etc etc.

its not set in stone but i am just working out my options and i want to compare those 2 as i need to get started on this big time.

mods, i have put here as way more traffic than the birthday section :)

[OJandMe]

I wouldn't do either for a 3yr old. IMO you'd be completely wasting your time and money.

The 'party hosts' try to organise games and stuff.... and honestly, you can't play pass the parcel with 3yr olds... it just doesn't work.

If you want my honest opinion I'd just get some yummy snacky things and have a sausage sizzle at a local 'fun' park that Coop likes.

[Teley]

I wouldn't do either for a 3yr old. IMO you'd be completely wasting your time and money.

The 'party hosts' try to organise games and stuff.... and honestly, you can't play pass the parcel with 3yr olds... it just doesn't work.

If you want my honest opinion I'd just get some yummy snacky things and have a sausage sizzle at a local 'fun' park that Coop likes.

:iagree:

Also, check out any indoor play centres around your area if you want help with organising.

[oleander]

I would choose whichever one has the better playground equipment although i do prefer Oj's advice of the park and sausage sizzle.

[OJandMe]

Tips for an awesome stress-free, low-to-no work party for a little kid.

- buy sausages ($10)
- buy loaf of cheap bread ($2)
- buy tomato sauce ($3)
- buy some balloons ($2)
- buy plastic cups and paper plates ($4)
- make cupcakes ($3)
- make nice big chunks of fruit plate (or fruit skewers) ($15)
- buy fruit juice or cordial ($3-$6)
- buy birthday cake ($10)

total cost of party:
- $50

choose a park with lots to play on. Tie balloons to different sections of the playground.

The kids will just play, you just provide food.

Easy.

[Teley]

Tips for an awesome stress-free, low-to-no work party for a little kid.

- buy sausages ($10)
- buy loaf of cheap bread ($2)
- buy tomato sauce ($3)
- buy some balloons ($2)
- buy plastic cups and paper plates ($4)
- make cupcakes ($3)
- make nice big chunks of fruit plate (or fruit skewers) ($15)
- buy fruit juice or cordial ($3-$6)
- buy birthday cake ($10)

total cost of party:
- $50

choose a park with lots to play on. Tie balloons to different sections of the playground.

The kids will just play, you just provide food.

Easy.

One small little detail Gret. Bec doesn't have a car.

[JasmineLouise]

i THINK from memory hungry jacks is the cheaper option ;)

[studyingECS]

I second the park idea Bec, if there's one close by. If you need any help let me know and I'd be happy to help you out on the day, I'm sure Emma would as well.

[Myztiks#1Fan]

I second the park idea Bec, if there's one close by. If you need any help let me know and I'd be happy to help you out on the day, I'm sure Emma would as well.

emma has already volunteered. i know i need some face painters if i cant find any ;)

[Myztiks#1Fan]

One small little detail Gret. Bec doesn't have a car.

very much true but i am sure i could get my grandmother to help out with travel for a few $

[Sadaussiemum]

How far r u from chermside???? Awesome park near the shops there great for partys

[Amara]

I have been to a few maccas ones and one hj one. The hj one gave free drinks to all the parents. Don't know if thats standard but I have never had that at a maccas party. They also got the kids dancing which I thought was good.

[Little-Pink-Hen]

Where r u Bec?
I'd go the park hopefully it's not to cold
I've been to many little ones bdays at maccas and hj they arnt that great imo is there another party place in your area?

[Myztiks#1Fan]

How far r u from chermside???? Awesome park near the shops there great for partys

i think kids space is just a tad bit too big and too many kids there on weekends. i am out at sandgate

[Amara]

The trouble with a park is that the weather can ruin it.

[Chunkydunks]

Out of the two I'd go with Maccas I don't know what HJ's menu is like these days but at least you have a few healthy options on the Maccas menu. Are you still working for them? Would they offer you a bit of a discount maybe?

[Penthesilea]

I'd say neither. Parties at those places are soulless. Just an exchange - gift for food. I won't go them anymore.

Can't you have it at a park or someone's backyard instead? Much more personal and friendly.

[singlemumma82]

II would probably pick HJ if I had to choose between the two for a party. As others have said though, if there is a play centre near by that may be a better option, especially at this time of year. If you cant afford to pay the full prices you could simply advise people you are going a certain day for Coops birthday and would love it if they could drop in and then just buy a few plates of food, some drinks and bring some cup cakes/cake (I know there are no food rules but if you ring and explain it all and take care of everything yourself in regards to cake I'm sure they would say yes, local one near us did for a friend in this situation).

Other option, at that age, have 2 or 3 mates over and have a mini party, thats all I did for DD's 3rd birthday :D

[Sadaussiemum]

Maybe a scallywags might be a better option I guess it just depends on ur buget and if u drive or not

[nothanksbye]

3 year old?

Park absolutley. Just a park filled with their friends is an awesome party.

For Ds's 3rd, we had a BBQ with sausages and some fairy bread. the kids played and we did a treasure hunt.
The kids loved it.

To make it even more fun. make it dress up and have face painting.

[motherev2two]

Id say HJ but hate their food more than maccas I went to a party at both as a kid.

Not having a car makes it harder although I do not see the food as bad as greasy snags on an over used bbq at a park any better, we always take our own but it is an inconvinence when your on you're own with little help.

Id say Hj the parties seem like more fun from a street view lol and from a kiddies view HJ is more fun.

If you work at Macca's still I would go there lol

[bellangel3]

I've just recently been to a party at each, Hungry Jacks was cheaper, parents did get free drinks! Although both DH and I came away saying our kids are never having a b'day party at these places. It was pretty crap, the loot bags were pathetic, the playground was packed with bigger kids knocking over the littlies, didn't feel too special for the b'day child as there were so many other people there, not very intimate. So I would suggest park!!!!!!! It can be more tailored to your child's interests, theme wise aswell!

[EmPowering]

emma has already volunteered. i know i need some face painters if i cant find any ;)
oh im a great face painter haha :)

[Leeee]

other option with not having a car is do you have a decent-sized backyard for a bbq? borrow someone's bbq for it? just a thought

[TinkerBlueBelle]

I voted HJ's only cause you can refill your drinks as many times as you want!! :p

Otherwise they are pretty much the same.

I really like the park idea and have done that before for my DS, it was a FREEZING cold January day :confused: but the kids had a ball :yes:

Other parties we have done are:
Pool party - hired pool and did sausage sizzle etc for DS's entire class
Play centres - have been to two different ones, these are less stress - only have to make cake and pay at the end :)
Backyard party - only when they were little, haven't done any in a while as I find that parents don't control their kids and let them run amuck in other peoples houses (just observed from other parties I have been too) - although will be doing this type of party for next birthdays as cheap - but will have a theme and games to play and will be confined to the SHED (complete with toilet so no trips into the house AT ALL).
Park party - just took all the food to park, kids played
Water slides - took a bunch of kids and all their families (sibling and parents) to a waterslide park - this was very expensive to do but every one had a ball - I provided food for the kids and snacks for parents, only did it as it was the last big party I could throw before going on mat leave.

I LOVE kids parties - can ya tell??

Good luck and don't stress = partys are FUN

[InSaneOne]

we live in a small townhouse with a very small backyard. for ds's 2nd birthday (we had about 8 kids here aged 7 and under and about 20 adults) we did painting of door hangers (you could just use paper) and i made a huge batch of playdough for the kids to play with. the door hanger and playdough also doubled as their party take home goodies instead of lolly bags.

but honestly a park would be better. if it does rain then maybe have a backup plan where you go to macca's anyway but without booking the party room just for a play. i am pretty sure you can bring a birthday cake if you want to.

[Manxie]

I havent been to party's at either I'm curious what the cost per child is?

Is having the party at home an option? Remember that they recommend that the maxium no of kids for this age group is one for each year and plus one - so only four children.

If you went with the park option you could make up little boxes of food for each child beforehand. A juice, sandwich, fairy bread, cupcake, biscuit. They LOVE the novelty of their own bag and saves you having to cook.

I really noticed last year what a small amount of food is provided by places that cater for kids parties, they really dont need much.


Are you near an Ikea? For dd's third birthday we went there with two of her friends and they went in the playroom for the first time and then had meatballs and chips afterwards. CHeap & easy (and probably a bit sneaky, lol!!)

Good luck deciding

[Bexta]

I voted Maccas :)

[bellangel3]

I havent been to party's at either I'm curious what the cost per child is?




Here in Vic Maccas is $10 per child and HJ $7.50