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That dont cost a fortune?
Treasure hunts.
Sandpits filled sand (obviously) with crystals mixed in that they have to search for.
Fossil hunts. Get some plaster and put it into molds along with whatever it is they're searching for mixed in. We did coins and the kids really enjoyed smashing lumps out of the lumps and searching for the stuff. Also works with bones obviously but we hadn't got any.
Big cardboard boxes, disguised as dragons (small toddlers will believe almost anything so no need to go overboard). Get lots of those packing corn chip things you get from CRC. Divide toddlers into two teams. Winner is the team that feeds their dragon the most corn chip things. Most of the corn chips will end up on the floor of course, and at least one toddler will end up crying, but that's half the fun.
You may need to order something large, expensive and bike-related in advance in order to have enough of the packaging chip things.
Age 2 or 3?
Colouring in, sticking and gluing stuff, face painting, songs, musical statues , sleeping bunnies and last but most important - pass the parcel.
Attended two 3rd birthday parties this week and one thing they all want is to do pass the parcel.
No need for anything complex really.
Edit: that dragon idea is brilliant.
Depends on the age but the above comments seem good. For our sons third birthday we had Jays Animal Encounters and be was great with the kids and brought some really great animals for the kids to handle my son especially liked Amber the massive boa constrictor wrapped around his neck. It all depends on how much you want to spend but whatever you do generally they just want to run around dance and play party games. Hope they have a great party.
Big garden, and a stout lock on the door leading into it. Kids on one side, parents+wine on the other.
21st century pass the parcel's cack. A prize every time and everyone gets something. Just like the 21st century I suppose.
Big hall.
Bouncy castle.
A few party games.
An oresum Batman cake....
2 hours, not 3.....(the last hour really dragged....)
DrP
A good child's entertainer.
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Cup cakes and they decorate their own.
Bubble blowing.
Musical chairs.
Then you get pissed, dress as a clown and scare them
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or
just fill em up of sugar, once full they wont care.
Big hall.
Bouncy castle.
A few party games
+1