Age characteristics
Children at this age relate well to other children and are very enthusiastic. They understand the idea of a birthday party, and can anticipate it months in advance. They tend to latch on to their closest friends so make sure to invite them. Kids at this age also tend to like helping with the planning so give them the opportunity to help throw their favorite birthday party.
Guest list
Many children at this age are in school or pre-school so your guest list can be made up of your child’s schoolmates. Although many children are in school and used to being away from their parents, some children may need to be accompanied by an adult.
Length of party
1-1 1/2 hours
Entertainment for age
This age group has short attention spans, so the entertainment program for the party should consist of a few different activities- around five. A mixture of hands-on and learning is always a great combo. Children at this age can participate in the Bake-a-Cake party, our best selling party.
Games
BINGO
Simon Says
Duck-Duck-Goose
Candy hunt
Relay Races
Shoe Mix Up
Wheelbarrow Race
I Spy
Safety for age
Make sure the party area is childproof and have a couple of adults on hand to help keep children together and the party organized.
Thomas the Tank Engine Party
Birthday Child’s Starring Role
Equipped with a conductor’s hat and a pair of pin-striped overalls, consider your child prepared to drive this party train in style.
Party Settings
Convert a room or hallway in your home into an authentic choo-choo train with moving boxes linked together. Use one box per passenger (guest). If you know in advance who will be attending, write their name in big bubble letters on the side of their “cars”. Also use wall stick-ons to create the illusion of trains at a distance.
Party Fun & Games
The partygoers are in for a magical ride on Thomas the Tank Engine. Each child will have their own “car” (cardboard box cut out to look like a car) to travel to the three “lands”, in each land there will be different activities such as games, songs and dancing.
Try doing a memory game where you hand out
Thomas the Tank Whistles (12) to each child and they have to repeat the same number of whistle blows you do.
Play a game of freeze jump (instead of dancing, the kids are jumping up and down.)
Teach the kids a song such as “The wheels on the bus.“
Party Leader
Hire an actor or entertainer to bring spice to your party by narrating each of the three stops with stories and songs about Playland, Candyland and Toyland.
Party Tunes
We think a great idea is to dig up a sound effects tape or CD that makes good whistling and locomotive noises. Play it between stops.
Party Finale
When the train has come to its final destination, help the children wind down with a relaxing reading of “Thomas the Tank Engine”, or for older children you can go another route and let them dive into this super fun Pinata, it’s all up to you how you finish off this ‘ch00-ch00‘ party.
Birthday Presents & Favors
Present each child with a Thomas the Tank Engine storybook so that they can relive the party over and over.
Decorate Your Own Vehicle Magnets Party Favor
Decorate Your Own Train Party Favor
Party Tips
To make the experience even more authentic, hand each child a train ticket with a car assignment. Ask the “passengers” to present your child with their ticket prior to boarding.
