I have a birthday party scheduled for 1pm this coming Saturday, but I haven't done one yet for a 2 year old boy. My wife used to babysit this child, and she says he absolutely loves balls. Since I've spent much more time on balloons, I decided that for this age group (a few older kids, most around his age though) I would make him a set of small round juggling balls I've almost finished sewing myself (YEAH!) which I would use in the first part of the act, play a game or two with balls, and then do the magic coloring book act which I've worked up to about 8 mins.

I've got about thirty mins that I'm trying to fill, and at the end (last 5 mins or so)I'm also planning on doing a raffle.

Anyone ever try this? I have a "magic" hanky that I'm doing the drawing for, and everyone will also get a coloring book as part of the party favors.

How does that sound?

That sounds like so much fun Bips!

It is very hard to keep a 2 year olds attention, remember that if they are running around like crazy while you're doing your thing.

A raffle is a wonderful idea! And it's great you're giving them all a coloring book, this way everyone wins!

Hope you have a blast! Bump a nose!

Tinks :wink:

I don't usuually do parties for kids under 3 unless they have older kids, adults

Have you got a change bag?

Load with popcorn,

Give the kids each 2-3 popcorn kernal and have them put it into the bag, then have them rub there hand together to get their hands warn enough then have them help you rub the bag,
[shake bag as you do it and push up from the bottom dumping the popcorn out.

I also have a magic sucker [four sided sucker] that I use to prop to my cylinder or change bag, that age though use safety suckers and check with person if it's alright to give candy.

When doing a young party I find if you play to the older ones the little ones will join in too then you play to them for a while
Also I agree with Sue you need a change bag it is one of the best things you can have it has a million uses and a double change bag is even better
Wish you the best of luck and have fun it shows

I wish I had a change bag...:( It's the next thing on my purchase list, after this party!

Those are all great ideas, guys, thanks...

The raffle idea is mainly to get kids information as well as a way to contact parent, email primarily. Most people seem to be fine with getting the newsletter, because I have yet to have anyone email me to be removed...

Well, the party went pretty good over all, except for one thing....

the birthday boy was afraid of clowns!

There was ten other kids there though, and they all enjoyed the juggling I did, although I tried to combine the juggling and Bubba balloon idea we talked about last Thursday in chat, and it went pretty good. I also did the magic coloring book trick for the first time, and it was a great success. I need to get the blank one also so I can let the kids see the book after I've "cleaned" it off. I told all the kids that they too had a coloring book like mine they could take home, and I left them several copies. Those two ideas seemed to mesh well.

No enough time for the raffle, so I skipped it. I used one of my props, a huge pencil I made out of foam to "draw" the pictures back into the coloring book.

All in all, it worked good. Once the photo gallery is up and running I'll post those along with the pics I still have to post of the Clown Christmas party.

a good game to do with 2 year olds is the 12 foot parachute. You can buy them at lakeshore learning center

if there are older kids at the party,and you have simple puppets,have the older kids put the puppets on their hand and do a little puppet show for the b day kid

with 2,3,and 4 year olds you can kill time effectively by simply singing songs. If you don't mind the trouble,buy very cheap tamborenes at the doallar store and have all the kids shake them while singing itsy spider,wheels on the bus,hurry drive the firetruck etc

have a birthday parade where you get the dad or mom to put the kid on their shoulders,get all the other kids to line up behind,as you walk around say to all the guests-"here comes the king,please bow to the king" two great songs to play would be "Prince Ali" or"Following the Leader


If there are nothing but 2 year olds,no older kids then it is essential to get the moms involved--
shaking the parachute

also blowing simple bubbles--blow a bubble for each child--"Bubbles for Susan" "Bubbles for Chase"

sing lots of songs

Those are great ideas, Rainbow. Thanks for sharing them. You don't even have to be a good singer. Remember, Clowns are supposed to do things funny.
ANd, If I haven't said so before, Welcome aboard Rainbow. We hope you will favor us with your input more often!
Scruffy

thank goodness you brought that up scruffy! I sing so silly!!!!!!!don't use the word--bad!
nonbody has to have a socalled singing voice--we may play music--or sing funny--plan a,b,c,d & f--get the parents singing!! get the kids singing!! hum a few bars and I'll fake it!!

Hey wait! why is that hook pulling me off the stage? scruffy help!!! La-la-la-la--errrrrp!!!!

those are great ideas rainbow, thanks!

Welcome to the forum!

2 year olds can easily be frightened.

I've suggested that people show their kids a photo of me (by logging on to my web site) and talk about what a clown is: a person who does silly, funny things for fun. Look this clown has a funny red nose. Clowns like to make people laugh and be happy.

Kids at that age are still learning about life, not to point/laugh/draw attention to people for whatever reason, so it's good to have the parent give them some basis from which to form their reaction.

Excelllent points, Tom. Thank you for bringing that up. Remember the child you frighten today may be the one afraid of clowns tomorrow. So go slow, and let them approach you on their own terms.