Food & Party Planning Ideas

3 Years Old Alphabet Party

Now they know their ABCs…
By this age, most children are in pre-school and have some familiarity with the alphabet. The party theme gives them ample opportunity to show off their new knowledge.

Invitations

• Send an illustrated alphabet along with an invitation, so that all the children can practice their ABCs.
• Include a color copy of a photo taken of the birthday child with over-sized alphabet blocks that spell out his or her name. Include all party information for an "ABC" Birthday Celebration.

Party Setting and Decorations

• Construct a large centerpiece of oversized letter blocks spelling out "Happy Birthday."
• An alphabet cookie can be at each place setting, with the letter being the first letter of each guest's name or the first letter of the birthday child.
• String up a large banner spelling out the name of the birthday child.

Activities and Games

• Construct a large-scale "jigsaw" puzzle by cutting out letters from foam poster board and scattering around the room. The letters should spell out "Happy Birthday" and the name of the birthday child. When children arrive, have them hunt for the letters. The adults should help them spell out the birthday greeting.
• The Journey Through the Alphabet Game. Everyone knows that "A" is for apple, but what is "B" for? Lead the children through the alphabet, asking them what each letter might be "for" and asking them to act out each letter. Following are some suggestions:
  A is for Apple - Give everyone an apple slice and have them wait until "E" to eat it.
  B is for Butterfly - Spread your arms and flap them like wings.
  C is for Cake - Whose name is on the cake today?
  D is for Dance - Dance the Hokey Pokey or their favorite dance.
  E is for Elephant - Make a "trunk" with your arm and act like an elephant.
  F is for Funny - Make a funny face.
  G is for Goldilocks - Tell her story.
  H is for Head - Sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes"
  I is for Itsy Bitsy Spider - Sing the song.
  J is for Jump - Everyone jump.
  K is for Kiss - Throw a kiss to the birthday child.
  L is for Lion - Children roar like a lion.
  M is for Mice - Sing Three Blind Mice.
  N is for Numbers - Count to ten. What number old is the birthday child today?
  O is for Orange - Who can find something orange?
  P is for Pig - Oink like a pig.
  Q is for Quiet - Children hush with a finger over their mouths.
  R is for Rabbit - Hop like a bunny.
  S is for Song - Sing "Happy Birthday".
  T is for Tummy - Rub your tummy.
  U is for Up - Everybody stand up.
  V is for Violin - Pretend to play the violin.
  W is for Wish - Let the birthday child make a wish.
  X is for X-RAY - What else is in a doctor's office?
  Y is for Yellow - What are some yellow things?
  Z is for Zoo - Act like your favorite animal in the Zoo.

Menu Suggestions

• Serve alphabet soup or alphabet shaped pasta.
• Use cookie-cutters to cut out alphabet-shaped grilled cheese sandwiches.

Party Favors

• Give each guest a small set of alphabet blocks or a small plastic bracelet or necklace with their name spelled on it.

Cake Decoration Suggestions

A Birthday Cake is Delicious! Make this cake featuring over-sized block letters spelling out the birthday child's name.
You will need:

• Book pan
• Royal Blue, Black and Copper Icing Colors
• Crayon Candles
• Decorating Comb
• Lemon Yellow, Leaf Green, Orange, Christmas Red, Royal Blue Icing Colors
• Tip: 3 outline center of book
• Tip: 18 star - top of cake, rosette bottom border

To make letters:
Use Tip 3 and the writing technique. Flatten with finger dipped in cornstarch.