Activities for a Water Themed Birthday Party- 3 Year Olds

Dont over think it! They are 3 and will be thrilled with anything! I would say the more rigid you try to make it the less fun they will have. Let them just play in the water. Bring bouncing balls and the squishy water filled balls made for the pool. If you can set up a sprinkler that could be fun. If someone can keep up on the poped balloon trash, so they dont eat it, trying to sit a one of those big balloons filled with water might be fun for them!
Good luck

I have a 2 year old boy and we use a spray bottle to calm his wild hair down. lately, he has loved carrying the water bottle around and attacking everyone. It is cheap ($1 at Target/Walmart), easy for him to squeeze and it sprays a fine mist that will get you wet, but not hurt anyone, and they come in bright colors. Have a fun party!!

The Hoppity Pop frog sprinkler is a huge hit with that age group. YOu'll find it on sale for $10 at www.toyladyjanet.com Otherwise paint brushes and buckets of water are fun. A wet sponge relay where you pass the wet sponge over and under a line of children is laughs. Mmm..will think what else I've done before. Have fun!

You could get a little plastic watering can for each kid at the dollar store. Just filling it up and dumping it out is an afternoon of fun for a 3 year old. You could also fill up a large bucket or a small kiddie pool and let them play your own version of that lucky ducks carnival game for little prizes. I wouldn't plan too many organized activities for kids that age as one game can take 45 minutes to play with a group of 3 year olds and they have just as much fun doing their own thing.

S.-
What about those little squishy balls that you squeeze and then put under water and they fill up with water?You can buy a pack of two of those at the dollar store and they aren't nearly as aggresive as a water balloon.Or, what about blowing up several beach balls and having those ready for fun?Really at that age, just playing in the water with a lunch provided will be plenty of fun. Maybe a gift bag for each child with a water ball, or an inner tube or sunglasses?The dollar store would be perfect for summer gifts....