Do what he loves. For one birthday, we took my son to the aquarium..just me, hubby, grandmothers, and aunt & uncle.. those he really take to. He really enjoyed the fish and company and we really enjoyed his enthusiasm! Last year, he turned 3, we knew he loves swimming and outdoors so we threw him a pool party. We invited other kids and he handled it better because we were outside. He played mostly by himself but the other children didn't notice. He thoroughly enjoyed the party. What does he love?

Every kid is different so you need to custom build a day that he would like.

At three my son did not know that unwrapping presents was fun. So we practiced unwrapping presents everyday for a month beforehand so he would learn that unwrapping is awesome and you get this surprise.

My son also didn't know that cake and candles were suppose to be fun. So we practiced blowing out candles (on cupcakes) for about a month beforehand.

My son didn't know people were fun but that took years so I didn't start including people until he obviously started liking some people. And I still only have people that he likes. After all, it's his birthday.

Later I started including an activity that I knew he liked.. (like the water park). But I think a big activity is overwhelming for a normal 3 yr so I think that you might want to hold off on that for a little while.

My 4yr old is in preschool, so we had some colorful cupcakes made and took them to the class. That was enough festivity with his friends for him (and cheaper than a huge party). After school, we took him out for lunch and to a mini-golf/go-kart place and the park. That way he could enjoy HIS day in whatever manner he wished.

I've been to some very nice birthday parties with his classmates. They did a small party at a park that wasn't too crowded. Noise usually isn't a problem outside either. One person did a bounce house and the other had fun activities for the kids to do on their own or as a group. Totally kick back.

Before my son was in school and had no peer friends, I covered the living room floor with colorful balloons and had the house decorated when he woke up. A little cake and some presents and he was more than happy!

You can make a birthday cake and have a small gathering come over to the house.

Our son is born in December so close to Christmas that if we try to have a party then, hardly no one shows. So, we have a special day on his birthday and his party in January.

Ask him what he would like to do special for his birthday. Our son wanted to go to a movie so, we took him and a couple of his adult brothers to a movie. Then, ask him what he would like for his birthday dinner. This year, our son wanted chilli dogs and chips with a yellow cake that I made.

I know a family who have a special plate they use for the birthday person along with a special place mat only used for that purpose. You can either purchase a place setting or there are ceramic places where you can make a special plate.