Help! Birthday Party for a 4 year old....

Lunar_Eclipse

I also really think a party is absolutely not appropriate given your income situation. You need to be realistic and I recommend reconsidering your priorities.

On the one hand I think this is a perfect situation in which you are forced to say 'no' to your child. It will be a good experience for the future and will not be the end of her world.

However, on the other hand, I think that's a bit mean in this situation, given that you could easily throw her a party, at home, for nothing! For £5-10 you could put on something magical. I always feel for the child, so I would let her choose 2 or 3 friends to invite over for a party tea. Fill the time with free and fun activities, a party tea including a (homemade) cake and balloons. I suggest you do not give any party bags (for financial reasons) but if you must, a 25p bottle of bubbles and a 5p lolly is more than sufficient.

A few years ago, both my children had Christmas parties at home where we did various festive crafts and games suited to the Xmas period (this was my suggestion 'caus they both had lots of people they wanted to have over for play dates!) My youngest, who was 6 at the time, invited about 11 children. When the third parent asked me if they could help with anything or bring something, I decided to accept help and asked everybody if they'd be happy to contribute a (co-ordinated) plate of food, which they did. Most people love helping others, particularly where there is a financial need, so if this is an option, I'd grab it!

bestpud

Slightly OT but I find it sad how stressed parents can become over birthday parties. I have myself and it's just mad when you think about it in hindsight.

I think, for me, it was a fear of the children roaming bored and me having to contend with parents I didn't know (I'm quite shy and not a life and soul of the party type).

But, tbh, the children always find a way of entertaining themselves and it really is true that simple is best.

Cheerful music is often all you need, but a few games can help. Sometimes they aren't interested in games as they're too busy 'dancing' and other times they want lots of games.

Often they want the same game over and again, until you are sick of it!

Just go with the flow, I say!

Tebheag

Hi
If money is that tight why don't you just go to a local park you could make a pinic lunch a sandwitch packet of crisps and a drink for each kid and a large cake for your daughter to blow out the candles. For kids a party is all about the cake with candles and having friends to play with the rest is just icing on the cake !!

Stargirl1

I think themes are a great way to save money at a kids party! You get all the kids there and they wear (cheap) costumes and entertain themselves! All the old classic games are good too - like musical chairs and musical bumps, and they don't cost a penny! I did find some good advice for saving money at parties on goodtoknow.co.uk (forum won't let me post the link!). Hope that helps :-)

plglaserna04

We kept parties for our toddlers fairly simple. We always have it outside, never inside the house. Lots of finger food and we stick to traditional games such as musical chairs, pinata, bobbing for apples, "Give me what I want", longest line and the like.

Robbie11_2

Birthdays are special for every kid ,need to make it a memorable one.If you are arranging a kids birthday party for a first time then it is better to search in internet for a professional kids birthday party organizers and contact them. They will help you to throw a well organized , memorable birthday party.

escortg3

I think a party at home is worth the mess.

My grandaughter has had one and it went down really well.

The kids had food and cake (cup cakes on a stand) etc first which took about half an hour then we moved them into the living room.

The living room was emptied as much as possible and the little ones had pass the parcel first then musical bumps. To end it off we had a little disco.

My grandaughter loved it and so did her friends.

Instead of party bags we gave each child a cup cake and book.