Suggestions for four year old's party!

Jo_R_2

With all the recent posts about childrens parties, thought I would join in...

It's DD1's fourth birthday in about three weeks. I'd originally planned to do something similar for her that we did last year, which was a soft play party for about 10 kids. However, this year, it seems extortionately expensive given I had her dad here to share the load and he's not here now (he moved out not long after her last birthday), plus add to that the fact that she's been invited to so many parties that to reciprocate would mean paying for as many kids as I can have at one of these places and probably still forgetting someone!

I'm worried though that she'll be disappointed. Being the nearly four-year-old she is, she loves parties, and I had mentioned that I was planning one, so I'm not sure what to do. My house is tiny so many more than four kids means there's no room.

I want to do something spcial, I'm just not sure what I can do that will be different and 'birthday-esque' enough that she won't be disappointed. I was thinking of either inviting two or three friends for a birthday meal out somewhere, or doing the handful of kids party at home, despite the lack of space.

Arrrgggghhh what to do??!!

chivers1977

How about a pizza party? My mum used to prepare the bases and cut up the toppings and we used to make our own then play some games while they were cooking and then have the tea. I remember it used to be great fun and very cheap and best if only a few kids anyway!

beefcarrot

We've done a lot of craft parties with our children. When our daughter was 4, we had a normal party at home but also bought some cheap white cups from Tesco and a set of ceramic felt tips from www.yellowmoon.org.uk (i think it was them!). All the children got to design their own cups and everyone was happy

Bettyboop

Hi, I haven't read all the posts but we also used to live in small house and when it came to parties we had to pay for things like Brewsters etc. Our daughter turned 4 in August 07 and we were lucky enough to have it in the garden especially with the weather in the UK being so unpredictable!

If I were you how about having a Teddy Bears Picinc? I'm not sure if this is for younger kids or not? If your house has two bedrooms would it be possible to clear one out if necessary just for the duration of the party? I realise also that it may be difficult to invite everyone but you could ask your little one who should would like to invite? Before I get shot this may not be fair but given the circumstances it's just an option.

You could have some party music and picnic blankets out...with all the children bringing a teddy if they choose to join in the fun. I'm sure just a few sandwiches, some fruit juice and a few other snacks will be fine.

Good Luck. I'm sure whatever you do it will be fun.

morganb

It is a shame that we all feel under so much pressure when it comes to birthday parties. DS1 had has first five birthday parties at home. Last year for his 5th he had a bouncy castle and 16 of his friends here, it was a really good party but very very hard work thinking up activities, and at the end DS1 said that was brilliant but that he hadn't played with all his friends ... i.e. there were too many people there!

This year he is inviting his three best mates over for a birthday tea and that is it! And he's more than happy with that.

I think what is really special for children is going to someone's house and being able to play with their toys, maybe in their bedroom, that is a real treat. I am sure that whatever you do it will be a success and your little girl will love it.

webitha

why the big hoohaa about giving parties my lot are 8 6 3 yrs and none of them have had a birthday party and its not killed them

nowadays its all about who throws the best/most expensive party and they are never at home nowadays they all have to be at this kiddyplay or that fun factory

hannahsmummy1

My Hannah is 3 (will be 4 in June) She has never had a party either- we dont have family round & have moved so much in the last 4 years- we are never in one space long enough! I remember having a party when i must have been about 4/5 in the local church hall- disco (supplied by my dads records- showing my age!)) Food, was just a buffet, prepared by the mums (bring a little eat a lot!) And i do remember a cake with a horse on it! It was also a joint party (helps save the cost!) That was probably my first proper party but also the most memorable! I do think that parents are under an awful lot of pressure these days!

sarahc44

I threw my 4 yr old a party in hall this dec and we played a few games, had a bouncy castle then my DH went to the chippy and bought sasauges for all the kids and 4 bags of chips and then they all went home - loved it!!!!!! the total cost was about £50.

she said she had the best birthday ever!

minimacka

Our local sports centre lets you hire their hall for about £30 and they have a room afterwards for the party tea. You can have softplay, bouncy castle, or we have have had lots of football parties having two boys myself. If you hired a hall for a set amount you could invite all your dd friends at not much extra cost to you. At 4 years old they wouldnt want very much to eat so the buffet would be cheap, a few simple sandwiches, crisps or soft snacks, party sausage rolls, party sausages, biscuits. You could entertain them the old style way by doing pass the parcel, musical chairs, pin the ? on the ? (in the past ours was pin the antena on po from tellytubbies yes he is 11 now so it was a long time ago) that was homemade so didnt cost me anything appart from a bit of paint and the back of some wall paper, and just a disco (girls love to dance) I think that children of 4 would love a old fashioned party because now a days its all mcdonalds, softplay, pizza hut or even themeparks :eek: . At the moment with all the sales on im sure that if you scoured your town you could find some cheap things for partybags (if indeed you want to do party bags).
Hope you find some usefull ideas on here, and enjoy your daughters birthday whatever you do because they arnt little and cute for long.

jane130

its my sons 4th birthday today and I am having a quick coffee break wile preparing for his birthday party.

he is having his 5 best freinds around i think mos houses can cope witha small number like that .

fr food we have ham and jam sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps, a few special biscuits , homemade fairy cakes and jelly and icecream.

we have games planned , pass the parcel, musical statues, whats the time mr wolf, sleeping lions and if time allow maybe musical bup and simon says . we bought a pack of 6 packs of Bubbles for prizes and a colouring bok and pencils to go in the pas the parcel.

we ae doing party bags because he wanted to so the contain a selction of goodies that cost 48p for 4 at tesco and a slice of cheap iced maderia cake .

he has a dr who brthday cake that he will blow out at his party but we will reuse that when family come around afterwards

If all else fails I have a back bag of balloons blown up because we all know how much they love balloons at this age.

In total I estimate I have spent about £30 at the very most .. now all i have to do is survive it LOL

Mr_Rhubarb

You can find some good party tips at the following website run by a children's entertainer http://www.professorparadox.co.uk/party_tips.htm
Of course he wants you to book him but you dont have to - just read the tips and you'll save a few quid, and have a great party!