4th birthday party

[TwinSetAndPearls]

My dd is having her birthday party at the end of september - there is a prince and princess theme. The children are coming in fancy dress.

So far planned activities include making own party bag and a crown. My mum nad sister will be doing face painting.

With the food we are also doing fruit kebabs ad decorating cup cakes.

In a party of two hours this leaves about an hour. I thought about dealing with this myelf as dd has other parties throught the year (eg Halloween, easter ..)and we do all the entertainment ourselves but with only about 10 children.

THere will be about 30 childre most of whom are ages 3/4 but a few older ones aged about 6-8. I am happy to do entertainment but dp wants to hire someone as we did last year - which went down really well and gave me chance to get food ready and say thankyou to mums for coming.

I have contacted a few entertainers who can come and do puppet shows, balloons etc. But I would really like someone who woudl fit in with our theme, such as a storyteller. But can't find anyone. Does anyone know of such an entertainer in the lancashire area.

Or would you just do it yourself, party games, music etc? I work in a playgroup so have access to bigger toys such as cars, slides tents with balls.

[TwinSetAndPearls]

....anyone, I suppose i could entertain them in my soon to be purchased house coat!

[Mum2girls]

TS&P - I looked at this post and felt completely inadequate when reading about the amount of effort you put into your DD's party (lucky girl!)

So I didn't respond. However I think I would be tempted not to cram too much organisation into it - a bit of free play on those toys will release a bit of the never-ending energy they have!

[lemonice]

I did look up some entertainers who do storytelling but they all seemed to be druids

[TwinSetAndPearls]

lol M2girls - I need to organise ....I need to organise .... I need to organise

[Twiglett]

bouncy castle in the garden?

[TwinSetAndPearls]

I only mentioned a storyteller as we had one come to playgroup and he was fantastic, the children were captivated by him. Made a nice change from a clown getting them all worked up... but I suppose that is what parties are for.

Have spoken to dp, I could set up a tent and tunnels with balls, little tykes seesaws and slides, little tykes cars etc. have playdough out, colouring pages of disney princesses, water tub filled with coloured rice, as well as a few art and craft activities so much like the mother and toddler groups I run.

But dp wants to get an entertainer.

[TwinSetAndPearls]

The party is at our church hall, i did think of a bouncy castle but I don't really like them as I know someone who broke their leg on one.

I asked dd if she liked the idea of lots of toys and she jumped up and down shouting

"Lots of toys.... and face painting... and bouncy castles..... and cutting and sticking... and a clown.... yeah!"

The concept of either/or hasn't sunk in yet!

[TwinSetAndPearls]

this is the story teller i know of but he is a bit above doing children's parties. But is worth visiting if you are near him.

[lemonice]

I went to these annual art and music holidays in the nineties/eighties in Devon called Campus and they had fantastic storytellers every night around the campfire for the kids while the parents went off to see bands and the bar etc. but i don't know where you would find them...

[TwinSetAndPearls]

My dp is fantastic with kids, he always does the entertainment at the parties we have at home. I offered to dress him up so he could be a story teller - but he declined.

[Skribble]

You can hire soft play bricks for castle building.

I would get DP to organise the games while you deal with the food etc.

They will love the old favourites like "pass the parcel" and "pin the kiss on the frog".

There are many stiles of inflatible castles, you might find one that you feel is safer more enclosed.

Maybe a court jester who does a bit of ballon modeling? A story teller , perhaps a student nursery nurse who doesn't mind a bit of role play. If kids have been to a few parties they might be geared up for something a bit more lively.

What ever you do don't miss it all by being knee deep in ice cream and party bags. Maybe get granny to help with the catering, my MIL found it all a bit noisy and was quite happy to escape to the food room.

Ask me more please I am a closet party organiser