4th birthday party entertainment recommendations?

[DailyMailGOFuckOff]

I need to throw a party. I swore I wasn't ever doing parties but his heart is set on one. He's been to two parties which are going to be hard to live up to - one a rugby party, another had a magic show/disco. I know it's going to cost more but honestly it was so much less stressful having someone else "entertain" from what I saw...

Without totally copying, can you suggest or recommend some different entertainment ideas?

[kiki22]

I would go with the classic bouncy castle every part mine have been to with one has been a winner especially at that age they can just run free

[DailyMailGOFuckOff]

My thing about castles is the amount of injuries at each party we've been to... It would be simplest and they'd love it but I was the mum of the bloodied nose child the last we went to

[RatOnnaStick]

Ds1 requested the local soft play for which I was truly thankful as, despite loathing the places, they have the distinct advantage of being able to turn up for 2 hours, play, eat, cake and fuck off home again.

[DailyMailGOFuckOff]

Soft play is an idea - only problem is not driving and needing to transport stuff but maybe hiring a soft play to the hall next door. They're not too old at 4 (guests would be up to 7yrs)

[kiki22]

The injuries are part of the fun I fractured my heel on one and lived on that story for years

What about a soft play bus if you have somewhere they can park?

[knittingbee]

I'd advocate as little structure in the way of games etc as possible - we've been to 4yo parties and they really don't enjoy pass the parcel or whatever. Hire a local hall, get a load of helium balloons and cheap inflatables, stick some tunes on and let them run about chucking stuff at each other. Then balloons and cake in the party bags. Bosh.

[Loupee]

I'm getting on of DH's friends to dress up as Spider-Man for DS's 4th birthday in a couple of months.
He is Spider-Man daft though and I know he will absolutely love this. I am just buying the costume, cheaper than hiring a mascot

[DailyMailGOFuckOff]

All good ideas, thanks! Not sure there's room to park a party bus by us but there's a cheap hall.

Hiring/buying a costume sounds a good idea rather than affording a mascot