What makes a good birthday party?

[MotherWol]

DD turns 4 this year, and it'll be the first year we've done a birthday party for her that's not just cake at her grandparents' house, as she wants to invite her preschool class. We're hiring a hall and going to keep it pretty simple - just a picnic tea, dancing, pass the parcel etc. Is there anything you wish you'd known to make birthday parties go well? What makes a good party for parents as well as children?

I am planning one for my daughter too, but gone for the dreaded hell of softplay!

I think food for the parents is always a win! Last party we had we ordered loads of pizza's for the adults and they went down a storm!

Does she like any characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie, peppa pig, Elsa etc as you could have a special guest by hiring a mascot costume and making the party themed.

For parents as they tend to stay at parties at that age I agree snacks and drinks is a good idea as well as seating!

Outsource to an activity like softplay where it's all done for you

I wasn't a fan of the village hall traditional types or discos. Too much scope for children to not engage, get bored, play up. The acoustics are often terrible and 30 squealing children do not need amplifying and echo!

Softplay is great for a crowd of younger children that you don't know so well, and they'll just rampage and entertain themselves at their own pace.

Soft play options where we live are a bit limited and expensive, much as I'd like to just outsource all the hassle, and our flat is far too small for lots of children and their parents. The hall we're looking at has an outdoor play area, so if it's dry that should help them burn off some energy. Food for adults is definitely on the list - having to scavenge Pombears isn't going to put anyone in a good mood! I was thinking instead of party bags, maybe doing a slice of birthday cake and a book or colouring book and stickers, to reduce the amount of plastic tat - or does that sound too smug/hippie?

The best party we ever did was when we hired a nice big hall, a bouncy castle and a load of didi cars. DS and his friends loved it so much that we did the exact same party again the following year! Lots of bouncy castle hire firms also hire didi cars - I think we had twenty!

I've been a bit burnt but my advice is ALWAYS hire an entertainer. Even if just for one hour. I organise large scale events as part of my job so thought it was simple but children require a lot more direction and engagement. Every game I set up I thought would last 20 mins lasted 5 and within 30 minutes they were feral 🤣. Teachers deserve double their salaries for sure.