Hosting 4th birthday party - what would be better?

[littleoldme3]

Hoping to throw a birthday party for DS this year. First ever one and we’ve only ever been to one so have nothing really to compare to 🙈

Thinking a hall with bouncy castle, face painting (maybe?), maybe some crafts out to do and some food.

Can anyone help me with timings? It would be last weekend in October. Is morning/afternoon better? Like 10-12 or 2-4? I’m assuming 2 hours would be about average for a party?
Or do I do 11-1pm and do a bigger food offering as a proper lunch?

Im leaning towards 10-12 as it leaves the rest of the day free for family plans etc? DH thinks over a mealtime is best!

Anything else I should consider?

10-12 worked better for us at that age but 2-4 also fine.
I think it’s nice to do the whole village hall
and invite all the class thing once,
but leave it until reception year or y1 at school ideally so when they turn 5/6. Before then you can get away with something smaller, at your house even. Of course you can do that for a 4th too, but you might feel pressured to do the same next year (that said your child’s birthday will be early in the academic year before the norm is properly established)

Are you catering for parents to eat? I dislike when it’s over a meal time yet no food for parents. I also find in the middle of the day means you can’t do that much either side; either morning or afternoon is fine.

Thank you all for your advice, this is so helpful 😊 as I said - I’ve never thrown one and only been to one so it’s pretty new territory for me.

The weekend after isn’t an option for us unfortunately. It’s either last weekend in Oct or 23rd Nov which is 3 weeks after the birthday.

Temp tattoos is a good idea 😊 I’ll have a look into that, thanks.

There are 2 children with physical disabilities who would be invited but would be mainly unable to use the bouncy castle so crafts/face painting etc are to make sure there is other stuff to do 😊 A soft play party is being avoided for this reason. Are there any other activities that I could add that may go down well?

My plan was proper food for kids then snacky food for parents if morning/afternoon or proper sandwiches etc for parents if over lunch. Does that seem ok?

That's really kind of you OP, I'm sure their parents will be very grateful.

I was at a party that had little plaster models for the kids to paint, but that was probably a fifth birthday. Probably a bit difficult for any 3yos.

At 4:

-Get a massive roll of bubble wrap and let the kids jump on it.

• Get dine plain white paper bags with handles (Amazon), one per child.

Posted too soon...

• get plain white paper bags, ones per child. Set up a table with pens, stickers etc. get the kids to decorate a bag with their name as the first activity. Put all prizes they win in the bags throughout the afternoon. Add cake/sweets/prizes at the end to top up the party bag.

Sounds great. I always preferred a morning party because it leaves the rest of the day free.
At 10-12 though I'd probably expect some food to be provided, I would do a party lunch at 11.30. At 2-4 you could just do some snacks and drinks.

At 4, 10-12 probably IS meal times? They all eat so early.

On a Saturday, afternoon better. On a Sunday, morning.

2 hours max. Plan to have at least a couple of planned activities - jumping on bouncy castle etc only goes so far so a few games pre-planned is useful. Keep food simple - hot dogs, pizza etc.

I've never bothered with food for parents, they won't expect it. Offer leftover sandwiches/cakes after the kids have finished. Offering a tea or coffee is nice though

I wouldn't fuss too much over the food

Sandwiches, crisps etc and they'll be fine. The kids won't eat anything really

Thanks all - I really appreciate the advice 😊 I’ve made lots of notes 😊

I used to teach teenagers, who are a lot like small children at times. I used to get some craft items from Baker Ross, they have some free stuff and loads of ideas

I love these https://www.bakerross.co.uk/craft-ideas/kids/autumn-luminary-jars/ Obviously use battery powered tea lights.

You aren’t usually allowed face painting with bouncy castles. It’s either or.

I would go for a soft play or role play place and let them do it all. It’s bloody awful hosting hall parties. We have always done venue parties but this year is our first hall one and it’s hard work!

11-1, 3-5 are the common timings here. We have 3-5 this year. Boxed lunch (sandwich, drink, crisps, mini biscuits, crudites, little sausages and fruit).

We are having a well known local kids disco man, he does games and a few magic tricks and hands out sweets and small toys. Kids love him.

Bouncy castle parties are common too, they usually have some ride on toys. We’ve also been to pony parties.

But the soft play and role play village ones were far less hassle. They just couldn’t accommodate us this year as we have 34.