Four Year Olds Party

[fandjango]

Trying to decide the best options for my son’s 4th Birthday party in January. We’ve previously done some farm visits with hot drinks flasks and hot food canisters but I think it was a bit cold at points.

I have migraine episodes that are triggered by too much noise, light, movement etc so originally we were thinking of a soft play party but we went to one for one of his friends recently and I had to step away outside for longer than I would have liked as it was overstimulating.

If we hire a community centre and hire an entertainer, how long is acceptable for a four year olds party? also what times are usually best? is 11-2 on a Sunday awful!?

Also is this enough? I know my son loved the entertainer at the community centre for the christmas party last year so hoping the rest will.

Thanks

Village hall and games is great at that age - I would only do 2 hours, I think they get a bit overwhelmed by 3 hour parties and you start to get tearful and/or hyper kids. 11-1pm is a good time for younger kids parties I think.

I would go for 1.5 hours in a church hall and set up various stations. Craft, kinetic sand, ride on toys, cars/garage, miniature obstacle course with masking tape.

Zero chance I would go to a three hour party, is that a thing?!

We did 2hr party in church hall with an Elsa entertainer who did all the fun and games and I provided food, kids loved it - 2hrs Max at that age. For 5th birthday same hall for 2hrs but bouncy castle and craft stations instead of entertainer and that was great too! Keep it short and simple!

We haven't been to many parties and I know some children have clubs and things so I was "over-thinking" the best options.

I mean going to a 3 hour party is my idea of hell so not sure why I didn't start with that!!

That sounds fab. What food did you provide? do you do it just for the children or parents too? no idea on the etiquette for this. Thanks

At that age our local gymnastics place would do a party and let the kids use the equipment. The running 'trampoline', beams, foam pit etc. you just supply food for after. Much less sensory than soft play or hall party.

Standard food, sandwiches or cold pizza, crisps, packs of mini cookies or similar, cucumber and carrot sticks, maybe blueberries. Either jugs of squash and water or fruit shoots.

And if possible tea or coffee and biscuits for the parents as at that age most will stay.

So my top tip is to do Individual lunchboxes instead of 'a spread' much less waste and faff - in our cardboard boxes each person had a sandwich, pombears, a frube and an individual wrapped bun - we asked what sarnie they wanted in the rsvp and had a couple of spares of each (cheese, jam, ham) and then some fruit shoots for drinks (could just have squash and cups) when its time to eat kids find their named box and tuck in! Means parents can take leftovers for later if kid isn't hungry too. For parents just had tea coffee and some mini bite cake things which were appreciated but they don't tend to want to eat much in my experience.

The crafts were simple - unicorn masks (Amazon) with felt tips and gem stickers to decorate, some colouring in (free pdfs online we printed out) and a glitter potion making station (that was messier!)

Honestly just keep it simple - a load of blown up balloons keep people amused too! And bubble machine is a quick win to blast if the vibe is going a bit flat! Bubble disco!

Church hall type parties are brilliant at that age, although look like a lot of work for the adults.

Definitely two hours tops. 2-4 is standard here, although that's a bit annoying as it means the food is neither lunch nor dinner. I'd love something in the 11-2 window but depends on the crowd - would church attendance or naps for any younger ones get in the way?

I would do bouncy castle and games at village hall. I think an entertainer is quite intense. Some 3/4 year olds will cower and cling to a parent and not engage. They really just need to bounce around and blow off steam. 2 hours max, ideally 10-12 or 2-4 or something that isn’t in the complete middle of the day.

I agree 2 hours in a church/community hall sounds good. With either some equipment to play on or party games etc. With a standard sandwich, crisps, treats etc tea.

I really don't mean this to be a downer but to be honest I wouldn't bother with anything other than a family get together with GPs and cousins etc at 4. We didnt bother with parties until DS started school...he hasnt kept in touch with anyone from nursery...we splashed out with soft play for the whole class for his 5th instead.

11 - 2 wouldn’t work here - my son doesn’t nap anymore so we could make it but none of this friends could/would, they all nap around 12. We don’t do many activities between 12 and 3, as they have lunch/nap/snack.

I’d do two hours. I would do a party though - most of my son’s friends have since they were 2 and they do seem to love them.

Thanks everyone.

Will go for two hours and not have an entertainer.

The craft tables, colouring, kinetic sand sounds great.

I am also going to get nostalgic and do a pin the tail on the donkey, pass the parcel, musical chairs/statues I think.

Individual lunch boxes are a great idea as like you say the children can take bits home with them too.

I don't feel as overwhelmed now thinking about it all.

The kitchen is available for us to make teas and coffees and i'll get some cake bites for parents that are staying too 😊