Would this be okay for a 4th birthday party?

[partyplanningmama]

I have been looking at all the parties that are available near us and the only one that really appeals to his interests is a company who bring loads of train tracks but it’s just under £300 and that doesn’t include hiring a place so I’m just not sure about it 🤔

My new idea is to just hire a place that he attends a SEN stay and play which is a room with a connected small soft play (a small soft play climbing frame with a slide and a ball pool). We could bring toys to put in the non-soft play room but I’m not sure what else?? He is probably closer to 2/2 and half in the way that he plays (he has a speech delay and is likely autistic) so I’m not sure if party games would work other than maybe pass the parcel?

We hired someone to do messy play last year so it does feel like we’d be doing less but I think he would like it as he enjoys the stay and play but I don’t know if it’s enough for a party? He started nursery this year so we will invite children from there whereas before it has just been children from his toddler and pre-school classes so it is not like we have the option to ask parents as we don’t know them. I guess I just don’t want to pay for it and the other children and parents think it’s a bit rubbish? I don’t know 🙈🙈

It sounds fine. Don't overthink it. Kids that age don't really concentrate long enough to do organised activities anyway.

we just do at home parties 2 / 3 / 4 / 5. So party games sandwiches cake and a bouncy castle in the garden. Works well for us

I think it would be okay IF the soft play area is big enough and interesting enough for the amount of 4 year olds you are inviting.

If soft play itself isn’t super fit for purpose, could you do a village hall with bouncy castle and toy hire? Bring some colouring or playdoh to set out for quieter activities. Obviously the advantage of soft play is not having to cater.

Throw a load of balloons in - 4 year olds lose their shit over balloons!!

If you think the soft play is big enough for four year olds you’re inviting then that sounds like a good plan. You could add some colouring sheets and maybe stickers, plus some balloons (although beware they will pop and some children are upset by that), some kids party music and a disco ball if you can borrow one. You can structure it if you want to. Eg 45 mins of free play, 15 mins pass the parcel, 30 mins (max) for party food and cake, 30 mins more free play, home.