To think 3/4-yr olds need more entertainment at a birthday party?

[Butttons]

It is eldest DD's 4th birthday party next week. We have booked room downstairs in a pub with a photobooth for 2 hrs in the afternoon. I figure we can have a couple of party games (musical chairs, pass the parcel etc) and the photobooth itself will be the fun for kids and parents (we'll be laying on some food and drinks too obviously).

Just got back from another 4-yr old party and they had a pirate who entertained the kids with a show, some magic tricks and a parachute. There was also a bouncy castle so plenty of opportunity for them to off load energy.

Now I am worried that the party we are planning with DD won't have enough entertainment laid on. We can't afford a formal entertainer on top of everything else so it would have to be me or DH living out our worst nightmare and doing the entertainment ourselves. The horror. Am I worrying unnecessarily or should I start a crash course in balloon animals?

A photo booth for 4 year olds?!

Tbh, I would have ditched the photobooth and with that money, hired an entertainer.

My kids fourth birthday involved them all running around like mad at home, party tea and a few balloons. I think you are providing more than enough fun! Don't worry, it sounds great.

Set up a craft corner - digestives and icing, print off pics and leave pens for colouring etc cheap activities kids love. 4 year olds getting bored is a nightmare. Maybe be prepared to lead some dancing in case dc need guidance (depends on the kids). Duck duck goose is a great game

Oh year, loads of balloons and music will keep them busy for ages!

Party games were the norm when I was a kid and we all survived.

I don't think the 3/4 year olds will be bothered by a photo booth though, it seems an odd choice.

I think your party sounds fine. We did dd1's 4th birthday party at home. Simple craft went down well (marshmallow snowmen and sticking things on cut out shapes) and dsis did face painting. I think they'll like the photo booth. Not seen one of those at a kids' party. Perhaps they could make masks to wear in it or something?

Id sack off the photo booth and go for a bouncy castle.

The photo booth will require a lot of coordination as only small groups will be able to use it at a time, leaving the rest of the party standing around waiting. The interest factor for a four year old is limited too.

I wouldn't have a photo booth for 4 year olds. They want to run about and play, my boys wouldn't want to do the photo thing.

Fill the room with balloons; they'll entertain themselves

How many kids are you having?

But yeah, loads of balloons and space to run around and they'll be fine.

PS competitive games were a bit of a nightmare at that age but co-operative ones (treasure hunt, passing a balloon between legs etc) were a hit

Posted too soon, sorry. The rest sounds absoloutely fine, maybe add in a table with some colouring.

Sounds fun - don't worry and enjoy it!

Most parties I go to are two hours long about half of which is just music and running about some of it is party food time and the rest is party games. Just do pass the parcel, have lots of balloons, have some crafts out, maybe a piñata?

One of my sons friends had a party (5 years old), they hired a big bouncy castle in the community hall, that was fantastic, they certainly burned off some steam.

Yeah a photo booth is going to be very hit and miss..

There will be some who won't want to do it and others who love it so much they won't leave

I wouldn't have one.

You're better off with an entertainer really. Someone who can organise plenty of games

Photobooth is a total fail for 4 year olds imo but too late now my 5 year old has had a glut of parties recently and st that age they want somewhere to run or climb (bouncy castles, go karts, gymnastic centre type stuff). Booths are for pissed up grown up parties and weddings not kids.

Agree with a pp get to Poundland and set up a craft table

I'd have a bouncy castle rather than a photo booth.
For my DD's 3rd birthday recently we had a balloon modeller, face painter and a bouncy castle. We also had a colouring table. No formal party games. It felt just right for a 2 hour party.

For the craft - Buy a book each of colouring in masks (the ones you pop out and add the elastic to wear) and paper aeroplanes to fold and make (usborne do a book of those with amazing colours - perhaps a little bit tricky for 4 year olds though)

I agree that the photo booth is a bit random for 4 year olds. If possibly cancel and use that cash for something more child friendly ?

Photo booth will involve queuing and waiting for a turn. Some kids not being interested and others wanting to have lots of turns, not wanting to share the props etc.

I'd spend that money on an entertainer, much easier than doing the games yourself. Most kids will enjoy that more than the photo boot, even if they aren't all wanting to join in, they can watch.

I have dc three and four - neither would be interested in a photo booth. I can see some parents having to drag their kids in and it wont be pretty pics at the end!

Party games aren't too hard, and imo easier than chaotic running around
musical chairs
musical bumps
musical statues
pirates
corners
pass the parcel
general disco dancing
sleeping lions

If you haven't sent out invitations yet 90mins leaves them wanting more, 2hrs can sometimes be a bit long at that age.

At my 4 year olds party, we had a bouncy castle, lots of balloons and a craft table with super hero masks to colour in. All were popular. Older kids (nieces and nephews) organised party games, a few prizes for winners mostly just sweets or stickers for taking part. Worked really well and left us free to sort out food, chat to friends etc