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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

103 replies

Butttons · 12/03/2017 17:03

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?

OP posts:
SoftSheen · 12/03/2017 20:11

YANBU...

For three and four year olds, I would suggest:

  • Lots of balloons
  • Bubble wands or bubble machine
  • A table for making/ decorating party crowns (e.g. with stickers, crayons- try Hobbycraft for materials)
  • Playdough table (or biscuit decorating)
-A couple of play tents
  • Any ride-on toys you have/can borrow
  • Box of dressing up clothes (princesses/ superhero always popular)
-Car mat set up with cars -Some good (age-appropriate!) party music.

You could definitely attempt 2-3 simple party games, e.g. musical bumps, musical statues, pass the parcel etc. but make sure there are small prizes for everyone, and expect that some children won't want to join in. Other children will love it though.

Forget the Photo Booth!

MoreProseccoNow · 12/03/2017 20:26

Great ideas, softsheen - these are just what DD & her cronies would like!

TinselTwins · 12/03/2017 20:29

At that age I think it's important to have an area for the quieter kids - a craft table is always a great idea for the shy ones. Doesn't need to be complicated, cut out some colouring book pages - that sort of thing

Lazyafternoon · 12/03/2017 21:16

Definitely depends on the kids coming. Half a dozen other little girls who like dressing up I could imagine would love a photo booth and would keep them busy for ages! Just lots of props, mirrors, dressing up dresses, tiaras, hats etc.

BUT it'd not interest my 3.5yr old DS at all. He's not bothered by dressing up, fancy dress etc. Crafts might entertain for 5mins. It'd have to be games/ running about/ something active to keep entertained for 90mins! If a small group you could just bring some big toys, wooden train set, Happyland, dolls house that type of thing.

So if a big group I'd do party games (non competitive) - musical bumps, sleeping lions, what's the time Mr wolf, hokey cokey, pass the parcel (though still hit and miss at that age), limbo (just ducking/crawling not limbo-ing), bubble machine all that sort of thing!

Kitsandkids · 12/03/2017 22:16

I think there are two types of parents who organise parties. The first like the kids to just have fun, run around, entertain themselves etc and can totally cope with the chaos without being overwhelmed.

The second find the first type of party pure hell and organise their parties to within an inch of their lives! So lists of party games and activities etc!

I am most definitely a second type of parent. When my kids were 5 - 7 and going to parties where I stayed I found the ones with music on and balloons as the only entertainment pure hell. The kids all ran riot and there were always tears. Plus, there would always be at least one child who made it their mission to go around popping all the balloons!

For my own sanity I always preferred the parties where games were organised.

meganorks · 12/03/2017 22:33

I'm not sure the merits of a photobooth for 3-4 year old. But not sure you need an entertainer either. Bouncy castle and some crafty tables should do it. Maybe some games but I can't face them myself if I can avoid it - they all get a bit overly competitive and someone always crys!

wildthingsmummy · 12/03/2017 22:55

DD went to a friend's party yesterday. It was great! The parents had rented a scout hut and they just had a load of cheap kids tents and wigwams and inflatable toys to punch/kick/play with. They tried to play a few party games, but the majority of the kids weren't interested and just wanted to run around having fun. The food was good and theyd even provided drinks and snacks for the adults (which is usually forgotten ime) DD now wants a party just like it!

wildthingsmummy · 12/03/2017 22:56

There were about 25 kids aged 3-6 btw.

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/03/2017 23:24

Photos booths take time so yes oneor two children may enjoy dressing up and wait for pic as an adult queuing is enough

What happens to the other 20+ children while two Are doing pics ?

Bouncy Castle or hire a entertainer

Why a pub? Hardly thrilling for kids

EarlGrey1 · 12/03/2017 23:26

They do not need much we have them at home most of the time they are more than happy just playing with one another and the toys by the time they have done that maybe pass the parcel eaten two hours are nearly gone.We just held back a few toys for then.

BackforGood · 12/03/2017 23:47

Please tell us how many dc?

I'm kind of presuming that you mean more than 4 friends, or you would have had it at home and not hired a room in a pub?

In which case, do you really think they will be able to entertain themselves for 2 hours? Hmm

You are being very optomistic, IME.

You need to either have a list of simple games and be prepared to run them; and / or a load of things out they might play with (like a Nursery or Playgroup has); or and entertainer if you aren't prepared to entertain them yourself.

I can't see more than 3 or 4 wanting to do dressing up, and, even those that do won't want to do it for more than about 10 mins.

longestlurkerever · 13/03/2017 09:30

People are bandying around "just a bouncy castle should do it" or "definitely get an entertainer" like these things are cheap. They are a couple of hundred quid. And why not a room in a pub? What are these kids expecting? Disneyland. I bet the OP feels horrible after reading all these myriad ways her party isn't up to scratch. My dd is not a meek and passive child (i have an active thread right now asking for tips for dealing with her) but i honestly think she'd enjoy this party.

SaucyJack · 13/03/2017 10:31

I always think craft tables are a bit mean. It's not school. There's always some poor sod who wants to run around who gets made to sit down and colour in between the lines by a perfomance parent.

Are there curtains in the room? Close them, turn the lights off and have a light sabre battle with glow sticks from the pound shop.

MrsTarzan1 · 13/03/2017 10:35

Photo Booth is usual for 4!

Could you have a tattoo station? Colouring/craft?

BackforGood · 13/03/2017 16:32

longestlurkerever - because people who either work with 3 and 4 yr olds, or have hosted parties for them over the years, know that the vast majority of 3 and 4 yr olds can't entertain themselves for 3 hours in an empty room.
It needn't cost lots of money - like an entertainer would - if you do things yourself, but you have to provide something for them to do, if you are inviting them.

longestlurkerever · 13/03/2017 16:59

I have hosted them. I'm not saying they don't need any entertainment (some other people have). I'm saying a room in a pub with food, dress up, the photo thing, balloons, their friends, a bit of craft and a few games, sounds like a lovely party. All this "a room in a pub doesn't sound like fun" and "you need a bouncy castle" are ott. It's a party, you're not aiming for the moon.

WandaBack · 13/03/2017 17:03

Neither of my DC were ever willingly engaged in crafts or colouring at home or elsewhere and would have ignored a craft table at a party.

If you know all the children and know for sure they will be happy to take photos of themselves for 2 hours Confused that's fine. If the children are not known to you I think you should expect to organise games.

longestlurkerever · 13/03/2017 17:12

That's fair enough. But people have also said their kids wouldn't join in with games. No one said craft should be the only thing on offer. Actually one of the most hellish parties i have been to this year only offered a (quite exciting) bouncy castle slide in a hall. You had to queue to climb it. The smaller DC couldn't get up it but also couldn't be carried so there were lots of tantrums. There was nothing else for them to do. But some kids loved it. And at the end of the day that's fine, you can't please everyone.

meganorks · 13/03/2017 17:34

Bouncy castles do not cost a few hundred quid Confused. You need to shop around a bit more!

Ecureuil · 13/03/2017 17:37

Our bouncy castle with a slide was £65 for 2 days hire. You're shopping in the wrong places.

longestlurkerever · 13/03/2017 17:39

A couple of hundred i said. That seems to be the going rate round here for a decent sized one. If you get a tiny one you are going to run into the same issue re turn taking

longestlurkerever · 13/03/2017 17:43

Fair enough, that's a good price if you have room for it. I'd also need a space to put it in. I realise the op has already hired the pub room but i don't know how big it is

longestlurkerever · 13/03/2017 17:47

All i am saying is I don't think the op deserves all the sneery faces and sarcasm. She's hosting a party, not putting herself forward for kids' entertainer of the year.

Bumpsadaisie · 13/03/2017 17:51

Really recommend decorating biscuits.

Bumpsadaisie · 13/03/2017 17:54

Fwiw, for parties we were at home with ours, around 8 guests. We had biscuit decorating, set out all the DCs lego and playmobil in various rooms. Plus a couple of party games. If they're preschool many will still struggle with joining in or leaving mum/dads side so really low key is best.