To consider this for my daughter’s birthday?

[ExcusesHalfTruthsFortifiedWine]

My daughter turns four at the end of the year. She is one of the youngest in her nursery class. Her nursery is small and there are only about 5 or 6 girls in her room.

I’m trying to organise a party for her and I’m stumped for ideas. Don’t fancy the soft play and it’s December so outdoors is not really an option. House is too small to do anything here.

DD is very “girly”. She loves princesses, having her nails painted, glitter, unicorns etc. They all do. I think nursery must be where it comes from because it’s not from me!

Anyway there is a beauty salon nearby which offers a party option for kids. It is literally just nail varnish, face paint, glitter tattoos and party games. I think DD would love it.

DH is against it. Says he thinks they are too young and that parents will see the venue and say no without realising exactly what it involves. My mum agrees with him.

I don’t see the issue to be honest. Loads of the wee girls have their nails painted for fun. They have glitter tattoos and face painting at all the parties.

But I don’t want to make the wrong call and I am quite happy to be told that this is not a good move. Any thoughts?

Sorry, I wouldn't let my dd go to a party like this. 4 year olds like a church hall, bouncy castle, crisps and jam sandwiches and a few party games. They don't need nail varnish and glitter.

It wouldn't be what I would choose. But I would probably let DD go, if we were free. If we had a prior engagement, I wouldn't try to shuffle things around so that she was free.
Fwiw, I think 4 is way too young for this sort of party.

I wouldn't want my 4 year old to go either. Sorry.

Nails at home is one thing but the whole beauty salon thing.....nope.

Pass the parcel and bouncy castle in the village hall works for everyone!

We just did this for my 4 year olds birthday except we had her fave princess come to the house for 5 friends. No parents had any issues and they sat and had a princess tea and had their nails painted, so For me yanbu!

Maybe when she’s 8, but not four.
I don’t like soft play either, no air, strip lighting and often smelly too. But it’s only for a couple of hours.
Or a local hall with an entertainer and jelly and ice-cream?

They are probably a little young for that I think. Is there a village hall or similar nearby where you could do party games and a disco for girls and boys together? I find at that age they tend to have as many girls as boys among their friends and they still want to mix.

Hmm it would possibly depend in on you.

If you seemed quite down to earth, did drop off without a whole face of makeup, long false nails, false eye lashes, basically what looks like 3 hours of prep then I'd probably say yes.

I'd definitely let my DS go, he loves glitter and face paint and party games and nail polish.

Assuming it's not permanent tattoos or shellac nails (you'll never get a four year old to hold still long enough under the drier) I can't see what everyone's worried about?

Four is too young imo for that. I'd be a little if my dd had been invited to a party like that at such a young age.

Maybe something like a Build a bear party would be more age appropriate? Or grit your teeth and do soft play!

sorry i wouldnt let my daughter do - far too young for that. What about a pizza making half day?

Nope. The fumes alone in those places not suitable for dcs. Also the dust from the nails- even the technicians wear eye masks.

I wouldn't let my dd go to a party like this and she's 6! Don't over think it. Church hall and bouncy castle or soft play are perfect for 4.

No no I’m not a face full of make up kind of person at all.

We did the village hall with bouncy castle last year and it was good but I was thinking maybe something different this year. I do take the point that the beauty salon setting might be a bit much.

4 is to young for that imo.

I would let me dd go to a party like this. She loves all things glittery. My sister is a beauty therapist and dd has loved going to her salon to have nails painted for her birthday for the past few years.

Personally I think it’s a lovely idea, it’s one day out of a whole year glitter can be wiped off as can nail varnish and anything else, I would definitely let my daughter go to a pamper party she would love it, It’s your daughters day and do whatever makes her feel special if the other girls parents decide against it then why don’t you and your daughter have a special pamper day.. my little girl has just turned 4 I took her to the salon with me for a trim 2 weeks ago she had a little blow dry and she said all day that she felt like a princess

I'd let my DD go. It sounds like fun!

Urgh, no. Inappropriate. How about pottery painting or something?

A friend took her dd to a nail salon for her 4th birthday. I thought it looked cute, and that my dd would enjoy it, and maybe I would do that for her birthday. Then I gave my head a wobble and realised that I have never even been to a nail salon myself, and wtf was I thinking??

Anyway op, to answer your question, I think 4 is a bit young for that sort of party but maybe in a few years time.

I wouldn’t be keen and my DD wouldn’t be very interested. I think she’d also struggle to stay still not accidentally destroy the salon.

My gut reaction would be definitely no. Certainly for that age range. It is almost passable now you have explained but I am still not convinced. They are just a bit too young, especially when you take into account there will be some other children younger than yours there.

If you do go ahead the invitations need to have clear details like you have explained here. Just face paint, nail varnish and glitter tattoos, don't forget to ask about skin conditions etc.

Do any local leisure centres run parties? For her 4th birthday my dd had a leisure centre party with bouncy castle and toys for an hour, then 45 minutes of mad games run by centre staff. Was a real hit!

Bit young, shouldn't they be running around at a 4 year old's party?

Too young for a pamper party imo. I wouldn't have been happy about either of my dds going to this at 4. I probably would find a reason to be busy.

I'd say 4 is far too young. Build a bear sounds like a good idea (you can also have bear making parties at home too). My DD had a magician party at 4, or what about a princess & pirates party?

I'm not a fan of these things for older children let alone 3 or 4 year olds, DN (3) went to one recently, birthday girl was a little bit older, where they got to groom and ride ponies, she loved it.