Dd4 Party drama/dilemma - advice please ?!

[Flowerpower664]

Hello - DD is turning 4 and as I have a few things going on and kind of a limited budget, wanted to keep it simple and invite a handful of friends. However when I told her this she got quite upset and listed about 10/11 names from class and said she really really wants them all there and has already told them. Dh has suggested we book a local community hall and invite entire class, but the entertainment options locally here are very expensive for parties - would be well over our budget. The room isn’t allowed a bouncy castle. Any suggestions ? Is it possible to do a hall party with only old fashioned games like pass the parcel and musical bumps - will that be enough to pass a good hour or 2?! Or am I risking chaos? If we have to become the entertainers ourselves , I might find that a bit stressful so want to keep it simple !

I think you could get away with it at that age. They’re young enough. You would have to be pretty organised though. So if a game finishes quicker than you thought you have back ups all along the way. You will have to be well prepared.

In my experience they usually invite the whole class at that age. Those who aren’t invited don’t understand selection.

keep it short, too. Maybe 1.5 hours

Goodness, she’s only 4! If it’s out of budget then just tell her you can only invite x number of children and that’s it. She’s very unlikely to remember this party anyway, no need to go over budget just because that’s what she wants.

I think it’s really sweet to keep it simple when they’re little 🙂

Yes it’s doable if you have plenty of help, a very well planned schedule of games and activities and simple food.

Do you know anyone who could lead some singing or dancing etc to use up some energy? Boys in particular get pretty hyper.

I think you can definitely keep it short and simple with some music/party games at that age and it'd maybe be nice though loud to have the whole class.

Lots of balloons are good. They often spend ages just throwing them around, especially at the beginning.

Depends how confident and comfortable you are with corralling a load of 3 and 4 year olds! In my experience running around with balloons tends to take up quite a lot of time at any party. If you kept it to an hour you’d probably be fine with a few games and some food and cake.
Pass the parcel can kill a good 15 mins!

I think that’s absolutely fine at 4. Get lots of balloons for them to run around with like loons. Might be helpful to have some kind of quieter activity too - a table of colouring went down well at that age for us, or you might be able to borrow a badge machine, I did for about £50 including the cost of the materials which was very popular.

Can you squeeze 10/12 in at home but keep them busy round a table with some simple craft activities? It's unlikely everyone will come. 1.5 hours crafts and food then a quick dance to some music before they go.

Colouring table is a good idea

As someone who has run a party of "old fashioned games" for 10 x 6 year olds, I say it can be done but I did attack the planning as if I were Monica from Friends.

Having said that, 100% agree that 4 year olds don't get to say how big their party is! It doesn't matter if she's told other kids they are coming, it will be forgotten very soon. Get the mobile numbers of the parents of the kids you want to invite and keep the invitation process outside of school.

Balls, balloons, ride ons. At four they'll entertain each other. I've seen hired entertainers not be able to entice 4 year olds away from running round with balloons. Have a few party games and music.

Definitely would find it too stressful at home ! Also I appreciate she doesn’t need to get a say but she’s been talking about this daily for months and has been so so excited , so I guess I feel bad and trying to consider options before completely shutting it down ! If we can’t make it happen, will stick to treating a fewer kids :)

Find somewhere that will take a bouncy castle and go there! No other entertainment needed at that age.

Thanks for suggestions , really helpful ! Any games suggestions ? Room isn’t massive, would a few ride ons cause conflict if there’s only a couple ? We also have a v small bouncy castle that’s more for 2-3 year olds but would it be fun for them to use as a den ?

I'd get some music and let them have a dance. All the 'action' songs - cha cha slide, fast food song etc. There's quite a few and as long as you have someone leading it it should fill up a good 20 mins and tire them out a bit!

I wouldn’t have a small bouncy castle tbh-too much potential for fall outs.
Maybe a few ride ons/those space hopper type horses but I think I’d just stick to balloons and music in the main

The ‘superman’ song is good,
I am the music man
Hokey Cokey!

I wouldn't invite 30 unless you really want to. It's a lot of faff and all the bits and bobs add up.

Something like soft play for 10ish may well work out cheaper. Way less hassle and she would spend the whole time with the kids she likes most.

We've done 10ish at home too, and our house isn't huge. 10 Vs 30 means it's much more straightforward to find activities that work for the whole group, you can buy eg Baker Ross sets for them all rather than DIYing etc.

Parachute games are always good. Games will take longer than you think. If you play pass the parcel have 2-3 parcels going round at the same time and sweets in each layer. And lots of layers. A colouring in table with masks from the pound shop. Say it's animal themed and use the masks as party favours.
1.5 hours of which food is 45 minutes. Parents will stay usually at that age.

No need for an entertainer.

Definitely keep it at 1.5 hours - years of experience!

Haven't read all the thread however a magic act would probably cost just as much as a bouncy castle if you fancied something like that.

Also rope in a friend or a family teenager to do tattoos/transfers. Kids love them. You buy them very cheaply on Yellow Dragon/Amazon etc. You just need a bowl of water and flannel two chairs and small table.

Loads of balloons, pass the parcel, if there are a lot of kids, have two parcels going in opposite directions -its much more fun. Also musical statues, is a good one with the winner getting a small prize (box of maltessers). Kids love this and often ask to play it twice. Don't underestimate, how much children enjoy just running around with their friends at that age.

Get a disco light and turn the lights out for them to have a disco. Job done.

Make it a costume disco even. And have a table with tattoo transfers. Simple but at that age the kids will love it.