Ideas for 4 year old party in tiny flat?

[Maria2007loveshersleep]

AAARRRGGGHHH, advice needed!

I've been planning a picnic birthday party for my almost-4 year old boy for this coming sunday, with a bit of singalong from a local guy with a guitar... but unfortunately the weather here in London is looking terribly unstable, so it'll have to be in our shoebox-sized flat. Any ideas / suggestions in making the party manageable with up to 10 3/4 year olds & some babies/toddlers around too? As I said, 45 minutes to 1 hour will be dedicated to circle singing, some time will be food, but the rest of the time would appreciate some suggestions for ways to protect our tiny flat & books from very active 4 year olds!

many thanks in advance :)

bump? ideas about parties for 4 year olds in small spaces much appreciated :)

I think 10 kids in a tiny flat is going to be chaos whatever you do tbh I think you will be very lucky if you get 4 year olds to sit for circle time for 45 mins-hour!

Soooooooooo...... either just relax and accept it's likely to be chaos and try not to worry if things go tits up OR hire a local hall!

Good luck and have a big glass of at the ready for afterwards!

um.. I'm trying to be kind but am LMAO at 45-60 mins of circle time

I'ld relax and let em run about a bit, and yes I live in a flat too and have parties but I love the madness!. Can you make a disco corner, a treasure hunt, biscuit decoration, maybe mask decorating.

Can you make a couple of "stations"?

what about one of those cardboard decorate-yourself play houses? that keeps a few of them occupied and only costs about £10, just make sure you put a huge oil cloth under it so dropped markers don't stain the carpet

Anything more than 15 mins circle time in one go pushing it IMHO - assuming you're planing 3 or 4 sessions? Any chance if borrowing a gazebo for the park picnic singy session as planned - it sounds such a lovely idea!

I would go to the park and unless it's pissing down they'll be fine! Tell people to wrap up and bring a brolly!

yeah, how about "puddle splashing or picinic" so either way you get out?

My daughter (4) went to a lovely party last week at a friends (small) house. They dressed up as fairies, played traditional games, pass the parcel, musical bumps, did some dancing and had tea (sandwiches, crisps, biscuits)
There were about 8-10 4 year olds. Lovely party, they all had a fab time and not too much in the way of organisation or expense.
I think we all put too much emphasis on parties these days trying to think of original ideas, when actually sometimes the oldest, simplest ones are the best!

OK deep breath... Am now slightly panicking at idea of party at home (which I feel it needs to be as park really too wet these days). But I think I like the idea of accepting chaos & just getting on with it . This particular guy that does circle time / singing time is lovely, I've been to playgroups / parties that he does & it works really well, and of course not all children sit down for the whole thing, but it usually works well as he does all sorts of other things (brings out teddy bears, does music instrument games with kids etc). Can't really hire local venue plus the music guy (who's already paid for) as that'll be too expensive so I'll just have to take a deep deep breath & accept chaos at home....

wfhmumoftwo thanks for thoughts, sounds good actually: pass the parcel, musical chairs, circle time with guitar guy, food. That should be OK for 2 hours surely?

And large glass of wine afterwards for sure.

I would aim for an hour and a half personally

do boys do craft stuff? is there somethign small and fiddly that you can get in kit form that will keep them busy for 15 minutes after eating? otherwise there is of course sleepy lions.
Pin the tail on the donkey?
Sardines?

Of course boys do craft stuff!

Hmm I would have invited half the children - prob too late now!

Set up activities at table whilst guest arrive ( will keep some of them up off floor at least! And people always arrive at different times

"do boys do craft stuff?"