4th birthday party entertainment recommendations?

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I need to throw a party. I swore I wasn't ever doing parties but his heart is set on one. He's been to two parties which are going to be hard to live up to - one a rugby party, another had a magic show/disco. I know it's going to cost more but honestly it was so much less stressful having someone else "entertain" from what I saw...

Without totally copying, can you suggest or recommend some different entertainment ideas?

I would go with the classic bouncy castle every part mine have been to with one has been a winner especially at that age they can just run free

My thing about castles is the amount of injuries at each party we've been to... It would be simplest and they'd love it but I was the mum of the bloodied nose child the last we went to

Ds1 requested the local soft play for which I was truly thankful as, despite loathing the places, they have the distinct advantage of being able to turn up for 2 hours, play, eat, cake and fuck off home again.

Soft play is an idea - only problem is not driving and needing to transport stuff but maybe hiring a soft play to the hall next door. They're not too old at 4 (guests would be up to 7yrs)

The injuries are part of the fun I fractured my heel on one and lived on that story for years

What about a soft play bus if you have somewhere they can park?

I'd advocate as little structure in the way of games etc as possible - we've been to 4yo parties and they really don't enjoy pass the parcel or whatever. Hire a local hall, get a load of helium balloons and cheap inflatables, stick some tunes on and let them run about chucking stuff at each other. Then balloons and cake in the party bags. Bosh.

I'm getting on of DH's friends to dress up as Spider-Man for DS's 4th birthday in a couple of months.
He is Spider-Man daft though and I know he will absolutely love this. I am just buying the costume, cheaper than hiring a mascot

All good ideas, thanks! Not sure there's room to park a party bus by us but there's a cheap hall.

Hiring/buying a costume sounds a good idea rather than affording a mascot