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Parenting

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Original poster

Birthday party for 4 year old

93 replies

NeverNoMore221 · 15/08/2023 12:47

This is the first year my son has said he would like a birthday party - he'll be turning 4 towards the end of the year. We'll be inviting the children from his nursery group.

We live in a very small flat with no garden, so couldn't host it at ours.

The weather is likely to be cold as it will be winter so can't do a playground / park.

Soft play is sadly out of our budget.

I found a hall to hire that we can afford, but they don't allow bouncy castles etc.

What do you do at a party with children in this age bracket? My son will be one of the oldest and some of the children will have only just turned 3.

I think barely 3 is too old for a lot of standard party games and had originally planned for a bouncy castle and disco. Now we can't have a bouncy castle or play equipment I'm worried about how to entertain them?

Help please!

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Monster80 · 17/08/2023 13:31

I’d rope in a friend to help you do the entertaining, select 5 games from this list: https://www.netmums.com/activities/party-games-for-four-year-olds
Add balloons (cheap ones will do) to hall, diy face painting, games, food, cake, goodie bags, 2 hours is perfect for executing this. Check with the hall if you have to pay for set up/breakdown time too.

The best party games for 4 year olds

Planning a birthday party for your four year old and looking for some fun party games? We've got loads of ideas to keep kids entertained. From indoor games to outdoor activities, these simple games will keep young children happy and make sure they have...

https://www.netmums.com/activities/party-games-for-four-year-olds

Cestfoutu · 17/08/2023 13:33

Hobbycraft recently had lots of large cardboard houses/castles/trains etc to colour in for £10- a bargain! Might be good instead of just cardboard boxes?

iffyi · 17/08/2023 13:59

held a party for mine with slightly more active games- eg best skipping, fastest hopping etc as well as more traditional ones like musical statues, worked quite well!

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Lmnop22 · 17/08/2023 14:12

There are Facebook groups in my area where people give away party decorations and things for free to be re-used. There are usually balloon arches and things on there to save on some decorations!

Mrsfreeman8 · 17/08/2023 15:16

To each their own, just providing ideas. We hired a hall for my daughters 4th party and did exactly this, using mega cheap floor covering to protect the hall floor. At the end, just rolled it all up and very minimal clear up. The parents that were there helped too, so was done in minutes! Daughter turned 8 this year but still says this was her favourite party

Teaandbiscuits1234 · 17/08/2023 22:05

Definitely a bubble machine! Pair it with some kid friendly music it’s a winner!

You can hire soft play equipment like ball pits and things but I’m not sure how expensive this would be but I’ve seen it online for basic packages they’re not too expensive

NameChange30 · 17/08/2023 22:07

I hired a small soft play set with ball pit for DC's first birthday party but I think it's better for babies than 4yos, who will just chuck the balls everywhere and will be happier charging around or doing craft stuff.

llamaparades · 17/08/2023 22:15

The best party our ds went to at that age the parents had hired a room in a church that already had toys in and just let the kids play for a couple of hours. No music and the kids were a lot calmer than other party’s. They made party food but not loads but there was enough. And ds really enjoyed it. The parents were able to sit and watch the kids. So keep it simple. We had a entertainer for when ds turned 5 and he was ready to leave a hour into his own party.

Original poster

NeverNoMore221 · 17/08/2023 22:26

I'm so grateful for all the responses - some great ideas and I'm a lot less worried about just having a hall with no bouncy castle now.
Thank you so much everyone.

OP posts:

inappropriateraspberry · 17/08/2023 22:40

I wouldn't do anything messy. More clean up for you and other parents may not be impressed if they've put little Rosie or Charlie in their best party gear!

Mum2bNov · 18/08/2023 20:00

Could you get each family to bring a game/ toys with them?
I know groups of friends who have hired halls for the afternoon and done just this to keep their little ones occupied for a few hours. Gives a bit of variety to the play options too.

Mummaoffour1234 · 20/08/2023 16:55

Some church halls near us hire out the toys they use for playgroup very cheaply. For my son’s fourth birthday (yes we had a bouncy castle) but we took a load of our own toys in a big box and this proved very popular - kids love other kids’ toys!

NameChange30 · 02/09/2023 19:38

NameChange30 · 17/08/2023 13:03

My youngest is about to turn 3 and I'm doing a hall party for her. There will be some 4yos (friends from preschool and playgroups) and older siblings including my oldest.

I'm doing most of the things suggested on this thread: lots of balloons, a colouring table, temporary tattoos (DC loved this at an event we went to recently!), ride-on toys, music, bubble machine. I've also hired a ride-on rollercoaster from our local toy library for the princely sum of 50p Do you have a toy library near you?

I wasn't going to do party bags but they're easy enough, I've got punch balloons and mini bubble wands (cheap in Asda), sticker sheets (Amazon) and will add sweets and cake - job done.

Just to report back that the party was a big success and the children were all very happy, there was no need for extra entertainment.

3rdtimemumma · 04/09/2023 14:18

Sounds fabulous! So pleased it went well :-)

Fiddlesticks24 · 05/09/2023 18:49

Great to read the update - well done!

NameChange30 · 05/09/2023 19:06

I should point out I am not the OP Just thought I'd update in case it was helpful to OP or anyone else!

Original poster

NeverNoMore221 · 07/09/2023 09:42

NameChange30 · 05/09/2023 19:06

I should point out I am not the OP Just thought I'd update in case it was helpful to OP or anyone else!

I am the OP and I'm really pleased your party went well!
I think this thread is full of brilliant ideas and I'm so grateful for all the help.
I have actually managed to find a hall I can afford that allows bouncy castles! It's all booked for the end of November and I'm so relieved.
I've even snagged a superhero bouncy castle so my little boy will be thrilled.
Still going to use loads of the suggestions for this thread though (and save it for next year too).

OP posts:

NameChange30 · 07/09/2023 11:44

Yay that's brilliant news, well done ! I'm sure he'll have a fab time

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