Please help me with 4 year old’s bday plan! !

[Blueocean909]

Trying to keep it small ish, 8-10 max. It will probs be at home , with party games and toys for entertainment. Party games incl pass the parcel , musical statues, bumps. Blind man’s buff?? Hide and seek? maybe some craft activities or cupcake decorating? Is this enough ? Will it be chaos and lots of squabbling over toys ? I appreciate people often have bouncy castles etc but we are not doing a hall party and don’t have garden access. If it’s not enough, I’m thinking of a local cafe perhaps?

also, would you only invite your child’s friends or one or two of your own friends too, who have kids your child’s age but your child does not remember who they are ? As my numbers are limited , I need to decide priorities . Aware some might be expecting an invite !

Is your child 4, turning 5, or 3, turning 4 ? as I think this makes a huge difference.

If they haven't started school, then friends tend to be people you invite.
Once they start school, it tends (or tended, for my dc) to be people they invite.

If it is in your home, I'd keep it to 4 or 5 guests.
Decide if you want parents to stay (again, this depends if they are at school or not, IME, but on MN some parents want to stay until the dc are a lot older).

Have enough adults to help - who's sorting food ? Who's entertaining the dc whilst you greet guests / when they are going home? What about when they need the toilet? Or bump their knee ? Or just upset about something ? Who is mopping up that spilt drink ?

Keep it short 90mins is plenty.

Have a load of quick games you can play for a few minutes without much equipment (as you say Musical statues type games).