HELP - 4yo is expecting a birthday party!

[butterpieify]

OK, I'm rubbish, let's just get that out of the way.

My DD1 is turning 4 next week, nd we thought she would be happy with a trip out to the local kids books museum and an ice cream, but it turns out that she really, really wants a party.

She (and her baby sister) have had simple parties for the slightest thing since they were born - me and DH like having people round, we have parties for all sorts of reasons, eg this year is the first time we've not had a Mardi Gras party (DH used to live in New Orleans so he likes that stuff). By party, I mean we put out an invite on facebook, lay on a big pan or two of food, people turn up with wine, and we all just kind of chat and have a laugh. Kids parties are the same, but with less wine and we usually put on some kind of game or activity like cake decorating or get out all the toys or whatever.

DD1 had two birthday parties last year (one here, and one in the area we used to live in) - again, very simple affairs, more a gathering of friends with added balloon and cake than anything.

However, we are in the middle of moving house, DH has been made redundant, so things are difficult this year.

I know DD1 would be happy with a nature trail and picnic, or something like that, but are other 4 year olds (and parents) likely to not be happy with a bug hunt and welly walk? This is the first year she has wanted to invite children who I don't know the parents of, and the only party I have been to from her class was a full on disco (with open bar!) in a working mens club, complete with loud music and strobe lights. DD1 was terrified, bless her.

I tried to book a hall earlier in the year but they were all booked up, so I kind of forgot about the idea, and hoped I could spin it somehow.

We are in the North East, and don't drive, but I'm pretty sure we could narrow her guest list down to three or four friends, but then the parents would have to come, wouldn't they?

Would a trip to a free museum in the centre of the town and then maybe a picnic be acceptable to the preschoolers of today?

(She has asked for an octonauts party - seaside trip? In March in the northeast?)

I'm rubbish too, and in the same boat. For what it's worth, I think the museum and picnic idea sounds nice. Finish it off with cake and party bags, and they will think they had a ball whether it went down well or not!

Good luck.

Is there a soft play centre near where you live? They usually do parties and most four year olds love it. Alternatively, you could make an Octonauts cake (easy option is to find an Octonauts picture and order an Octonauts cake topper online, need to be quick if it is for this weekend). Then do some games at home, such as pass the parcel, musical statues, who can blow the biggest bubble (you can buy for £9 a set to make a giant bubble for a child to be in the bubble), tell a story, pin the tail on the donkey, etc.

Wouldn't soft play be really expensive? Can't do it at home as we are in the middle of moving. I'll try and delay the party until we have moved...

You may be able to rent a Church Hall for in the region of £20/hour. But that soon adds up.

Soft play centres around us (North West) charge anywhere from £8 to £14 per head.

I have maybe £50, tops. Preferably less.

Gah. I wish I wasn't moving! Parties at home cost hardly anything, and are really easy. Meh.

Soft play in Darlington is £8 a head. Whereabouts in the NE are you?

Washington. Was thinking of a trip maybe to Newcastle or Sunderland, it's pretty easy on the bus and metro, but would drivers think that too hard to get to?