4y/o party ideas, will have a 4 week old...

[ButterflySkies]

Advice please! I know I've gone mad and will regret this post birth, but I'm keen to do a party for my DD - her birthday is about 4 weeks after my due date in the autumn.

Any ideas for anything reasonably priced and low effort for us? We did a hall last year and I'm not doing that with a newborn! Keen to take a cake and party bags and have little else to do.

Is my best option a softplay package? She'll turn 4 and into absolutely everything. Anything more creative I can get away with?

Cant rely on weather at the time of year and unfortunately dont have enough space without the garden at home.

Thanks so much!

Honestly if you’re set on doing a party, I’d do it before your due date and just say it’s her birthday. What if you’re late and/or have a C-section?

This is one for DD's dad to do

Yes softplay or bowling, or any package where you have a member of staff coordinating where the kids are and serving food. Draft in as many friends and family as you can to be helpers and take it easy.

Softplay party ! Super easy and stress free

I had a c section and held a birthday party for my dd at 3 weeks postpartum. Honestly, it was a lot of work and I was exhausted and had an infection. I needed the support of my dh to do most of the work to make It practical.

I did a party at home, arranged decorations, party food and party bags before my baby was born. On the weekend of the party my dh put up the decorations, collected and set up the food and I looked after both children. We just had party games at home which family members led and made it quite an easy going party. My little one enjoyed it as it was all about her, she wasn’t bothered about soft play and I was happy to be at home and could sit and rest when needed.

Definitely soft play or anything where they do the whole thing for you. Our local trampoline park does a good one- kids bounce then they’re herded to another room and fed

This sounds like a soft play moment. You just show up and leave. Preferably one where they sort the party bags but if not just order some of those sweet cones online.

Agreed completey with this if you're dead set on having a party.

Personally I wouldn't have one this year, she's 4 she won't care and you need to make sure you're looking after yourself. You could potentially have a baby who is just a few weeks old it's just not worth the stress.

Thank you!

definitely one for dad and MIL nearer the time, they'll both enjoy it, it's just occupying my pregnancy brain at the moment!

Softplay, bowling and trampoline park are definitely worth looking into.

@Hiddenvoice youve sold home to me a bit more there, would be nice to creep off if i have to!

And @Rosesanddaisies1 I know, absolutely not booking anything yet. I could realise how mad I'm being as time goes on, just interested to see what's feasible close to birth. 4 week old assumes im a week late, as I was with DD, so baby could well be give or take a week on that x

Our DC1’s 4th bday party was eight weeks post CS with DC2, but even that was a lot more manageable than 2-4 weeks like you may have. Could you make the party a bit later? We just had a party for half a dozen nursery friends, their parents came too, the kids just had a bubble machine in the garden and played freely in the garden and house and had cake and party rings and strawberries. It was one of my favourite bdays so far!

Sounds glorious @WashableVelvet!

I think youve all convinced me to push it out or pull it forwards, quite a bit.

Something in the garden pre baby sounds lovely, or something short and completely effortless when baby is a bit bigger (and ive had a chance to recover) sounds like a good way through.

I am currently set on it - I know she won't care or remember but in my head i dont want her to think she hasnt had a party because of the baby and that cause resentment. I guess this is my mum guilt at introducing a sibling, even though she's chuffed about the idea.

Thank you for the gentle reminder too that all she actually probably cares about at 4 is a cake and the candles, they're easily pleased arent they!

Really helpful - needed - perspectives x

I felt the same as you, felt guilty about the idea of my dd missing out on a party when in reality she was excited about picking her own birthday cake. She liked playing with her cousins in the house and having a selection of party foods for lunch!
Make it easy for yourself, she will love it no matter what!

McDonalds need to bring back their birthday parties in the UK! Was the best and simplest parties for parents and every kid my age wanted one.

I’m going to recreate it one day or move to America, I think they still do them!

At 4 I would definitely do soft play. You need the parents to stay so you are not responsible for anyone else's kids with the baby, and having loads of parents in the house will involve far too much cleaning and tidying and making space! You can't rely on British weather for the garden. Plus you would have to do the food yourself then. You want a package in this situation, shop bought cake, sort party bags before baby comes, get relatives to come and help on the day so always extra people to hold baby / cut cake etc.

I wouldn't go for bowling. A lot of kids around that age are still quite sensitive to loud noises and could feel quite overwhelmed, plus they will all probably need adult help so you'll be swamped with people!

Soft play is the answer!