Birthday party for 4 year old dd - what entertainment can you suggest to cut the expense?

[lisalisa]

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[lisalisa]

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[lisalisa]

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[emmatom]

I didn't mean to echo the last message, just pressed the wrong button, sorry.

[emmatom]

If you have to have 30 guests, the village hall suggestion is ideal. But, at the risk of backlash, may I just ask why a 4 year old has to have 30 guests.
If you had her siblings and a few closer friends as opposed to the many acquaintances kids have at that age, with a tea party (picnic rug in living room/garden) and traditional games, I'm sure she would feel just as special and you would be less stressed.
I'm sure we end up inviting other kids half the time because we know the mums and feel we ought to or we feel it's manadatory to invite someone who's party we've been to and I don;t feel this is the case. Half a dozen close friends gives you more energy and time to give a special party for your little one as opposed to stretching yourself silly for other people.

[emmatom]

If you have to have 30 guests, the village hall suggestion is ideal. But, at the risk of backlash, may I just ask why a 4 year old has to have 30 guests.
If you had her siblings and a few closer friends as opposed to the many acquaintances kids have at that age, with a tea party (picnic rug in living room/garden) and traditional games, I'm sure she would feel just as special and you would be less stressed.
I'm sure we end up inviting other kids half the time because we know the mums and feel we ought to or we feel it's manadatory to invite someone who's party we've been to and I don;t feel this is the case. Half a dozen close friends gives you more energy and time to give a special party for your little one as opposed to stretching yourself silly for other people.

[chocfreeclary]

mog you can get them with a roof on so should be useable in the rain, tho it might raise safety issues (slippery surface etc).
We have June b/days and at the last minute last yr we pulled the party from our back garden to the church hall (luckily the booking person is a friend and neighbour so we had her held in resevre, so to speak) because it had been rainign during the week and that morning as well and the garden would have been really muddy.
You just can't tell with the weather in this country (have also had a lovely June party in the park) but this yr I have played safe from the start and booked the hall!

[Mog]

Bump
Anyone help with my rainy day question?

[DaddyCool]

when i was a kid all it was was watching the kid open his presents, eating a pizza finished off by some ice cream and watching a movie or playing with a ball out in the back garden!

[Mog]

I'm thinking of a bouncy castle for a June birthday. Can those of you who have used them tell me if they can be used on a wet day and if not what were your contingency plans?

[MamaMaiasaura]

We decorated biscuits with melted chocolate and sparkles etc as well as lots of games. All the kids had a great time (15 of the little angels of ages 4-5)

Definately no need for an entertainer. We also did balloon modeling at the end

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

Not wanting to boast but doing it anyway.... it was me with the juice, paper cups and ice cream in cones. [proud as punch emoticon]

[chocfreeclary]

lisalisa, choc eatign game (which I can?t play atm of course!!) is as follows;
everyone sits in a circle and throws a dice. As soon as s/one throws a six they have to jump up, go to a table and put on an assortment of clothes (gloves, a hat, a scarf) and then start trying to eat chocolate. If they are big you can ask them to cut up a bar with a knife and fork and eat it; at the 5yo?s party I mentioned they tried to eat maltesers with a spoon. Of course all the while the dice is still going on and as soon as someone else throws a six the choc-eater has to yield their place! It?s great fun tho you need to fiddle it a bit if someone is on their fourth go and still haven?t had any chocolate!

[WideWebWitch]

haven't read the thread but bouncy castles are fab imo and e!

[meysey]

re: treasure hunt, you are right they are too young for ones with clues, but just send them to search for swag... (and keep some back in case anyone doesn't find any!)

[lisalisa]

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[meysey]

round our way no-one hires entertainers and the parties are always great. at 4 a few games are good but don't over-organise as they all love to play with the new toys.

pass the parcel is a favourite. also biscuit or cake decorating - supply biscuits or fairy cakes and icing, sprinkles, silver balls etc and let them loose, then put them on a tray to go in the party bag at the end. popular with both sexes.

if you have access to any outside space then try a "treasure hunt" - just hide sweeties in the bushes!

some parents also do "pinatas" (not sure if the spelling is right). a colourful papier mache shape filled with sweets which the children then bash until it breaks open.

all very cheap and cheerful

good luck

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

Yep, I get my sister to cook them whilst I keep an eye on the terrors.

[Metrobaby]

MMTMML - are your hotdogs served warm??

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

honey I always make them sit down, but fret not, we need to be reminded. No need to blush

[Issymum]

I'm a bit embarrassed to say this as it makes me sound like a health and safety nut/party pooper, but if you are going to serve hotdogs (good idea!), make sure the sausages aren't whole and preferably sliced length ways and width ways. Apparently hotdogs are a major cause of choking deaths in the US as the slippery sausages go straight down the windpipe and block it and all the squishy bread in the mouth makes it particularly difficult to clear the obstruction. Even more of a risk with hyper-excited kids running around.

End of safety message.

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

get a covered b castle! Kids are mad, they'll still use it!

[MunchedTooManyMarsLady]

listen gooble, you are entertaining their offspring for a couple of hours, let them grumble (or send them to me grrrrrrrr......lol). The occasional bit of junk food hurts no one. Tescos do veggie ones btw. Don't forget a bottle of strawberry and a bottle of chocolate syrup and some hundreds and thousands. I've yet to have a complaint!

[Gobbledigook]

Love the big jug of juice and paper cups too - much cheaper than Fruit shoots!

Ooh, I'm excited now!! Lets hope it doens't pee it down or my party is down the pan!!

[Gobbledigook]

Ooh, ice cream in cones - I like it!! I'm doing that - hotdogs and ice cream cones!! Hope the parents don't think it's s**t food though!! Mind you, can't be any worse than the crap you get at the Wacky Warehouse - HATE those parties and got 2 this weekend!