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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

Original poster

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

55 replies

lisalisa · 07/03/2005 17:02

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
stickynote · 08/03/2005 12:01

Aargh dads not dad's!!

Bozza · 08/03/2005 12:16

Actually if the church has a toddler group meeting there you might be able to arrange to borrow/hire cheaply their equipment such as ride on toys. Ours used to also have a trampoline.

chocfreeclary · 08/03/2005 12:27

lisalisa bouncy castle might be a good idea, or are entertainers really that expensive? clowns here start at about £40 for half an hour/£60 for an hour.
Failing that, a friend did a ?games only? party for her ds last yr (he was 5) in a hall, it was really good actually. The b/day boy was not keen but that was to do with him being a bit shy really. Other guests enjoyed the chocolate eating game where you dress up, balloon passing, musical statues, pass the parcel etc.
I would say tho there were one or two children who didn?t want to take part in some games (inc my ds1 IIRC). Whether that?s an age thing or what I don?t know. And these were a bit older than yr dd and pals.
How about a disco party, get them all doing a bit of craft first to make a princess crown or a party hat, then lots of dancing to britney or busted or whatever? could always do some musical type games as well.
hth and good luck. I love big parties!

MunchedTooManyMarsLady · 08/03/2005 12:32

thanks goobledigook. The only reason I do hotdogs is because kids never eat the sandwiches. Why waste time and money. Hope the hotdogs go down well. I put the ice cream in cones. They were so happy. A couple of bottles of wine to encourage a few mums to stay and Bob's your uncle and Sally's your aunt.

chocfreeclary · 08/03/2005 12:34

see on readign thread that others have had same suggestions. Issymum that sounds like a great party! crunchie, I like the sound of yours too, treasure hunts and musical hats, great idea!

Gobbledigook · 08/03/2005 12:35

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!

Gobbledigook · 08/03/2005 12:36

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!!

MunchedTooManyMarsLady · 08/03/2005 12:40

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!

MunchedTooManyMarsLady · 08/03/2005 12:41

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

Issymum · 08/03/2005 12:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request

MunchedTooManyMarsLady · 08/03/2005 12:44

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

Metrobaby · 08/03/2005 12:45

MMTMML - are your hotdogs served warm??

MunchedTooManyMarsLady · 08/03/2005 12:50

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

meysey · 08/03/2005 13:07

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

Original poster
lisalisa · 08/03/2005 15:25

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
meysey · 08/03/2005 16:05

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!)

WideWebWitch · 08/03/2005 20:35

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

chocfreeclary · 09/03/2005 22:37

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!

MunchedTooManyMarsLady · 09/03/2005 22:40

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]

MamaMaiasaura · 09/03/2005 22:51

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

Mog · 10/03/2005 09:53

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?

DaddyCool · 10/03/2005 10:00

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 · 11/03/2005 13:01

Bump
Anyone help with my rainy day question?

chocfreeclary · 11/03/2005 23:27

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!

emmatom · 12/03/2005 17:49

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.

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