Do we need a children's entertainer for four yr old's party?

[MummyGorilla]

DH says no, we can organise games, leave toys out etc. I (who actually go to kids parties occasionally) think it will make our life so much easier - we've got 16 children coming and all our family, GP's etc. So 30-odd adults.

The alternative to the entertainer is to arrange someone else to make the tea, take cake round etc while DH and I run the party. Btw, my family are useless and won't even help themselves to a cup of tea, so an extra pair of hands somewhere is needed! But I can't shake the feeling that hall hire (not too much money) plus entertainer is a bit extravagant for a 4 yr old.

if you can afford it, go for it. But no, of course you don't need one.

please do

I have been to two 5 year old's parties recently where there were no games and they were dire

The kids need entertainment and can't cope with just running around for an hour, they go into meltdown.

Am of to another party this weekend, if it is bad as the last two then we will just leave and come home, no party bag is worth 2 hours of shit

We had a magician for DD1s 3rd birthday and it was fab!

The children sat enthralled (he was very good) whilst we set the food out, it wasn't cheap but was really worth it as they all enjoyed it so much. DD1s face when he produced a rabbit was a picture.

(Word of warning - avoid the stereotypical clown, many 4 year olds freak out at clowns IME)

Thanks, this has made me laugh.

Think I'll make a few calls and try to line something up. DH works a lot so doesn't fully appreciate the destructive force of a crowd of 4 yr olds! He was on for having the party at home.

Oh god MG don't have it at home - hell on earth

Hire a hall, pay an entertainer and crack open the poo (shampoo - champagne)

I went to a party with DD this afternoon. There were two adult entertainers for 12 children for three hours.

The party was far too long, and the clown was a very bad choice for 9 girls : 3 boys.

We're going for 2 hours - have already put the deposit down on the hall while DH was at work on Fri to head off the 'hosting at home' idea. Will get on to the kids entertainers tomorrow.

We had a party at home when dd was 4. They all charged round like mad things and were not interested in games. Her friend had a party at soft play for her 4th and this worked much better. Yesterday though dd went to a 5th bday party where they had a woman who came and did loads of stuff with them - including some baking, hair crimping, make up and nail varnish, and they all decorated their own frame for a fab photo. She hasn't stopped talking about it since.

Me and all the other mothers got the phone number so there might be a glut of these over the coming months.

We have found that all the children need is a big hall, a bouncy castle,lots of balls, and gallons of water/juice. We also tend to have music in the background.
After they have eaten, we usually only have time for two or three games of musical bums/statues and pass the parcel.

If you are having games remember that 4 year olds can get through about 35 games in 5 minutes! I've always done my own parties (apart from bowling last year)

Biggest thing to remember is don't do anything that requires threading beads other wise you'll have 16 children all with frayed thread that wont go through poxy teeny bead holes at the same time. Thats stress.

We always just do games and activities for 4yo parties. Pass the parcel, musical bumps, sleeping lions, choc button hunt. Then a bit of time playing in the garden, or hide-and-seek in the house. Party tea and a couple more games and it's time to go home. I like traditional parties.

And we have a corner where they can just play with toys too, or do craft or play with playdough.

We're currently thinking puppet show for an hour, then entertainer leaves and we do playing with toys, cake, juice and biscuits, pass the parcel, musical statues, sleeping lions and home. Like the party hats idea, we've only got 16 children coming so could be manageable before we feed them.

What will I be doing when he's 8?! Thanks for all the ideas.

word of warning, mummyg - I did go to a children's party where they had a puppet show (think it was a 3rd birthday). It was a bit long for that age kids (can't remember how long, but some very restless children). would have thought half an hour would be more than enough for a bunch of 4 year olds.

its my daughters 4 birthday party next week i was thinking the same as you.thing is alot of entertainers do,nt do parties for that age as they know there hard to entertain!the ones i,ve seen have been awful and so expensive!.i thought face painting and balloon modelling was agood idea till the woman said she wanted £150 plus petrol money!.so i have the village hall i,m taking n's inflatable pirate ship with balls,tunnel,hopscotch mat,funny feet,tent.i,m having a table with crafts including colour you own cracker with bits to put in biscuit decorating,angel making etc.a pinata to bash,a couple of party games simple stuff like pass the parcel,daddys dressing as tigger a costume i bought from china! and to end it grandad santa will hand out alittle present hopefully that will keep them happy!