4 year old's party - hall? home? gym? which one?

[fruitstick]

My DS1 will be 4 in a month or 2. He didn't have a third birthday party as we had just moved so we didn't know anyone .

What is best for a 4 year old. I don't want to get into the whole party inflation thing.

He is at preschool at the moment and seems to be popular but hasn't had that many party invites. I'm assuming that people tend to just have a few friends at his age.

Lots of places nearby (the gym, soft play centre, local farm shop) host childrne's parties for about a tenner a head and they organise everything. They tend to be for between 10 and 15 children.

Or we could hire the village hall and invite more children

Our garden is fairly big so we could have something at home in the garden if the weather's nice.

But is this genuinely more trouble than it's worth. Would we be better to just throw money at the problem?

Genuinely absolutely no idea about these things!

If I could go back I would have had more parties at home, old school pass the parcel, jelly and ice cream. DD1 has just turned 8 and is "too old" for parties. I want my babies back!

Have a handful of friends round for a play and tea. No more than 4, including yours

Ooh, 4 children sound lovely

I had visions of 3 children tearing round the lawn!

IMO children seem to enjoy the "at home" party more. Children still get ridiculously excited over ice cream and jelly.

At home parties are so much more memorable. Why not ask your 4 year old who they want to invite and take it from there. We held a treasure hunt on my son's 4th birthday and the memory of that is far more precious than the playbarn party we had for his 3rd birthday.

www.lelloandmonkey.co.uk have some great party kits and some advise on timings and other party games to play.

Definitely at home party for 4-yo - a few friends, some traditional party games, and so on. Party in the garden sounds great - as DD 1 and 2's birthdays are Jan and Feb so no chance of throwing them all into the garden!

That website is fabulous Wendy. Thank you so much.

Party in the garden it is!

For DD's 3rd birthday we bought her a bouncy castle (but these can be hired quite cheaply). Kids love 'em! Obviously if party is at home, you'll have to make & clear up the food/mess but it's cheaper than paying someone else to! One idea is to hold the party shortly after lunch so the children (nor adults) won't need much to eat then give them food boxes (named if there are children with allergies). Partypieces.co.uk do them for as little as 40p each instead of having lots of plates of things for people to grapple with. In each box you could put a sandwich, small drink, box of raisins, individual jelly - you get the idea, so mess and waste is reduced.
There were 21 children at her last party so instead of pass the parcel I did a matching game. Mum had a picture and child/ren had to find a matching one around the house/garden. Each picture had a sweet/prize on the back. Also, at home, you have DS's toys and games available for sharing. My last tip would be to prepare as much in advance as poss so you don't spend the whole time in the kitchen making tea/coffee for parents, or squash up for thirsty children or you'll miss the fun! The time will fly! Sorry this is such a long post, but I hope it's been helpful.

At home. We've had more than 4 before but no more than 8. Nice cake, party food, plus nibbles and drinks for grown-ups who stay, and yes garden is great - if you can have it outside, get everyone bubbles, and a few garden toys like skittles or stop rocket, and they will amuse themselves (even better if you have a trampoline). You only need a couple of party games - one pass the parcel, one tail on donkey. Have playing outside, then party games, then food, then cake, basic party bags if you can be bothered, job done.

It is so much more civilised sipping a glass of wine and chatting while they play/eat, than standing around awkwardly at some deafening soft play venue etc.

Second everyone above! Home for a much more relaxed feel, parents can sit in comfort and the children can relax too. I prefer going to home parties aswell as hosting them. Have a great time. x