What to do at a 4th birthday party. Please help me decide!

[MrsJohnDeere]

I've booked our village hall for ds1's 4th birthday party, but can't decide what to do at the party.

There will be a party lunch and pass the parcel, but that still leaves 1/1.5 hours to fill.

Trying to decide between:

1. bouncy castle plus drawing table plus random toddler group toys
2. bring in someone to do do arty activities
3. magician.
4. something else clever that I haven't thought of.

I don't want to do games myself - way too scary! And musical entertainers are a big no-no. Ds1 has been to a couple of parties with Music Train type entertainers and hated them!

Never done anything like this before and feel quite out of my depth.

There will be between 20-38 children to amuse, depending on how many I invite (can't decide whether to ask everyone at pre-school or just his closest friends).

How big is the hall? If it's big enough for a riot I would go for Option 1 (and throw in some balloons)

Do you want an honest answer?

Scrap the hall idea. Have 4 friends back for tea and a play.

298-30 children is the equivalent of a recpetion class keeping them entertained for an experienced teacher would be a tough call, even with all the things you have planned.

Sorry, thats probably not what you anted to hear, is it?

28-30! Why would you want 298 children??

also- do you really want 28-30 crappy £5 presents

Well we had (nearly - peaked at 28) that many for DS's 4th (and 5th, 6th and 7th) and they were fun parties which all the DC talked about for ages afterwards. [devil's advocate]

If you can afford it, I would hire an entertainer of some description. Maybe someone that can do a puppet show or something.

On the balloon front - be a bit careful. My DD bursts into tears every time a balloon pops so I have now had to restrict the possibilities of small boys jumping on balloons (not helped by the fact that my DM hates popping balloons too)

Magician/entertainer, definitely.

Bouncy castles are brill but would be quite difficult to monitor for that number unless you're a whizz at crowd management and first aid. They work well with about 10-15 I think

Lapin - your party sounds good (apart from the balloons ). That's the sort of thing I'd like to do, I think.

I think you've all convinced me that a bouncy castle is a no-no.

Can't decide on numbers. Last year ds1 was invited to lots of big parties where the whole pre-school came, and it was lovely for the children and parents to get to know each other better. Nobody has done that this year though - 20 children to soft play has become the norm, but I don't want to do that (noisy, attending parents hate it, hassle of getting there and parking for everyone, etc). Thought I'd redress the balance a bit. I might limit it to his school year intake and a handful of other friends though.

I've posted this lots but you CAN have a bouncy castle if you are organised. Split teh kids into groups and revolve them - one group on castle (monitored carefully by an adult - prearranged (mind you, my SIL who I had asked to do this arrived at the party and the noise of 24 5 year olds was too much so she left and I had to get someone else to do it), one group playing games, one group doing craft (painting crowns etc)

Far too many children for a bouncy castle will be a nightmare!

Def an entertainer if budget permits. Though I am biased! I am a party entertainer and have just come back from entertaining 25 4 year olds and we had a brilliant time!

You can ask on mumsnet for recommendations in your area.

Thank you for all the ideas. I've found (via netmums ) a lovely sounding lady who will do 'space' themed activities and games for an hour. Then we'll have lunch and pass the parcel or dancing. I've had to limit numbers, so will invite 22 and hope not all can come.

Lapin - off to check out your thread now.