[spaypets]

Well, my DD's 4th birthday party is about twice the size of what I wanted. Not sure how it happened, but 7 kids are coming, plus parents.

So, I need some ideas for organized activities. It's cold here, so playing outside might not be an option.

I've got pin-the-tail-on-the donkey. And there are plenty of toys. We're having lunch (pizza) and cupcakes (DD's request) and opening presents.

It'll be a mix of boys and girls, but there aren't alot of gender hangups among the boys' parents (I don't know two of the girls' parents). Some of the kids don't know each other though they all know someone besides DD.

Any ideas? Something simple? Please don't suggest having a party elsewhere -- the invitations already went out and we live very far away from anything like Chuckie Cheese or McDonalds. It may turn out that we don't need any games or activities, but I want to have some just in case.

I also don't want anything too elaborate--I don't want to set the bar too high for the future.

[joskimo]

when my daughter was about that age we did this bug themed party I saw in a parenting magazine, but one of the games was a felt bean bag toss. We made a spider's web (like a target with several rows) out of velcro onto a large felt background and then made a spider, a lady bug and some other felt bug and the kids tossed them onto the spider web - was cute. You should look at some of the party theme ideas on parents.com Also we bought bug stickers and drew a web for them to to stick them onto for a opening activity. Most kids that age are just so happy to play, balance the structure and unstructured time.

[mckenna]

a crafty activity might be fun, but in all honesty, they would rather play with your daughters toys (new toys to them) than have to do organized games where you have to keep waiting your turn, ect.

[Poolside]

You could have a decorate your own cupcake time. Have several different frostings and toppings.. It's messy and yummy..

[meimaemomma]

When ds turned four, we also had twice the turnout we expected - wonderful, but we were worried about being prepared. We set up great games at stations in the backyard for what was supposed to be a sunny day. At ds's request, I had even painted backdrops for each activity, with his favorite characters.
Then it rained, despite the sunny predictions.
16 wet four year olds on my white dining room carpet. No games that were easily moved inside. Backdrops no one saw (for long). And they had a blast unloading his toy box.
Joskimo's right: they don't need too many games, and if you do have games and activities planned, don't fall in love with them, since they may end up just playing anyway.
Have a great time!

[spaypets]

Thanks guys, keep the ideas coming. I'm liking the decorate your own cupcake idea. I was also thinking of making bracelets or something.

[Nevada Jen]

How about Twister? Trust me its a way different game when 4 year olds play it than when adults do. The bonus is that it will keep the adults occupied and there is not a much waiting for a turn.

Or you could make mummy parents if it is close to holloween and see who can wrap their parent in toilet paper the fastest. That makes for a fun time and easy clean up.

JEn

[spaypets]

Twister! We even have it--waiting for when DD is old enough, but she is!! Oh good idea! Thanks!

[sugarbabysmommy]

Treasure hunt? Hide some things around the house, maybe hide the kids party favors (that way everyone gets a treasure and they're all the same) and give each kid a clue to find their favor, encourage them to help eachother hunt. Might be too much work, I really like the cupcake idea! There are all sorts of doodads that can go on a cupcake.

[lisa in venice]

Ok, my kids only had big parties for their fourth birthdays and we went sort of over the top. We didn't spend money but we let our imaginations go wild and we enlisted all of our friends and neighbors to pull them off. For nathan and Rachel we did fantasy themed parties. Nathan had a "Barabarian party" where all of the boys were encouraged to come as representative of their favorite raiding culture: Vikings, Vandals, Huns, Apachi etc. We used those big pieces of cardboard from the art supply store to make cut outs of castles which we set up on the lawns of our neighbors all up and down the street. Behind each one there was "treasure". We gave each one a plastic sword and a grocery bag and told them "sack" the castles and get what they could. A 12 year old neighbor boy lead the raid. They went screaming up and down the street for almost and hour. It clearly does not take much to entertain We had a fencing instructor come for about an hour then I fed them and sent them home. A good time was had by all.

Rachel had a "princess" party where we asked kids to make their own princess outfit (find something cheap in a thrift store and decorate it) Kids showed up in the most fantasitc outfits and you could really tell that THEY did most of the decorating. They came with stickers and buttons, pins and ribbons, alunimum foil and all kinds of stuff. Because the party was in the fall and the days were short we had it in the early evening so it was dark. We strung hundreds of Christmas lights all over and lit the whole yard (got them cheap at the floral supply) and silver tinsel. We rented a castle bouncer and we did a craft. They made crowns and scepters by gluing big plastic gems and other cheezy/flashing things onto plasitc crowns from the party supply. One of the older neighborhood kids announced each kid as they came in "Announcing The Princess Amber of Marco Place" and "Prince Jacob of Superba Ave"Because t was a "Coed" party there were twice as many kids there but they were all so good. There was a great deal of bowing and curtseying and going on about each other's costumes. it was cute on a stick.

In both cases we spent very little on the party, they were unique and reflected what the kid were into at the time. Four is such fun, they are articulate and able to tell you exactly what they want and at the same time they still love pretend. In both case the kids really got in to pretend aspect of the theme. For ideas just talk to a four year old, they have plenty.

lisa

[LisaCA]

okay, here are two party games that I absolutely loved as a kid:

1. two or more teams, each person has a balloon. you line up and do a relay race. first person in each line runs up and has to pop the balloon by sitting on it, then you run back, the next in your team does the same thing with their balloon and so on. absolute riot, since popping a balloon makes noise and and goes against what you normally do with balloons. Adults can play here and it gets pretty competitive.


2. this may be for older kids, but as younger kids it was fun and anxiety producing: you line up in teams each has a toothpick in their teeth. front of the line has a lifesaver and you pass it down the line without dropping it via toothpick in your mouth (no hands). totally freaky because of the boy girl cootie thing, plus you have to concentrate and not drop it. if you drop it you have to start over at the beginning of the line. again a riot. Also fun as a college game when you're drunk .

have a great time!

[Lindsie]

How about musical chairs and pass the parcel, they were always winners when I was little!

[taggrr2]

Hey Spay!

Believe it or not - there's a website: birthdaypartyideas.com! The last time I used it it was organized by age and theme so really easy to use!

Have a great time!

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

My friend throws parties quite often, her games are:

Pin the tail on the donkey

Hot potato - have the kids sit in a circle and pass the potato. Whoever is holding is when the music stops is out

Have kids step on a stool and try to drop a pencil in a 2 liter pop bottle

Bowling with plastic ball and pins - whoever gets the most down wins, usually gives 2 tries

Find a "XX" whatever it is, she will hide as many as there are kids. One will have a special sticker on it, and that kid wins a prize.

Kay

[emjay]

I second the birthdaypartyideas.com! And for really cheap favors - orientaltrading . com. Found some great ideas/favors there for my DD's 4yo party last year. We did a Lion King theme, but kept it inexpensive by making almost everything ourselves. It was mid-winter and had to be inside.

Activities:
Drew characters on large foamcore boards, and cut out their faces so kids could peek through and get their photo taken with digital camera.

For craft, I ordered some lucite plastic magnetic frames and pkg of foam jungle animals. Kids glued them on, then put their photo in it. (DH printed them out while kids were eating pizza and cake.)

Freeze-dance - stop dancing when music stops. Always a riot at that age! Of course we used Lion King soundtrack.

Treasure hunt - we did a safari to find little plastic animals, and had children put them into one big basket. After all were found, took turns picking - each got 2.

Also, Simon says is a hoot with 4yo kids!

Good luck! We're already trying to figure out what this year's party will be.

- Maura