4-year-olds are temperamental, so plan some extra activities,
Planning a successful birthday party for 4-year-old kids can be a challenge. Kids that young have short attention spans and are often temperamental, so what looked like a brilliant activity might fail to hold your guests attention. Plan some main activities that your own son or daughter enjoys, but be sure to have some mellow, easy games on standby in case your main plan falls through. Does this Spark an idea?
Prize Walk
Rather than just handing out goody bags, hold a prize walk where the 4-year-olds hold a game for prizes. Draw a number of squares in a circle equal to the number or kids, either by using chalk outside or by putting down poster boards with numbers on them inside. Have the kids walk around in a circle until the music stops. When it stops, roll a die or pick a number out of a hat to determine which square wins the prize. To avoid having some of the kids go home empty handed, make sure you have enough prizes for everyone. Rig the results so that the kids who weren't chosen for earlier prizes get chosen for later ones. That way everyone gets to win.
Western Party
If your 4-year-old loves horses and the wild West, use it as a party theme. Get cowboy-themed invitations, plates, cups and table cloths along with stand-up cowboy cutouts. On the invites, ask the kids to wear their best cowboy and cowgirl costumes. Give out bandannas and toy sheriff badges as prizes. If you want to go all out, rent a pony and give the kids pony rides. Serve classic American fare such as baked beans and hot dogs.
Bubbles and Balloons
With four-year-old parties, it's a good idea to have an activity you can fall back on if things get out of control. For the age, bubbles and balloons are endlessly entertaining, and good as both a primary source of entertainment and an alternative activity should your main plans fall through. Put on music and have the kids dance with balloons. Give each kid one balloon and have them hold contests to see who can keep one up in the air the longest. Alternately, arrange the kids in a circle and have them play catch by batting one or two balloons back and forth.
For bubble time, bring the kids outside and blow giant bubbles with one of those large bubble makers made out of cloth strips. If you'd rather keep them inside, set up a fan and blow bubbles around a room while playing music. Give each kid a bubble wand and have them try to catch bubbles on the tip without breaking them. Give each kid bubbles in a goody bag and let them blow their own.
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