We are having T's 4th birthday party at home this weekend. We have a pool and a swingset, water table, and small sandbox, and plenty of yard games and yard toys. The problem? It's supposed to rain. Do I need indoor games for the birthday party? Also if we are able to be outside, do you think I still need to have games planned? It's family and close friends who have kids.
-
I would have some type of indoor activity ready. Even if its just coloring books or some activity like that. Heck even a movie party (lay out the beach towels for them to all sit on).
-
I would plan for some games if they're going to be inside. I have no idea what, lol.
-
@T.H.O.U.: Maybe a coloring station is a good idea....except all of our tables will be used to hold food if in fact the party is all inside
It's a fishing themed party....maybe they could make their own bait or something??
-
Pin the tail on the fish? Or scales?
Maybe something like the game go-fish? or even just pick up that game to have on hand (I think its like $10 at target). Great for 4 yr olds.
Sorry not go fish,, this game
-
@T.H.O.U.: that's cute. i'm envisioning them just tearing apart the house
We have a lot of toys so hopefully that's enough! Maybe I should get a piñata too.
-
@winniebee: Honestly, for parties, we try to put away toys that we know are either going to make mess or be a trigger if they can't be played with by multiple kids (for example, the baby doll stroller always causes a fight so it gets hidden away).
I think that fishing game 4 kids can play at a time.
Balloons are always fun but kids can get kinda crazy with them.
-
@T.H.O.U.: We have balloons for the kids as well. I hide special toys but honestly we have a toy room/area right now and they've all been here and know where to go, LOL
-
Both my kids had their 4th party at home and we did have a few activities but at the end they had fun just running around playing with each other - hide and seek was a big hit!
-
I had a friend growing up who's mom was a kid party whiz. They always had the best games, activites and fun things at their parties. One year my birthday was rained out and the night before mom called her and it was the best indoor party. Some games that she did were:
pass the present - small toy wrapped in layers and layer of wrapping paper/newspaper and inbetween each layer is small token toy (think party favor esque) All the kids sit in a circle and pass the present like hot potato to music when the music stops the kid holding the present opens the next layer and gets the prize this goes on until you get to the final gift.
Lets make a deal: each kid was given monoply money in their party favor bag and she would let you make a deal with either a surprise in a brown bag or another item on the table. sometimes there were funny things in the bags like fruit, veggies, prank gift (rubber mouse), or cool things like stickers.
Sitting Tug of War: just like regular tug of war except everyone is sitting and has to scoot on their butts
Freeze Dance
Scavenger hunts or Clue Hunts: split into teams and they have to follow the clues until they get to the prize
Something edible: make you're own pizza, sundae or chocolate fondue
-
@winniebee: I'd do that fishing game, or the wooden Melissa and Doug one, as an "activity" - or maybe a craft? AMazon Prime always has slightly marked up Oriental Trading kits.
There were three four year olds at my two year old's party last week, and convincing them to race wind-up penguins or do a penguin-themed egg on the spoon race was like herding cats!
They did do the craft (with parental guidance) and I'd put away the toys with tons of small pieces ahead of time to cut down on mess. Mostly they just wanted to eat cupcakes and get temporary tattoos -
I don't think you need to, but it could make the day a little less crazy.
Maybe you could make fishing vests out of a paper bag that they get to decorate. Or have some type of fishing game with Velcro where they "win" their party favor.
-
Maybe you could get stickers and have a table for kids to decorate their own birthday crowns (http://www.amazon.com/San-Tokra-Adjustable-Princess-Birthday/dp/B015PG03U0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1462825751&sr=8-5&keywords=foam+crown).
We went to an Easter event and my son who is 4 next month loved making something similar made out of foam with bunny ears. The kids were sticking stickers everywhere and my son still asks to wear that thing several months later.
-
We also went to party this winter that had carnival type games like bozo buckets, a lollypop grab (you win a prize if the lollypop you grab is colored with marker on the bottom, etc.), and similar type games.
-
Someone I know recently had a "drive in" movie party. They got big cardboard boxes for the kids and markers to design/decorate their cars. Popcorn and stuff. It was low key but the kids got really into it. You could make it fishing themed by having them be boats?? Lol just an idea :). Kids are so inventive, they'll just have fun with whatever's around and each other.
-
Every kids' party I have thrown or been to (we haven't hit four yet, still three) were indoors and just a free-for-all play session. The kids had a blast. Yes it got messy and toys were everywhere, but it was fun. I think at four, free play parties are still fun.
-
@Chillybear: pass the parcel was a staple party game at parties when I was growing up. My DD discovered it earlier this year and was beside herself with excitement
We have a lot of toys so hopefully that's enough! Maybe I should get a piñata too.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite1
16 comments