4 Years Old Daughter's Birthday Party

Take a look at this website. www.catchmyparty.com
I found it recently and it's great for party ideas. There are tons of birthday themes (baby and bridal shower themes too) that you can search with photos from actual parties. There are some super cute ideas. It's worth a look!

I just did a storytime bday party for my son's 3rd bday party. It was pretty cheap, easy and everyone loved it! Not sure where you are, but Hooray for Books in Old Town, Alexandria is awesome.

duck pin bowling- smaller balls and they can put the bumper sides up so it is easy for the little ones, A home party carnival, the kids can win the prizes for their own goody bag--do pin the tail, clothes pin drop, bean bag toss, drop a quarter into a water large water container and have it land in a cup. Lots of fun things to do. If you don't want to do it at home, check into renting a room from a community center. Also, build a bear, you can just do a basic bear package so it is about 14 per child. . .Have fun

A lot of the rec centers in the area will allow you to rent a space, South Run has a pool as well so parents and kids can go swimming. Hidden Pond Nature Center in Springfield is fun too, they have a birthday program if you child might be interested in the turtles, frogs, etc.

Hope that helps!

We just had a party at the National Zoo for our 4-year-old. It was really fantastc. They give the kids safari hats, snacks and juice and play a few games with them in one of the party rooms and then they take the group on a special tour. After the tour, they return to the party room. They provide icecream and you can bring anything else you want to serve. They provide really nice party favors for all the guests.

My daughter just turned six. We threw her a royal ball and invited all of her "princess" friends. I had written on the invite that the kids should come dress in their favorite princess gown. We started the party by decorating crowns and making wands. We played pass the glass slipper, if the music stopped and you were holding the slipper- the girls got to pick out a piece of costume jewelry. We also played kiss the frog, a version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey. The girls made castles out of sugar wafers and frosting. It was a blast. A couple of the girls said it was the best party ever! My daughter had a great time and loved being a princess for the day!!

do a party for the child at home, a four year old will eat anything in front of them, doesnt have been anything super fancy, make it a maximum of ten people in the house, TOTAL anymore then that the child will feel overwhelmed, ask that each person tell one true story from their early childhood , from the childs perspective , a little different sure, but, its a great way for the child to learn something from another viewpoint.
K. h.

Good morning. For my daughter's fifth birthday party we gave her a cooking party. We bought little aprons from the craft store (around 3 bucks each), and let each child decorate his/hers upon arrival. We did bagel pizzas letting each child create their own. We also did giant sugar cookies that the kids also decorated and sang happy birthday. We played games while we were waiting for the pizzas. Aftwerwards we wrapped the decorated cookies and they were taken home as a party gift along with the aprons they created. I also purchased chefs hats, but not all the kids wanted to wear them. We had a blast.

At my son's birthday party (every year) we did 2 things (besides eating) and for most of the kids (boys and girls) it was the best party they had ever been to. Actually, most of the parents (mom AND dad) stayed for the party.

We lived "in the country" and as his birthday is in Sept, we would all go on a walk /- always the same route - across our property and into our neighbors meadow. (of course with permission) The colors were changing and there were always cool things to find. Caterpillars - bird nests - pretty leaves, etc. A walk to a park or even a trip to a nature center would be a good alternative.

The second thing we always did was make a simple craft. One year we painted pumpkins. Another year we had lots of felt, craft foam sheets, glue, glitter, pompoms, scissors, etc - and they could make whatever they wanted. He's 23 now, and I can't remember what else we did, but you get the idea. One reason the craft thing was a hit, was because they could do what they wanted with the materials on hand - so using prefab "kits" aren't a good idea (plus they're expensive) ( I have looked at some of the kits for ideas, tho.)

Enjoy!

When my daughter turned 4 we went to a tea house and had a 'princess' tea party. It was at the 'Pink Bicycle Tea Room' in Occoquan. I put on their invitations to wear their best princess dress. It was so cute. They had "tea" (orange juice or lemonade), scones, little tea sandwiches, pastries, fruit, cheese, etc. The owner red them a princess book and taught them tea etiquette. The moms sat around and had tea and scones. It was really cute.
If you don't want to pay someone else to run that party for you it is easy to duplicate a 'tea' at home. This year she wanted a 'snow princess party' so we did a similar thing in my basement and I decorated with snowflakes and fake snow on the windows. We had hot chocolate, little sandwiches, fruit, etc.... We played 'pin the stuff on the snowman', they decorated my kid tree (it was right before Christmas), we made marshmallow pretzel stick snowmen, and then they just had a little free play. They all had fun -but limit the girls in your house or it gets nuts. I think the rule of thumb for number of invites for kids is one for every year of age plus maybe one or two tops.
Good luck!

Princess or primping parties are the new thing. You can do it yourself with some help or keeping the guest to a minimum. Each girl gets some makeup done and their hair did in a princess do with glitter hairspray they love it.

Hi R.!

Check out Playseum in Bethesda, MD. You've gotten some great suggestions also from the other moms. So, whatever you and your daughter decide, have a great time!!

MM

My daughter just turned 3 and her aunt gave her a Princess Tea Party. Was very cute. She bought crowns, Birthday Princess Sash, and had vases with flowers on the table. Tea pot, tea cups & saucers, sugar cubes. She made key lime tarts and dinner. Depending on what time of day you could serve little finger sandwiches and scones. She really enjoyed it. We are going to have an Easter Tea Party in April.

Chick-fil-A will give a party with kids meals, party favors and ice cream and even bring the cow around. Check with your local store, prices and packages will vary, but it's tons cheaper and lots of fun with food that is 100% better than any Chuck E Cheese pizza!

What about at your local park district? Many offer birthday party packages, different themes, and it is much more affordable.

we went to a party at croyden creek nature center and it was great.

Since you live in DC the choices are many. Besides the National Zoo, the aquarium, call any DC fire station and they will happily host a party for you complete with safety lessons. Painting parties are great. Depending on how soon her birthday is, a great outdoor party at the national arboretum or Rock Creek Park. Check out Dance Place or Joe's Movement Emporium for a girls dance party. Hope it's a huge success,

Are you looking to have a party at home?
I'm not from DC but I know that in Canada you can have little cooking parties by various companies that just specialize in fun interactive cooking perfect for little ones.
You could see if there are pet service or pet stores that will bring various animals to your home or you can go to their facility. Things like bunny parties.
If you want to have something at your home I also am going to be launching some new stuff on my website in March. I do custom little personalzied white apron's and hats with rolling pins and spoons and kid central mixes. They all have themes and the mixes are very easy you just add things like yogert and apple sauce to them. My son is three can can do them all.
You could do an icecream sundae party, fruit pizza party. It's something that's interactive and fun for little ones.
You could even see if you have a cute little icecream shop that might let you have a party in there facility.

You could throw a cute strawberry shortcake tea party

If you want to get some neat idea's go a girl I know's site she throw some spectacular parties but you could get some of her items to host your own party at home.
http://www.princesssharon.com/
If you share what your daughters interests are I totally can give you some suggestions or ideas.
It really depends if your wanting to have it at your home or at a centre.

cheers

This is a fabulous site for birthday theme ideas: www.birthdaypartyideas.com

Good luck! -RG

Build a Bear, Duck Pin Bowling, Princess party, Gymnastics Party, Pamper Party, Also, here in Maryland they have a park that has a train, it gives trains rides thru the park it has a carousal in the middle of the park (depending on the time of the year) this would work for a nice summer day -you can rent out one of the party room and the kids get to ride the train and carousal with the tickets that you purchase when you rent the hall. It was really nice and all the kids and parents loved it.