Keep things moving at your 4-year-old's birthday party.
A fourth birthday party should be filled with tasty food, vibrant decorations and interactive activities for young guests to enjoy. If your little one will turn 4 soon, incorporating some of your child's favorite things into the decorations, food and party favors is sure to make the birthday celebration memorable. Does this Spark an idea?
Favorite Things
Think about the things your 4-year-old loves to do, and make this the theme of the party. If your daughter enjoys playing dress-up, fill a plastic bin with clothes and shoes you no longer wear, along with costume jewelry and hats, so she and her friends can try on the items during the party. Fill a bowl with plastic pearls and jewels to serve as the party table centerpiece and, later, as favors.
If your son loves trains, have a birthday cake baked in the shape of a train, and use plates, cups and banners that feature Thomas the Train. Give each party guest a train conductor hat filled with candies and snacks as party favors.
Theme Parties
Base the party on on your 4-year-old's favorite cartoons or time of year. For instance, if your child loves summertime or warm weather (and her birthday is during this time of year), create a luau party in the backyard and feature cartoon characters that she loves, such as Lilo and Stitch. Purchase small leis for each guest, and have your daughter place a lei on each of her friends as they arrive. Serve mango and pineapple slices, and feature a cake shaped like Lilo.
If your son loves to build things, a Handy Manny or Bob the Builder-themed party is appropriate. Use a construction hat for the table centerpiece, and fill it with No. 2 pencils, and plastic tools like hammers, rulers and tape measures. Create a "tablecloth" of paper to completely cover the table so party-goers can "measure the table" and sketch the things they are going to build.
Interactive Parties
By the age of 4, your child may be interested in building things and cooking his meals. Invite a small group of friends over for a cake-baking party. Purchase small cooking utensils for guests, and ask another parent to help as you allow the children to mix cake batter with the ingredients you've provided, such as chocolate chips or pieces of fruit. Purchase chef hats and aprons for the guests in your child's favorite color, and let the little ones to take these home as favors.
Organize a party where each child will complete a craft, such as decorating her own T-shirt. Ask each parent to send the child to the celebration with a plain T-shirt, and provide iron-ons for the kids to choose from. (Adults should do the ironing. Children can embellish the shirt with other items as well, such as plastic jewels, sequins or fabric paint. The shirts will help guests remember the party.
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