Suggestion for 4 year old's birthday party?

[iamthehub]

Hi,

Does anyone have any suggestions for my daughter's 4 year birthday party? We don't want 12-15 kids running around our house, so we'd rather rent out a party place or something.

She was invited to a party at Loblaws where the kids get to cook a pizza and decorate a cake. That was really cool, but I don't want to copy that idea, (I want to do something where the other parents haven't already done) so back to the drawing board...

Any suggestions????

[McLaren]

How about booking a place at the Mad Hatter? When I was a kid use to have parties there, it was fun as a kid, but now when I look back upon it, it was actually pretty ghetto. ie - riding around in shopping carts, pillow fights in the strobe light room.

[raptorfan]

Last year we rented a room at the Delta Chelsea for the family. They have the waterslide, a preschool playroom and an arcade if you have older kids and had a special room rate for under $100. Went to Swiss Chalet 2 doors down and checked out the ROM after 4:30 or 5 when it's free. I figure if I'm spending a mint for her birthday that she won't remember with 4 other kids (that's all we know her age) then why not everyone in the family have fun instead? It was a blast!
However, if you want to do a party i would recommend picking up a free City Parent paper or check this out..lots of ideas both places.
http://www.toronto4kids.com/
Or there's Build A Bear at Square One..
I'm in the same boat, she's 4 in April so I can't do the outdoors thing which is much easier. And there still only 4 kids I need to invite..

[gnunn]

Most cities should have play house style businesses where parents can bring their kids to play with other kids. This isn't a daycare in that you don't drop your kids off, but instead it lets them play in a huge area with climbing equipment, various 'sets' (like a pirate ship at one place near me), etc. These pretty much all have birthday packages that are pretty economical.

Other alternatives include having a party at the local bowling alley or gymnasium club. One gym club near me had a great facility where the four-five year olds would trot one after the other and go through various obstacles (like jumping off a three foot ramp into a cushioned mat, going through a tube, etc) and my son loved that for his four year party.

[insanity]

Depends where you are. Over by my place they have a play place, that I see a lot of kid's parties. There is also Chukie Cheese

[random1]

Well if you live in the GTA (not sure if you do or not) and if you are having an all girls party, the La Senza/La Senza Girl (the main store says La Senza but its actually a combination of the two) at Vaughan Mills actually has a large party room for such events. All the girls get gift bags, cake and they get to sing karaoke and such. You'll have to call the store to ask for pricing and more details however.

I know its odd, but the girls (I've never really seen any little boys at the parties...probably because they can go to the Nascar Speedway) seem to have tons of fun. Also the staff are really friendly. Its just an interesting alternative...personally I'm not sure if I would have a party there, with Chuckie Cheese and Nascar Speedway opening up nearby and all.

[UrbanPoet]

wat about chucky cheese?

[Rehii]

How about booking a place at the Mad Hatter? When I was a kid use to have parties there, it was fun as a kid, but now when I look back upon it, it was actually pretty ghetto. ie - riding around in shopping carts, pillow fights in the strobe light room.

Ghetto, not to mention dangerous. Someone always ended up getting hurt. I remember those shopping carts used to flip over, spilling kids all over the place.

Good times, though hehe.

[ben_liu]

Depends where you are. Over by my place they have a play place, that I see a lot of kid's parties. There is also Chukie Cheese

chuckie cheese "D

[freethebees]

Just don't do what donny don't does... hire a stripper.

[GT108]

We just went to a kids party at Lil Explorers in Markham/Richmond Hill.

It is a indoor playroom/gym for kids from 2-12 years.
It has a large apparatus in the play room that was very popular with our kids.

If you are interested, let me know and I can find the contact number for you. I have their pamplet in the car right now.

[Venusia]

You can go to:
- an indoor amusement park or gym;
- an art school where they paint a pottery then eat cake
- an animal or nature museum where they have a tour and then snack in a party room
- rent a room in a community center and hire a clown or magician.

For 4 year old, 2.5 hours is enough: a craft or activity, snack and cake, and opening presents. 12-15 preschoolers is rather a lot to manage. Do you plan to have parents drop off or stick around?

We are planning on having a party at home for my 6 year old: Invite the 7 girls in her class for 3 hours, have a craft or cookie decorating, snack, cake and then presents.

For my 4 year old, we are renting the playroom of the church for 3 hours, inviting our friends and their kiddies (8 families), free play, face painting, serve lunch, then presents.

I just went to a few of these and the presents were just insane. I'm asking people to put a 5$ limit: markers, craft paper, Ello or Clickits, that sort of thing. I hate the consumerism of it and the kid surrounded by wrapping paper and presents.

[iamthehub]

Thanks for the suggestions. I forgot to mention that I'm in the West end (Mississauga/Oakville/Burlington)...

Some great ideas, I'll have to investigate some :)

[djjosee]

I'm bumping this thread for my little girl who's 4 in April. I love the $5 limit idea. Any suggestions for the Ottawa area.

[dear valued customer]

My friend just had a party at kidsport in mississauga, it is on Dixie, just south of Eglinton.

[mcewen]

For such young children... birthday parties are a status symbol for the parents.... the kids don't give a hoot.

How about invite 3 or 4 friends over to your house and let them play games and stuff. Why have 15 kids if it isn't a gift grab?

Why is it people today are sucked in by the commercialism of "you must spend a few hundred dollars on your toddler so they know you care about them???"

You don't need to spend an arm and a leg for your child to have fun. If you insist on spending lots..... throw a small party and invest the rest in an RESP for your child. That will truly be helpful for your child.

[rosemathew24]

Hello Friend
http://www.torontoparentsguide.com/ might be useful for you for kids Kids Birthday Party (http://www.torontoparentsguide.com/BirthdayParties/tabid/79/Default.aspx).

[rosemathew24]

Hi Josh, http://www.torontoparentsguide.com/ might be useful for you for kids Kids Birthday Party (http://www.torontoparentsguide.com/BirthdayParties/tabid/79/Default.aspx).

[billdozer]

Depends where you are. Over by my place they have a play place, that I see a lot of kid's parties.

Hi there,

Not creepy at all...

JL...

[Party Princess]

You should also check out Party Machine on Millcreek Dr. They have a large indoor slide and can provide loots bags and other neccessities so, you do virtually nothing but show up with the kids.

Here's the link (http://www.party-machine.ca/)

Good Luck! :)

[ellie K]

We just went to a birthday party at AirBorne Trampoline in woodbridge. THe kids had lots of fun!

[patrob]

Renting an inflatable bouncer is also a good idea & not overly expensive...$95 plus tax & you pick up yourself & drop it off next morning...

http://eventdirect.ca/game.php?ID=62

So your kids can jump around all day if they want... I was thinking of getting a clown for 1 hr. but IMO the kids will have more fun on the bouncer:) I guess we shall see this Saturday how much fun they will have:D

[3weddings]

I've hosted parties thru
http://www.par-t-perfect.com/ and have to tell you they do EVERYTHING for you at the party! I didn't know I had 20 JKs in my house!

We did the 'build a bear' party at about half the price of the real thing.

I have also hosted a few parties at Build A Bear in Square 1. Four year olds will gobble this up, but NO FOOD there, you have to make other arrangements.

There's a place in Streetsville where you can have Victorian Tea Parties....fun! http://www.simplydelightful.ca/

There are several bounce and plays in the Mississauga area, our fave is
http://www.bouncenplay.ca/contact_us.php

Rent your local pool and have a swimming party.

We've had Britney Spears, Cinderella and Spiderman hop over the fence through http://www.toptalent.ca/WelcomeToTopTalentEveryone.htm

You can also hire a puppet show....love Applefun http://www.applefun.ca/
(he's the one who does Chapter's stores)

[patrob]

Renting an inflatable bouncer is also a good idea & not overly expensive...$95 plus tax & you pick up yourself & drop it off next morning...

http://eventdirect.ca/game.php?ID=62

So your kids can jump around all day if they want... I was thinking of getting a clown for 1 hr. but IMO the kids will have more fun on the bouncer:) I guess we shall see this Saturday how much fun they will have:D

The bouncer was a HIT:!: Kids loved it & had lot's of fun & only cost $108 with tax...much better than renting a clown for 1 hr @ $150:rolleyes:

[gmark2000]

For such young children... birthday parties are a status symbol for the parents.... the kids don't give a hoot.

How about invite 3 or 4 friends over to your house and let them play games and stuff. Why have 15 kids if it isn't a gift grab?

Why is it people today are sucked in by the commercialism of "you must spend a few hundred dollars on your toddler so they know you care about them???"

You don't need to spend an arm and a leg for your child to have fun. If you insist on spending lots..... throw a small party and invest the rest in an RESP for your child. That will truly be helpful for your child.
My kids' first party with their JK classmates emphasized crafts and playtime. We accepted no gifts, only donations to the toy drive to be made. The last thing that the kids need are a couple dozen more toys all at once.

[ddmom]

Party At Your Place is good to hire a character to attend your party, even at your party center of choice. their website is Party At Your Place.ca (without the spaces) Good Luck

[thelootlady]

I'm bumping this thread for my little girl who's 4 in April. I love the $5 limit idea. Any suggestions for the Ottawa area.

Ottawa - Playtime4kids great indoor playground. visit them at http://playtime4kids.com/