Planning a 4 year old's party-- part 1

Brainstorm and pick a theme, pick a location, pick a date.

The following questions will help determine the theme. 

Ask your almost-four year old (if you are unsure) and write it down (so you don't have to rely on memory): 

What is your favorite book?  Harold and the Purple Crayon

What is your favorite show?  Gumby and Diego and Sesame Street

Who is your favorite character?  Cookie Monster

What is your favorite number?  3

What is your favorite color?  Yellow

What is your favorite animal?  Duckies!

What is your favorite shape?  Circle

Tell me your friends names. Bobby, Buddy, Billy, and Bug. (not really.)

Hmm... I've actually been thinking about this one for a while.  We're either going to do a colorful polka-dot party or Sesame Street.  I'm leaning towards Sesame Street.  Why Sesame Street?  Because I threw a Sesame Street friend party when Pookie turned 4 and I've still got most of it in my memory.  I can see incorporating all the things he loves-- except maybe Diego. 

Location:  Home.  With a young, small group, I think he'll feel most comfortable here.  He is a homebody and more shy than the other kids.  His siblings will also enjoy the decorating process for the few days before.  No renting fees.  Just some clean up will work.

If you choose to use a rec center or a community park, check to see if you need to make reservations, how far in advance, and if there's a fee as well. 

Date:  I like to check for the Saturday before or after the birthday.  Then it does not interfere with the Sabbath.  With a group this young (and having the benefit of being a homeschooler), I might also consider a weekday for the party.

Hammy's birthday is May 13-- which is a Friday this year.  A quick phone call consulting with Danny brought us to the date of May 14.  This is good.  We're 2 months out still.  Calendars are marked.  No need to procrastinate.

One more thing, as a general rule of thumb, I do not like to feed other people's toddlers/preschoolers during parties.  We get into pickiness and slow-pokiness (including in my own kids). 

So, I plan the birthday party for two hours starting right after lunch like 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. I can focus the bulk of the party time to games and fun with a little time for eating (cake) at the end. 

This post is linked at WFMW.  Read part 2 here.