I've been to several parties at community centers and in my experience, parents often don't have enough toys/activities/crafts to keep the kids entertained for the 2 hours or so that you typically have the space. I think the PPs suggestions for crafts and activities are good, but I would also bring some extra toys or other unstructured activities (coloring pages, etc.) as well. With 3 and 4 year olds, I wouldn't count on games holding their attention for very long, so I'd plan for 3 simple games and an easy craft project. And definitely bring the food out early, because that will help keep people happy as much as anything else.

Also, I don't know how doable it is in the space you will have, but you could look into getting a piñata, as little kids might enjoy that. Just make sure that whatever is inside the piñata is actually safe for young children. At one party I attended, once the piñata broke open, the parents had to scramble and pick up all the hard candy from the ground because none of the children were old enough to safely eat it.

Anonymous wrote:I just went to a quaint party like you described. The mom bought some plastic things on a necklace and the kids filled them with sand out of squeeze bottles. That was a big hit. They also had paper plates to decorate with stamps, stickers, that kind of thing. And plain balloons everywhere, the non-helium kind.

I didn't mind any of that, I was bothered by the fact that they didn't bring out the cake until 2.5 hours after the party started.

This made me laugh. Quaint. Hahaha! Glad you didn’t mind it.

Is there a nature center available? Usually those parties come with the services of a volunteer who will talk about animals (and usually show off some of them) and maybe lead the kids on a hike. then you might want to have a related game and maybe a craft to keep them busy for the whole time. We did a turtle party and I had the kids paint turtle banks from Oriental Trading, which they seemed to enjoy. (They were 4 or 5.)

Another alternative: you could have a staffer lead the kids in a dance lesson or a sport if the room is appropriate for that.

Re: Hiring a princess: Not sure where you're located, OP, but there is a group called Vienna Singing Princesses (based in Vienna, VA but I'm sure they'd travel locally) that I think is high school/maybe college kids who do parties etc. Includes some princes too! They cost about $200 for a one- hour visit , though, so not cheap. Still, they've been very popular with kids at festivals where I've seen them. They do party stuff with kids too--it's not just singing. Some friends have had them at parties and were pleased.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not been to one and can you tell me what do people typically do for games and entertainment? This would be for my daughter's 4 year old party and half of her friends are 3 years old. We are thinking of a Frozen theme party as she loves Frozen. But I don't want to do about entertainment. I tried to google this and it seems like some of the games are too difficult for this age group. Thanks.

Can you hire an Elsa for the party? They’ll do games and face painting

Or you can do a craft project with the kids?

OP here. Where do you find that person? Sorry if the answer is obvious but I am new at this.
No to the bounce house because my daughter doesn't care for those. Also, am trying to keep the cost low and that would definitely bring up the cost.

Your DD might not care for a bounce house (most rental places have Frozen themed bounce houses by the way), but it is an easy and cheap way to please and to entertain the masses. If you are inviting boys, I can assure you they will not sit still or tolerate having to color, for example, and Elsa coloring sheet or gluing gems onto a jewelry box (or whatever craft you're considering).

OP's party is in a rented room inside a community center, not at her home. It's pretty unlikely that the community center is going to permit a private user to put up a bounce house on city/community property because the center/city government etc. won't want to risk liability if something goes wrong. No matter what waivers are involved, it's just not something most places like this would allow in OP's situation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not been to one and can you tell me what do people typically do for games and entertainment? This would be for my daughter's 4 year old party and half of her friends are 3 years old. We are thinking of a Frozen theme party as she loves Frozen. But I don't want to do about entertainment. I tried to google this and it seems like some of the games are too difficult for this age group. Thanks.

Can you hire an Elsa for the party? They’ll do games and face painting

Or you can do a craft project with the kids?

OP here. Where do you find that person? Sorry if the answer is obvious but I am new at this.

No to the bounce house because my daughter doesn't care for those. Also, am trying to keep the cost low and that would definitely bring up the cost.

I was asking about this a few weeks ago and someone mentioned princesspartiesdc.com. But with the cost of renting a community center and $200 for 1 hour for the princess to come and do crafts, it adds up.

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FROM THEIR WEBSITE:

Princess Party

2 hours - to include all activities* $250
1.5 hour party - to include all activites* $225
1 hour party - no facepainting option $200
30 min - coronation, 1 activity and photos $150

*Facepainting is time permitting. Please allow 3 to 5 minuites per child.

we also offer professional facepainting services.
Add a professional for $100


This is the proposed routine of show activities from Princess Parties of DC:

Entrance
Your princess will arrive after the party starts to make sure all of your attendees have arrived.
She will enter the party playing themed music and allow the children to warm up to her presence (about 3 mins) before introducing herself & asking all guests to gather around for the coronation.

Coronation

A silver and rhinestone tiara for the birthday princess!

Singing

Your performer will sing and/or will perform a sing along with the children!


Dance Lesson

Your princess will lead the children in a short dance lesson. (Moana teaches a hula)

Our Superheroes lead the childen in Superhero Training activities


Parachute Play

Everyone holds onto the parachute for a mesmerizing and entertaining experince - FUN FOR ALL AGES!


Face Painting/Nails/Crafts

The children will decorate tiaras and masks with stickers, adhesive rhinestones* and washable markers.

At this time we suggest that you go ahead and do any activities you may have planned - we will have coloring pages for the children as well.

Your princess will do small facepainting on the children for 2 hour parties with 12 children or less
*Add on a professional facepainter for $100

Story

With addtional time before cake we will have story time and/or play age appropriate games


Cake Time

Your princess will sing & help you serve cake, whenever you are ready to serve the birthday cake.

Photos and Farewell

Your Princess will make sure any photographs wanted are taken & hug the children goodbye.

Note: We are happy to be flexible with the flow of the party per your request.


*Adhesive rhinestones upon request. These are a choking hazard.

Anonymous wrote:We did one of these when my DD turned 4. Brought in dresses and costumes for dress up, had a few craft stations (cereal necklaces, crown decorating, and something else I can't remember), and had a snacks table. Also had a face painter come in, but honestly most of the kids didn't do that! Without the face painter, it was about $150 all together (including venue and food). And I probably went overboard on crafts. Kids had a blast.

face painting is a fine add on to something else, but never as the sole entertainment. The kids aren’t entertained by face painting. It’s more decorative for parents to take pictures