Craft/game ideas for 4 year old bday please! (x-posted in childhood)

[Rosehip]

Posting here for craft ideas but welcome other responses/suggestions too! Thank you!

DD's 4th bday party is this Saturday. I need some ideas! It's 2-4 o'clock, so no lunch, but I'll have fruit, pretzels, etc.

I'm thinking a craft, a game or two, and then cake??

For crafts - any fairly easy, not too glue-y ideas?

As for games - I thought musical chairs, or pin-the-tail-on-something...

Any other ideas? There will probably be 10 or so kids (big preschool class). Most are 4+, one 3 yo, a couple of toddlers.

Also, in terms of drop off...I was going to send an email saying that parents could stay or drop off if they wanted. Do you think that's a good idea? I think 4 is kind of the cusp of drop off parties. I'll have my parents, my brother & sister in law here, so a good amount of adult help.

Thanks!!

[OTMomma]

I didn't let people drop the kids off when dd was 4, but I think it depends on your comfort zone, etc. We had a pool, and I wanted a lot of parents present to supervize the swimming (summer party obviously).

I think its good to do crafts that go with a party theme if possible. Simple ones we've done: I got plain cardboard crowns that the kids decorated with glitter paint- though it didn't dry as quickly as I would have liked, it was a good simple craft. Making bracelets by stringing beads on a pipecleaner (easier than string for small fingers). But those are rather girly.

I would also consider doing a winter theme to the crafts- I'm sure the craft stores have some kits to do little snow men, or you could make snowflakes. You could also get some pingpong balls and use them to do a snow ball toss game- throwing them into a bucket or such.

Good luck!