Need 4 year old birthday ideas

[LiLStar]

We're using our neighborhood clubhouse for dd's birthday, since its free. And I won't have to have it IN my house. Its a february birthday so the weather is likely to be gross, but if its not, there's a swing set/slide right outside. So we basically have a good sized party room with tables/chairs, a kitchen, and a bathroom. If it were in our house we'd at least be able to do random free play, but since this is an empty void except for what we bring, we really have to have planned activities!  I'm thinking of just having some things to do out and available vs structured/schedule activities. So far all we have for sure is cake and a pinata. We're thinking of getting one of those cardboard play castles that are white for coloring and playing in. Oh and I think my mom volunteered to come do face painting. Aside from that, we're stumped. And if we don't have SOMETHING to do, its going to pretty much be running amok, probably grabbing hands and running laps around the perimeter shrieking at the top of their lungs ;) Assuming everyone invited comes, the kids (mine included) would include: three babies, three 1s, four 2s, three 3s, three 4s, two 6s, two 7s, two 10s. So a pretty varied group!

Ahh, idea that literally popped into mind while I was typing. Set up various cereals like cheerios, froot loops, etc (and maybe some candies?) and string to make munchable necklaces :) 

[Boot]

Could you borrow a bouncy castle? I've been to 2 parties at our clubhouse where they did that and it worked really well. Loads of balloons around the place are also popular.

[LiLStar]

Ahh... the bouncy castles. I spent an afternoon looking at the various businesses that rent those, and...yeah :/ it's a much better deal to just pay to have a party at like, pump it up or something. SO expensive. Balloons are a great idea! Let loose 20 or so to kick/throw around and they'd be thrilled

[Boot]

Might be worth asking around to see if anyone has one you can borrow. I lot of people I know have bought them cheaply. Or you might even be able to buy one cheaply yourself at this time of year. But just balloons are always lots of fun too, especially is a space where not much damage can be done. 

[averlee]

I love the idea for the cardboard playhouse. We used one for our playgroup, it was a blast, and only about $15. I think the little play tents could be a lot of fun too. Even a regular old camping tent could be really fun to run in/out of.

Arts & crafts are often pretty popular. Then, what they make doubles as a party favor. Making bracelets, anything with stickers or glitter, suncatchers to paint.

One idea I've done for an indoor kids party is get a long big paper- I used a roll of dark blue wrapping paper- and tape it to the floor for drawing with sidewalk chalk.

For running around the perimeter, you could make a track with masking tape. You could even invite everyone to bring ride-on toys, or push/pull type toys, for that. And if you play some kids music while they run & scream, it looks like an organized activity!

And small toys can be pretty fun- the streamers you run with, blow-up beach balls, tops to spin, funny glasses/hats/crowns, etc.

You could set up a table with little farm animals or dinosaurs, lacing toys, puzzles.

If the place isn't carpeted, you could do a play-doh table. Provide lots of play-doh, cookie cutters, rolling pins, etc. You could even make the play-doh at the party with the kids, they love that. 

If you don't have plans for food, you could do a "make your own pizza" set-up, with boboli crusts or even english muffins.

And don't forget snacks. Little kids and their tired parents will not have a good time without some nourishment. Goldfish crackers, pirates booty, fresh fruit, and juice will keep anyone from collapsing from starvation. I also suggest having coffee or maybe some bottled/canned coffee drinks, no matter what time of day the party is.