MAIN Home Life Party Ideas 4-Year-Old Birthday Party Ideas

Your 4-year old should be a party pro by now -- especially if they attend day care or preschool where they've learned to socialize and to share - at least a little!

Lively and energetic, 4-year olds certainly know what a party is all about - and expect to have lots of fun!

Keep them busy with age-appropriate activities, but not for too long, and not too structured.

4-year-old birthday party ideas

Barbie, Spiderman, Batman, Dora the Explorer, a sports party theme, dinosaurs, a pirate party (aargh!) -- or whatever else holds the interest of your 4-year old -- are always sure-to-please party themes.

If you want to keep it simple, purchase general birthday supplies and decorations, and save a bundle by creating your own invitations using a home computer and printer. Feature a favorite photo of the guest of honor, with wording such as "Look who's turning FOUR! They'll be cake and ice cream and a whole lot more!"

Ideal kids' birthday party games to play at this age include Follow the Leader, where kids can have fun burning off their extra energy following adult directions for skipping, hopping and jumping.

4-year-olds are ready a swinging pinata party --- with lots of adult supervision.

Also think about handcrafting a homemade piñata using a sturdy shopping bag filled with newspaper (and the kids' favorite treats.) Decorate the outside in the same colors as your party theme. Then staple the top shut, and string it up in the backyard. Just ake sure there is plenty of adult supervision before kids start swinging!

The party menu? Since all the party excitement may interfere with young appetites, keep it simple by including their favorite quick and easy finger foods like English muffin pizzas or homemade chicken nuggets, as well as individual juices and platters of sliced fruit.

On the Web, check out other ideas more tips and advice on invitations & decorations, games, activities, party treats and favors for celebrating your favorite 4-year old ...

also see -> kids birthday party locations

More about 4-year-old birthday party ideas around the Web:

4-Year-Old Birthday Party Ideas - Check out the ModernMom.com guide with tips on party themes, games and activities, and party planning with related resources.

How to Have a Successful Preschool Birthday Party - Check out helpful hints on the theme, choosing a location and more.