4 Yr Old B-day Party-

I love planning kids' parties! That being said, I have found that kids this age really don't want a lot of structured activities--they'd rather just play together. The "games" they think are the most fun are the ones where everyone participates at the same time, like a treasure hunt, a dance party, a "snowball fight" using balls of foam, that sort of thing.

Personally, I would go to your friend's house. Kids may not have Halloween costumes yet, so I probably wouldn't do that. The pirate themes suggested by others would be fun. You could also do a superhero party. Capes are easy to make and are great party favors too. Just buy some red fleece (or whatever color you want), cut into rectangles (about 15" x 30"). Then a couple of inches from one end, cut out a circle for the child's head to go through (just try it out with your son for sizing). Then round the front corners out to make it look nice. For extra safety, you can snip open the front of the circle and sew or glue in velcro. As an activity, you could provide felt pieces and glue or foamies stickers and let them decorate their capes. Superhero cake decorations can be bought just about anywhere.

Other ideas: You could base your theme on your son's halloween costume and let him wear it for the party if he wants. A make-your-own taco bar is probably the easiest and least expensive way to do food. Put beans and meat in crock pots if you have them (or can borrow). Everything else in bowls for people to serve themselves.

If you want any other ideas, feel free to email me! My husband thinks I wanted another child just so I could plan more birthdays...

My daughter's cousin on her dad's side did a Halloween themed birthday party in July when he was 5 because he was obsessed with that theme. I think that would be fun.

Anywhere you go like Chuckie Cheese, Pump it Up, etc will run you atleast 100-250 in costs.

If your looking for a cheap place your friends house will be your best bet.

Although I just had a outdoorwater/sleepover party for my daughter at our house and that ran me atleast 150. Food, Games, Prizes and I went as cheap as possible.

I'd make a list of what you'll need and est. how much each item will cost cause it all adds up fast.

We just went to a pirate theme party. The kids had loads of fun. She had little treasure chests full of pirate booty (eye patch, head scarf, vest, fake coins, necklace, etc) for the gift bags, we did a scavengar hunt for a treasure chest that was full of stickers, tatoos, candy for them to share. Parents helped with that one. We had a good time.

Also along the pirate theme from a different party:
One party they gave them all pirate names. So they had 2 piles of necklaces with names on them (little square wooden beads). One pile had names like Fred, Bill, etc the other pile had nautical terms like Barnicle, Oyster etc. So my kids were Oyster Fred and Barnicle Bill. It was fun to see the combinations.

I have a 4 1/2 yr old boy also and I have done a birthday party at McDonalds and Davanni's. If you have it at your friends then I would maybe go to Michaels and see if there is anything that they could make for boys in there age range or play games.

Good luck and have fun!!