How to Plan a "Little Girl's" Party

You want to do something special for your child - a fun party with a few of her friends, but don't know where to start. You're wondering what activites to plan, how are you going to entertain a bunch of four-year-olds. Here are a few ideas you can take into consideration for planning that perfect party for your little princess!

1. Arts & Crafts - are always fun! No matter what the age group, children of all ages love to use their creativity and imagination.

Some ideas: You can make jewelry out of pasta and yarn. You can paint the pasta any color(s). Use macaroni or penne noodles - anything with a hole to thread the yarn through. Make bracelets and necklaces.

They can be princesses. You can have them make paper crowns to go with their pasta jewelry. Decorate the crowns with sequins, beads, and glitter. You can buy a few nailpolishes of different colors, including a glitter one for them to paint each others nails (it would probably be best for them to do that outside)!

They can have a tea party. Use juice instead of tea. You can make tiny sandwiches to go with their "tea." Use a pop-up princess tent and put a small table with chairs under it for their tea party.

They could make bubble paper. All you need is dish soap, food coloring, straws, tin cake pans, and plain white paper. Fill the pans with water about 1-inch deep. Add a few drops of soap and food coloring (your choice on the color or colors). Mix it up carefully. Then, have the girls blow bubbles with the straws in the colored water. Have them lay their piece of paper over the bubbles. Once they've created their masterpiece, lay them aside to dry.

2. Games

Have them play games like Simon Says or Mother May I. There are fun yard games like Red Light Green Light, and Red Rover. You can buy some pinatas and fill them with different kinds of candy and small prizes. Or try Pin the Tail On The Donkey.

What about a backyard treasure hunt? Make a treasure map for them to use as a guide to the treasure along with tricky clues.

Set up a backyard carnival. Have stations with games and prizes. Buy some plastic necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc, for the prizes (You can check out your local dollar store).

3. Food

No party is a party without a cake or cupcakes! Bake cupcakes into icecream cones (the ones with flat bottoms). Decorate with frosting and sprinkles.

You can make pizza pinwheels for a snack or meal. Use pizza dough that comes in a refrigerated can. Unroll the dough. Cut into 3-inch strips. Layer on shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and then top with a layer of pepperonis. Roll them into logs. Freeze the logs for 30 minutes (this allows them to be sliced easier, without falling apart). Cut the logs into slices (pinwheels). Bake. Serve warm with pizza sauce!