Planning a Birthday Party - Cincinnati,OH

At 4-5 years old I would definately have planned activities for them or it could erupt into chaos pretty quickly. Making their own jerseys sounds like a great idea. I usually put crayons and coloring pages on the table for children to do as they arrive. Keeping in mind that their attention span wont be very long I would probably try to plan enough activities to be able to change every 10-15 minutes, if they stick with something longer than that GREAT!! We also put 2 chairs together for gift opening and take a photo of the gifter with the birthday child and their gift, makes a great reminder for thank you notes. Hope your son has a great birthday!!

I would have some structured games, kids that age might get bored after a while. You could do a long jump contest or a basketball throwing contest, a rope climbing contest.

You could also bring a portable stereo or boom box and play music and have them step on numbers in a circle and whoever's number is called wins a prize (like a cakewalk)

I think the make-your-own-jersey is a great idea. I would also call the Y ahead of time and ask them to lower the basketball hoops to kid-size. Make sure you'll have access to the balls.

You might plan one or two additional activities; use them as back up or if the boys are getting crazy. So plan ones that don't need much set up or equiment.

And don't stress. I have learned my lesson and found out that kids this age make their own fun quite easily!

If the kids all know each other the party will be a little easier. I suggest you have a few planned activities, but not many. My child's 5 yr party had a craft planned and a game. the rest of the time, they made their own play. If I had tried to get them to do more organized games it would have failed. They will also want to play with the gifts. Be sure to leave time for that. Have fun.

IME, boys that age just want to run around, play and basically be goofballs!

I'd let them play dodgeball, basketball, bowling or wiffleball. But, for 4-5 year olds I would structure that a bit....dodgeball when they get there for half hour, basketball for a half hour after cake, etc., depending on the time available at the Y. Maybe let your son pick 2 or 3 sports he would enjoy most & go from there.

Personally, I wouldn't do the jersey designing--but my kid has never been "into" craft activities.

You could get plain colored T-shirts and the iron-on numbers and make each kid a "jersey" for the party favor. That would be nice!

Shirt Idea is a great idea. I'd have structured and non. Like have a free throw competition on a lower hoop with a prize at the end. Have a soccer kick into goal with a prize. Do that in the middle and your party will be great