My son's favorite thing in the world is collecting bugs, so what better than a Bug Party for his 4th birthday!
We made ladybug invitations which had the party information under the wings. When the guests arrived, they were kept busy making their own bug antenae with pipe cleaners, large pom-poms, and colorful hair bands (I did the hot glueing). They were also able to decorated their own cups with bug stickers, while they waited for everyone to arrive. Our first game was an adaptation of "Duck, Duck, Goose" changed to "Ladybug, Ladybug, Bumblebee." Then we changed "Simon Says" to "Ladybug Says." We had a pair of ladybug wings from a Halloween costume, so whoever was it was able to wear them. If you have access to butterfly wings, change the game to "Butterfly Says." Then we went outside and each child was given their own butterfly net, purchased at a dollar store, and my older children blew bubbles for the 4-year-olds to catch in their nets. Each child was given a ladybug prize bag and were sent on a Bug Hunt. My older children had hidden plastic bugs in the play area of our yard, and each child could find 5 bugs to take home. Next we played "Don't wake the Bumblebee." I first demonstrated how to play the game by being the Bumblebee first. Start by crouching down and hiding your face, pretending to be asleep. The children tiptoe around you, asking, "Bumblebee, are you sleeping?" Answer "yes" several times, then catch them off-guard and say, "no." After you say "no" you jump up and chase the children until you catch one who will be the next bumblebee. We also played relay races in which they had to race like whichever bug I called out (e.g. crawl like a spider, roll like a rolly-polly bug, hop like a grasshopper, and so forth). We had a bumblebee pinata, then lastly, we went inside for lunch. I had purchased a plastic tablecloth and large bug stickers to decorate it. We served ants on a log, cracker bugs (Ritz with PB and raisins), fruit caterpillars made on small skewers with melon balls and grapes, and juice. After opening presents we had ladybug cake and ice cream. The ladybug was made in a large and small mixing bowl, for the body and head. I used black pipe cleaner for the antenae, and peppermint patties for the spots. It was easy and very cute. My son has been talking about his bug party for weeks!