19 August 2008

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Venues and ideas for birthday parties

The pressure's on parents when it comes to parties, and often unnecessarily so, as most young children are so excited that it's their birthday that the pomp and circumstance surrounding it passes them by. But it is undoubtedly important to know you've done something special for your child and, as they get older, even the mother of invention herself is hard pushed to come up with a novel idea for a birthday party. So, if you've run out of puff from blowing too many balloons and you've passed your last parcel, try out some of these ideas.

For those little seafaring legs why not get piped aboard HMS Belfast and enjoy the hospitality of the Commander of the ship? A party organiser in naval uniform can accompany the group around all nine decks of the ship, and afterwards the children can try on a selection of uniforms and climb into a hammock! For those little sailors who fly under a different flag there's a fabulous Pirate Party available on board the Golden Hinde where two Pirate Escorts from the ship's motley crew will lead the children in an adventure tour around the ship, play piratical games and take them on a treasure hunt. Still in the swim, the Caledonian Pool in Islington offers exlusive use of its pool with party games or a giant inflatable crocodile. For your small fry the small pool is available with toy floats and the walrus slide.

Perhaps your little fairy would like her very own enchanted garden in which to entertain her magical friends. Down the winding staircase of Mystical Fairies in Hampstead is a wonderland of glitter and fantasy, which has to be seen to be believed. Choose from a range of party hosts including fairies, fairytale characters and the cast of Harry Potter. If you love the idea but can't afford to hire the venue you can arrange for your birthday child to attend fairy school for a morning.

What if your little monkey prefers swinging from a branch to sitting pretty on a toadstool? Perhaps a Geckos party at the Castle Climbing Centre is the answer. Everything is provided to ensure the children have an exciting, unusual and, above all, safe birthday party in the Castle. The session runs for one and a half hours, during which time everyone will be given an opportunity to climb under the careful supervision of an experienced instructor.

If Dr Who has inspired your children then Quasar Laser in Archway and Enfield might give them the opportunity to relive some space age action.

Art for Fun provides a party venue where every child can take away a truly unique memento of the event. Choose from ceramic painting, t-shirt painting, clay sculpting, clay and plaster and lots more. You can find Art for Fun at Muswell Hill, Chiswick and West Hampstead.

If you are after a group activity then an ice skating party is ideal and there are plently of venues to choose from. Many have special arrangements for birthday parties. At Streatham Ice Arena and at the Lee Valley Ice Centre you can enjoy packages that include invitations, admission and skate hire, food, drink and goodie bags. But as winter draws in it is Somerset House in the Strand, that provides the most magical of settings for a winter birthday party, as darkness falls the rink is lit with flaming torches and with a ride home taking in the Christmas lights, a most memorable of birthdays is promised. Other London rinks include Alexandra Palace, Queens Ice Bowl, Michael Sobell Sports Centre, Romford Ice Rink, Gillingham Ice Bowl and the Guildford Spectrum.

For older children it's often hard to give them something new, and there are many experience based parties available (minimum age is often 14) to offer a taste of something different.

Budding pop stars can record a CD courtesy or Giftdaze and Buy a Gift. Before they run away with the circus, maybe your wannabe trapeze artist might like to try it out for size learning skills such as flying trapeze, juggling and acrobatics. For a whip crackin' experience your birthday child might like to hone their Cowboy Skills as they try out different wild west skills such as the lasso and whip cracking, all overseen by a trained teachers. This experience is not for the faint-hearted but for any Clints in the making it's a must.

Finally, reach for your sword in the battlements of the Pirate Castle, Camden - an unexpected treasure of a venue, reach for the sky in a helicopter tour, or reach for the steering wheel on a quad bike and make sure your child has a very Happy Birthday!

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