Don't try this at home! (Children's Parties)

Member Name: Krystal

Product:	Children's Parties
Date:	15/05/01 (136 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No mess to clear up, good value for money

Disadvantages: Absolutely none!

Have a children's party, that is. Fine for immobile babies, but once they're over the age of 2, forget it. In an ideal world, with a spacious house and huge garden I'm sure it would work. But I have an average-sized terraced house with a garden the size of a Coronation Street backyard, and it's not practical to have lots of noisy children thundering around the place. So what's the ideal solution - hold the party elsewhere!

My son had a party last year for his 4th birthday, at a place called the Playbarn - part of the Tom Cobleigh pub chain. As the same suggests, it's an indoor soft play area where the children can get rid of their excess energy.

The party lasts for 2 hours, the first hour being devoted to climbing, sliding etc. and then the birthday child and guests are called to the table for their meal. There is a choice of chicken nuggets, beefburger, pizza or turkey dinosaurs, all served with chips and baked beans. This is followed with ice cream, and strawberry or chocolate sauce. Jugs of squash are provided, when we were there we had lemon and blackcurrant, but I think it varies.

After the meal the birthday cake is brought to the table (you can supply your own or the Playbarn will provide one for £5.95). We took our own as my son had asked for a Bob the Builder one. After a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday", the children can go back to playing until the 2 hours are up. Children must be supervised at all times, the recommended ratio is one adult to every five children.

The cost per child is £5.50, which also includes a balloon and a party bag. The party bags contain things like colouring books, crayons, stencils and a small bag of sweets. The birthday child receives a Playbarn t-shirt and a Polaroid photo of him/herself and guests.

There are additional activities at extra cost, such as party games with prizes (£5) and face painting at £1 per child. I've been to several parties a
t the Playbarn, and to be honest I don't think there would be suffucient time for additional activities without cuuting down on their playing time too much.

The invitations are supplied by the Playbarn, and the children have to tick their choice of food on the back. Then the party organiser lets the Playbarn know about 4 days before the event. What could be simpler? They do get very busy with party bookings, especially at weekends, so it's best to book as much in advance as you can. My son is having his 5th birthday party there in a few weeks' time, and I booked it in October!

I don't think that paying for a party like this would necessarily cost any more than having one at home, as you would have to supply the food, drinks, party bags, balloons, prizes etc. And there's no mess to clear up, you just walk away and let someone else do it!

I would choose this sort of party every time, I could hug whoever invented soft play areas! Great value for money, and saves your sanity.

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