Unique Places to have Kids Birthday Parties
When it comes to birthday parties for children, it is becoming harder and harder to be unique or, at the very least, different. Parties in gardens and front rooms with a balloon magician have given way to ball-pits, bouncy castles and elaborate themes. What is a pressured parent to do when their beloved offspring demands something new, something different, something unique which will make them the envy of the neighbourhood?
Thinking outside the box is an absolute must. Take pirates, a popular theme with boys and girls alike. A few pirate flags and a fake rum barrel in the back yard no longer suits today’s sophisticated child. Instead, inquire at the local boatyards and see if there are any boats for hire and turn one into a pirate ship for a few hours. If safety is an issue, hold the party below decks and have plenty of adult supervision.
Tents and marquees are an absolute lifesaver for party-panicked parents. Erect a single, long marquee anywhere – with appropriate permissions, if needed – and voilà, you have an instant party venue. Erect one in a park and hold a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Erect one on the beach and have a '60s beach party, complete with surfer music and maybe even surfing instructors for the kids.
Erect a bunch of tents in the woods and it’s time for an Indian camp or an Iron Age village party. Add in some archery targets - supervised, of course – maybe a bird of prey demonstration from a local falconer and a memorable party is achieved. The tent theme can be adapted for all sorts of unique ideas; for example, jungle safari, mystery diners - individual themed food and activities spread across four or five tents - and even a Halloween style scary party for October birthdays, complete with scary tableau and games in each tent.
Trees are not often utilised as party places but they should be. Woods and arboretums are perfect for treasure hunting themed parties. Find out if there are any local places – or homes – with tree-houses or aerial jungle gyms. Racing across rope bridges and up wooden ladders to finally eat party tea in the treetops is definitely a unique party place.
Cellars and attics are another poorly used resource when it comes to parties. These are especially useful if children have special interests. A cellar can become the space for a Mad Scientist party, for kids who love science. Try and find a local science teacher who is willing, perhaps for a small fee, to come along and demonstrate a few flashy experiments to add atmosphere.
Attics are, of course, the perfect setting for an artist’s garret. Got children who are heavily into art or general crafting? Throw an Attic Arts Academy party. Any friends and relatives with a degree of arty competence can be roped in to give demonstrations and kids can try their hands at a variety of crafts before feasting on suitable dainty and arty foods, such as cucumber sandwiches – crusts removed is a must – vol-au-vents and clotted cream scones.
Basing a party around a unique theme is an excellent way to do something new, and likely give a party none of the attendees will have seen before. A planetarium is a brilliant option, and most museums and public spaces such as libraries are open to party time these days as it brings in extra income. Try a Star party where kids get to use binoculars and telescopes to look at the night sky and perhaps they could be allowed to claim and name a star for themselves.
A library is a good choice for a literary themed bash. Kids can dress as their favourite book characters and eat foods picked from the books relating to their characters. Alternately, libraries can host a Write Your Own Book party, great for kids with a literary bent. Each child gets to write a piece of the story which is read out at the end, merged with everyone else’s. The finished works can then be turned into a book – print the sheets out at the library as everyone is there – and given as take home gifts.
Parties are fun, even if planning them is often seen as a chore for parents and carers. With the application of a little imagination, a good knowledge of what is available locally and a keen appreciation of a child’s tastes, wonders can be performed which will be talked about for years – well days at least – to come.
