It‘s ridiculous when you think about it. How can two hours (3-5pm usually) one weekend afternoon to celebrate the birth of their progeny drive normally sane adults to the gin bottle and inappropriate use of their credit cards?
Sadly, there’s no satisfactory answer to that, but the children’s party industry is certainly growing to meet the demand of parental party neuroses. Of course, you could just decide on footie in the park, followed by dainty sandwiches, jelly, crisps, pop and an inexpertly iced own-made cake. But for those determined to go the whole hog, here are the capital's top ten party venues, top five places for birthday cake and top five birthday-money blowers
Top ten children's party venues
Coram’s Fields
At weekends, rooms – with kitchen facilities – may be rented, costing from £32. Parents provide food and entertainment.
Coram's Fields, 93 Guildford Street, WC1N 1DN (020 7837 6138) Russell Square tube. Open May-Aug 9am-8pm daily. Sept-Apr 9am-dusk daily.
Golden Hinde
Birthday pirates have fun on board (£352.50 for up to 30 children).
Golden Hinde, St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE (0870 011 8700/www.goldenhinde.org). Monument tube/London Bridge tube/rail. Open daily, times vary; phone for details.
HMS Belfast
A party room in the World War II battlecruiser residing at Bankside costs £75 to hire. Captain Corky’s private tour is £100 extra.
HMS Belfast, Morgan's Lane, Tooley Street, SE1 2JH (020 7940 6300/www.iwm.org.uk). Tower Hill tube/rail. Open Mar-Oct 10am-6pm daily. Nov-Feb 10am-5pm daily. Last entry 45mins before closing.
London Waterbus Company
Two hours (£210) or three (£275), chugging along the canal between Camden Lock and Little Venice. For up to 20 children.
London Waterbus Company, (020 7482 2660/www.londonwaterbus.com)
Lyric Theatre
Parties are for a minimum of five and a maximum of 30 kids; food is served after the 11am or 1pm performances; the Café Brera hosts party teas from £4.50 per child. Parents usually bring the cake.
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King Street, Hammersmith, W6 0QL (0870 050 0511/www.lyric.co.uk). Hammersmith tube. Open Box office 10am-6pm Mon-Sat until 8pm during showtimes).
Mile End Climbing Wall
Parties for over-eights get an experienced instructor to every eight climbers (costs £58; 90mins of climbing and abseiling). Parties end in the padded ‘monkey room’.
Mile End Climbing Wall, Haverfield Road, E3 5BE, (020 8980 0289)
Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green
Here you’ll find a specially decorated party room and a soft-play area. Hire of the party room starts at £100 for a maximum of 25 kids, with 40 minutes in the soft-play area for an extra £30. Museum of Childhhood at Bethnal Green, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA (020 8983 5217/recorded info 020 8980 2415/www.museumofchildhood.org.uk). Bethnal Green tube/rail. Open 10am-5.50pm Mon-Thur, Sat, Sun.
Puppet Theatre Barge
This barge is a brilliant place for a birthday party. Tickets for the children’s performances are £6.50 for kids and £7 for adults, and for £50 extra the boat can be rented out for an hour of fun and feasting (parents bring the food). Kids can have a private performance, with an hour on the barge afterwards, for £295.
Puppet theatre Barge, Opposite 35 Blomfeild Road, Little Venice, W9 2PF (020 7249 6876/www.puppetbarge.com). Warwick Avenue tube. Open Box office 10am-8pm daily.
Science Museum
Young children can enjoy The Garden, then eat lunch at the Deep Blue restaurant for £4 a head – a personalised cake costs £24. IMAX cinema parties include a meal (£9 per head), the ‘extreme birthday’ buys simulator rides, film and dinner. For £30 per child, minimum five children (and one adult, £25) can book a sleepover, with early breakfast provided.
Science Museum, Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD (020 7942 4454/ booking and information line 0870 870 4868/www.sciencemuseum.org.uk). south Kensington tube. Open 10am-5.45pm daily.
Theatre Museum
Full-on theatricals in Covent Garden include drama birthday parties (£200 for a maximum of 15 children).
Theatre Museum, Russell Street, WC2E 7PR (020 7943 4700/group bookings 020 7943 4806/www.theatremuseum.org). Covent Garden tube. Open 10am-6pm Tue-Sun. Closed bank hols.
London for Children
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19 comments
If you are looking for something special I would recommend Goody Gumdrops in Crouch End, Newly opened it stocks a great selection of wooden toys, unusual gifts and accessories and they do the best party bags. In fact everything there is lovely as my daughter tells me. They also do Play Mobil and Meccano, but the best bit is the shop is very well laid out and has a play area at the back for kids to play. They have also added a childrens book corner which stocks a great selection, so we would say this is our favourite childrens shop in North London.
We have just had a Party Flix party, they were great with the kids and the idea is so unique, I think they are the only people to come and make a film with the kids and then have a premier at the end. Highly recommended.
www.partyflix.co.uk
Would recommend Gambado because it has proper wow factor. Only problem was trying to book because they are busy but staff are very friendly.
we had a fantastic party at Gymboree Putney great for the adults too
We too went to Eddie Catz and were so impressed with the service. The kids had a great time (3&4 yr olds) and we were never afraid we were going to lose them like with big playhouses.
We'd booked our toddler's party at Blue Kangaroo but it closed so we went to Eddie Catz instead. It was great. Kids had a great time. Staff was accomodating. They also serve wine for the adults. Highly recommend it.
I agree about Perform Parties - they gave us the best Superheroes party ever last week. If you want to have a party at home or in a private venue and you don't want to pay the earth, I would highly rcommend them. Professiopnal, good value and excellent fun!
We recently had a Perform drama party with a theme of Mermaids & Pirates. My son and daughter (aged 5 and 7) both said it was the best party they'd ever had. The lady cam dressed in full costume and they learned songs, played games and were completely wrapped up in the whole thing. I've booked them again for next month I was so impressed. www.performparties.org.uk
Blue Kangaroo must be the best children's party venue in London. At my daugther's party, the children's food was very good unlike most places and the staff were great making it a very special day. We also entertained our friends with food and drink. Brilliant.
I've just booked Party Flix for my son's birthday, they are new and exciting party organisers. And they seem like really lovely people.
partyflix.co.uk
Playaway London in Crouch End is the finest birthday venue for small children that you could hope to find. Our party was fantastic, the kids loved every minute.
The best company we found for help with our sons' party bags was Frog in the Field, really helpful and unusual without breaking the bank. Also no sweets..hoe rare is that?
For older children, have you tried a Soap and Bubble party? we had one for our daughter's birthday. All the kids had a great time and everything was supplied.
Went to a party at Gambado in Fulham. Best indoor play venue I've been to.
surely there has to be more for children than this, a birthday venue directory is a must !!!!
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