It's a kind of magic: Mystical Fairies
Ideas for children’s parties in London
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Portrait Rob Greig
Posted: Thu Aug 21 2008 -
You can go mad in both senses of the phrase trying to organise a simple children’s party these days, so here’s a selection of our favourite venues and activities to provide entertainment for the kids
Party planner: Essentials | Birthday | Kids' | Work | Wedding | Hen | Stag
Venues
Children’s Party Bus
On-board events, such as games, magic or a disco, are tailored to the age group (from fours to nines). The bus parks outside for two hours and price includes catering. Capacity 24 children. Hire charge from £350.
Children's Party Bus (07836 605032/www.childrenspartybus.co.uk).
Clown Town
A three-level, multi-activity frame featuring slides, ball ponds and rope climbs, which is heaven for kids. Cost £8.95 per child.
Clown Town, Unit 3, Coppetts Centre, North Circular Rd, N12 0QS (020 8361 6600). New Southgate rail.
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre
There is a pleasing grassy terrace; indoors, swimmers can plough up and down the main pool or enjoy the leisure pool’s wave machine and picture windows. The leisure pool can be hired between 4.30pm and 6.30pm at weekends. Capacity 30. Hire charge £129 per hour.
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre, Great North Leisure Park, Chaplin Square, N12 0GL (020 8343 9830/www.gll.org). East Finchley tube.
See our guide to London's best pools and lidos
Mystical Fairies
Whether you use the magical basement kingdom or have the fairies come to your home, Mystical provides parties for the sprite-obsessed.
It’s not all pink dresses and wings; there are also pirate and wizard parties. Young girls in their fairy phase love the whimsy; for older ones there are high-school musical and disco options. Hire charge from £375 for two hours.
Mystical Fairies, 12 Flask Walk, NW3 1HE (020 7431 1888/www.mysticalfairies.co.uk). Hampstead tube. Feature continuesAdvertisementDelta Force
Children have to be over 11 to don their fatigues and participate in the fun. They get 150 paintballs to fire between 9.15am and 4pm, plus a pizza lunch – all for £17.50 per head. The sites at Billericay and Upminster in Essex are both within walking distance of train and tube stations. £17.50 per person (minimum 40).
Delta Force, Aveley Rd, Upminster, RM14 2TW (0844 477 5050/www.paintballgames.co.uk). Upminster tube/rail.
Cups 'n' horsies: Kentish Town City Farm Kentish Town City Farm
There’s livestock, a pond full of frogs and a brand new space they rent out for children’s parties. There’s also a kitchen to prepare food. It costs £50 (plus £50 returnable deposit).
Kentish Town City Farm, 1 Cressfield Close, off Grafton Rd, NW5 4BN (020 7916 5421/www.ktcityfarm.org.uk). Kentish Town tube.
V&A Museum of Childhood
As well as the displays of toys, there’s a colourful party space downstairs. Extras include menus from their café, crafts activities and a story trail around the museum. Capacity 25. Hire charge £100.
V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (020 8983 5200/www.vam.ac.uk/moc). Bethnal Green tube/rail.
Gambado
Colourful climbing frames and slides are present and correct, but Gambado goes the extra mile with dodgems and a carousel. Max capacity 30. Hire charge £18.50-£26 per child.
Gambado, 7 Station Court, Townsmead Rd, SW6 2PY (020 7384 1635/www.gambado.com). Fulham Broadway tube, then 391 bus.
Goody bags
Happy Green Earth
HGH’s eco-friendly bags start at 20p, and gifts at 35p.
(0845 388 0931/www.happygreen earth.com)
Frog in the Field
The excellent website makes party bag purchasing a total doddle.
(0845 170 2010/www.froginthefield.co.uk)
Little Cherry
Fill bags with eco-friendly toys such as skipping ropes (£4.49).
(01753 857 003/www.littlecherry.co.uk)
Ethical Party Bags
Recycled, fairly traded bags available empty or pre-filled.
(07948 343 653/www.ethicalpartybags.com)
Kids’ parties at home
Blueberry Playsongs
www.blueberry.clara.co.uk
Cookie Crumbles cooking workshop
www.cookiecrumbles.net
Fimmaking course
www.youngfilmacademy.co.uk
Mad science
www.madscience.org/greaterlondon
League One Sports Academy
www.leagueone.co.ukParty planner: Essentials | Birthday | Kids' | Work | Wedding | Hen | Stag
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31 comments
Just had the best party for my 8 year old son and his friends at All Star Lanes!
They had private bowling, Nintendo Wii, Karaoke and party food.
Try Gymboree - it has to be at their premises, but it was fab!!
hi i am looking for a venue to organise my bay's second birthday i live in north london how much will it cost for an all inclusive event any ideas?how much does the dream one in islington cost?
try Jose from Jasmine's magic parties - he was fantastic at my daughter's last year
Does anyone know a good magician for a 6 year old party??
Thanks
For those of you looking for a venue for your child's party try
www.birthdaydreams.co.uk
Their party venue in Islington is stunning!!
Birthday Dreams will organise everything for your party - every conceivable theme can be catered for.!
www.birthdaydreams.co.uk
Info@birthdaydreams.co.uk
A great party idea for children aged 3-16 is a Jewellery Making Party. The sessions usually last around 1-2 hours and depending on the age group the children can make lots of beautiful beaded jewellery, tiaras, fimo jewellery or even solid silver charms for the older ones. It really is great fun, creative and they get to take all their creations home in a lovely bag meaning you don't need any party bags.
For full details visit www.jewelparty.co.uk
For childrens sports partys check out 'Little Sports Stars'. They specialise in Multi sports so every child is sure to be a happy one!
Go to www.little-sports-stars.co.uk and get in contact!
Birthday Dreams!
Simply the best Children's Party Organisers in London!
For a fantastic and magical day you will never forget.
Their venue in Islington has got to be seen to be believed.
Check them out!
We used www.jellyandblancmange.co.uk for our daughters party bags. They have a superb selection of eco party bags, toys and gorgeous hand made hair accessories. Thier customer service was fantastic and when my daughter decided to invite two extra children 3 days before her party they sent out the extra bags really quickly.
Hi
We have just used www.ethicalpartybags.com for our party bags. we usually do our own, but have realised that the plastic rubbish you normally get lasts about 5 mins. These fairtrade party bags were delivered really quickly and hopefully will be used again as they were made from Jute and one of the party bag fillers was a great bookmark made from Elephant poo and it did not smell. They cost a touch more but as they last longer I think they are good value for money.
We recently used The Teeny Tiny Party Company and they were really great! Fabulous imagination games that lead the children on a physical adventure through our front room! My daughter loved every minute and asked for them again for next year. Their website is www.teenytinypartycompany.co.uk and I would highly recommend them.
We recently used Joodoo Drums to run a drumming party for a group of 9 year olds..It was very successful - and they also do grown up parties too: www.joodoodrums.co.uk
If you are looking for something different for your child to do for their birthday party, go to prettypollies.com. Each child gets to make their own beauty/cosmetic products, which they wrap and take home with them, no mess, great fun, and they learn all about the products, as well as taking their own party bags home with them. My daughter had a fantastic time and wants another one next year....
Stargrams Entertainment Proudly Presents: Starlite Princess Parties
Check out our website at http://www.starliteprincessparties.com
Give your daughter a party she'll remember when a REAL princess comes to your home to give the girls an experience of a lifetime!
The girls will be treated like royalty as they get their hair, nails and make-up done!
There are three different packages that are fully customisable! (packages may include princess certificates, glitter hairspray, royal gift bags, sweets and treats, and many photo opportunities)