5th birthday

[damzel]

What options are there around ED for kids parties - I mean places that you go to and actually do something, like All Fired Up (daughter is not keen) or Colour Makes People Happy (absolutely brilliant but we were only there for a party a couple of weeks ago).

Not keen on soft play or outside adventure stuff.

Any tips?

[Mrs TP]

Do you have space at home and do icing cakes and biscuits (make them in advance) or making masks (have some card templates ready cut out in the style of Venice ball masks) and stick bits and bobs on them? It is hard keeping everyone happy!

[mrs.lotte]

Can hire swimming pool at leisure centre, Gambado in Beckenham, Build a bear (Bromley or coventry garden)

[BeccaL]

Only thing with swimming pool is that (generally) if kids under 8 then you need one adult in the pool for every 2 kids - we had to do some serious begging favours last year to do this - this year have advised daughter that her birthday party will be after her birthday rather than the weekend before as then she and her birthday twin (in same class) will be 8 rather than 7! If you do fancy this, the Bridge in Sydenham does them and are good fun!

[damzel]

Definitely not swimming, my daughter is scared of water and altho we are obviously working on that, doesn't seem fair to do it for her birthday.

Anything arty crafty around? I vaguely recall some sort of art place on Barry road?

[Jo'sEnglish]

Is Lee (SE12) too far? They have a fab cafe that have lots of options for kids parties (lots of crafty stuff):

http://www.rhubarbandcustardcafe.com/?page_id=8

[Pickle]

I did my daughters last birthday at home - got some fab butterfly wand kits from Baker Ross which kept them entertained for ages, and had a load of plain fairy cakes for them to decorate which they loved. Two hours went really quickly.

[chantelle]

I've been to a bunch of 5th bday parties in the past few months and I think the most popular one was very simple - church hall with a hired bouncy castle and some organised games.

Rhubarb & Custard is also nice, I haven't been to a party there but have been for crafts sessions.

[Vik]

Would love to know more about the Colour Makes People Happy Parties, Their website doesn't give much away, thanks!

[damzel]

Vik - pop in and have a look. They've got this huge spinning thing that you put a large piece of paper on and then drip paint on it when it's spinning fast. Makes really great designs. The kids loved it and the guy that runs it is really nice. Great for adults too - I want to do one myself! The shop is amazing - it goes much further back than you expect. The kids loved running around the place and they had a long table out at the end for food etc. Worked really well.

My daughter is insisting on a pyjama party now so I'm working on that idea and will probably do it at home. Thanks for all your advice - very useful.