Cardiff Local Guide A guide to all Things Cardiff
Remember when kids’ parties looked something like this?
But now, gone are the days when kids had a few school friends round for tea and a game of musical bumps to round off the celebration.
Party planning for our little ones is now big business with anything from pony-riding and Lego parties firmly on the menu.
While putting a nice party frock on and dancing to some music in the lounge might have sufficed in the days when today’s parents were young, examples of modern children’s parties these days include indoor surfing, hiring stretch limos and studio-based celebrations where a group of youngsters make a soundtrack and video to a famous music track.
Here’s a round-up of some party ideas that might push the budget but will certainly give your little cherubs a treat if you fancy splashing out.
1. Get some tubing thrills
If your son or daughter fancies some thrills in a large rubber doughnut, this is the party for them. Tubes, ringos and doughnuts are basically massive inflatable rings in which they can slide down the slope. The kids can be spun, linked to each other, go backwards, make trains and race and it’s guaranteed to produce a fair few shrieks as they go.
It’s not glamorous, though, so keep the party dresses and sandals at home as gloves have to worn and knees and elbows covered up.
Suitable for 5+
Cost: Group tubing is available for £120.
Where: Cardiff Ski amp; Snowboard Centre.
Contact: 029 2056 1793
2. Splash about with a water rafting session
If your children enjoy getting wet and wild this could be the party for them. With up to six people in a raft, they can enjoy the rapids at a slightly slower pace than normal but without taking away any of the fun. With all the wetsuits and safety gear provided, the party will have a trained instructor for the two-hour session.
Suitable for 8+
Cost: Children from between £22.50 to £25 per person
Where: Cardiff International White Water
Contact: 029 2082 9970
How we used to play:
3. Surf the waves for some laughs
If the children don’t fancy sitting in a raft but would still like to get wet and wild, they could try the adrenaline fuelled, indoor, simulated surf machine, giving even beginners the chance to have a go at hitting the surf. Everyone starts by riding the jets of water using a bodyboard and then progresses (if they can) to stand-up riding in the 90-minute session. And that’s not all. The double-lane design means that friends and family can bodyboard together too for extra laughs.
Height restriction: At least 107cm tall to ride a bodyboard, and at least 132cm tall to stand up surf.
Cost: From £22.50 per person to £35 per person
Where: Cardiff International White Water, Watkiss Way, Cardiff
Contact: 029 2082 9970
4. Celebrate everything pink
If your daughter loves everything pink and sparkly, and would love to have a makeover and pamper with her friends, Wish could be the place for you. They offer age-appropriate makeover paries, as well as a pink pamper nail boutique, a walk through fairy door and a room to enjoy some party food. There is also the chance to indulge in some karaoke and dancing once they’ve been glammed up.
Cost: Standard package £12, deluxe £15 with more details available from their website www.wishparties.co.uk
Where: Wish, 2-3 Broad Street Parade, Barry
Contact: 01446 741166
5. Join the circus for the day
Who wouldn’t want to fly through the air on a trapeze? Or have a go at juggling, hula hopping or plate-spinning? Let your children experience the circus life with a 90-minute of two hour session at NoFit State Circus. They will have a facilitated play session with diabolos, juggling balls, scarves, hula hoops, plate spinning, devil sticks and monster feet before getting the chance to climb and teach them trapeze and aerial skills is a safe and supportive environment.
Cost: Ages three-11, 90 minutes, 1-8 participants £180, 9-16 participants £250
Ages 11-16, 2 hours, 1-8 participants £200, 9-16 participants £250
Ages 11-16 with flying trapeze, 1-8 participants £250, 9-16 participants £300
Where: NoFit State Circus, John Street, Cardiff
Contact: 029 2022 1330.
6. Rip around the Bay by boat
A Cardiff Bay Boat trip will make your child the talk of their class. You can book a 30-minute blast around Cardiff Bay and the South Wales coast on a brand new custom built High Speed RIB boats. They depart the mooring at Mermaid Quay Cardiff for a thrill ride, with the latest chart topping music and videos are available to buy after the trip with Bay Island Voyages. Food packages are also available
Cost: Full boat £135
Where: Cardiff Bay
Contact: info@bayislandvoyages.co.uk
7. Hold a children’s cooking party
If your child loves to experiment in the kitchen, let Little Chefs Cook do the work for your with their party cooking ideas. Little ones can decorate cookies or cupcakes, and older children might like to try the Little Italy package, making their own Italian feast or the Little Experimenters is perfect for those who want the occasion to go with more of a bang. These parties combine a bit of science with tingling taste sensations and some of the choices include making your own fizzy drinks and edible goo.
Cost: £150 for 8 children (with a variety of packages available)
Where: Your home or another venue
Contact: 07805 080208
8. Hold a Lego party
The Kids Construction Company offer Lego themed party entertainment in the Cardiff area for 4-11 year olds. They have loads and loads of Lego for the partygoers, help them build it and and even clean it all up afterwards!
They also parties do involve free play sessions with our Lego bricks, mini figures, trees, vehicles etc. where your little ones can create whatever their imaginations can dream up, but we will also keep them busy with lots of Lego related fun and games such as ‘Hunt the bricks,’ Lego Bingo, Speed building and Tallest Tower.
Cost: Parties cost £8.50 per child with a minimum of 10 children per party booking for weekend parties and £7.50 per child for after school, mid week parties.
Where: Home or another venue.
Contact: emma@kidsconstruction.co.uk
