Where do tweenagers party?

[Claennister]

My DD has until now always had play centre parties. I think we're past that for the next party, but we can't host a house party and want to be sure that no alcohol creeps into any arrangements as other kids will potentially be younger. I'm wondering if there are party packages you can buy at maybe youth clubs, outdoor pursuits, something a bit more grown up and suitable for the "girls who like to walk round in pairs showing each other their mobiles" age range. I don't think I'm up to the hassle of getting food, venue, c entertainment and all separately, and it will be small parties so something like a rugby club won't suit for 8 kids.

What do you do?
Thanks

[Wafflenose]

It depends what you have nearby, but my DD and her friends are turning 11 and over the past year have done things like high ropes, indoor climbing centres, trampoline parks, cinema and pizza restaurants. We have a nice old house and gardens nearby too (think National Trust, but not) and one friend's parents organised some outdoor games, forest school type activities and a barbecue there.

[Titsywoo]

When dd was 11 we did a big disco in a church hall as she wanted a whole class party for her final year at primary. Had a dj, dh did the lighting as he has all the kit and we had crisps etc on a table and a chocolate fountain with strawberries and marshmallows. Also did a photo booth with dressing up stuff (wigs, big sunglasses and blow up microphones and electric guitars). Used a mini Polaroid so they could take pics home. They loved it. This year she did ice skating and a sleepover.

[ShowMeTheElf]

I just came into this board to put in a thread about preteen parties. My last one just had her 23th so I thought our ideas from over the years might be useful:

1. A group trip to the cinema followed by dinner at a restaurant at the same park: in our case Odeon followed by Frankie and Benny's. They ordered from the under 12 menu and I had arranged with the restaurant that if they wanted extra chips or garlic bread they could add an additional £20 between the eight of them. I just turned up to pay the final bill. Was very successful as quite grown up and independent but quite contained, early evening and the restaurant staff looked after them: put all the desserts into a giant sharing dessert for photos etc.
   
2. A car load (6 of them) to spy missions and then dropped at a chinese buffet for an hour. Spy missions went down a storm but the vegetarians struggled with Chinese.
   
3. Girls at home makeover party: had make up lady come to house to give lessons/makeover. they brought alcohol free fizz and a singalong CD machine. I thought it was a bit weak but DD (11th birthday) enjoyed it.
   
4. Hot tub party. Hired a hot tub for the weekend. It arrived on Friday morning, was up to temperature by Friday evening. Party with towels, drinks, music in the garden. Hardly saw them. called them in for dinner and they went out again. Most left but then had a sleepover with a couple:they went in the tub again after breakfast before going home. Very simple; they loved it. DH and I got to sit in the living room watching the Olympics on Saturday (never happens for sleepovers!).
   

1. Movie party: 4 girls for a sleepover: popcorn, hot dogs etc, a selection of movies. Selfie stuff. Cheap as chips but took over the whole house.

6) Home made makeover sleepover: they did each other's nails and makeup. I did their hair, we did fabric paint on t shirts and other crafty bits. it was fun but lots more effort than getting someone to come or putting them all in the garden!
7) Disco; hired local hall and the DJ who does the school discos so a range of age appropriate games etc as well as dancing. need sufficient adults to man all the exits and break up fights in the loos (the girls being mean to each other rather than fisticuffs). Buffet food rather than 'party tea'. It was quite nice to do this at this in between stage where they appreciated the grown-upness of it but we didn't have to worry about drink/drugs/gatecrashers (well not many!).

They were all successful and age appropriate if pitched correctly.

[ShowMeTheElf]

..that would be 12th birthday, not 23th(no idea where that came from)

[ShowMeTheElf]

Parties mine have attended in recent years:
High/low ropes course
paintballing
swimming (with giant inflatable thing in pool)
Bounce (trampoline centre)
craft centre
cooking party where a caterer came to the house to show the children how to make dough, twirl a pizza.
Frankie and Benny's make a pizza party.

[Seeline]

pottery painting followed by pizza
roller disco with doughnut/crisps etc
cinema followed by McDonalds
Laser quest package
bowling followed by meal

[Seeline]

pottery painting followed by pizza
roller disco with doughnut/crisps etc
cinema followed by McDonalds
Laser quest package
bowling followed by meal

[mouldycheesefan]

Sleepovers, often themed.
Air hop
Salon pamper
Climbing centre
Cinema and pizza
Tobogganing
Gymnastics
Horse riding
Outdoor ropes activities
Recording studio

[mouldycheesefan]

Play centre parties here stop about age 5 I am amazed you have kept them going so long! You just have some cracking play centres!

[4bouncingofthewalls]

We did a lush party it was fantastic. We've also given a small group of girls £20 they could bring there own money and taken them shopping.

[ILoveDolly]

My dd is just turning 11. We are having a Go Ape party this year.
She has enjoyed Lush Parties and Swimming parties

[user1483893543]

My daughter has went to these parties in the past:
-Trampoling
-Cinema
-Sleepovers
-Swimming Pool
-Disco
(I know this thread's old but still)

[Sundance2741]

Pool parties have been popular with my dd's friends since they were about 10 and she had one for her 11th birthday. Pool staff did all the games and organising. We just took the food.

She's also had / attended quite a few bowling parties with food afterwards either at venue or nearby restaurant.

We have had some at home (with entertainer when younger) but they are more work. We did pottery painting when dd2 was 10 and that went well - in the summer though so packed them off into the garden when painting was finished

At least at this age I find they will chat / organise themselves more so it doesn't have to be planned to quite the same degree as when younger.

[harderandharder2breathe]

My Guides love trampolining, high ropes, climbing and ice skating, we take them as an end of term treat and they've all been other times with friends as well

[Isadora2007]

I wouldn't have had a party as such each year anyway. But post-10 birthdays have included laser tag, Pizza Hut then cinema, sleepover with DVD and dominos pizza, trampoline park, train to nearby city and spending money for primary!

[PossumInAPearTree]

For dds 12th birthday she and some friends went without adults to pizza express. Was the first time they'd eaten at a restaurant without an adult so they thought it was great.

Other than that ice skating, cinema?