Need ideas for DS1's eighth birthday party!

[MegBusset]

DS1's birthday is in Feb and he has no idea what kind of party he wants. He's too big for soft play and doesn't want to do bowling which seems to be the default option for his age!

He wouldn't want to invite loads of people - he has 3 or 4 close friends although could invite up to 10 or so if it was something where bigger numbers worked better. He definitely wouldn't want a big hire-a-village-hall type thing.

Has anyone got any suggestions for what has worked well around this age? Quite happy to outsource & pay a bit extra if it made my life easier :)

[ooerrmissus]

Cinema? With maybe pizza afterwards?

Football party? There are football places that have all-weather pitches that do them. Think they are called Goals.

If he is into computer games you can get companies that bring a trailer with a load of xboxes and ten people can all play Minecraft at the same time

[dementedpixie]

lazer tag? high ropes/climbing wall?

[DoItTooJulia]

Theme park day out?

Cinema and pizza?

Guys night in? Sleepover with takeout pizza and their favourite games?

We have a sports hall that does football parties, or basketball, or whatever is your choice for really reasonable rate. Would need 10 plus to make the teams up though.

Ds has been to a swimming party, a day trip to RAF Cosford, cinema and pizza type parties since they got old enough to stop having pass the parcel type parties.

And quasar/laser tag is hugely popular too!

[CMOTDibbler]

My ds (and his friends) either go for football parties if theres loads of them, or an activity one with canoeing/ climbing/ archery or whatever with lower numbers

[ineedaholidaynow]

Cinema trip. Our local cinema does special party offer, where you get guaranteed seats together, popcorn, drink and party bag. DS did this for his 9th birthday, and saw the lego movie, and wants to do it again for 10th birthday and see the Shaun the Sheep film which comes out in February. DH and I sat at the end of the row so the boys were pretty much on their own and behaved very well.

We have also done a swimming pool party before at our local leisure centre, which also does other themed parties eg football, table tennis

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

Ds1 had indoor carting for his 8th birthday - 12 was fine for that

Indoor surfing for less numbers

Tubing if you have a dry ski slope near to you.

Pizza and cinema.

Indoor climbing

Quasar.

[jelliebelly]

Different parties ds(9) has had/been to include
Pizza/cinema
Adventure golf
Football
Lazer zone
Sleepovers
Indoor surfing
Indoor sledging
Swimming
Jungle parc
Indoor climbing

Depends what you have locally really..

[306235388]

Laser quest

Some football clubs will do a package where they watch a game and get to go 'behind the scenes' and meet some players etc.

[Patilla]

Pizza express do a make your own pizza party thing. Would that appeal?

[dementedpixie]

pizza hut also do a make your own pizza party

[iklboo]

DS has had laserquest the last 2 years (second at his own request). He & his friends loved it.

[MegBusset]

Oh thank you. Lots of ideas here. He's not into football at all (or any sport apart from karate) but he might go for cinema, tubing or laser quest. Actually the Minecraft trailer would be his first choice but I don't think it would fit in our driveway

[Tykeisagirl]

My friends's DS is having a Deadly 60 party. A local company are bringing snakes/spiders/lizards and she's hiring and decorating a hall,

[ooerrmissus]

The Minecraft trailer can park on the road outside! It did for DSs mates party. I nicked the idea from them!

[MegBusset]

Do you know how much it cost?

[DoItTooJulia]

What a cool idea! I just got a quote of £250-300. Weekdays are cheaper. 12 kids.