10th birthday party help !

[whyismysoullost]

Hello,

Stuck on ideas on what to do for DS birthday.

I'm not doing a party at home. No way, done it a few times and wish not to do it again.

We've done a swimming pool and trampoline party already.

DS would like to do a go karting, paintball or laser quest. Our nearest go karting and laser quest centre is 11/2 hours away. So no can do plus it's expensive £££. Paint balling was a possibility but I'm worried about the children getting hurt.

Go Ape or climbing would be good but DS is scared of heights.

Our last option is to do a horse riding party at a farm and also get the children to feed some of the farm animals. DS loves animals but I'm worried this would be babyish ?

Any other ideas ?

Farm party may be lovely for DS but agree probably a bit young.
If he doesn't like heights, Go Ape clearly bad idea.
How many are you planning to invite? If he really wants to do it, I would be inclined to say he could invite 2 mates and you could do the karting followed by a McD or whatever after.

How about a Nerf gun party? We rented out a hall, made bases out of cardboard, had some camouflage nets, lots of nerf bullets from Ebay and asked everyone to bring a (clearly labelled) nerf gun, we had a few different rounds followed by takeaway pizza!

I'm planning to invite 10. So don't do horse riding I take it ?

Is there a zoo near you? We had a 10th party at a zoo - kids got to meet some of the smaller animals. It was lovely.

Or the cinema often goes down well - get them the kids popcorn tray. Depends if there is anything suitable on.

I'd be looking at taking a couple of his mates to an event -possibly concert?
Or taking a friend to a theme park for a day out?
Less hassle and a good memorable day.
I would be keeping it to 1/2guests at most (depending on cost of activity).
I do think farm would be a bit babyish.

IME of Y5 boys, no. 10 of them together at their age are likely to get v loud, a bit silly and overexcited. You know his crew best, would they behave for horse riding? My friend had a birthday party for 8 10 yr olds yesterday and her text afterwards was as follows:
Like Lord of the Fucking Flies, why are 10 yr olds so odd??? Thank christ for wine.

Nerf party.... I'm not sure. Seems there's a bit of planning which I would like to avoid.

Could check out cinema.

I would love to do the horse riding, where they get to brush the Animal. But would this he babyish ?

Cinema and pizza would be good for that age group.

Well... if you put it like that... I don't think they'll behave. What about a theatre party ?

This is so hard.

Have a year off from parties?

Take DC and a couple of close friends to the cinema followed by pizza or bowling. Or promise a trip to a theme park when the weather gets better?

Does he follow a sports team? Could you get tickets to a game with a friend? Or a weekend away doing something special for his birthday.

Hmmmmm I think horses are a bit hit or miss, not only might it be a bit 'young' you also need to consider the fear factor and potential allergies.

My 9 year old is having a movie night/sleepover. 5 pals, popcorn and sweets, dvds, and nonsense. He can't wait.

Yes ! I didn't think about allergies.

I would definitely like to take a year off of birthday parties . But this is a double digit number, we have to do something.

DS would love junior tubing but it's an hour away and I don't think many children will travel..,

Do you have a tru ninja nearby my dd has a fab party there

Grow that looks amazing !!! But the nearest one is 3 hours away from us.

Just seen the Pinocchio on Ice show ?

Rather than 10, why not take a couple of best friends and drive them to the laser quest/karting?

But this is a double digit number, we have to do something.

Honestly, you can still do something but don't get hung up on a big party just because it's 'double digit'.

Pick a small group of friends and do pizza, bowling, cinema, movie night, sleepover, trampoline, swimming. It really doesn't matter too much as long as you mark the occasion with DC.

Bowling?

It's difficult because two of DS best friends DS have moved. One is in another country and the other one may not be around for his birthday. It's a small-ish school. His not really close to any of the other kids in his class.

In that case I would find something to do with DS to celebrate his birthday as a family - meal, day trip, night away etc.

Lots of DC's friends don't have parties as they are doing other things.

After his birthday look for opportunities to develop friendships, do things with small groups of friends, have people over to play if that's what e wants to do.

Romaine I would still like to throw him a birthday party. I think it's a great way for him to know his class mates a little bit more.

Please don't take a bunch of 10 y old boys to pinochio on ice.

10year old boys I really wouldn't do theatre, cinema or animals. They want action and noise ! I'd seriously consider one or two for a trip out somewhere. Tubing is good and could you plus another parent drive and take less?

I don't drive. Unless I offer to take a taxi from a destination.

Good news. I've spoken to a few parents and most of them drive and wouldn't mind travelling to Hemel Hampstead for tubing. I guess that's it then !