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Original poster

I was about to book Go Ape for 8th birthday, need a new idea

53 replies

Midlifemission · 26/05/2021 09:55

Help ! It's my DS 8th birthday next month and I am under pressure to book a party for him now that we can ..
We had made the decision last night to go to our nearest go ape which he was very excited about. I went online to book this morning and see treetop adventures have been closed due to an accident at the Bracknell site.

I am thinking I may need to start again as I don't want everyone feeling uncomfortable with my choice of activity.

Anyone got any inspiration for me as I am all out of ideas??

We already have invited to other parties which are bowling, laser tag and watersports.
He was keen on a climbing wall but for us this is city centre indoors and again I think some parents may not be keen.

I am in Gloucestershire if that helps.

My DSis suggested Cattle Country but I have never been so not sure how that would work out.

Thanks if you can help me

OP posts:
garlictwist · 26/05/2021 10:02

I am not familiar with Gloucestershire but if your son likes climbing could you pay for a roped session with an outdoor instructor for him and a few friends, then a picnic after?

DownWhichOfLate · 26/05/2021 10:08

Something like this: www.cotswoldforestschool.co.uk/parties

FlorenceWintle · 26/05/2021 10:11

Any army-style assault course type things near you that do it for kids?

Or paintball?

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Events & celebrations
littlemissminor · 26/05/2021 10:13

I think 8 would be too old for Cattle Country - my toddler loves it but I'm not sure 8 year olds would be overly thrilled

HotHointheavo · 26/05/2021 10:13

Is the climbing wall centre open in Gloucester?
Would go karting be of interest? There is the centre in Gloucester in Bristol Road

littlemissminor · 26/05/2021 10:15

There is a high ropes course at The Wildplace Project - have you looked at that?

Onceuponatime1818 · 26/05/2021 10:15

Cattle country would be hard work as I would imagine all the kids would run off in different directions as there’s so much to do and it’s such a big open space- so I wouldn’t go there for a party with friends!

HotHointheavo · 26/05/2021 10:16

Ninja Warrior? Slimbridge? Laser Tag

littlemissminor · 26/05/2021 10:20

Or Airhop at Cribbs Causeway!

Talipesmum · 26/05/2021 10:24

How about donutting on a ski slope? Or go karts? There’s a place near us that does nerf parties or bushcraft parties, all outdoor. (Nowhere near you unfortunately!)

Theforest · 26/05/2021 10:30

How about the the Cotswold country park? Loads of activities there

BlackInk · 26/05/2021 10:32

I'm in Gloucestershire too :)

How about one of the trampolining places? Or a picnic party somewhere with a really good playground/obstacle course/zip wire? Roller disco? Outdoor climbing place? Outdoor waterpark with paddle boarding or canoeing?

Original poster
Midlifemission · 26/05/2021 11:13

Wow thanks all so many great suggestions ! Working through them now.

Out of interest has anyone done Go Ape and would overlook the accident and stick with it ??

He would love a camo / assault course thing definitely so am hunting for options like that too .
We have a forest school nearby too so that might work .

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 26/05/2021 11:15

Stand up paddle boarding seems to be very popular round here if you've got anything like that nearby.

Original poster
Midlifemission · 26/05/2021 11:43

Thanks @emmathedilemma yes we have one of his best friends party in a few weeks to do that - I am always too disorganised to get in first !

OP posts:
ShopTattsyrup · 26/05/2021 12:15

For what it's worth - I've done GO Ape loads over the years - from being about 10 into my 20s and I wouldn't be too put off by any accidents.

As long as they are relatively sensible children who'll wait for someone to double check their harness and caribena I'd be happy enough. I've been to quite a few different ones around the country and they've all seemed safety conscious and sensible to me.

LG93 · 26/05/2021 12:19

They said they've identified the issue, reported to the manufacturer and identified a fix to stop it happening again so I think I'd be ok with it now it's reopened. I appreciate there's still an element of risk, but probably no more than paddle boarding/trampoline party/ go karting or similar, in fact I suspect the risk is far smaller!

Bananasareyellow · 26/05/2021 12:48

@Midlifemission

Wow thanks all so many great suggestions ! Working through them now.

Out of interest has anyone done Go Ape and would overlook the accident and stick with it ??

He would love a camo / assault course thing definitely so am hunting for options like that too .
We have a forest school nearby too so that might work .

We have Go Ape booked for Sunday this week for my son's 9th birthday! I was a bit annoyed that they didn't ring us, actually, but anyway, we rang them and they said they closed for one day to review what happened and are now re-open and everyone will have two safety lines, not just one, so there is a back up if one should fail again. The safety record was very good before this incident. If we hadn't got it booked I'm not sure I'd book it now, but as it is we're going to go. I sent round a text to the parents of the other kids coming (4 of them) telling them what had happened and saying we'd understand if they were worried and don't want their kids to come and none have pulled out.
EmmaStone · 26/05/2021 13:38

I'd probably persevere with Go Ape.

Or how about The Wave?

Newgirls · 26/05/2021 13:41

Go Apes have dif height courses at dif locations? The one suitable for 8 year olds might not be the one where the incident happened?

I think the training and safety is good - I was clipped on at all times?

fallingsnowflakes · 26/05/2021 13:48

Presume the ninjawarrioruk.co.uk/gloucester/ Is an inflatable assault course

Original poster
Midlifemission · 26/05/2021 13:52

Thanks for the reassurances about Go Ape I might sound out one of the most cautious Mums and see what she thinks before I give up on it then .

OP posts:
DownWhichOfLate · 26/05/2021 13:54

I think it’s possibly one of the safest times to go to Go Ape as they will be ensuring everything is thoroughly checked etc.

ToastandJamandTea · 26/05/2021 13:56

There is a high ropes climbing course in swindon, it is in the middle of Lydiard park and seems pretty popular.