What's the Best children's party you've ever been to?

[Pof]

Reading through another thread about worst children parties, I'd like to get some inspiration from the best ones you've ever been to? x

My kids always enjoyed laid back disco parties in halls with a DJ. Not too formal, a few games and a lot of dancing. Or parties at the local sports centre with a bouncy castle in the hall. Basically just parties where they could just play and have fun.

The worst were bowling parties with lots of hanging about and kids get bored waiting their turn and upset because they are competitive.

The best idea I ever saw was at quite a large party in a village hall with an entertainer. When it was time for food he made them all get in a conga line and led them all around the hall, ending up around the tables. Then he said “whatever chair you’re standing behind now, that’s where you’re sitting” 😂 cut out SO much faffing around places and stuff. Expert-level party entertaining right there.

@Playplayaway I always avoided the disco parties as I thought it would be sensory overload, but a low key one sounds great

@AtomicBlondeRose Sounds fun 😊

The best one I've ever done was when 3-4 other mothers just appeared in the kitchen and mucked in making hot drinks for everyone, washing up, clearing up and serving food etc. I'm very organised and had everything sorted but was running around trying to do Everything while DH wrestled our younger kids and the help was very welcome.

The best one we did for ds2 was at a local country park. His birthday is just before the summer holidays and it was hot, so we had a gazebo, barbecued loads of sausages for hotdogs, had a couple of those big drinks containers, juice for kids and pimms for adults. We bought the boys water pistols instead of party bags and they just played all afternoon.
For ds1, whose birthday is in the winter, the best ones were when we did something organised like laser tag or swimming. I'd say the same for parties they've been to. There's a place near us that does a junior escape room which was brilliant.
Village hall parties were always a bit of a disaster in my experience...too many loud overexcited kids running around causing havoc and stressed parents trying to organise everything and keep it all under control.

I've done dozens for my kids but my favourite was at the local golf club. Is in a country park and has a huuuuuge play area right there next to the function room. It was a gorgeous summer day too. We had a few craft tables. One was using those plastic silver wine glasses and stick on gems to make a pirate goblet for your party drink. The other craft table had the £1 wooden chests from the works and lots of craft stuff to decorate a treasure chest. Bouncy castle outside as well so the kids could pick and choose and after the hot and cold buffet was served ( for adults too) then we had Oreo and friends come and visit for an hour. They were the BEST. Lots of different animals, loads of interesting facts and each kid got to get up close with various exotic animals. The real life reference raccoon for Rocket was the head animal. He was a beauty too. Then the kids went on the park while the parents chilled and had a beer. Went on for 4/5 hours with parents and coming and C going but we've always done open invitation parties that last a good while. I LOVE throwing a big party 🎉

The best 'children's' party ever was actually a christening. The family involved was blended and have 9 children between them, so they are pretty well up on what kids like and they made the whole thing amazing. It was totally child focussed but also had a bar so the adults could get a drink and everyone was entertained.

The hired a big hall and had a disco but also an entertainer person who did all sorts of games and things with the kids. They also had a huge inflatable bouncy castle thing. There was a sweet cart and donut wall and loads of food. There was also a face painter. Then an 'animal man' person came with all different animals that the kids could see. Full disclaimer, I love animals and am not sure of the ethics of this kind of thing at all, however it was done well (no music on, all the kids were very well 'managed' and the animals weren't over handled) and the animals seemed well looked after.

Anyway, there was just a LOT to do, it was almost like a village fete or something because the family is huge so there were loads of people there. I have three kids, so go to my share of kids parties and this was off the charts. It must have cost a fortune. But it was very well received and my kids loved it.

@mistermagpie That sounds amazing!