Venue in Cambridge for a birthday party

[LaCerbiatta]

Dd's (5 yo) b'day is in November and we had decided to do it in Cheeky Monkeys. Unfortunately, it's fully booked and we now need an alternative. Any ideas? Not funky fun house, though, I can't stand the place!

It would be for approx 15 children.

Thanks!

Whale of a time at bar hill? Or bouncy castle at Chesterton sports centre?

Thanks nosleep. What's the whale of a time like? More like funky fun house or like cheeky monkeys (ie skightly nicer.....)

Whale of a time is quite small, cheeky monkey's is small inside too and I wouldn't go there if there was a chance it could rain ie couldn't use the outside parts. FF is OK if a bit busy but it's large and suitable for a party. What about bowling? Ds1 is having a bowling party at the place in St Neots in 2 weeks but we've also had one for dd before at the bowling in Cambridge.

What age are the children? There is a spymasters in bar hill which dd has been to before at a party and loved and there are also things like build a bear in Cambridge and painting plates etc in St Neots.

My dd is 8 and ds1 will be 7 btw.

David Lloyd gym. You don't have to be a member and I reckon it's really good value. We had dd4's party there last year and it was £10 per child, minimum 10 - they got entertained all afternoon, food, and the whole kids area to themselves. Probably going to do it agin this year!

Thank you for the suggestions!c It's dd's 5th b'day, so children will be around that age.

Coolma: what was the entertainment like and what's in the kids area?

Haven't done a party at Whale of a Time but it's OK (for soft play...) Feels slightly more downmarket that CM but smaller and the coffee and sandwiches are surprisingly good.

Was at a party at FF myself recently. Have to say the party organisers were good but the food was awful (horrid greasy food and then anaemic pot of icecream vs CM sandwiches, cheese, tomatoes & cakes) and the play part stank

Be interested to see how you get on as DD is 4 in Dec and insisting on a proper party this year.

Sorry, meant to say that Whale is smaller and less intimidating for littlies than FF. The play part is probably about the same size as CM though more open which DD liked.

The Ida Darwin workshops in Fulbourn are good - it's c. £30/hour for hall/kitchen/dining room, and includes the use of a fab bouncy castle.

Hire soft play at cherry hinton villiage centre or Sawston sports centre Or Chesterton Sports centre

Hire a hall and get Mr. Rainbow

Who's Mr Rainbow?

Mr Rainbow does a puppet/magic show and balloon modelling ... the under 7s love him

The entertainment at DL is totally geared to the age/gender/amout of kids there. You can have a football theme, craft theme, dancing etc. there's a choice of four menus I think - we chose pancakes and pittas..the kids area has three rooms all sole use of the party, decorated for the child etc. They provide party bags too. I think it's great. Hated all the FF parties I've taken my two to, they seem so impersonal.

Billy banana also popular as is mr marvel (who also does disco after party tea so you get entertainment for all the time not just one hour).

WOAT as others have said is more FF style than CM style but cleaner and smaller, but not as clostrophobic as CM can be when busy.

Have also been to bouncy castle parties at st Ives sports centre.

Could try crystal barns also (never been but friend says it her fave soft play place).

Thanks everyone! David Lloyds is looking like a strong contender!

Dh suggested we also look into the bowling parties in the Leisure Centre. Has anyone had one there?

Thank you!