Birthday party for 5 year old - 25-30 children attending... ideas please!

[amidaiwish]

DD1 is 5 in February and i haven't organised her party.
as she has just started reception i need to find a party which can cater for 25-30 children.
There is Heathrow Gym but we have been to about 6 parties already there since sept and i want to do something else...
The Little Gym can take up to 24 but costs £350 for 24

any great ideas?

am happy to get a hall and hire something/someone in, any suggestions?

TIA

Whereabouts are you? Snakes & Ladders at Syon Park do parties. Lollipop Club at Old Deer Park in Richmond though only in the week. Or hire a hall and book an entertainer as I have just done. Smartie Artie are great. There's also Shene Fitness Centre which has a bouncy castle etc.

Thanks Castles
tbh i find snakes & ladders too stressful! i know the kids love it but it can be absolutely chaos in there and i have spent too many parties hunting for DD who has got stuck somewhere!

am in strawberry hill - think i will go down the hall/entertainer route. will look at Smartie Artie. have also had Perform recommended but DD won't pick a theme saying she wants a "kerwhizz" party. joy.

i've just had a look at smartie artie, looks perfect as dd LOVES magic tricks and stuff like that. fingers crossed they have some availability!

He (there are 8 of them but think one works our area) really is the best children's entertainer IMO. He doesn't stop entertaining throughout tea and runs the whole show. He is funny too. Good luck with it!

well i have smartie artie provisionally booked but now can't find a blimming hall!

eek
help!
any suggestions - Teddington/Twickenham area.

thanks

Amida, might be too late to book, but Crane Community is by far the Cheapest in your area. Or there is Holy Trinity (bit more expensive though). Or there is of course, in honor of your MN name, Amida.

I've decided to credit crunch the b-day party budget this yead and DD (6 in March) is having one at home. And no entertainer. More like a do it yourself craft activity.

thanks Athene - have booked United Reform church hall on twick green. Everything else was booked up. and if that woman from Crane said "oooh you've left it far too late" one more time i was going to go mad! tis a lovely hall though, think i might book it for DD2 october birthday now!

parties at home are lovely. next year def - trouble is with reception i kind of felt i should invite everyone, so 30+ kids it is! eek. smartie artie - earn your money

just wanted to post for completeness,
had smartie artie yesterday and he was totally amazing. he does the whole 2 hours - greets the kids, does a show, party games (brings the prizes, music everything) entertains them through tea, then more magic/balloons, stays right to the end.

had 27 kids totally transfixed. they all had a great time so highly recommended for boys & girls.
link for reference smartie artie

yes crane hall is lovely - but you need to book AT LEAST 6 months ahead for the weekend.

Thanks amida! I've just started organising dd's birthday party and I'm going to steal all your ideas!