Party ideas for 7 year old ds?

[bodiddly]

I want to do something for ds' forthcoming birthday - needs to be fairly cheap and cheerful. Does anyone have any novel ideas? Not much room at home for more than a couple of dcs - a summer birthday would have been perfect as I could have thrown them all in the garden. Was wondering about the cinema or somesuch. He had a joint party last year with a classmate - that's the only party we have ever had and he has asked if he is having a party this year. I have told him we will do something but not a whole class party. Most people have cut down numbers and are taking a few bowling or to pizza express etc but I fancied something a bit different if there were only going to be a few. Anyone got any ideas of anything they recommend?

We recently took a few children to the temporary (Xmas to end of January)local outdoor ice rink and then for hot chocolate - which was a big success.A visit to the local indoor climbing wall was also a hit with young boys as was a visit to a nearby Science centre. Go karting was also a big hit ( but I think it was very expensive for the host). Other memorable parties have been a roller blading session, trampolining party,visit to a swimming pool complex with flumes and slides (but a bit of a responsibility for supervising parents), theatre show with ice cream in the interval and of course soft play centre sessions.

My Dc always enjoyed cinema parties but I think they can be a bit unsociable unless a visit to an ice cream parlour or back to your house for a few games and food is tagged on. Our local cinema throw in a visit to the projection room and some popcorn and drinks for parties which makes it a bit different. My DD really liked a trip to the Imax cinema (if you have one near) at one party he went to.

all the best

Thank you javo - will look into some of those ideas. It's not until February so the skating probably isnt a option!

Anyone else got any great ideas?

we just had a build a bear party for my ds3 who turned 7, i found a company that sell the kids and you can do them at home, it cost me £80 that was for 7 kids, they each had a bear to stuff and a gift box for it to go him in, a t-shirt for each bear and some fabric pens to decorate etc and birth certificate. the kids start at £4 each? i will put up a link to the company i used, they were great, totally recomend it and the kids loved it, plus no need for party bags as they get there bear (or other stuffed animal, there is a variety to choose from:) :)

www.bearfactoryparties.co.uk/

that should say kiTS not kids! lol, anyway they do a whole variety of stuffed toys and accessories, full instructions and its VERY easy and all the kids at my ds3's party had a ball! :)

4madboys that looks great ... will check out the site, thank you!

no probs i was really impressed with them, placed an order late at night they phoned the next day to confirm some details (i had asked the delivery be left in my porch and they wanted to check it was secure etc) and then it arrived the next day. they do up with special zip that cant be undone once done up and then a velcro bit over and you cant see it once its done up, they are lovely and soft, we got 12" bears but they do loads, i shall def be using them again. my ds3 had wanted a proper build a bear party but they are sooo expensve plus you arent allowed food etc, cos you do these at home you can have party food etc and its great value for money :)

it sounds like a great idea ... my ds loves soft toys but i am a little concerned his mates may not be the same and that he will worry if it is girly?

i guess it depends on his friends? is he inviting boys or girls or a mix? my ds3 invited mainly girls! and they all loved it, but the boy he invited liked it also. its a tricky age as some 6-7yr olds are still quite young and others would maybe see it as babyish? maybe ask their mums? build a bear parties are normally a big hit and there are all sorts of clothes you can get, ie sporty/army type etc that are more 'boyish' ijust went for a plain t-shirt for each bear and then the fabric pens so they could decorate them themselves :)

am wondering if i could combine it with a football themed treasure hunt whereby they find parts of the bear/stuffing/clothing etc on their way round and then make it up - make it a little more boy friendly?

How long did the whole thing take for 7 of them?

It would definitely be all boys as ds is firmly in the boys are cool girls are yuck camp at the moment!

i had a two hour party and they built the bears, decorated the t-shirts and still had time to play and eat!

i had one mum stay to help tho! i think an extra pair of hands is useful as they needed a bit of help with the stuffing, not much but it was def helpful to have someone else on hand (i had a 12mth old crawling around as well tho!)

everything comes in clear plastic wrapping so if you hide stuff to find then hide it in its wrapping i would say and then when you all get together with your bits, the bear, the stuffing etc then get them out the wrapping so nothing gets lots.

It looks as if I could get a 12" bear and a football outfit for about £10.50 a head or the tshirt for cheaper and let them decorate it with a football theme.

Come to think of it we could get the table football out and have a tournament .... hmmm I am liking the idea of this!!!

A friend took her dd and friends on a night walk. Their "party bag" gifts were a head torch each which they got at the start of the walk.

You could make it a sort of treasure hunt, looking for clues hidden in old margarine tubs which hint at where to go next. Half way you could stop for a picnic in the dark - flask of hot chocolate, flask of hot dogs, box of cut hot dog rolls that sort of thing.

You need access to somewhere safe and reasonably rural though.

the bears and the clothes are really good value i think! if they get a t-shirt they could decorate them in the colours of their fave football team? have fun!