My child had Laser/Cooking/Harry Potter/Football/Cinema party and it was great?

[RainingCatsandDogs]

Ds is 8 soon and has mentioned a laser party but has been to loads of friend's ones this year as it seems to be the most popular.
Had a football party last year but would be happy with another of these.Both these seem a bit

Saw an advert for a cookery one which seems novel (likes cooking) but fairly expensive and not sure about the mess.Cinema and pizza would be OK but limits numbers.Loves Harry Potter but seems a lot of work on my part and not sure if I have the time - also lots 8 year old boys in my house!Always had parties at home until the football one last year but it gets harder as they get older.

Really want someone to sway me into making a decision as I need to think about organising (birthday is May half term).

Any great ideas for 8 year olds?

He will have a ball with the Potter party - go on - be the bigger man...

Harry Potter all the way. They can make potions, dress up, play some games and then wind down with food and a Harry Potter dvd. Great fun

Think yourself lucky - ds (8) wants a camping party in the garden, so my guests will be here from late afternoon till late the next morning.... (eek emoticon)

Ten pin bowling. Enough kids to fill one lane, playing one game will take over an hour and cost around £30. Then take them for pizzas after if you want.

Am tempted by Harry Potter.

But am I up to it? Not at all crafty.Work part time,have a 1year old at home the rest of the time.Also have a bit of a perfectionist streak which is not compatible with this.

Read the previous post on this but the link to the supermom Harry Potter parties made me worry if I was up to it.

you could do a pizza making party at home and then they could eat them whilst watching a harry potter dvd? wouldn't be too expensive but you would probably have to clear up a lot of mess.

Good idea nappyaddict.

Will go and search archives for HP - I'm not very clued up myself as have only seen bits of the films.

we took a chance on the weather last year at the end of April and invited 8 x 8-9 yrold boys over with their water 'pistols' (ok really pumpaction water bomb makers!! and they had a fantastic time!
maybe not everyone's taste but they loved it.

Our backup was the cinema but luckily the weather was great. added a smal paddling pool for running through and loads of warm towels for aferwards and they had the best time - and talked about it for weeks. and it was FREE.

this year (9) we're doing an ice slide party at milton keynes snowdome - just a tad more expensive!

Mentioned water pistols to dh - who thinks it is a great idea

Is the Xscape party very expensive - is within an hour of us so is a possibility.Dh loves snowboarding so is keen on this also

Oh we've done ALL of those. Including the snowdome thingy. This year it's go-karting. They'll love all of them. It doesn't matter

the ice slide thing at Xscape is £14 per child , so not cheap, but they will love it. I think toboganing is a bit cheaper.

go karting was also good when DS went to a friends one -

oh and another friend had a skalextric(sp?) party - we went to a huge 'shed' with an 8 lane track set up for racing - NW London if any good for you.

He would love all these.Thanks for suggestions

I know its way past your party now but thought I would mention I recently used a really brilliant company called Rascals Fayre in Bristol www.rascalsfayre.co.uk who delivered everything I needed to run a childrens cooking party even all the ingredients were ready weighed (phew!!). Also the kids take all the equipment they've used home and the cookies they've baked so no need for party bags. They recommend ages 6 up but my 5 year old had no problems. They also supplied the invitations and a leaflet before hand which gave me numerous tips and ideas. It was fantastic. In fact I know of one little boy who still gets his apron out everyday to help his mum!! My daughter loved it.

Thanks Poshfrocks.He did have a Harry Potter party in the end and it was really good fun.May try cooking party next year so thanks for the suggestion.