Party venue ideas? North east london / essex

[mumtolittleD]

Hi - I'm looking for a place for a 3 year old's party - somewhere that they can have a play and some games and that will do the food and take the stress out of it for me. I still haven't recovered from last years fiasco at home and can't face the thought of 15 toddlers in the house again!!
Any thoughts much appreciated thanks

Whereabouts in Essex are you looking? I have been to several parties and held ds1's 3rd birthday party at Epping Sports Centre. £85 and you get 2 hours in the sports hall with bouncy castle, soft shapes, balls, basketball etc. they provide child sized table and chairs and music system. you do need to do food but I was due to give birth the next day so wasnt up for cooking! I just did sandwiches and then crisps, cakes, little pots of jelly, breadsticks and stuff and it went really well.

Even if that is too far it might be worth looking at sports centres local to you as Im sure others must do it.

Thanks - we're in Loughton so epping is really doable. I'll check it out. I dont' mind doing the food actually as they hardly est anything anyway so not worth a lot of effort

Roding valley high school do a lovely gym party for toddlers.Not too frenetic... nice staff.OOOh sorry... you have to bring the sarnies though.

thanks - will they co-ordinate party games etc??

Loughton Swimming Pool do children's parties in the Octangle room. Also there is an indoor play area up near the City Limits roundbaout on the way to Epping - name escapes me at mo.

do you mean Kids Corner? I forgot about that. I think it might be quite expensive (if thats an issue) and the indoor play area is more suitable to older children IMO. then again maybe I am just a wimp

Re Kids corner - I must be a wimp too - my son fell backwards down their big slide a couple of months ago and its put me off.
will check out loughton swimming pool though - is there a play area or anything?

Isn't there also a new community centre in Loughton/5 aside place (actually they may be two separate venues)

i am sure would do stuff

the pool definitely hosts parties

They do swimming parties or discos there.

Kids Corner will only do parties for pre-schoolers during the week, so we didn't end up using it for DD's 3rd - shame as it was fairly reasonable for what you got.

If it's not too far to contemplate, Kidspace in Romford does great parties (we've been to several and they're lovely) - not sure if it's a bit pricey, tho' (although after we ended up hiring a church hall and bouncy castle for 50 assorted toddlers/cousins/relatives, DH is now suggesting we just throw money at the problem next year and save ourselves the hassle!