Many parents and children go for 'The Professional Party' at a play venue where you hand over to the experts who do everything from food to party bags to games on the day. This type of party has many advantages however it comes at a price! This page lists your ideas for great venues.

Click here if you'd like some inspiration for a party theme - you've come up with some great suggestions that could apply to parties at home or other venues.

Top Tip: Do not forget to prepare your camera for the event. Here are some great photography tips.

Your Experiences and Comments

The Ship Inn Hungry Horse in Mirfield, West Yorkshire is great for kids aged 2-10, for just £6.99 per child they get unlimited play in the ponyclub playarea, a meal, ice cream juice and a fun cone staff are really friwndly and the parents can sit back and relax!

I took a visitor from Germany and her two children ages 3 & 8 to Wacky Warehouse at Pilsworth, Bury. It was 11.00am when we arrived and only just opened for the day. The place was absolutely filthy (both the floor and the bar area) it smelled like a public toilet. I cannot find a 'Contact us' on the Wacky Warehouse web site or I would be complaining very strongly to them. Even the 8yr old says she isn't going there again.

Mrs B Maiden

Create a bear parties are fantastic for children of all ages, there is no sewing involved children get to make their own bear give it a name,heart and a birth certificate, parties are held in birthday childs home or nominated ven for more informationand prices visite create-a-bear-parties.co.uk

kate clements

Pool parties are fantastic,my 8yr old wanted one for her 9th birthday,run by our local council you hire the pool for an hour then get the refreshment area for an hour,we just had large play mats but some pools hire out a large inflatable like a bouncy castle on water my party was a great success

JANE

I can't begin to tell you how fantastic Freddy's Play kingdom is in Derby. For pre-school parties i would say it is second to none. The staff are brilliant with the children and can't do emough to help. They're website may be useful for anyone interested it is www.freddythedragon.co.uk

Janet

I booked an entertainer through SMILES Entertainment for my daughters 5th birthday. They were fantastic. They did lots of games & magic and they even offer a choice of costumes. I would definately use them again. They keep the children totally mesmerised for the 2 hours and it was something personal for my daughter.

Louise Shaw

Soft Play Centres

"A good idea for a 0-5 party is hiring out a soft play area for 2 hours. The first hour is yours and your little friends to play in all to yourselves and the second hour is for the food. Always a popular idea with this age group.

"The Playground, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire - An excellent play area for small children.

"I suggest a place called DWEEZILS. It's a soft play adventure area for kids aged up to 8. The kids have a fantastic time and then they provide either hot or cold meal. While the kids are enjoying their food a video is put on. It's really good value for money and all the kids receive a goody bag."

"Go Kids Go in Wolverhampton is very good for children of all ages. They even cater for adults parties."

Brewsters Fun Factorys

"Brewsters pubs often have a Fun Factory attached to the pub. They offer excellent value birthday parties at only £5.99 per child. This includes - an hour in the Fun Factory, then entertainment, birthday cake, a buffet laid on and invitations. It's excellent as the entertainment is fun and gets everyone involved and you don't have to worry what the weather is going to be like - really worth a visit."

"I have just booked my son's party at "The Hampton, Brewsters" in Hampton, Peterborough. It costs £5.95 per head which includes a buffet dinner, a visit by Brewster the bear (the birthday child gets a birthday card and his/her picture taken with Brewster) Also they get to play in the main area which has slides, ball pit, climbing frame etc."

To find you nearest Fun Factory visit www.brewsterthebear.co.uk

Take the kids to an indoor rock climbing gym for their next birthday. It's different and much more action packed than a standard party. It works out childrens physical muscles as well as their mental muscles. The way indoor climbing gyms are set up today, they've taken al the danger out of climbing, so all you have to do is sit back and watch your kids have fun.

"For a sure fire success try a party at your local 'Wacky Warehouse'. These are normally huge indoor play centres that offer a 2 hour session that includes a meal, cake and party bags." To find your nearest Wacky Warehouse visit www.wackywarehouse.co.uk

"How about Standalone Farm in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. It is a full working farm which is also visited by local schools and other groups. This is where my son Jordon went for his 4th birthday."

"Where we live there is a centre for Children with Special Needs which has a soft play room for hire. It contains fantastic visual/aural stimulation things like fibre optics and a huge slide. It costs about £45 for an hour with a maximum of 15 kids. There are no facilities for food, except for cake cutting and a few drinks outside the room. But it means you are supporting a worthy cause, not some plasticized, under nourishing conglomerate."

"One year we hired a 'Party Bus'. They parked the bus near our house in the Vilage Hall car park, provided all the entertainment (magic, games, discos etc.) plus all food & drinks. All we had to take along was the cake. For more information visit www.childrenspartybus.co.uk or ask around for the details of a 'Party Bus' near you".

"A birthday party at the Blackpool Tower Circus is absolutely mind-blowing for kids aged 3 to 5."

I had my daughters party with Koctail and it went down a treat. Very well orgainsed from start to finish and I would really recommend it to others

Christine

Bumpi's BIG Adventure in Leicester and Derby is excellent for childrens parties. Check out www.bumpi.co.uk for more info

Marlene

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