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© Planbnet on Flickr
© Planbnet on Flickr

London's best kids' parties

Treat the tykes to the celebration of their dreams with one of these themed birthday parties

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There was a time when birthday parties amounted to some artificial snacks emptied into bowls and a few rounds of pass the parcel. However, the modern child can expect a whole lot more from their party, as celebrations have become increasingly impressive. Parents can now hire mobile rock climbing walls to install at their home, lizards and snakes can be ordered in to amuse the children and even mini jeeps are available to create the ultimate party.

While hiring an entire cruise liner for your little angel (as one doting parent did on MTV’s ‘Super Sweet 16’) might be a tad excessive, it seems that birthday parties are no longer a chance for kids to tank up on sugar and pop balloons. They can be an opportunity for them to express themselves, expand their interests and create lasting memories. Browse our run down of the best birthday parties for some inspiration.

Science Night

  • Museums
  • Science and technology
  • South Kensington
Science Night
Science Night
The Science Museum is offering seven to 13 year-olds the chance to spend a night in the museum after it closes its doors to the public. Exciting hands-on workshops and science shows run throughout the night, and the evening culminates in camping out among the exhibits. Breakfast and an IMAX film are provided in the morning, followed by a prize-giving session for scientific achievements made over the night. One adult is needed to accompany every six children, so you can legitimately claim that sleeping under a space rocket was entirely for their benefit.
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London RIB boat party

  • Attractions
  • Ships and boats
  • South Bank
London RIB boat party
London RIB boat party
Aspiring pirates will love the chance to sail the Thames, brandishing eye patches and cutlasses provided by the Thames RIB Boat Party team. Whizzing from M15 HQ in Vauxhall to Canary Wharf, the party will be entertained by tales of piracy that once took place along the city’s river. Constant use of pirate lingo is actively encouraged and each scallywag leaves with a free goodie bag.
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Bowling at All Star Lanes

  • Bloomsbury
Bowling at All Star Lanes
Bowling at All Star Lanes
Photo: All Star Lanes
Fifties style All Star Lanes have four locations across the city for your kids to test their bowling skills. Each venue caters for parties, offering private rooms with unlimited bowling all night. Karaoke is also provided so the party can blast out their best renditions of whatever it is kids listen to these days, while a wide selection of American grub including everything from chicken wings to Lucky Charms will keep them energised.

Fun Fashionistas party

  • Things to do
  • Games and hobbies
  • Brick Lane
Fun Fashionistas party
Fun Fashionistas party
If you’re sick of having glitter glue stuck to your furniture and doodles on your best wallpaper, why not encourage your kids to channel their creativity into a Fun Fashionistas party. Suitable for children of any age, the Fun Fashionistas encourage kids to express their inner artist by revamping and customising t-shirts, hats, bags, hair accessories, jewellery and more. Workshop leaders show the party how to design outfits, create textiles, knit and sew, and the afternoon culminates in a fashion show of the day’s creations. Parties can be themed to fit the birthday boy or girl’s personal taste so the day is truly theirs.
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Mad science party

  • Things to do
  • Games and hobbies
  • Brick Lane
Mad science party
Mad science party
© Ryan Somma on Flickr
It’s a scientific fact that most kids love a spectacle, and Mad Science birthday parties aim to provide enough pyrotechnics to keep a flock of children cooing. Kids can participate in science demonstrations that include chemical reactions, movie special effects and bubbling potion, and guests can even create their own ball of super stretchy putty or slime to play with. The party can be held in a venue of your choice – inside or out – and up to 40 children can be kept entertained.

Jeep driving party

  • Things to do
  • Games and hobbies
  • Brick Lane
Jeep driving party
Jeep driving party
© Sergey Galyonkin on Flickr
The Wheelie Good Party Company will travel to a location of your choice and transform the space into your very own off-road circuit, complete with mini electric jeeps for the kids to drive. What may sound like chaos is actually well organised, with floor cover and a surrounding provided to protect your location. Games such as connect four and a football table are set up outside the track to keep onlookers amused, while music is also provided. A PA system is used to keep daring drivers in line, and kids leave with a personalised driving license, certificate and medal as well as the all-important party box filled with sweets.
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Stagecoach murder mystery party

  • Things to do
  • Games and hobbies
  • Brick Lane
Stagecoach murder mystery party
Stagecoach murder mystery party
© vxla on Flickr
Prior to the party, guests receive a themed invitation outlining their character for the evening. A detective will then guide the kids through the murder mystery during a three-course meal, with unexpected twists and shocking revelations guaranteed. As the detective reveals details about each of the assembled characters, guests must draw a conclusion about who is the guilty suspect.

Cooking party

Cooking party
Cooking party
Catering for kids from four to 18 years old, Cookie Crumbles provides a hands-on cooking experience in any location with cooking facilities, or in one of their workshops in Kensington and Park Lane. Up to 35 children can be kept amused making (and scoffing) their own tasty creations from a selection of menus that include pasta, sushi and cupcake making. As an added benefit, the company actively promotes healthy eating, so kids should leave with a better understanding of good nutrition.

Read more about London for kids

Children's theatre

Children's theatre
Children's theatre
Francis Loney

Even the smallest members of the family can enjoy the theatre. Enjoy our picks of the theatre, shows and performances will suit the very little ones, the nearly big ones, and the grown-ups too. 

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Play fountains in London

  • Things to do
Play fountains in London
Play fountains in London
In summer, the capital is sprinkled with water features that invite everyone to dive right in
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Museum sleepovers

Museum sleepovers
Museum sleepovers
© Benedict Johnson

Want to sleep with dinosaurs? Bed down under an Elizabethan cannon? Or wake up beside the mummies? Time Out rounds up the top attractions that will let your kids bed down for the night. Call venues to find out dates of upcoming sleepovers.

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13 things to do before you're 13

  • Kids
13 things to do before you're 13
13 things to do before you're 13
Sorry, grown-ups – some experiences in this city are just for kids. Here are the best things to do in London while you’re still young
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