The children’s birthday party market is booming and it’s a multi-million pound beast. The entertainers of yesteryear still exist but the pressure to put on the best, most memorable, party puts parents to the test big time!
I’ve had experience now of throwing some fantastic parties. Lots of planning, lots of research and ultimately a good few quid. If you are going to spend it – I’d say an average party of 20-30 kids will easily set you back £400 – then spend it wisely. That’s not to say that you can’t party on a budget, you can. You spend what you can afford.
In this article I’m going to give you the low down on how to really push the boat out. Not silly money but a party that the parents and the children will love and remember.
Ultimately, at this age the parents stay the duration, so why not make it an event for adults too? My thoughts on the subject are great food, alcohol and children enjoying themselves so that the adults get time to chat, unencumbered by listless kids!
This year we decided on a science party. In our competitive private school world, everything has to add value. Education should be fun but even the fun should be educational! Such pressure! For me, a science party ticked all the boxes. Enough soft play and entertainers and instead, catching children old enough to understand what they are doing but young enough to be astounded and left open-mouthed by the ‘experiments’ taking place before their very eyes.
I did a lot of research on companies offering science parties. Mostly offering similar options – more of which later – but most of them looking to earn as much as possible for add-ons and extras. It’s easy to put together a website but the test was actually enquiring. Gizmo’s Lab stood out from the beginning. Calling me straight away after I’d submitted an enquiry at the week-end and following through with excellent and regular communication throughout the entire process from start to finish.
No hard selling but definitely passion for the end product. The other companies that I contacted just fell by the wayside, either coming across as greedy or not answering enquiries or just being a let down in one way or another. I was taking a leap of faith in any case as I’d had no personal recommendations but that initial contact with one of the owners Anita and with her now husband, Aman, proved to be exactly what they promised and more.
Their company covers all of the UK. With partners covering the North of England whilst they cover the South. No franchises here – they have complete control. Aman, the scientist, left a career in the pharmaceutical industry sick of the money that big pharma companies put into treating but not curing and wanted to give something back. As a child his mother fought hard to give her four children an education. They were so poor that they made they own toys. So with a ethos of giving back and inspiring kids through science and fun, Gizmo’s, who also run after-school clubs, were a true find and in my opinion the only people to go to if you want to host a science party.
So, with everything from balloons to helium to plastic champagne flutes to snack boxes ordered from my favourite one-stop party shop Partyrama, we were set.
And the party itself was a massive success, we planned together the things that my son would enjoy the most, so much thought goes into the planning to make each party bespoke.
On the day they arrived early to set up a spectacular set and nothing was too much trouble. An extra 5 minutes here or there, dry ice to present the birthday cake in all it’s splendour – magic and science even down to the last little detail and all pre-empted by Anita and Aman.
Lab coats for all the kids, they stood around the table each taking part in different experiments. I’ve never seen children so interested and all participating so eagerly. A hovercraft had them all queuing for a go and fire balls amazed. Throughout, time was managed to perfection giving cues to get food out, bring the cake and lastly no worrying about going home presents – such a bore! They made glittery slime to take home in the boxes that Gizmo’s provided.
Indulging a passion for perfection. Researching and reviewing luxury, family lifestyle.
Huffington Post blogger and freelance journalist.
