When your kids reach school age, the pressure to put on a party extravaganza seems to grow. Yes, hosting an event even better than last year’s can be tricky! Will your child have the time of their life? Will the other kids be equally excited? Will it be smiles all around from drop-off to pick-up time?

• First, you need to choose the all-important venue. Once you’ve decided on this, other aspects of the party (like games, food, theme, and guest numbers) will become clearer.
• And while your kids might have elaborate ideas about the kind of party they must have this year, once you’ve heard their desires, you as the parent need to decide what’s most suitable and achievable for your family. Don’t commit to a creating a fairy dreamland if you’re only stretching to pink lemonade and tutu outfits. Similarly, don’t say, “We’ll see” when they mention the amusement park if you’re only planning to venture to the park to ride bikes!
• Here are your party venue options, from the traditional to more impressive:

• Movies:

  The cinema is a fun venue for kids and an easy option for parents: there is minimal effort required by you, and guests will love seeing the latest G-rated animation or feel-good family flick. Skip the ridiculous cost of the candy store, and DIY treat packs for each child to munch during the film. A pop-top juice, some special occasion snack foods, and a lollipop should do the trick.

• Cooking/craft/art class:

  Having a purpose-set activity such as cooking cupcakes, painting their own plaster sculpture, or creating an artwork is a fantastic idea. The venue will be all set up with child-friendly equipment, so there’s no mess for you. Plus, an expert will guide the kids in their efforts and keep them under control. Find out more about this option here.

• Reptile park or aquarium:

  Older children tend to love creepy crawly things (especially boys!), so a visit to a reptile park where they can get up close and personal with snakes, lizards and crocs will thrill primary-schoolers. Similarly, an aquarium trip to see sharks, dolphins and other enormous sea creatures will impress. The fun factor is always upped if there’s a particular ‘show’ on – check what’s scheduled for your party date before you decide on the time so you don’t miss the major attraction of the day.

• The bike or rollerblading track / ice or roller rink:

  If you’ve got an active kid, a venue where they can go crazy riding their bikes, learning to ice-skate or perfecting their rollerblading moves will tire them out! Don’t assume all the guests have their own equipment – be prepared to fork out to hire rollerblades or bikes for those kids who don’t have their own. This is a cost you need to bear as the party host.

• The junior beauty salon:

  If you’re not morally against the idea of your daughter having beauty treatments like painted toenails, you could treat a group of her girlfriends to a party at a kids-only salon. Little princesses will delight in the mini-me feel of this kind of venue, and feel all grown up having glitter hairspray and fruity lipgloss applied. Best to canvas whether the other mothers are happy with their daughters attending this kind of venue before you book.

• Indoor play centres:

  These are a no-fuss venue option as most offer party packages that are all-inclusive (a per child cost usually). Your child’s guests will get to play on the climbing, sliding, jumping equipment for a couple of hours, with a designated area for the party spread before or afterwards. But beware, indoor play centres can be hectic with dozens of other kids (besides your party) clambering for a turn on the equipment. So brace yourself for a chaotic day … but at least active kids will be in heaven!