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The birthday parties are fun and as much as my little ones enjoy them, they find it super exciting if it is a bit different from the usual play centre or village hall with a bouncy castle. Easier said than done though. With our busy lives filled with a million things to do in one day, it is hard to be creative. Let me help here!
With my daughter’s birthday approaching super-fast I decided to search Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire area for some unusual party themes, venues, and activities, from having a ride on miniature trains, and den building, to ice skating.
1. Train party at Summerfields' Miniature Railways, Haynes
If you child love being outdoors, than you should consider a train themed party. My daughter’s 3rd birthday party was at Summerfields' Miniature Railways in Haynes and everyone, including her, had an amazing time. She still talks about it with excitement!
It is a great idea for a birthday party for boys & girls and children of all ages. The stuff is super friendly and helpful. There is a great indoor space with lovely outside area where you can set up additional toys for the little ones and a buffet. You can bring your own food and drinks and decorate the side as you wish. A friend of mine made some train flags which were very popular with the little ones. There are a few benches outside and we set up a couple of picnic blankets and picked up a few toy cars and a little bouncy castle from home for those who wanted to rest and relax.
It is also a great place for a day out with your kids! The railway is only open on specific days and their first Public Running Day for the 2020 season will be on Sunday 29th March. Prices for 2020 are £2.50 a head for the Summerfields Line and (still) £1 a head for the Winterfield Railway or the Springfield Railway. They can host a limited number of birthday parties on selected Sundays throughout the year. Please visit their Facebook page for the Public Running Days and email directly to enquire about birthday parties. I highly recommended for a party or just for a visit!
2. Farm fun, Pony or Birds of Prey experience at Herring Green Activity Farm
We have seen the signs for Herring Green Activity Farm a few times while driving somewhere else locally but only recently went for a visit. The kids loved it. There is a nice little cafe and the staff was very friendly. And it turns out they host some exciting birthday parties too.
The jungle is perfect for little explorers who are keen to meet slithery snakes and cheeky birds. There is a Pony Boutique party for pony and horse lovers and Farm Fun party perfect for preschoolers who can feed the animals, can cuddle Giant Rabbits and Guinea Pigs and try their hand at milking a cow at Freda’s Milking Parlor. And not to forget the Birds of Prey party for older children. All the kids will enjoy a bird of prey and reptile experience and get to fly some birds themselves. To make it even more fun you can add some party extras to your package such as a tractor ride, barrel ride, fire engine ride or special character visit.
The minimum number of children required for a party is 6, parties need to be booked in advance. The party last 3h and they are booked at 11.00am or 2.00pm
3. Den building at Rushmere Country Park
With its hidden fairy doors, big slide and giant sculptures, Rushmere Country Park in Bedfordshire is one of our favourite places to visit. It is a large country park in Heath and Reach – not too far from Leighton Buzzard and a short journey from Milton Keynes. There are a number of trails, two play areas, and a cafe.
The den building experience is only £50 per half a day and it is a perfect party idea for outdoorsy children who love to burn some energy. There are two play areas, cafe, big outdoor slide for the kids and a number of trails to explore after the party has finished. Bring a picnic and some little toys for the little ones to make it even more fun.
4. Animal Farm Party at Mead Open Farm
My little ones love visiting this place. There is so much to do and see. We usually start with feeding the animals at the farm, enjoying the great outdoor space with jumping pillows, digger village, tractor & trailer rides, go-karts and more. If time allows we also visit the massive indoor play.
Their birthday party lasts 2.5 hours and you are welcome to stay after the party for a whole day of farm adventure. The party takes place at themed party room and you can enjoy delicious party food fresh from their Grain Store Kitchen. There a digital party invites available to download from their website. The party bag and animal feed for each child are included in the price.
5. Adventures in Music with Lindy Lous based in Barton le Clay
Both of my kids loved attending Adventures in Music classes with Lindy Lous when they were little. These sessions are suitable for children from 6 months to 5 years and are packed with lots of age-appropriate activities combined with lovely children’s songs and music. And now they are offering Glow Baby classes for babies from 3 to 12 months. They are running multiple classes across Bedfordshire including Ampthill, Barton le Clay, Bedford, Flitwick, and Luton.
We have been to multiple birthday parties hosted by them and it is always so much fun for the little ones. Their party lasts 40min and within this time the kids get to use percussion instruments, multi-sensory equipment such as hula hoops, floating balls, pom poms, butterflies, and bubbles. There will be a visit from a character in the magic theatre and the magic box.
6. Winter fun at Planet Ice, Milton Keynes
A few weeks ago my daughter decided she really wants to try ice skating. I wasn’t sure if she would like it but decided to give it a go. We went to Planet Ice in Milton Keynes. To my surprise, she loved wearing ice skates and loved being on the ice. She would have probably stayed there the whole day but I was getting a bit tired, ehh!
Just before we put our skates on, I noticed there was a birthday party on the ice in a separate part of the ice rink. After all the fun on the ice, they had a birthday party meal in one of their birthday party rooms. You can either order the food through them or bring your own.
They have two birthday party packages available: ‘Standard Birthday Party’ or ‘Premium Birthday Party’ package. Prices start from £14 per child. With both packages, you get a birthday party host, 1h ice skating, on ice skating induction and skate hire. A fab birthday idea for all ages and abilities that we will definitely try out in the next year or so.
Is there anything else you would add to the list? Please let me know so that I can add it to the list.