Celebrating a birthday in London with the family is special, even more so when there’s an action-packed day of fun planned. We’ve rounded up some of the coolest experiences, places to visit and eateries in the Big Smoke that are perfect for children’s birthday parties. As you’ll see, there’s something to match every personality, because here at Plum Guide, we leave no stone unturned.
Treat the wannabe Willy Wonkas
Little ones can design and roll their very own colourful candy at Spun Candy. This gleaming candy-filled world could be the closest that you’ll all get to the wacky universe of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – and it’s as fun as you’d imagine. Your kids can channel their inner Willy Wonka during the candy making experience at Spun Candy. The Master Candy Makers will teach them how it’s all done, then the kids can choose and mix up their own flavours – creating <s>a big mess</s> professional-looking treats you can all gobble on the way home. As you guessed, this one is just as fun for grown-ups, so go wild like a kid in candy store – this is hands down one of the best children’s party ideas in London.
Pot Kettle Black, Plum Guide home in London
Celebrate with pizza classes for mini chefs
Pizza baking in a clay oven with fire
Get them kneading, rolling, tossing and topping pizza at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen. Its chefs host special kids’ pizza master classes on select Sundays, where little ones get to make – and eat – their own doughy delight. After they’ve polished off their creation, they’ll tuck into dessert. They even get to take home their aprons so they’ll be sure to remember their new culinary skills. At the same time, you’ll be busy sipping champagne and tucking into brunch – could you really ask for more? Well, you could be doing all this from one of the finest London holiday rentals on offer, but this is a close second best. £70 for 2 adults and one child.
Hush & Haze, Plum Guide home in London
Spoil them with a stay in a penthouse
It’s your child’s birthday once a year, so why not celebrate the milestone by booking a family stay in one of the most remarkable short term lets in London? Plum Guide has vetted the very best: you can book plush penthouses, homely London houseboats, tall townhouses and more. Plus, if you book a spot close to some of the birthday experiences listed here, you’ll keep walking (and therefore potential tantrums) to a minimum: win, win.
White Rabbit Penthouse, Plum Guide home in London
Sleepover at the Natural History Museum
Whale Skeleton at London's Natural History Museum
The Dino Snores Sleepover at the Natural History Museum is one of the best children’s party ideas in London. This roarsome night-time adventure lets you, your kids and other sleepover guests have the museum all to yourselves for just one night. You can go hunting for dinos around the halls, enjoy a cool science show or take part in other activities like t-shirt painting. After all the fun, you’ll bed down in sleeping bags under the Blue Whale skeleton in Hintze Hall: now that’s something to tell your friends about.
Fresh Flight, Plum Guide home in London
Enjoy a spot of karaoke with the kids
For a classic American-themed bowling party, All Star Lanes is the spot. It’s got four venues across London, each complete with private rooms with unlimited bowling and karaoke, so the kids can blast their best rendition of Let it Go before you lose the will to live let loose and channel your inner Beyoncé. Fill your faces with real indulgent grub like chicken wings, burgers and thick milkshakes to keep you energised. Then, head to your choice of exclusive luxury London serviced apartments to crash for the night.
Take the children to Hampton Court Palace
The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace is a royal themed children’s playground complete with a topiary maze to get lost in. Get your birthday princess dressed up and bring her to this land that’s populated by mysterious beasts, including a 25ft long sleeping dragon with smoking nostrils. It draws inspiration from the myths and legends of the Tudor Court, so expect bright King's and Queen's towers, a curving moat and an enormous bejewelled crown. There’s a sand pit, fireman’s pole, giant slide and more. As for you – well, there's all that plus a café and terrace to chill in.
Book a day of adventure at Go Ape
Swing through the treetops, experience the thrilling zip wires and enjoy high ropes adventures at Go Ape Battersea Park. This adrenaline-fuelled, action-packed expedition is for all the family to enjoy together: make your way through the course and conquer your fear of heights at the same time. Don’t worry, you’re strapped into a harness real tight, and the staff are there every step of the way should anyone need a bit of support. You’ll be amazed at how much taller little ones walk after completing the course.
Let them loose at a trampoline park
Set them loose in Oxygen's indoor trampoline park playground, which is lined wall to wall with no less than 150 connected trampolines, plus an obstacle course, giant foam pit, dodgeball court and more. They’ll be bouncing, slam dunking, climbing, somersaulting – and smiling – to their heart’s content, and you’ll be there capturing it all on your phone, no doubt. FYI, parents can bounce too... did you know 10 minutes on a trampoline burns the same amount of calories as a 30-minute jog? It’s way more fun too, so this is hands down one of the best children's party ideas in London.
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