Children’s birthday party top ten

No need to panic -- we’ve come up with ten original ideas to help celebrate junior’s special day (and keep ahead of the Jones’s...)

Nowadays, there's a lot more to children's parties than jelly, ice-cream and pass-the parcel. Check out these original ways to make sure it’s a day to remember...

Expedition party

With a bit of imagination, it's possible to turn a birthday trip to the park into an exciting journey through a magic land for a group of seven to nine-years-olds. Give all the children 'passports' complete with their photograph at the start of the party. They will have to pass through 'customs' and get their passports stamped at the entrance to the park. As they make their way to the picnic, they can be greeted by storytellers and game organisers, with their passports being stamped as they pass each activity until they reach the 'land of plenty' and the food.

Choose your own theme party

Instead of setting a party theme, let the children choose for themselves. Ask each child to arrive at the party dressed as his or her favourite toy or character. You'll certainly have a colourful occasion!

What's cooking?

Kids are often keen to get busy in the kitchen, and a cooking party with simple recipes for fun food which the children tuck into afterwards could be a winner, providing you have plenty of help. Ask for assistance from friends or other parents, and be sure to keep a close eye over anything involving the over or hob. If you're having a Pancake Day celebration, have a table with various different toppings (lemon and sugar, chocolate, chopped nuts etc) for them to experiment and 'create their own'. 

Place to party

Given the unappealing prospect of months spent scraping sausage roll off the carpet, it's not surprising that most parents opt to hold children's parties away from home. Why settle for the nearest soft playground or fast-food outlet when you can have a themed party at various exciting venues including a theme park, museum or zoo?  

Croquet anyone? 

Football and swimming are popular party choices, but a birthday can also offer the opportunity to try a new sport. Several indoor climbing centres host children's parties and sports centres often offer more unusual activities, such as trampolining. If your child has a summer party, you could hold your own mini-sports day in the garden, with penalty shoot-outs and novelty races.