Let’s get the party started
Why stick to jelly and ice-cream when you can go surfing, horse riding trampolining in Wales.
BIRTHDAY parties for kids are not what they used to be. Forget jelly and ice-cream, pass the parcel or a disco in the local village hall, today’s parties are all about fun, adventure and doing something a little but different – think riding the rapids, learning to surf, or having a chocolate massage.
Here’s a round-up of some of the amazing birthday parties kids can enjoy throughout Wales... Get some supertubing thrills Where: Supertubing, Festival Park, Ebbw Vale. Book: 01495 305035. Price: Starts from £10 per child. If your son or daughter fancies some thrills in a large rubber doughnut, this is the party for them.
Tubes, ringos and doughnuts are basically massive inflatable rings in which they can slide down the slope.
The kids can be spun, linked to each other, go backwards, make trains and race and it’s guaranteed to produce a fair few shrieks as they go.
It’s not glamorous, though, so keep the party dresses and sandals at home as gloves have to worn and knees and elbows covered up.
You get seven supertube rides and a choice of party menus and it’s for a minimum of 10 children. Unleash your inner Tarzan Where: Go Ape, Margam Book: 0845 643 2039 Price: £29 per child A fun-filled hour of canopy exploring, trail blazing and obstacles for all to enjoy. You’ll negotiate crossings and finish on a high (literally) with one awesome zip wire.
Each party member will enjoy a Tree Top Junior adventure and receive an individual pizza, a drink – and a personalised certificate of achievement for completing the adventure. Learn some bushcraft skills Where: All over south Wales Cost: A three-hour party, including food, is £175 (some external sites may charge extra for land) Book: 07716 462983 / info@bushcraftbirthdays.co.uk This is all about getting down and dirty in the mud with all kids expected to get stuck into the outdoor life.
Typical activities at a Bushcraft Bash include fire lighting through the ages, natural shelter building, campfire food and snacks, archery, whittling, and I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! -style bushtucker trials. For groups up to 12 aged
7+. Splash about with a water rafting session Where: Cardiff International White Water, Watkiss Way, CF11 0SY Price: Children from between £22.50 to £25 per person Book: 029 2082 9970 If your children enjoy getting wet and wild this could be the party for them. With up to six people in a raft, they can enjoy the rapids at a slightly slower pace than normal but without taking away any of the fun. With all the wetsu and safety gear provided, the party will have a trained instructor for the twohour session. Suitable for ages 8+. Whizz around in Go-Karts Where: Teamsport Cardiff, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 1RF Price: Packages start from £170 Book: 0844 998 0000 Make their karting experience a memo that lasts forever with kids parties for ages 8-12, with full supervision, safety briefing and spectator viewing for mu and dads.
Karting includes a practice session a a combination of karting skills or head head racing, followed by a medal presentation in true F1 style on the podium.
You can create your own package, whether you just want them to host the karting experience or provide catering, cake and party bags too in a dedicated party area. Surf the waves Where: Cardiff International White Water, Watkiss Way, CF11 0SY Price: From £22.50 per person to £35 p person Book: 029 2082 9970 If the children don’t fancy sitting in a r but would still like to get wet and wild, they could try the adrenaline fuelled, indoor, simulated surf machine, giving even beginners the chance to have a go at hitting the surf.
Everyone starts by riding the jets of water using a bodyboard and then progresses (if they can) to stand-up riding in the 90-minute session. And that’s not all. The double-lane design means that friends and family can bodyboard together too for extra laughs.
Height restriction: At least 107cm tall to ride a bodyboard, and at least 132cm tall to stand up surf. Join the circus for the day Where: NoFit State Circus, John Stree CF25 5HF Cost: Ages 3-11, 90 minutes, 1-8 participants £180, 9-16 participants £2 Ages 11-16, 2 hours, 1-8 participants £200, 9-16 participants £250; Ages 11-16 with flying trapeze, 1-8 participants £250, 9-16 participants £3 Book: 029 2022 1330 Who wouldn’t want to fly through the a