If the thought of organising a children’s birthday party is a thought, breathe. Seonaid McGill finds the best London birthday parties that let parents have fun too.
Paradox Museum, London
Paradox Museum: mindblowing birthday party for over-8s
The mindbending Paradox Museum in Mayfair has a flexible take on kids’ parties, with three packages to choose from, including one where you can bring your own food.
The signature Zero Gravity Room and 75 minutes in the museum itself is standard across all packages, and party bags are included too. As well as the museum experience, there’s a dedicated Dragon’s Den party space that hosts up to 50 guests and you have the option to decorate and bring your own music.
- Best for ages: 8 and over will get the most out of the Paradox Museum
- Time length: 45 minute Dragon’s Den use and 75 minute museum tour
- Party size: between 8 and 50 guests (customised options are available for larger parties)
- Good to know: 3 options available; central London location; dedicated party team; bookable online
From £31.50 per person
Find out more about parties at the Paradox Museum
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Welcome to Shrek’s Adventure! London
Shrek’s Adventure! London: swamp style party for 4 and over
Welcome to the way they do birthday parties in the Swamp. This one gives little party goers a personalised tour of Shrek’s Adventure! London, it throws in lots of fun extras like Shrek Ears for the Birthday Ogre (that’s the birthday boy or girl in non-swamp speak), party bags and downloadable invitations.
Character meet ‘n’ greets mean lots of photo opps and the whole experience is centred round the tour, so it’s a good option if you’re looking for the ‘turn up and everything’s organised’ party option.
- Best for ages: 4 to 10 years old is recommended age range
- Time length: 1 hour tour plus time in the interactive zone at the end
- Party size: between 10 and 30 guests
- Good to know: 2 free adult tickets with every booking; bookable online; Shrek’s Adventure! is fully accessible
From £34.99 per person
Find out more about Shrek’s Adventure! London birthday parties
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Fantastical Bubble Planet, London
Bubble Planet: the bubbliest party in London right now
Much more than just bubbles, Bubble Planet is a fantastical journey through dream-like rooms filled with balloons, balls and VR experiences. Pastel is the colour scheme and play is the theme, there’s even a Hot Air Balloon simulator.
If that sounds party-perfect, they’re pulling out all stops to make sure you have a great time here. There’s a dedicated Party Room and the party includes playtime in Bubble Planet too. Cake is included in the birthday package, the Party Room is decorated and set up for you and there’s a dedicated party hose.
- Best for ages: 2 and over. This is a great one for teens too.
- Time length: 30 minutes in the Party Room and 90 minutes to tour Bubble Planet
- Party size: between 7 and 20 guests
- Good to know: dedicated party host; can bring own food or arrange for food delivery to venue; soft drinks and birthday cake are included
From £24.90 per person
Find out more about parties at Bubble Planet
Airhop, London birthday party room
Airhop Adventure Park: the bounce around birthday party
This one is made for parents who want to throw a party and enjoy it as much as their kids. AirHop takes care of everything from set up to tidy up. The offer party packages for toddlers right through to teens and, hint’s in the name, it’s all about trampolines and bounce around fun.
Parties range from Classic to the Ultimate Airparty, all packages include Open Jump at the Adventure Trampoline Park Enfield and you also have the option of the amazing AirGlider experience. A dedicated party room is part of all birthday packages too, along with your choice of three food options. Coming in at roughly the same price per person as other parties which don’t include nearly as much, AirHop is great value if your kids have plenty of energy.
- Best for ages: 4 and over. This is a good choice for active kids of any age.
- Time length: 30 minutes in the Party Room and between 60 and 120 minutes Open Jump
- Party size: minimum of 10 guests
- Good to know: very hands on team that handle all set up; generous amount of Jump Time; option to include Air Glider; food options included
From £27.95 per person
Find out more about parties at AirHop Adventure Park
READ MORE: 6 best London parks for running around with kids
Exclusive ‘just for parties’ Lush gifts
Lush: the sweet smell of a successful kid’s birthday party
A sweet idea for smaller groups and creative kids, a Lush party includes a product making session along with exclusive party gifts and can be booked at any Lush store (that’s a choice of 11 in London). At least two adults have to attend the party too, and stay for the full duration with under 16s. We thought this might be best for teens, but the parties get rave reviews from kids as young as seven.
As well as a pick n mix of product making activities, all guests receive a Lush Party Gift and the birthday girl/boy receives a birthday gift bundle.
- Best for ages: 7 and over
- Time length: 1 hour 30
- Party size: best for smaller groups, size depends on store
- Good to know: creative product making; exclusive Lush birthday gifts; choice of 11 Lush stores in London
From £25 per person
Find out more about parties at Lush London stores
The Golden Hinde Pirate Parties
A combo of history and buccaneering excitement The Golden Hinde pirate parties are a bit pricier than average, but they really do go all out, right down to organising party games and experiences, serving up pirate feasts and giving you exclusive use of the entire ship.
Parents stay for free, and the Golden Hinde will arrange food and wine if you want to extend the party spirit to grown ups too.
- Best for ages: 5 to 10 years
- Time length: 1 hour, 45 minutes:
- Party size: 10 – 35 guests
- Good to know: birthday cake and party bags are available to pre-order; party crew in full pirate gear; fun extras like treasures hunts and firing the cannon
From £595 (20 guests Monday to Friday), from £795 (20 guests Saturday and Sunday)
Find out more about pirate parties aboard The Golden Hinde
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Peppa Pig London Birthday Party Bus
Peppa Pig Party Bus: London birthday party for super fans
A London sightseeing tour, afternoon tea, interactive games and activities, as well as everyone’s favourite cartoon pig, the Peppa Pig Party Bus gives you a lot and lets you off the hook on organising.
It’s far from a bargain, but works out at pretty good value if you remember that Brigit’s Bakery is providing the eats, you can invite up to 44 guests and you don’t have to do anything, except turn up and hop aboard the bus.
- Best for ages: 2 to 10 years
- Time length: 90 minutes
- Party size: up to 44 guests
- Good to know: dedicated party team handles planning; all food and entertainment is included; themed gifts for all guests; PAW Patrol and Monopoly parties also available
From £1,200
Find out more about the Peppa Pig Party Bus
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Lucky Voice London birthday party
Lucky Voice Karaoke Parties: get loud at four London venues
Two hours of non-stop singing in a private, soundproofed Lucky Voice karaoke room, plus snacks and drinks, makes this one a winner for kids from six right through to teens. Younger ones love making lots of noise with not limits and the undeniable karaoke kitsch is a big hit with teenagers. Plus, you get a choice of Lucky Voice bars in London, but they’re all disco-ball-centric, exactly as you’d expect.
- Best for ages: 6 to 18 years
- Time length: 2 hours
- Party size: up to 18 guests
- Good to know: choice of 5 different London venues; 3 different party packages; food and drink included; private karaoke room; 1,000s of songs to choose from
From £25 per person
Find out more about Lucky Voice Karaoke Parties
Laser Tag birthday party, Kidspace, Croydon
Kidspace Croydon Laser Tag birthday party
Free play round the exciting Kidspace activities plus 30 minutes of exclusive Laser Tag, makes for a wild old party in Croydon. There are several other themes available including Go Kart Parties and Disco Parties, and all include your own Party Pod and buffet, as well as a dedicated party host.
- Best for ages: under 12 years
- Time length: 2 hours
- Party size: up to 20 guests
- Good to know: all parties include full use of Kidspace activities; good choice of eats; free juice throughout party; dedicated Party Pod
From £26 per person
Find out more about Kidspace Croydon Laser Tag Parties
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Birthday party, London Children’s Museum
London Children’s Museum: pick your own birthday party
London Children’s Museum gives you a choice of two birthday parties (Deluxe or Premium) both include two hours in a private party room and your choice of age appropriate 30-minute party activity. The activities are a great fun extra at this party, ranging from a behind-the-scenes tour of the collection for 9-12 year olds to an Early Years Birthday Bash, dinosaur activity and space activity.
You can bring your own food for this one, or pre-order from The Canteen at 100 Kellogg – next to museum – Shaw’s Ice Cream, also at 100 Kellogg, make Ice Cream Birthday Cakes to order too.
- Best for ages: 0 to 12 years old is recommended age range
- Time length: 2 hours in private party room; 30 minute hosted activity; full day pass to museum
- Party size: Deluxe Party up to 15 guests; Premium Party up to 20 guests
- Good to know: dedicated London Children’s Museum party host; downloadable invitations; choice of age appropriate activities
Deluxe Party from £325
