Forget paper party hats and jelly and ice cream, treat kids to an unforgettable birthday celebration at The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham.
SoGlos rounds up nine children's party ideas at the leisure destination, with everything from soft play parties for toddlers to escape rooms, fancy food and even non-alcoholic cocktails for teenagers.
Crack the clues at Escape Hunt
Great for children aged 11 and over, Escape Hunt lets partygoers test their wits with an immersive escape room experience. Birthday party packages for 10 or more guests cost £30 per person with the birthday kid getting to play for free.
Choose from A Dalek Awakens, Alice in Puzzleland, Aladdin or GCHQ-themed Our Finest Hour and enjoy 60 minutes of gameplay with up to six players per escape room, as well as a dedicated games master to host the party, a free drink each and a birthday cake.
Get a hole in one at Mr Mulligans
Enjoy a golf-themed birthday par-tee at Mr Mulligans, with packages starting from £22 per person including one round of golf; a private party area; pizza, chicken goujons, fries, ice cream and drinks; slushies; and free game passes to take home.
Grab your clubs and dodge the volcanoes and dinosaurs at Canopy Creek, or venture into the deep to do battle with Neptune's Mist — with ping pong tables, shuffleboard, electro darts and pool to play, too.
Have a birthday burger at Hub Box
Teenagers and older kids will love tucking into a birthday meal at Hub Box, with a laid-back atmosphere and fast-food inspired menu.
Tasty dishes include gourmet burgers, organic hot dogs, dirty fries and delicious desserts like salted caramel peanut brownie, Cornish cream tea ice cream and banana chocolate slice. Plus there are plenty of plant-based options for veggie and vegan diners.
Run wild at The Play Farm
Perfect for little partygoers, The Play Farm gives kids the chance to clamber around the biggest soft play centre in Cheltenham and offers a variety of party packages.
For a budget-friendly option, Casper's Celebration costs £14.95 per child and includes invitations, 90 minutes of soft play, party food, a visit from Casper the Cow, balloons and party bags, plus a return pass for the birthday kid; while for those looking for exclusive use, party planners can choose from the Play Farm Bash, Disco Fever or Laser Tag parties costing from £250 for up to 12 children.
Polish off a pudding at Creams
Creams Cafe is a popular spot for sweet-toothed kids — and it's easy to see why!
Its menu is packed with street treats from gooey cookie dough, loaded waffles and crepes to towering ice cream sundaes and sweet shop-inspired shakes. It also offers four-dessert bundles that are perfect for a party.
Strike it lucky at Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl offers a great party package for competitive kids, including party invites; an hour of bowling; a tasty meal with burgers, nuggets or hot dogs on the menu; and a free game voucher to take home for the birthday child, with prices starting from £12 per child and £16 per adult.
There's also the option to upgrade to a VIP lane and add on ice cream or slushies for just £2 extra per person. The fun doesn't have to stop when you're finished on the lanes, either, as the Brewery Quarter venue has an awesome arcade with everything from a VR rollercoaster simulator to classic claw machines.
Host a private screening at Cineworld
Treat movie-loving little ones to an extra special experience with a private screening at Cineworld. With prices staring from £120 for up to 20 partygoers, the birthday kid can choose their favourite film and enjoy it with their buddies on a big screen all to themselves.
For smaller celebrations, Movies for Juniors every weekend lets kids and grown-ups see family-friendly films for just £2.50 each, so there's plenty left over for popcorn.
Have a pizza party at Pizza Express
Popular chain restaurant Pizza Express is a crowd-pleaser with kids. Ideal for feeding a group of hungry little ones, they can fill up on delicious doughballs, cheesy pizzas and even mini desserts.
We're sure its friendly team will sing 'Happy Birthday' if you ask nicely!
Say cheers with a non-alcoholic cocktail at The Botanist
Providing a stylish celebration for older children, The Botanist offers a range of non-alcoholic cocktails, from the Mountain Blossom Martini with aromatic Everleaf Mountain alcohol-free liqueur, strawberry syrup and apple juice, to the Rhubarb Spritz made with rhubarb and sage cordial and ginger ale.
Its food menu includes Cumberland Scotch egg, houmous and flatbread and cauliflower wings to start; its famous hanging kebabs, pie and mash, katsu curry and cheeseburgers for the main course; and its fun build-your-own cookie dough for dessert — plus there's a children's menu offering younger diners two courses for £6.95, too.
