Thinking of kids party ideas that are different and unusual can be a tall order year after year. From birthdays to family celebrations we asked our audience to share their unusual kids party ideas and venues for the best party ever. The venues are all in Ireland but the ideas will work worldwide!
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#1. Delphi Adventure Centre, Galway
Delphi Adventure Centre offers up to 20 different land and water based activities from ages 4+. You can book everything from Bushcraft Survival to Zip’n’Trek or Canoeing to a Bog Obstacle Course, Raft Building to Coasteering. Fun and adventure are guaranteed in equal measure and this is one party that will be remembered forever!
#2. Croke Park, Dublin
Croke Park offer stadium tours, skyline and museum tours which are all perfect for an unusual party. You can eat afterwards in the on-site cafe and the offer discounted rates for group bookings.
So the only choice is whether you want to bring your party guests for a thrilling rooftop walk 17 storey’s high or keep your feet firmly on the ground and take part in some GAA games.
#3. Junior Einsteins Science Club Birthday Parties
Junior Einsteins Science Club Parties are very hands-on and children get to make and take home their own slime! They wear Lab coats and goggles and see amazing science experiments.
Children are enthralled by – 2 types of SLIME, Electrocuting a Barbie doll on a Van Der Graff generator Lighting lightbulbs by just touching a plasma ball!Shoot giants smoke rings at each other with fabulous giant Smoke Cannons.
Our science parties are Fun-Filled, Action Packed and Absolutely Unforgettable and something different – encourage your ‘Junior Einstein’ to explore and be curious about the world around them. Showing a child how fascinating science is through hands-on fun is creating a life long passion.
All that is needed is an electricity source (a table would be ideal too) and all will be cleaned up too after the party!
#4. Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon
Lough Key Forest Park is the home of the weather independent Boda Borg, an exciting quest adventure where you must puzzle your way out of different rooms. For younger children there is the tree top canopy walk and the adventure playground and the on-site café is the perfect place for a birthday feast. If you want to get active outdoors, how about having an orienteering adventure party?
#5. Leisureplex Dublin & Cork
From bowling to quasar to a zoo party Leisureplex pride themselves on throwing the best parties ever! You can choose to do 1 activity or a couple of activities and all parties include party invitations, food and soft drinks and a choice of present for the birthday child. There are 5 Leisureplex venues in Dublin and 1 in Cork and Mums & Dads will be well looked after on the day too. Plan your next party at a Leisureplex near you!.
#6. Castlecomer Discovery Park, Kilkenny
From Fairy & Elf parties for under 7’s to Zip a dee do da! parties for ages 12+ Castlecomer Discover Park in Kilkenny offer a varied range of activities for kids of all ages to enjoy. Food from the Canopy Café can be ordered in advance and the kids can bounce, climb, mine and get outdoors to enjoy all this amazing venue has to offer.
#7. Ballyhass Lakes, Cork
Outdoor fun for all kids aged 8+ is guaranteed with a birthday party at Ballyhass Lakes. From aeroball to zip lining and abseiling to wakeboarding, you can choose up to 4 activities to enjoy. Bring along BBQ food and use one of the free BBQ’s to cook up your birthday tea or you could even try your hand at catching your own!
#8. Future Shock VR Hub, Dublin
Located in Smithfield, Dublin, Future Shock is a VR (Virtual Reality) Hub, offering VR Experience parties for kids and adults aged 8+.
With more than 40 high quality VR experiences & games to choose from including wielding your very own light saber, experiencing life underwater in The Blu or travelling the world from your booth using Google Earth VR, you are sure to find an experience or game to suit all members of your party.
Student discounts are offered and all members of your party can see what the headset wearer sees so they too are immersed in the game or experience at all times.
#9. Escape Rooms, Nationwide
How about locking your party guests in a room, bus or boat and asking them to escape? Escape Rooms have become very popular in Ireland and there are options nationwide that cater for both younger groups and older kids and teens.
#10. Trinity College Sports Centre, Dublin
From climbing parties to trampoline parties, dance parties to swim parties, soccer parties to multi-sport parties, you can tailor make the party experience that best suits your child at the Trinity College Sports Centre.
#11. Eile Mental Activity Park, Galway
My daughter had her party at Elie Mental Activity Park when she turned 13. They played Laser Tag on a damp day and declared it the best party ever! You can also do paintballing, archery, disc golf and orienteering. You will have to organise your own food and be warned it is not near any facilities, so unless you plan on taking part, pack your walking shoes and enjoy a stroll with stunning views.
#12. Imaginosity, Dublin
Have an arty party at Imaginosity and enjoy over an hour of play throughout the museum followed by a choice of arty activities. Afterwards enjoy party food in the dedicated party room.
#13. SkyPark, Louth
Based in Carlingford, SkyPark is the largest zipline and sky trekking park in Ireland. It offers a choice of 4 courses where you can swing, climb and zip from suspension bridges, tightropes, cargo nets, base jumps and more.
#14. Art & Mór, Kerry
Mum Lisa told us about Art & Mór in Kenmare where you can book a table and get your party guests to be creative. They can choose from the paint and take home option, or leave their masterpieces to be glazed and fired.
#15. Fort Lucan, Dublin
Fort Lucan offers a world of fun, splashing, jumping, climbing and sliding for kids of all ages. They have special group rates which can be availed of for birthday parties and you can book their party room. It must be booked in advance and you can bring along your own food and drinks for guest to enjoy.
#16. The Circus
If the circus happens to be in town, check out whether they offer party packages. My sister recently booked in 18 kids for a trip to the circus and got them pony rides and face painting as part of a party package. She brought along a cake and the ringmaster presented it to the party girl in the centre of the ring, and she got to blow out her candles in front of everyone.
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#17. Atlantic Air Adventure, Clare
Take your party guests out of this world with a trip to Atlantic Air Adventure for an aviation birthday party. Plan your course before you take to the skies in the flight simulator.
#18. King John’s Castle, Limerick
How about a medieval birthday party? Step back in time and discover the history of King John’s Castle where you will find interactive displays and history brought to life by characters who greet you throughout the castle. The on-site café can cater for your party afterwards.
#19. Russborough House, Wicklow
Take a trip through the maze at Russborough House Gardens and have an owl handling session afterwards at the National Birds of Prey Centre. In addition you could visit the playground, walled garden, magical fairy island and see if you come across any ghosts in the main house! A truly magical birthday experience.
#20. Quadadventure, Wexford
For older kids and teens how about an afternoon quad biking in 80 acres of countryside? Each session lasts approx 90 minutes and participants will be graded to get the session appropriate to their age, driving experience and size.
#21. Vaults Live, Dublin
Vaults Live is Dublin’s most exciting new attraction. Inspired by fascinating Irish history, the Vaults Live theatrical experience takes six individual tales that will thrill, excite, amuse and raise the hairs on the back of necks of all ages!
Six stories that you’ll actually become part of as you journey through a unique take on Irish history. Sure to wow birthday party guests of all ages
#22. Funtasia, Meath
Funtasia offer many different party options for kids and teens at their 2 sites in Bettystown and Drogheda including; a waterpark party, bowling party, play area party, crazy golf party, climbing wall party, stuff a bear party, karaoke and disco party, cupcake party, fairytale party, science party, clay and pottery painting party.
#23. Bubble Soccer, Nationwide
Bubble Soccer parties are available nationwide in Galway, Cork, Dublin, Mayo, Offaly, Roscommon, Leitrim, Westmeath, Limerick, Longford and Kildare. They are great fun for both boys and girls and usually have a football game and other fun elements. My daughter recently attended a party at Astrobay in Renmore, Galway where they also provide food and a party room.
#24. Kids Party Bus, Dublin & Surrounds
Absolute Limousines offer the ultimate stress free party option with their absolute play bus. Each double decker bus offers ball pods, cargo nets, bif’n bash bags, climbing ladders, slides and more. It will arrive at your home, open the doors and let the kids pile in for some fun.
#25. OWLS Outdoor Survival Parties, Dublin
OWLS is a children’s nature charity and they run outdoor survival parties where your child and their friends can lean how to survive in the wilderness! You will learn to make an outdoor shelter, build a fire and toast marshmallows. There are 2 Dublin sites in Donabate and Dundrum.
#26. Carlingford Adventure Centre, Louth
The Carlingford Adventure Centre offers party goers a host of land and water based adventure sport options to choose from including; water trampoline, foot golf, junior skypark, crystal maze, ziptopia, skypark, rock climbing, kayaking, raft building, orienteering, frisbee disc golf and much more.
#27. Reptile Zoo, Kilkenny
The Reptile Zoo in Kilkenny enables your kids to get up close to more than 50 reptiles in the animal encounter zone, tropical walk and other areas of the zoo. They also have a soft play area and 2 picnic areas. They also offer a fun the Zoo Comes to You service where the staff will travel with some of the reptiles to your party venue!
#28. Kiltorcan Raceway Kilkenny
For kids aged 10+ Kiltorcan Raceway offers an exciting racetrack adventure. With an outstanding safety record, the party will be briefed before they take to the track for an exhilarating circuit around the all weather, outdoor track. Afterwards play pool and have party food in the elevated clubhouse overlooking all the action.
#29. DLR Leisure, Dublin
DLR Leisure have a number of sites throughout Dublin and offer great value kids party packages. From swimming to basketball, archery, football, golf, tennis, dodgeball, hockey and much more, prices start from as little as €3.50 per child.
#30. Paintball, Clare
If your party guests want to get their adrenalin going, take them along to Deerpark Outdoor Centre where you will find Clare Paintball. Suitable for ages 10+ you can book a 3 hour party for Splatball or Airsoft. They also offer play and stay packages and have teamed up with a number of local attractions for surfing and castle adventure parties.
#31. Explorers World, Kerry
Explorers World in Dingle offer party package options suitable for all ages. They have a giant soft play area and an indoor rock climbing wall. You will get use of one of their party rooms and soft drinks and food for all your party guests from the Jungle Cafe.
#32. ZWay Experience, Dublin
You and your party guests can glide around the indoor galaxy track at ZWay Experience in Morington on your voice activated machine. Inspired by the Segway, the scooter type machine is controlled by an onboard computer and you can choose to the obstacle free galaxy track or see if you can glide around the obstacle track!
Top Tip: Look out for vouchers on deals sites such as Groupon.
#33. Atlantaquaria, Galway
The Galway Atlantaquaria set in the heart of Salthill on the Wild Atlantic Way offers 2 hours of party fun for children. Children will have an exciting treasure hunt, get to hold starfish and crabs and feed fish before their party food and games.
#34. Celtic Adventures, Louth
In the village of Clogherhead you will find Celtic Adventures an outdoor adventure centre that offer activities for teens and kids parties. They also offer a mobile adventure service, where they will bring their adventure sports to your venue. Their birthday party package includes activities and up to 20 themed party invitations. They have picnic tables for your party food and drink but currently do not offer a party food service.
#35. Bridgefield Buggies, Cork
How about a quad bike safari for your next party? Kids from aged 8+ are welcome at Bridgefield Buggies for an off road experience they will never forget around a the 9 mile trek! No driving experience is needed and all participants will get a full safety briefing and training before the party starts. Pack a change of clothes!
#36. Dog & String Theatre Company, Clare
The Dog & String Theatre Company will design a party workshop for your party guests to enjoy. Suitable for ages 6+ you can choose from creating a shadow puppet, animating objects, create a wooden spoon puppet, create a simple rod puppet, create a shoebox theatre to creating your very own storybook. Each workshop will end with a show.
#37. Pizza Making Party
Whether you decide to host at home or head out to a local pizzeria or restaurant, kids will love the idea of creating their very own pizza. And instead of a birthday cake, you could create a chocolate spread and marshmallow pizza! Both Milano/Pizza Express and Apache Pizza run pizza making parties.
#38. The National Wax Museum, Dublin
Mum Caitriona recommended the Wax Museum. You can book a birthday party at The National Wax Museum Plus. They offer birthday party options to suit all budgets and ages. The party will get a tour of the museum and a group Waxfactor video. Birthday cake can be eaten surrounded by the stars in the Hall of Fame! You can add additional items such has wax hands, face painting and party bags and the birthday child goes free.
#39. Toodleou, Galway
There’s nothing quite like a birthday party Toodlelou Creativity Lab. A creative exploration studio for young people aged two to teen located in Oranmore, Galway, the Lab is designed to inspire. They design each party around the child’s interests, from unicorns to fairies, knights to dinosaurs and everything in between. Guests are treated to two hours of creating art and/or experimenting with science, and bring home everything they’ve made at the end of the party. Catering for groups of up to 20 children, all materials are included – including a special collaborative piece created at the start for the birthday girl or boy to bring home.
#40. Airfield Farm, Dublin
Be a nature detective at Airfield Farm or learn about plants and how a working farm operates. Feed and pet the animals and afterwards head to The Grey Barn for some soft play or Naturescape for older children with a zip wire, balance beams, willow tunnel and climbing frame. Afterwards enjoy a birthday lunch at the on-site restaurant.
#41. The Sing Factory, Dublin
Have the ultimate superstar recording birthday party at The Sing Factory. Record your favourite song in a real recording studio and afterwards a copy will be sent to you to keep.
#42. Craftea Parties, Dublin & Wicklow
Craftea Parties offers bespoke craft parties & workshops and real life princess, superheroes & fairy character parties for birthdays, christenings, communions and other special events.
They will come to your home or venue with everything needed for the perfect party and each child will have a unique gift that they have created to take home with them.
Craftea Parties are suitable for all ages, even up to adult
#43. Squirrel Scramble, Wicklow
For something a bit different, how about a birthday celebration at Squirrel’s Scramble at Killruddery House and Gardens where kids can experience the wonderful natural forest with more than 40 different challenges to climb, balance, slide and crawl. They will zoom along the zip lines through narrow passages in the woods for a thrilling adventure. Sheltered party areas with wooden seats and tables are provided, and while they don’t cater for food or drink you can either pick up delicious nibbles at the food stalls at the Killruddery Farm Market (Saturdays only) or order pizza for the kids from the local pizza delivery services. They are also happy for you to bring your own food in if you prefer.
#44. Electric Zoo, nationwide
Electric Zoo offers the most unusual party option – their drivable Electric Zoo animals and mechanical horses will wow your guests – no matter what age they are!
They have packages to suit all budgets which can include party games, Balloon Modelling and Face Painting, alongside the Electric Zoo animals – who are always the stars of the show! Electric Zoo will come to your venue; Community Centre, School, GAA Hall etc. Definitely one party the kids (and adults) will never forget!
#45. Busy Beaders Jewellery Parties
Looking for something different to do for your child’s party? How about a children’s jewellery party? At Busy Beaders Jewellery Parties, the kids can learn to make either bracelets, earrings or angels, they will get to use their imagination in colours and design and will feel a sense of achievement in making a piece of jewellery for themselves.
Owner Helena comes to your house and brings everything with her. Parties cost €20 per child for 2 hours with a required minimum of 5 kids. Maximum of 10 kids to allow plenty of individual time, if 10 kids are booked the price is €150 or €15 per child. Dublin and surrounds.
Have you tried out any of these unusual party ideas for kids? Please share your experience with us in the comments box below.
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