Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Children's Birthday Party Ideas in Suffolk
A child’s birthday party.
Just the mention of those few words may either bring you out in an icy cold 
sweat thinking about the additional responsibility of entertaining a roomful of children, or fill you with joyous excitement as you picture your child’s face radiating with pure happiness.
Most likely you’ll feel a combination of the two.
Forethought and planning will go a long way into settling any pre-party nerves and multiple checklists will ensure that nothing is forgotten and no-one is left out.
We’ve interspersed a few checklists throughout this party guide to help you along the way and we’ve added details about some of the best party venues and entertainers in the area.
Just remember to book your favourites early on as the best attractions and entertainers tend to get booked up quickly!
Party Checklist: For parties at home
- Decide on the timings and date of the party
- Decide on how many children you can comfortably accommodate in your house
- Send out the invitations
- Sort out the entertainment if it’s required. Book the entertainer, face painter, bouncy castle
- Plan in the fun factor or create a theme
- Sort out a music playing device
- Select party games for the children to play
- Source decorations, party tableware, balloons and party hats
- Purchase the food and drink
- Get the birthday cake
Party Checklist: For parties at a venue
- Sort out party numbers
- Create a small list of your child’s favourite party venues in preferential order
- Check the availability of the venues and if there are any special deals
- Book a date and time with the venue. Pay the deposit
- Get the name and telephone number of the main party organiser at the venue
- Get the party invitations from the venue and send them out
- Sort out the food with the venue and establish whether a birthday cake is supplied
- Confirm numbers with the venue prior to the day
Party game ideas
Traditional party games always go down a treat. Here’s a list of some of the most classic children’s games:
- Pass the Parcel
- Musical Statues
- Musical Bumps
- Musical Chairs
- Chinese Whispers
- Blind Man’s Donkey
- Animal Charades
- Treasure Hunt
And here are a few new party game ideas –
- The Tray Game
- Dead Ants
- Doughnuts on a String
- Marsh-mallow Bobbing
- Piñata Games
Remember to stock up on prizes to award to the winning children.
Party food ideas 
- The birthday cake!
- A choice of sandwiches with simple fillings such as plain ham, cheese and tuna. Mix some salad leaves into some of the sandwiches – if the children don’t like it they can always take out the salad! Think about supplying some healthy options which are visually appealing and tasty.
- Chopped up vegetables such as carrots, mangetout, peppers, cucumber with cream cheese or houmous for dips
- Breadsticks
- Cheese straws
- Potato wedges
- Pizza slices
- Mini sausages and sausage rolls
- Cheese and pineapple on sticks (or uncooked sticks of spaghetti)
- Crisps and popcorn
- Chopped fruit
- Mini-sponge cakes
- Jelly Boats made from scooped out and quartered oranges. (Halve an orange, scoop out the fruit, fill it with jelly. Once set, cut into quarters)
- Ice-cream
- Drinks: Either orange and blackcurrant squash, fruit water, fruit juice, milkshakes or plain water
Party bag ideas
- Books or small colouring-in books
- Glowsticks
- Glitter Tattoos
- Small packs of pencils
- Bubbles
- Balloons
- Stickers
- Small bag of sweets
- Finger puppets
- A paper glider
- Decorate your own paper party bag
- Cake Pops
- A piece of birthday cake or a cup cake
Party politics - Invitation RSVP etiquette.jpg)
For the party hosts
- Hand out the invites in plenty of time, ideally about 3 weeks before the party date.
- Include detailed information on the invitation such as the date, the start and finish times, the venue’s full address and postcode, and the name, email address and number for them to RSVP.
- Include a RSVP date to help you confirm final numbers prior to the day. You may wish to use words to the effect of: ‘As the venue requires final numbers prior to the party we would appreciate confirmation of your child’s attendance by (add RSVP date). If we do not hear from you by this date we will assume that your child is unable to attend’.
- As a second measure, about a week beforehand, you may wish to politely chase up parents who have not as yet RSVP’d.
For the guests
- RSVP as soon as you can, whether your child can make it or not.
- If something happens on the day of the party, and your child can no longer attend, let your hosts know ASAP.
- If you are running late, or need to leave early then let the hosts know in advance.
- If you have not RSVP’d then don’t just turn up uninvited.
Don’t forget items!
- Candles for the cake
- Candle holders
- Matches
- Cake knife
- You may wish to include party bags for unexpected additional guests or young siblings
- Printable directions, including the postcode of the party venue
Here are some details about party providers and entertainers close to you:
Bravo Parties
Tel: 01449 675395
www.bravotheatreworkshops.co.uk
Does your child love to sing, dance and act? Would your child love to have a Superhero or a Frozen party or are they nutty for One Direction? A Bravo entertainer can provide party guests with themed games, choreography and singing. There can even be a small performance at the end of the day for family and friends. Don’t forget to take the camera!
Soundmagic Studios
Tel: 01376 501313
For a different party idea how about a unique Soundmagic Studios Recording Party? The budding pop stars come into a professional recording studio where Jessie J started her recording career and create their own CD!
Soundmagic provide the backing tracks of the child's favourite pop songs and the children sing along creating their very own recording. Party food and drink is provided and all guests receive a copy of the CD in their party bag. The host’s CD is specially packaged and includes photos of the group taken in the studio. For availability and more details of the various packages on offer call Steve or Victoria.
Little Kingfishers Play Centre
Tel: 01787 375656
www.littlekingfishers.co.uk or www.ssleisure.co.uk
Make your child’s next birthday the most memorable yet! Let them enjoy 90 minutes playing in the fabulous four tiered play frame at the Little Kingfishers Play Centre before tucking into a tasty birthday tea in one of the party rooms.
Party packages include unlimited squash, a free balloon for every child, an appearance from the mascot Swoop, and a party host to meet, greet and ensure the party runs smoothly. Ultimate party add-ons are available for a little extra, such as glitter tattoos or a themed table display, or enjoy exclusive private hire of the centre. Other party options include splash parties and private hire pool parties for great splashing fun.
Crafty Coffee
Tel: 01394 270224
Create a unique gift at Crafty Coffee, the paint your own pottery and decopatch cafe located in the centre of Felixstowe, beside the sea. Capture your loved ones hand and footprints on a plate, mug, tile or photo-frame. Why not give the most personal gift of a hand-painted ceramic as a birthday, anniversary or wedding gift?
Enjoyed by all ages, Crafty Coffee holds regular kids clubs, birthday parties, baby showers and adult evenings. Many adult customers are now regulars as they find it so relaxing, they literally call it their therapy! Fully supervised 'Cafe Party' packages start at £12 per child which includes a 2-hour private hire of the decorated party room, unlimited squash, a signed, decorated and fired commemorative birthday plate.
Artistry in Cocoa
Email: enquiries@artistryincocoa.co.uk
Looking for a creative party? Then Artistry in Cocoa in Newmarket should be able to help. Chocolate lovers and artists alike can enjoy a whole host of different parties suitable for 3 year olds to teenagers. There are even family parties so parents and children can join in the treat. At Artistry in Cocoa the children can make chocolate truffles, lollipops, bars, and chocolate pizza. Budding artists can paint a picture in chocolate or try a chocolate sculpture party.
The participants arrive with an object of their choice and leave with a chocolate model of it. Artistry in Cocoa will even create a bespoke party especially for the birthday child. Add- on party food options include a traditional birthday tea, homemade pizza with homemade ice cream, chocolate fondue, hot chocolates, milkshakes and birthday cakes.
Fancy Dress Hut
Tel: 01473 255933
Local mum Susie Patten, runs the Fancy Dress Hut in St Stephen’s Lane, not far from the bus station in Ipswich. Inspired by the popularity of fancy dress over the pond in America, Susie’s range of costumes is vast and expanding.
She stocks all the authorised costumes for Disney and Marvel and DC Comics – perfect for birthday parties, plus seasonal items for Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Find the Fancy Dress Hut at 17 St Stephen’s Lane in Ipswich, IP1 1DP
Planet Laser
Tel: 01284 220102
Make a child’s birthday party unforgettable with Planet Laser! This venue in Bury St Edmunds offers state of the art laser tag, a spectacular 3 story arena and high adrenaline fun. Three party options are available, namely the Neptune, Saturn and Jupiter parties. Neptune parties cost £10 per person and include 2 games of laser, unlimited jugs of cordial and complimentary birthday invitations. Saturn parties cost £13 per person and include 2 games of laser, hot party food, cordial and invitations. The Jupiter package is priced at £17 per person and includes 3 games of laser, hot party food, a slush drink or milkshake, cordial and invitations. The minimum number of guests is 8. Due to popularity early booking is advised.
Abbeycroft Leisure
Web: www.acleisure.com for Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill
Web: www.angcomleisure.com for Newmarket, Mildenhall and Brandon
Looking for a party that you don’t have to organise? Abbeycroft Leisure and Anglia Community Leisure can help. It offers custom made parties for your little ones aged 1 year+ so you won’t have to lift a finger! From swimming parties with races, disco parties for your princess, even laser tag and Nerf tag, there is something that suits every child – including soft play and bouncy castles for the little ones.
If you’re feeling really adventurous, there are Explore Outdoor parties and outdoor adventure days for the explorers in your family. They also offer climbing wall hire. The Leisure Centres at Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Newmarket, Mildenhall and Brandon can help you plan a day to remember. Abbeycroft Leisure can provide food, party bags, invitations and more.
Kidz Drama
Email: team@kidzdrama.com
Kidz Drama is a new at-home-theatre idea for kids who love acting. Its comedy/drama plays are designed for 7 to 12 year olds but are suitable for the whole family. The plays give kids the chance to prepare, rehearse and perform a 20 to 30 minute performance and are ideal for parties, sleepovers and rainy days.
At £9.99 each, the plays offer great value and come with a planning schedule and an invitation template. Each play is based on kids’ favourite film, TV and book characters and the scripts are emailed as a PDF so they can be printed off easily or performed off mobile devices. The collection also includes primary school plays designed for a full classroom production for Y5 and Y6. Kidz Drama is a small family-run project based in Woodbridge, Suffolk.
High Lodge Leisure
Tel: 01986 784347
www.highlodge.co.uk/celebrations
High Lodge is in a secluded Suffolk location and offers exclusive use of its function facilities, which means it can guarantee complete privacy ensuring that its wonderful setting will turn any private function into a real success. The aim at High Lodge is to ensure that your child’s celebration is a truly memorable event. Rest assured that every detail of the party will be taken care of by a dedicated, caring and professional team. A choice of facilities are on offer to suit the occasion – from the smallest to the grandest party!
Easton Farm Park
Tel: 01728 746475
Party packages at Easton Farm Park are packed with super fun activities that are sure to make any celebration go smoothly. It hosts two hour children’s birthday parties on the farm beginning at 10am, 12:30pm or 3pm.
The Party packages include entry to the Farm Park, invites, party bags, 2 exclusive activities for the birthday party group, a birthday tea, animal food bags for each child, soft play plus free entry for all adults with the group – all for £160 for 10 children (each additional child is charged at £10).
Parties are most suitable for younger children up to the age of 8, and special packages including pony parties and toddler parties can be arranged. With the on-site café facilities grown-ups are catered for too, ensuring a fun day out on the farm for everyone.
People for Places Leisure
Felixstowe Leisure Centre: 01394 694600 -enquiries@felixstoweleisurecentre.co.uk
Deben Pool: 01394 384763 -enquiries@debenpool.co.uk
Leiston Leisure Centre: 01728 830364 -enquiries@leistonleisurecentre.co.uk
Brackenbury Sports Centre: 01394 270278 -enquiries@brackenburysportscentre.co.uk
www.placesforpeopleleisure.org
Let People for Places take the stress out of your child’s birthday party and turn it into an exciting day to remember. There’s no mess, no fuss and the party child and their friends will be well entertained to ensure they have a fun party. Parties are available at Felixstowe Leisure Centre, Brackenbury Sports Centre, Deben Pool and Leiston Leisure Centre.
Elatus Sports
Tel: Matt Abbott 07846 510139
Elatus Sports, a Suffolk based sports company, uses unique sports equipment to provide fantastic birthday parties for children aged 5 and up. Elatus Sports specialise in being adaptable and can take any of their 10 different sports (golf, cricket, archery, tennis, badminton, fishing, table tennis, bowls, boccia and curling) to a location of the host’s choosing and will run the sporting activities indoors or outdoors. Most parties last around two hours and include two different sports. Invitations and 1st, 2nd and 3rdplace trophies are all provided as part of the cost. Party bags can be provided at an extra cost. There’s a 20% discount for Primary Times readers.
Bewilderwood
Tel: 01692 633033
www.bewilderwood.co.uk/birthdays
Bewilderwood is an award winning, huge forest of fun and outdoor adventure and what better way to celebrate a birthday than by whizzing around the woods with some friends and being treated like a true VIP. The Birthday Boggle will be given a sash so everyone knows it’s their special day and each party will have its very own member of the Twiggle Team as a host for a super-special boat ride, exclusive craft making and the most incredible traditional Boggle banquet in a Yummy Yurt. Everything is included in the party package from the invitations to super cool party bags full of Bewilderwood goodies.