Growing up in my household in the 1960s, birthday parties were a rather stiff affair. Our parents were strict and old-fashioned, and didn’t think girls should be seen running amok. They thought they should be having a tea party with the adults while wearing their best dress. My sisters and I always protested that wanted to have the neighbourhood kids over to play games instead, but our folks were not having any of it.
Fast-forward to 2018, and it’s my granddaughter’s fifth birthday in two months time. She’s just started school, where she’s acquired several mates, and started going to a prep soccer program once a week. Not surprisingly, when I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday, she said she wanted to have a ‘big party’ (hey, having ten friends over is a big deal when you’re four). Her mum has told me that the flat is not going going to cut it as a place to do this, so they’re on the lookout for the right kids’ birthday party venue in Adelaide.
I want my granddaughter to be able to have the type of birthday party that I was never allowed to have – the kind where kids get to run wild in a pack, making up silly games on the fly using whatever play equipment is to hand, and running, jumping and climbing to their hearts’ content. The question is, how can such an experience be provided while keeping the kids safe, sound and secure?
Come to think of it, I’m sure I’ve seen a place not far from here – an indoor play centre for kids in Happy Valley – that might be just the ticket. I could pop down there tomorrow and do some research. From what I can tell, it’s full of multi-storied climbing frames, giant slides, ball pits, jumping castles, the whole shebang. I assume it’s designed to keep the kids in, and kitted out with all the latest in safe play equipment design.
The icing on the cake? Grandma gets to play too!