The Zoom Dinner Party

Covid-enforced virtual parties were the reality for so many kids in 2020; my eldest being one. For her 12th, we sent ahead menus from one of her favourite places (Fego) to her friends and organised synchronised delivery and dinner party over Zoom. There was lots of chatting and laughter and she really enjoyed it. Family were allowed to join to bring in the cake and sing happy birthday!

The Sleepover Birthday Party

They all had their first sleepover party aged nine. At this age they suddenly seemed much more mature and I felt more confident that none of the guests would get homesick/have a wobble. Sofia’s coincided with the X Factor final so that was the theme, and twins Maria and Gabby had a movie night theme with a pre-approved film to watch (Trolls World Tour). Pizzas were ordered in, lots of treats were supplied and I organised a few games. However, they mainly wanted to just chat, play and create their own entertainment.

The Pop Star Recording Party

Recording studio Echo 7 hosts two-hour parties where you get sole use of the studio facilities with three staff. The party record one song as a group and the birthday child gets solo recording time. There’s a mocktail reception, a constant supply of snacks (plus chocolate fountain) and they get to walk the red carpet. The crew take lots of pictures and record footage, which is all included in a video they create to accompany the recording. A link to the final edit of the video (unlisted on YouTube) is sent to the birthday child and all guests. This was so popular even with the shyer guests. Find out more here Party Ideas – Pop Star Recording Party

The Pamper Parties

We did two different versions of this. For one, the party came to us. Two ladies set up a salon in our front room and did hairstyling and nails and brought ‘bubbly’ with funky glasses. The girls all got to walk the red carpet after they’d been pampered. We carried on the party afterwards and had another sleepover.

The second version saw us going to a hair and beauty salon. The team alternated between doing hair styling, manicures and pedicures. For anyone waiting there was a Hama bead station and karaoke so everyone was always entertained. They laid on party food and a chocolate fountain. They all loved it.

The Bowling Parties

An easy peasy party where someone else takes care of the entertainment, food and clearing up! Even the children who had never bowled before loved it. The arcade games were an added bonus.

The hired hall birthday party

In the earlier years of school we went large and often invited the whole class. With my twins in separate classes this turned out to be rather bonkers.

We’ve has disco, entertainer, magician, Elsa impersonator, all coupled with a tonne of sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps, sweets, some crudite (to try and have something healthy) and high octane children.

The Bouncy Castle in the Garden Party

Another easy hit for the younger ones. Having learnt from having a huge party indoors, we did this one outside. It is MUCH easier. The bouncy castle was a local hire. We put up a gazebo – in case the late September weather turned – and had a picnic. Plenty of sweet treats, a piñata, music, bouncing and grown up drinks ensured everyone was happy.

My birthday party constants

There’ve been loads of variations on parties, but a few things remain the same.

I get a professionally made cake for the party from a fantastic cake maker (Fondant Fetish) and make a homemade, not so aesthetically pleasing one for their actual birthday.

A personalised banner has become a tradition. I’ve got them from several places, but my favourite for the last few years is Dom & Geri.

… and there always needs to be party bags. I love these ones from Purple Ladybugs, which we made up with goodies from Flying Tiger and tonnes of sweets from Poundland.

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I’ve come to realise though that children don’t need lots of frills and extravagance. They mainly just love getting together and having time to play, chat and interact.

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Echo7 is a recording studio near us in Ewell, Surrey. I discovered that it’s not only a bona fide studio with great recording and mixing facilities for artists and bands, but also an amazing venue for children’s’ parties.

Sofia loves singing so a party where she’d get to perform her favourite tune with her friends and record the track sounded perfect.

Pop Star Recording Party Packages

Echo7 has a gold and platinum party package for children. We opted for gold at a cost of £280. This included a two-hour – sole use – slot at the studio for eight children (£10 per extra child) with three staff. With this package they record one song as a group and the birthday child gets solo recording time. It was very easy to book and the communication was first rate.

The party crew get the pop star treatment with a mocktail reception, walking the red carpet, snacks on tap and a chocolate fountain. Additionally, lots of photos and video footage is taken, which is used in the edited music video that you get after the event. More about that later…

Once Sofia had chosen her song (If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys) the lyrics and backing track were emailed out to her friends’ parents so they (the kids) could practise ahead of the party.

What happened on the day

Everyone was very excited, but a couple of children were nervous about singing in front of each other and Sofia wasn’t sure about doing a solo. However, the staff put everyone at their ease and nerves very quickly disappeared.

They went into the studio to get warmed up and have a few practises; they were already loving it. Then they were split into groups of three and four and recorded the whole song. Those not singing could watch and listen in on their friends from another room. It was all very professional!

Red carpet

Then it was time for the photo call. They all got a chance to sashay down the red carpet doing their best poses, pouts and hair flicks. Sofia did stints with friends and also went it alone in front of her ‘adoring fans,’ who did a great job of screaming for the birthday star.  

Sofia had decided she would do the solo, so whilst she was recording that her friends were treated to more mocktails.

Chocolate fountain and cake

After the solo recording it was time for the chocolate fountain with lots of fruit and a big variety of less healthy things. It was a huge hit. Then it was time for more photos and footage for the video. The cake came out at this point and we all sang happy birthday.  

UV face painting and disco

In the final 20 mins they all had UV face paint applied and had a disco mash-up in the studio where they could request their favourite songs. It was lovely seeing them have so much fun.

What we thought

I thought the party was brilliant. It all ran so smoothly, and I could see what a wonderful time they were having throughout. I didn’t have to do anything as the staff took care of it all, which was a huge bonus! Sofia said it was the best party ever and asked if she could do the same next year. This is praise indeed!

You get a lot for the money and the children are constantly entertained. The parents got a chance to have a peek when collecting and were really impressed. I had so much positive feedback afterwards with everyone saying how much their children had enjoyed it.

After the party

We got a rough mix of the recording on a USB on the day. A week later we received an email addressed to Sofia with two audio files (one was a mix including everyone and the other Sofia’s solo) and a link to the final edit of the video. Sofia’s guests all received the finished products too.

The video is hosted on Echo7’s YouTube channel and is private, which means it cannot be searched for or seen by anyone else. You can forward the link to anyone you want to see it and the studio can make the video public if you request.

Here’s the final product:

I would thoroughly recommend for ages eight and up.

More party posts

Planning children’s birthday parties

Party bags: Quality quantity novelty or charity

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