Summer is officially here! While we’re not guaranteed sunshine, at least the sub-zero temperatures won’t be back for a while.
If you have a child whose birthday is coming up, no doubt you’d like to make the most of the great outdoors, so here are some places to bring the birthday boy or girl and a few of their pals if you're throwing a kid's summer party.
Drive-In Cinema
Drive-in movie theatres used to be associated with America, but there’s no need to go to the U.S. to experience them anymore, there are now plenty in Ireland too. Going to a regular movie theatre is a perfect rainy-day activity in the winter, but when the sun’s blazing, going along in your car and rolling down the windows or bringing a picnic blanket to enjoy it in the open air is a gorgeous way to spend a birthday. Of course, the person whose special day it is gets to pick the film and gets the best seat in the house and you could even bring the cake along with you for the ride. Just save singing 'Happy Birthday' until the closing credits.
Water Park
While it’s not actually outdoors, a water park isn’t somewhere that’s inviting on a cold winter’s day. If you want to pretend you’re in sunny Spain, bring a small group of kids to splash, slide and swim to their heart’s content and you can treat yourself to a cocktail when you get home. You could even continue the water theme with blue sea life-inspired decorations, cake and treats. And if they didn’t get wet enough earlier, I’m sure a water fight would finish them off nicely.
Zoo
What’s not to love about the zoo? If your child is an animal fanatic, then a trip to see all their favourite creatures up close is the perfect way to spend their special day. No doubt everyone at the party would enjoy dressing up as their favourite predator and if you or anyone you know is good at face paint this could be a great pre-trip activity. Just prepare your ears for an onslaught, as you know full well that the children will be roaring louder than the lions.
Forest School
Does your child go nuts for nature? If they feel right at home in a forest, maybe they’d like to have a woodland birthday party. They could enjoy nature trails, den building and a real campfire and impress their friends with a unique day out. There are plenty of "forest schools" around the country if you think your little teddy bear would love them: "If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise…"
