From time to time, a birthday party is worth spending more than the minimum. Maybe it’s a milestone birthday, or perhaps it’s just because there are times when that little something extra is A-okay.
Here are the exciting add-ons and birthday bashes that will have everyone remembering the festivities long after the birthday candles are blown out.
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Mermaids
Oh yes, mermaids are having more than a moment — they’re a bonafide trend. Take your little one’s mermaid-themed party to the next level by booking an actual mermaid to teach mermaid swimming skills in a real pool, complete with a shimmery Ariel-style mermaid tail for every child. Lots of games, photos, and teaching partygoers how to swim in their tales! Aquamermaid parties from $300 for 5 kids.
Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are a ton of fun. If you’ve got lots of time and creativity, you could design your own, or purchase a kit online to create at home. If you prefer to leave these matters in the hands of the experts, Looking Glass Adventures in Toronto specializes in fun-not-scary escape rooms for kids as young as 8 years old. Looking Glass Adventures parties from $350 for up to 12 kids.
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Fancy Tea Party
Tea parties are a lot of fun, especially extra-posh ones! Check local hotels for afternoon high tea for wee princesses and princes, and make it a fancy affair. Petite and Posh in Vaughan goes one step further with a complete fashion boutique experience plus fancy food to match the fancy attire. Petite and Posh parties from $450 for up to 8 kids.
Video Booth/Drone
These days they want more than photos — it’s all about the video. Set up a video booth so that guests can record birthday messages, or hire a videographer to chronicle the whole event, making a spiffy movie out of all the footage that the guest of honour will love watching over and over again. For next-level splurging, consider capturing the comings and goings plus outdoor activities via video taken with a high-quality drone.
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Take Flight
If your birthday kid loves to fly, there are some fun options for the party. Check out indoor skydiving places, such as iFly Toronto (with locations in Oakville and Whitby), which offer all of the fun of the big jump without actually being a thousand feet in the air. Or there are flight simulator outfits that make it feel like you’re actually flying a plane or helicopter! iFly parties from $1090 for up to 12 flyers.
Spa Perfection
If the birthday princess has requested a spa party, there are lots of options. While the local drugstore could have everything you need for facial masks, manicures, pedicures, and makeovers, you can add to the fun by having the pros come to your home. Check out the talented team at Dazzling Divas, who bring robes, spa decor, and treatment to you. If you’d rather go to the spa, there are many Glama Gal Kids Spa locations across the GTA for you to host the perfect spa day out.
Personalized Party
Personalize everything at their party to make a really big impact. Customized napkins, plates, cups, and decorations – you name it! Get everything in the birthday kid’s favourite colours. Make the loot bag and party favours an exploration of all of their favourite things, including beloved candy, chocolate, toys and collectibles. Take lots of photos – make sure to get one of each guest with the birthday kiddo and send to their parents – or, if you’re using instant film, give everyone a photo keepsake.
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Cooking Celebrations
They do so love getting messy in the kitchen and honing their cooking chops. Well, fear not, because the splurge aspect of this party is that the professionals take care of everything – including professional chef-instructors, ingredients, and the tidy-up after. Pizza is always a hit, but some organizations, like Rooks to Cooks, even offer sushi-making and doughnut or fruit pie creations. Baking Tales oversees the crafting of madeleines, macarons, and petit fours, while with The Chef Upstairs everything takes place at their state-of-the-art professional kitchens.
Smash Cake and Professional Photographer
For kids under the age of 5, and especially for that all-important first birthday party, splurge on a special smash cake from a bakery, decked out in your favourite colours. For the older kids, maybe consider a surprise cake in which sprinkles pour out of the cake after it’s cut. Hire a professional photographer to get some amazing shots of the cake smashing or reveal, as well as a bunch of photojournalism-style candid snaps of all the guests and the birthday kid. Find a local family photographer.
