Halloween 201820 Review

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a child in possession of a huge birthday

wish list, must be in want of an awesome party. Twelve months is an awfully long time to wait for your once-a-year special day to roll around when you are small, and the pressure of making it ‘perfect’ for the birthday prince or princess, and their guests, is enough to terrify most parents with the absolute fear about how on earth they are going to keep 10 plus kids entertained for two hours. Once they are up and running about (and capable of creating a masterpiece on your kitchen wall with permanent ink while you’re busy making party food), there is most defi nitely something to be said for handing over the party planning to the experts and relocating the fun to a more suitable venue.

Newly opened for October 2018, Global Adventure at Pinewick Business Park in Ballynahinch

aims to take children on a trip of a lifetime, encouraging imaginative and educational play while feeding their curiosity about the world around us. With frames designed by the UK’s number one soft play company to off er nine diff erent types of play including; motor skills, puzzle solving, spatial awareness, teamwork and sensory stimulation, I was confi dent that my daughter Amber’s fourth birthday celebrations would be in good hands… and I was right!

Upon arrival, we were immediately put at ease as

Hayley, our party host, took care of everything like a military operation. One after the other her team relieved me of all my usual birthday responsibilities, magically whisking away the cake, party bags and balloons and getting straight to work setting up Amber’s party room which was already looking incredible, decorated with all her favourite characters and mascots.

The over-18s were directed to a comfortable and stylish seating area, separate from the party room

so we could relax, unwind with a coff ee and have a catch-up chat – while still keeping a watchful eye out of course – although I really didn’t need to worry as by the time I had ordered a cappuccino, Hayley had already organised the removal of all the children’s shoes (which were now safely stowed in a bucket), taken all the food orders and placed all the presents in a tempting pile in the party room. Talk about a real-life Fairy-Godmother! I later discovered that the directors of Global

A World-Class Party NI4KIDS’ CHRISTINE MEGARRY SAYS IF YOU’RE PLANNING

YOUR CHILD’S PARTY, WHY NOT OPT FOR LESS STRESS AND TAKE THEM OFF ON AN ADVENTURE INSTEAD…

Adventure have all come from a day nursery background and it certainly shows in the capability of the team.

For the fi rst time since becoming a mum, I was actually able

to enjoy my daughter’s birthday party, my only concern being taking umpteen photos, and I can’t say I missed juggling all those usual birthday tasks one little bit.

To confi rm that the birthday Princess and her

friends enjoyed themselves is a major understatement. They had the most amazing adventure, time travelling through the ages (starting with dinosaurs,

right up to space travel on the huge three-tier soft play structure). In addition to the main frame there’s also a fabulous separate toddler area full of multi-sensory play equipment and a baby section with bouncers.

One aspect which I really loved, and personally have never come across before at a soft play centre,

was the amount of staff on the play structures supervising and playing with the children. All the parents in our party agreed it was an absolute treat to see the interaction, and while it’s not a crèche and parents are ultimately responsible for their own children, it did instil confi dence that our little party animals were being well taken care of. Yet another welcome surprise is that they have

Competition T&Cs This competition closes at 11.59pm on Friday 16 November 2018. Prize must be booked in advance and subject to availability. No cash alternative. Usual Ni4kids T&Cs apply. Editors decision is fi nal. See ni4kids.com/competitions for full T&Cs. *Mascot choices include Peppa Pig / Marshall and Skye from Paw Patrol / Olaf / Lol Surprise Doll / Spiderman / Minion Batman / Thomas The Tank Engine / Rainbow Sparkle Unicorn or PJ Masks - fi nd the full list at globaladventureplay.com

WIN A VIP PLATINUM BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR 12TO CELEBRATE THEIR GRAND OPENING THIS OCTOBER, GLOBAL ADVENTURE ARE OFFERING ONE LUCKY NI4KIDS READER THE CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THEIR INCREDIBLE VERY IMPORTANT PARTIES FOR UP TO 12 CHILDREN WORTH OVER £150!Your child’s Platinum Party will include; 75 mins playtime on the time travelling frame, 45 mins in a party room dressed with your choice of theme, personalised birthday greetings on the big screen, choice of delicious party food options, face painting and a surprise visit from a mascot*The birthday boy or girl will also receive a free return visit voucher. To be in with a chance to win and make this the best birthday bash ever, simply visit ni4kids.com/competitions and answer the following question:Q) Global Adventure is in which town?A) Belfast B) Bangor C) Ballynahinch

Visit globaladventureplay.com Tel: 028 9747 8022

or @globaladventureplay

magically whisking away the cake,

I was actually able

travelling through the ages

a secret weapon in their fun arsenal for grown-ups to get excited about too. After noticing that our adult group had shrunk considerably, I investigated and found that a smart-thinking member of the Global Adventure team had stolen them to go and “play” on the state-of-the-art Sports Simulator. There’s also a Teddy Mountain, where each child can make their own 16-inch deluxe dream bear to take home for an extra cost.

After a full 75 minutes of play, our little monkeys were worn out and ready for feeding time at the zoo

in the party room. Traditional party food favourites were speedily served up while birthday messages from Unicorns and My

Little Pony pranced across the big screens. But the icing on her birthday cake was that it was magically presented to Amber by a unicorn! I was pretty sure that I could guess what my little one’s birthday wish was as she blew out the candles, but as I gently explained just before home time - there was simply no more room in the car to take him home with all those presents.

Godmother! I later discovered

For the fi rst time since