Childrens Birthday Celebrations

[Jenarry]

My son has his 12th birthday approaching just before the Easter hols and I haven't got anything arranged yet .
Can I ask what other parents do for their children. Do you have a birthday party/activity every birthday for your children ?
I have done something for my son every year - the most low key being a family get together for his 5th birthday but I can't decide what to do this year . A sleepover would be easy but I just can't face the whole sleepless night and general havoc that comes with it. :/
I've often done parties at our house with food,games,themes which have always gone down well but I think those days are gone.

[anneasquith]

At 12 years old, I'd ask him what he would like to do on his birthday .

[Maydup]

Would he like to go bowling?

[Buenchico]

Ten pin bowling parties have always gone down well with friends' youngsters of that age.

Swimming pool parties, with all of the inflatables in use, are also popular.

Other 'activity' parties, such as go-karting, climbing walls, trampolining, indoor skiing and so on, seem to go well.

[goodgoalie]

How about trying geocaching? It's something you can do together (wherever you are), and you could reward him with some 'real' treasure at the end:
https://www.geocaching.com/play

[goodgoalie]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching

[Jenarry]

Thankyou everyone. My son had asked to go to Battlefield live with friends - but it's an outside activity and the recent weather has really put me off. so I'm thinking about doing something smaller around birthday then arranging this in a month or so for him when weather is better.Bowling is a good idea .

[Jenarry]

Geocaching looks good too for when weather is better

[DaisyNonna]

At that age my grandchildren appreciated an afternoon of swimming followed by burgers or a visit to the cinema for the latest blockbuster and burgers
Paintballing is another option (plus burgers)

[Georgiesmum]

Go-karting or bowling followed by a trip to the cinema.

[Georgiesmum]

Or Pizza Express followed by a trip to the cinema.

[Jenarry]

Thankyou everyone for suggestions. My son had his birthday activity last sat at Battlefield Live with him and 9 friends and it all went very well. :) on his birthday and weekend after(easter weekend) there were 2 small sleepovers, 2 trips to Bounce trampolene place and an exotic pet refuge .he's done v well this year . hoping to do things on a smaller scale next year!