Sometimes I wish I hadn’t signed up to be the coordinator of my daughter’s Under 7s dance team. I mean, she’s only six – how competitive can a team really be at that age? That’s what I’d thought when I put my hand up for the job. As it happens, they can be quite competitive, and require quite a lot of coordination to keep it up. And they are expected to keep it up by the other parents. So here we are.
It’s nearly the end of the year, so the ‘fun’ part is upon me: organising a Christmas party for ten tiny Broadway sensations in the making and their parents. I’m not sure what anyone else has in mind, but as far as I’m concerned, kids should be allowed to be kids as much as possible. Given the level of commitment and discipline ours have shown this year, I think we ought to encourage them to play freely together in a secure but unstructured setting.
So, internet: what’s the best kids party venue in Melbourne? I’m thinking one that’s purpose-built so they can run around in it and climb and jump on things until the cows come home. Importantly, I’d picturing them not be getting in anyone’s way while doing this. Why not just have the party at a local playground, you say? Well, because the kids’ party was completely rained out both last year and the year before.
Kailey Jones’s mum has been campaigning for me to put together something that can go ahead rain, hail or shine. Just between you and me, I believe this is mainly because she want everyone to witness Kailey being presented the trophy for most eisteddfod wins over the year. But I can’t deny it would be nice if the party could go ahead regardless of weather.
Surely there’s a venue for kids’ parties that encourages monkeying about with play equipment, similar to what you’d find in a playground, but which is also special and novel. My main concern lies in encouraging these kids to be mates as well as teammates.