Ideas for 9 year old boys birthday please!

ernie-money

Hi all,
My DS is turning 9, and I'm looking for ideas for a "party-day out". For once I'm not too worried about the cost, as it will just be him and 3 or 4 of his best friends, so even if it's expensive per child, there's so few of them, so the cost wont be too big overall. I don't want a party at home, as we have building works going on, and generally a day out means less preparation.
Previously I've taken them quadbiking, bowling and to a go-ape type place.
I had thought of taking them to a bird of pray centre for a handling experience, but my son doesn't think the others would find that cool enough (personally I think it would've been amazing, but it's his birthday at the end of the day...) or go-carting, but it's a bit similar to last years quad biking, or there's a place locally where they can go out in canoes on a little lake & they organise parties, but with the weather being so unreliable, I wasn't sure if it would be wise.
Does anyone have any other unusual ideas at all..?
Would be very greatful for any suggestions!

Tamster150

Not sure where you are in the world,

but network rail to a 2 for 1 scheme for many attractions in London, if you are travelling by rail.

Tamster150

We did a ducktour in November, which my under 5;s loved. It was pricey (for what it was) but if you pre-book online it is cheaper, then take a walk along the southbank -always so much to see, your son would probably love watching the skateboaders under festival hall.

BJV

Don't know how where you are but my son was 9 in January. we had two planned rainy day and good weather day. We went paint balling. We would have gone to Quazar otherwise. Something like ? http://www.laserarena.co.uk/arena.php?manuid=63&locationid=102 Then back to our house for tea.

Shame about the bird handling I think it would have been amazing!

Tamster150

and I have heard amazing things about the Harry Potter Studio Tours

PoppyToms

How about a Helicopter ride? There is a place near our local airport that charges £39 each and they could all go together, surely that would be cool enough
Then maybe go for something to eat afterwards.

ernie-money

Thanks for ideas, but London is a 3.5 hour drive away from us. Paintballing was one of my ideas, but you have to be 9 years old, and all his friends aren't.
I love the helicopter ride idea, but I googled it, and in Devon £39 seeems to give you a 5 minute ride, so would leave a lot of time to fill after!

minety-mum

How about laserquest? Ours does 20 minute slots, so you play for 20 mins, drink break for 20 mins, then play again.
You can do it as a party, or you could take them somewhere else to eat, maybe a little more 'grown up' than a standard buffet.

becs

Don't know if this is near you but just searched water walking Devon. I took my 2 nephews at Easter in Scotland they are 10 and 7 and had a fab time! I can imagine with a group of them it would be even better.
http://rollmania.co.uk/en/venue_package/water_walk_zorbing_20mins/pdID-11465_oVenue-8504_oVenAct-176

ernie-money

Thank you, those are both excellent ideas - I will bear them in mind for next year, but I've now booked a watersports party after all!

KingTVYN

A personalised toy/charm/wall hanging? Something like that