In the late 1990s there was a proliferation of leisure venues offering to act as hosts for and/or organisers of children's parties, as an alternative to the more traditional option of having a party organised by the parents or guardians of the birthday child, either at home or at a venue such as a church hall. The growth of the market is a response to the growing levels of personal disposable income among the population as a whole, as well as a variety of other factors such as the increased number of working women, which has meant many parents have less time to organise and co-ordinate their child's party than before.

This is the second time Mintel has produced a report on the market for children's parties. This report assesses current expenditure by parents/guardians, supplier activity in the marketplace and consumer attitudes to and behaviour concerning parties and compares it with the state of play two years ago to see if there have been any significant changes.

This report focuses on children's parties held outside the home in a venue of some sort and which are charged for. Parties held in fast food restaurants, standalone play centres, family pub-based play areas, tenpin bowling centres, cinemas, leisure centres and other types of restaurant are all included within the scope of this report. However, commercial entertainers who charge to host parties in consumers' own homes are excluded.

Other reports of relevance include:

Children's Play Areas, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, January 2002

Retailing at Leisure Venues, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, August 2001

Leisure Venue Catering, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, July 2001

Tenpin Bowling, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, December 2000

The UK Cinema Market, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, September 2000

Children's Books, Market Intelligence - UK Report, September 2000

Children's Comics and Magazines, Market Intelligence - UK Report, August 2000

Children's Holiday Clubs, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, December 1999

Entertaining the Under 16s, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, September 1999

Children's Foods, Market Intelligence - UK Report, July 1999

Pizza and Pasta Restaurants, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, February 2002

Chicken and Burger Bars, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, February 2002

Leisure Centres and Swimming Pools, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, April 2002.