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When my daughter turned four this October, I wanted to give her the first proper birthday party since we moved to Spain in 2022. Up until now, I’d just invited a few close friends and family to our apartment, but four feels like the age when little ones start forming real friendships. I decided to go for it – inviting approximately 50 guests in total – and began hunting for the perfect venue that wouldn’t completely blow my part-time salary. Finding the perfect kids’ party venue After a bit of research and a few phone calls, I remembered a place called Top Party in Sotogrande, and it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. It’s a bright, spacious hall with a soft play area, toys, plenty of seating, and an outdoor terrace ideal for extra activities. I’d been there before and knew it was safe, spotless, and run by an English-speaking owner. When your Spanish isn’t quite where you want it to be, that makes the whole process a lot less stressful. Owner Sonia told me that she opened Top Party in January 2021, “right in the middle of the COVID pandemic.” “It wasn’t the best time to start a business,” she admitted, “but thanks to the support of our lovely community, we’re now almost five years old.” She explained that her concept was simple: “The idea is to create the party of your dreams. You get the key, bring your own catering and decorations, and have total freedom – without any time pressure. One party a day, that’s our rule.” That approach really appealed to me. No rushing, no hidden extras, and best of all, cleaning was included. Sonia was so helpful and responsive on WhatsApp. She told me, “Wine… beer and just relax – do not stress too much about it, and you’re gonna have a great time! Especially with your friends and family.” Prices for Top Party hire start from €115. For more information visit: Top Party Instagram. Party entertainment for the kids on the Costa del Sol Once the venue was booked, I wanted to make sure the children were properly entertained so the parents could actually relax. That’s when I called on Natalie from Kidzcare Entertainment, who came highly recommended by other local mums. Natalie is a ball of energy and exactly what every party needs. She’s been running Kidzcare for five years now, offering everything from themed entertainment and character visits to neon, picnic, and slime parties. “Most of my clients are parents organising birthdays, weddings, or family events,” she told me. She played traditional games such as Musical Chairs and Pass the Parcel, plus some popular songs. All the kids are loving APT at the moment! She somehow managed to keep 15 small children laughing and dancing for a good hour. The parents and I were very grateful. For more information visit: The birthday cake and food Food is always a big deal in our family, and I love to cook, but catering for 50 people was a bit beyond me. So, I headed to Carrefour in Estepona, loaded up on traditional party nibbles, including sandwiches, tortilla, crisps, cheese, and fruit pouches. I set up a big buffet with plenty of disposable plates and cutlery. The Top Party’s kitchenette was super handy, with a fridge-freezer, sink, microwave, and coffee machine. We stocked up on drinks and picked up some princess-themed decorations from the local Chinese bazaar in Sabinillas. The venue even provides an electric balloon pump. The finishing touch was the cake, and what a cake it was! I’d heard good things about Vicky Cakes & Sweets in Sabinillas, so I gave her a try. “I’ll be celebrating two years since opening my shop this December,” Vicky told me, “but I’ve been in the world of pastry and custom cake decorating for over ten years.” She makes everything fresh to order, using only natural ingredients. My daughter’s Disney princess cake was stunning. It was colourful, fresh, and delicious. Many went back for seconds. Prices start from €65, and there are different sizes to choose from, depending on how many people you have to feed. For more information, visit Vicky Cakes & Sweets on Facebook. A party to remember The party was a huge success. The kids raced around the soft play area and took turns on scooters outside, while the parents chatted and nibbled. My curated playlist played through the venue’s Bluetooth speaker, and the atmosphere was loud and a little chaotic but full of laughter and joy. At the end, all we had to do was take down our decorations and take out the rubbish. As Sonia said, “You just enjoy the day – we’ll take care of the cleaning.” If you’re an English-speaking parent living in Spain whose Spanish is not up to scratch, organising a birthday party can seem daunting at first. Collaborating with local people like Sonia, Natalie, and Vicky reminded me why I enjoy living here: there’s such a great sense of community. The support, the warmth, and the “no fuss” attitude made all the difference. View all news on the Costa del Sol. View all Spanish Living news.
