Birthday Parties
A party that runs itself - marshal-led, sheltered when it rains, and with somewhere to put the cake.
Escarmouche runs children's birthday parties at Shane's Castle, Randalstown, twenty minutes from Belfast. Outdoor laser tag starts from GBP 20 per person and includes gear, unlimited ammo, photos, videos, certificates and three other activities. The sheltered basecamp seats 100 and is yours for the booking, so you bring your own food at no extra charge.
Pick the activity for the youngest guest
Not for the birthday child. Every party has at least one guest who is quietly dreading it, and with paintball that child either sits out or has a miserable afternoon being brave about it.
Laser tag removes the question entirely. There is no impact, nothing to be nervous about, and no heavy protective kit, which means far more of the session is spent playing rather than queueing to be fitted into overalls.
| Youngest guest | Book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under about 12 | Outdoor laser tag | No impact, almost no kit, more time playing |
| Mixed 8-15 | Laser tag | Removes the physical mismatch entirely |
| 13+, all keen | Paintball | They want the real thing and will say so |
| One nervous guest | Laser tag | Nobody sits in the car |
What is included
You bring the food and the cake. We do not cater, and we do not charge you for the space to eat in.
- Two-hour laser tag session across eight scenarios, unlimited ammo
- All gear supplied
- A marshal running every scenario
- Three other activities from the park
- The Gauntlet, Gladiator Combat, Tug of War, Tyre Flipping, Human Foosball and Code Breaker
- Free photos and videos, plus certificates
- Free private parking and the sheltered basecamp
The four things that decide whether it runs well
None of them are the activity.
- A realistic headcount - tell us the real number, marshals are allocated to it
- An activity that suits the youngest guest
- Somewhere sheltered to eat, which matters from October to April
- A plan for the drop-off, because eleven cars arrive in four minutes
What to tell the parents
Send a short message the night before. Old clothes and warm layers, trainers or boots with grip rather than wellies, a full change of clothes including socks, and a bag for the muddy pile.
And put this line in it: use the Randalstown entrance, not the Antrim one. It saves at least one family a fifteen-minute detour at every single party.
Cold is what ends a children's party early. Not boredom, not the activity - being cold. Almost nobody packs enough layers.
Party questions
How much is a children's party?
Laser tag parties start from GBP 20 per person, covering the two-hour session, all gear, unlimited ammo, marshals, photos, videos, certificates, three other activities, parking and the basecamp.
Can we bring our own food and cake?
Yes. The sheltered basecamp seats 100 and is yours during your booking, with free tea and coffee. We do not cater and we do not charge for the space.
What age is it suitable for?
Laser tag works across a very wide range including under-12s and mixed-age groups. Paintball suits keen teenagers. Tell us the youngest guest's age and we will advise honestly.
How many adults need to stay?
Marshals run every session, so fewer than for most outings. We will talk through numbers when you book depending on the age group - plenty of parents stay in basecamp and plenty end up playing.
What if it rains?
The party runs. We are open seven days a week in all weather, and the basecamp is sheltered with free tea and coffee for the breaks. Send everyone with a full change of clothes.
What should the children wear?
Old clothes, warm layers, and trainers or boots with grip - not wellies, which come off when running. A full change of clothes including socks.
Do you do party bags or catering?
No. We keep the booking to the activity and the space, which is why photos and certificates are included rather than sold to you at the end.
Ready when you are
All sessions are booked in advance. Tell us who is coming and what you fancy, and we will come straight back to lock in your date.