Firstly, two disclaimers: I used to host the discos for East Renfrewshire and the Mini Manouvres we attended wasn't in their usual venue but commissioned as part of The Spree (and may I also say how magnificent Paisley's The Spree is).
Let's start with East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure. Details about these, usually seasonal, discos can be found on the Eastwood Park Theatre website. They take place either in the theatre or in the large community halls that are Carmichael Hall or Clarkston Halls. The halls are huge and the capacity is limited so the children get a lot of room to run around but it also feels like they are rattling around. These discos are more like a very old-fashioned children's party. There are balloons and lots of games and songs including things like Sleeping Bunnies and Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes as well as Musical Bumps etc. The toilet and baby change facilities are good and there is copious parking. Overall, I feel this disco is best if you are attending with lots of friends.
New to the scene is Be Bop Bairns. We attended this at Platform at the Arches, which is a fantastic, nostalgic venue. There is a street food market in the first few arches and then the back two are closed off for private events. So there was a great choice of very tasty food, which you can take in to the disco (also a bar and coffee vendor). The furthest arch was used as a disco space and the first had face painting, crafts and soft play blocks. There were lots of balloons but also a few naughty children popping them, which really scares Angus. The DJ hosting was excellent, there were so many different games including a lot of singing along to Greatest Showman. Angus thought the games were excellent and joined in, even though he didn't know any of the other children. He especially enjoyed keeping the giant Wubble in the air with the other children. There was definitely a community spirit. This one is a little more grown up than East Ren's and I just loved the vibe.
Finally on to Mini Manouvres, this is usually held at SW3G, which I have never been to. The commissioned event was in the Spiegeltent. The USP of this disco is that it accommodates parents and their musical tastes too.
Mr GFN and I are not so into the dance/house scene, so the middle third of the party (which is the longest disco of the three reviewed) didn't appeal so much, as it's music time for the grown ups. I suspect in it's ordinary home, this is a big hit and there is a bit more drinking and dancing involved. There were a few games at the start and end but this disco had the most alternative activities: soft play blocks, Duplo table, craft, bubbles, face painting. If this was a 90s indie disco, we would be there every time.
If you have any questions, please comment below. We love a baby disco and I think they'll continue to be part of our social lives for a long time.
