Planning a gaming party sounds simple, but many parents quickly realise there are plenty of details to consider. How much space do you need? Which games are suitable? Should you hire equipment or buy your own? What if some children have never played before?
To answer the most common questions, we spoke with Gareth, the owner of a professional gaming party business that has hosted hundreds of events across Greater London. From birthdays and family celebrations to school events and community gatherings, Gareth and his team have seen what works—and what doesn’t.
Here’s his advice for parents planning a successful gaming party in 2026.
Interview with Gareth
Gareth: The biggest mistake people make is thinking the equipment is the most important part. It isn’t.
The first thing to consider is who the party is for. Are they six-year-olds who enjoy Mario Kart and Minecraft? Are they teenagers who love Fortnite, EA Sports FC or Roblox? Once you know the age group and what games they’ll genuinely enjoy, everything else becomes much easier to plan.
Every successful gaming party starts with understanding what the guests actually want to play.
Gareth: Not at all.
Many parents assume they’ll need to borrow consoles or buy extra controllers, but that’s rarely necessary when using a professional gaming party provider.
We bring everything ourselves, including:
Parents simply provide the space and access to electricity. We take care of the rest.
Gareth: Less than people think.
You don’t need a huge house.
A living room, dining room, garage, garden or community hall can all work well depending on the package you’ve chosen.
For larger events, village halls, school halls and hired venues are fantastic because they allow us to create several gaming stations, giving everyone plenty of room to move around.
Gareth: Some games never seem to lose popularity.
The games children ask for most often include:
We also encourage multiplayer games that allow everyone to get involved rather than one person playing while everybody else watches.
Keeping the whole group engaged is far more important than simply choosing the newest release.
Gareth: That depends on the package you’ve booked.
Smaller parties may have several players competing simultaneously while others rotate in every few minutes.
Larger packages include more gaming stations, allowing significantly more children to play together.
We’ve found that organised rotations actually keep the excitement high because everyone gets a chance to compete, watch their friends and celebrate the winners.
Gareth: Absolutely.
Children love a challenge.
Simple knockout competitions for Mario Kart, Rocket League or Fortnite create excitement throughout the party.
We often organise:
Friendly competition keeps everyone involved and gives children something to cheer for throughout the event.
Gareth: Keep it simple.
Gaming and sticky fingers don’t mix very well.
Pizza remains one of the easiest choices because it’s quick, affordable and easy to eat between games.
Other good options include:
I’d avoid meals that require knives and forks or foods likely to end up on controllers.
Gareth: Parents are always welcome to stay and enjoy the party, but one of the biggest benefits of hiring professionals is that we host the entertainment.
We explain the games, organise competitions, help younger players, solve any technical issues and make sure everyone gets a turn.
That means parents can actually enjoy the birthday instead of worrying about who’s waiting for a controller.
Gareth: Definitely.
People often assume gaming parties are only for teenagers, but that’s simply not true.
Children aged six or seven absolutely love games like:
Older children usually enjoy more competitive games, while younger guests often prefer cooperative experiences where they can play together.
The important thing is choosing age-appropriate games.
Gareth: Not anymore.
Over the past few years we’ve hosted gaming parties for:
Parents are often surprised how many different occasions a gaming setup works for.
Gareth: Trying to organise everything themselves.
Buying extra consoles, borrowing televisions, downloading games, updating software and finding enough controllers sounds easy until you actually try it.
Professional providers have already solved those problems.
Everything arrives ready to play, which removes a huge amount of stress from the day.
Gareth: Children absolutely love VR.
For many guests it’s their first opportunity to experience virtual reality.
Watching friends take turns using VR headsets creates plenty of laughter and keeps everyone entertained, even when they’re waiting.
If your budget allows, it’s definitely one of the most memorable upgrades you can add.
Gareth: Earlier than you probably think.
Weekends fill up quickly, particularly during spring and summer.
I’d usually recommend booking at least six to eight weeks ahead for birthday parties, and even earlier if your event falls during school holidays.
Leaving it until the last minute can limit your choice of dates and packages.
Gareth: That’s one of the questions we hear most often.
The answer is yes.
Most children already own a console, but very few get the opportunity to play alongside a room full of friends on multiple gaming stations with organised competitions, party hosts and large-screen setups.
It’s the shared experience that makes the difference.
Gaming becomes much more social when everyone is together in the same room.
“If I could give parents one piece of advice, it would simply be this—don’t overcomplicate it.
Children remember the fun they had with their friends, not the decorations or the expensive party bags.
Choose games they genuinely enjoy, make sure everyone can get involved and keep the atmosphere relaxed.
Whether you’re organising a birthday party, a school celebration or another special event, the goal is to create memories. Everything else is secondary.”
A successful gaming party doesn’t require parents to become gaming experts. With the right planning, suitable games and an organised setup, it’s possible to create an unforgettable experience for children of almost any age.
Whether you’re hosting a small birthday gathering at home or a larger celebration in a community venue, focusing on fun, age-appropriate games and shared experiences will always produce the best results.
If you’re planning a gaming party in 2026, booking an experienced provider can remove much of the stress while ensuring every guest enjoys an exciting day filled with multiplayer gaming, friendly competition and lasting memories.
Get ready to play your heart out! Unlock a world of gaming wonders.
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