Gaming parlours a hit with NextGen birthdays

Bhutada,who had invited 13 friends of Netra for the birthday celebration,says,“Children these days are techno-savvy. They are growing up in an age where malls are sprouting and thriving. At gaming parlours,you don’t have to take extra effort to make them feel at home. They know which game they want to play or explore.” And,the total charges,Rs 3,500 for 45 minutes,included the meal voucher and return gifts,was worth it,she says.

Rachna Bharadwaj agrees hundred percent. She says kids are bored with games like musical chair or passing-the-parcel usually organised at birthday parties at burger and pizza joints. On the other hand,gaming parlours,she says,offer a wide variety. “Besides,these places have a tie-up for food,with eateries located in the same building. So one doesn’t have to worry about arrangements,and everything goes smoothly,” says Bharadwaj,a homemaker,who recently celebrated her daughter Aarohi’s 9th birthday at Timezone at Inorbit Mall on Nagar Road. It cost her Rs 200 per head for 20 kids for an hour. The deal,however,did not include food.

Gaming parlours offers special packages for birthdays. On an average,the cost comes to Rs 3,000 for 45 minutes for 10 kids,which includes return gifts as well as a Rs 100 meal voucher per child. Vishal Kharat,assistant manager at Gaming Zone,Pulse Mall,says they get 3-4 such orders a month. “The trend has been picking up in the past two years or so,” said Kharat.

Mamta Shetty,mother of 9-year-old Aahan,says,“The best part of a birthday party at parlours is that you don’t have to entertain the kids. They get busy at gaming stations.”