Birthday party venues get mobile competition

So what's the latest concept in children's birthday parties? You'll have to read the article to find out, but here's a hint. It involves a tricked-out truck, a gigantic, climate-controlled trailer, and a specially trained coach.

Video games and laser tag are popular choices for kids’ parties. However,  getting the kids to location-based entertainment venues can sometimes be more hassle for parents than they feel it’s worth. So, back in January, Texas-based Games2u saw an opportunity and stepped in to solve the problem with its mobile video game theatres. These self-powered, climate-controlled trailers house X-Box 360, Wii and PS3 systems, enabling up to 24 players to compete head-to-head. With its multiple 50-inch flat screen HDTV displays and surround sound, the trailer provides a much more immersive gaming experience for kids than parents could create at home. Each mobile theatre is accompanied by a trained Game Coach who oversees the event and keeps players engaged, which allows parents to sit back and relax.

For parents who’d rather see their children running around outdoors, the company’s Sprinter trailers contain a range of inflatable bunkers and laser guns to turn yards and fields into laser tag battlegrounds in an instant.

Parties start at $199 for one hour, $299 for two hours and $99 for every additional hour.