When I was little, I really, really wanted to be a princess. So it comes as no surprise that my three-year-old loves to dress up as her favourite fairytale characters, with a glittering tiara, hooped sequinned skirt and glass slippers, and prance around the living room, just as I did. But now (and I wish this had been around in my day), there is a new local club especially

for wannabe princesses and it’s set to make all their dreams come true...

                         

Princess Clubhouse is a children's playgroup held at a beautiful Princess-themed hotel suite every Saturday. It offers weekly activities for girls aged three to eight years old.

   Alexa is a director of Panthera Leo Limited, the organisation behind the Princess Clubhouse. The concept came from one of her co-directors, Anna, whose three-year-old daughter, a massive fan of everything princessy, had a princess party for her birthday.

   'Having gone to children’s activity groups regularly, I thought: "Wouldn’t it be great to have a place where princesses and activities could be combined in a magical world of princess fun!“' Anna says.

   Alexa, the company’s executive director, and Panthera Leo’s managing director Phil, put the business plan into action immediately, and now they are looking forward to a grand opening on 18th January 2014.

   ‘We all have daughters ourselves, so we know how difficult it is to find something to keep them entertained at weekends. And this is the ideal solution. Everything is princess-related to young girls,' Alexa says.

   Parents take their little princesses to the Clubhouse (the Copthorne Hotel), and stay with them while they experience a magical world of arts, crafts, dancing, acting and Princess fun.

   ‘All of the activities are hosted by our wonderful Princesses, who went through our rigorous auditions. They are all beautiful lookalikes of the favourite fairytale characters, but also professional actresses, trained in drama, dance and song. They are charming and caring, and their dresses have been tailor-made in the United States,’ Alexa says.

   ‘We have hired a top consultant from Florida, who, now retired from a long and successful career involved in the Princess world, specialises in the training of Princesses in etiquette and style. We really have spared no expense in ensuring our Princesses are the real thing and make their little Princess members wide-eyed and giggle with delight.’

   Your little ones can decorate a giant princess castle, join the Princesses for a dance session, have a Royal tea party, style princess dolls at the salon, partake in a drama session, have a Play-doh party, design jewellery and much more.

   ‘All the equipment and accessories we use are fully licenced and suitable for three-year-olds and above by the manufacturers recommendations, providing a high quality and safe environment,'

says Alexa. 

  She also stresses they are not encouraging girls to think that looking pretty is the most important thing in the world. ‘The Princess Styling Salon, for example, is carried out on princess styling dolls with nail painting, hair and make-up, not on the girls themselves. We are promoting a world of fun activities over and above everything else,'

she says.

   And why shouldn’t little girls dream of being powerful and making their dreams come true? Even as adults we are fascinated by real-life Princess Kate Middleton. There’s nothing wrong with aiming for a fairy-tale ending, is there?

   Princess Clubhouse also arranges magical birthday parties in the Princess-themed suite, hosted by the Princesses, for groups of 10 children or more. There are various activity options and ballrooms available.

   Princess Clubhouse is really selling the dream. And they’ve had a lot of interest so far. ‘We want to show people what Princess Clubhouse is like, so we are offering the first two trial sessions for free. Afterwards, the sessions are £7.50 each. And we just know your little princesses will want to sign up for more,’ says Alexa.

   So if you want to put your daughter on the path towards her happy-ever after, find out more by visiting 

  

There are also a few other companies that provide fairytale-themed activities. Fairytale Academy run weekly afternoon creative dance classes for children aged two to five years. Your little ones will be taken on a magical journey through music and dance with the use of props and dressing up, projectors and bubbles. They also run themed workshops for children throughout the year, inside a unique and beautiful set. Using drama, music, props and art and craft, fun will be had. These sessions are suitable for children aged four and over. For more information, visit

 

 

The Azure Theatre School also run Amazing Adventures Ballet Dance classes, where your little ones can dress up as fairies and dance to princess-themed songs. The class is suitable for boys and girls aged
two to four. In the class, children learn basic techniques in a fun way. They may be taken on a pirate treasure hunt or find themselves in a magical garden or even under the sea! These classes are perfect for encouraging expression, musicality and imagination before formal ballet classes begin at five years. Sessions run in Marlow, Cookham and Maidenhead. Contact them to try a class for free. For information visit