OT: Children's Birthday Parties?

[Desnik]

Sorry to be off topic, but I am going somewhere with this and I'll get to the point after I get some feedback from you all. I wanted to ask those of you who have your child's birthday party at a facility, what do you look for when scouting a place out? Do you just ask your child and go on what he/she wants? Do you do the Chucky Cheese thing and like that option best? Do you look for something different, more personal? Do you tend to be more elaborate for a girl? Is the theme a huge part of it? Do you like a place that includes everything?
TIA!!

 

[Stimpy]

We've always gone with what our child was into at the time or he would enjoy. I personally don't like Chuck e cheese parties....too many other kids around, too much mayhem. But if that's what my child really wanted, I would probably do it. I like for the parties to be a bit more organized and personal. And I really try to make it so they are the only 1 or 2 parties there. We definately stick to a theme from the beginning (invitations) to the end (favors & thank you notes).

We've had:

2 Halloween themed parties at a garden supply place where they made pumpkins, a scarecrow for DS to take home, had a haunted tunnel, wore costumes etc.

Pirate themed party at a play place with treasure hunt. They had the whole place to themselves.

Cowboy/gold mining party....this one was awesome but way too expensive LOL The place had a cave for gold & jewel mining, the party took place in a saloon, there was a "shoot-out" between sheriff Daddy & the "bad guy" etc.

The last one was Go-Kart racing which was great b/c they had a Jr track and DS and his friends were able to ride without any adults in the cars with them. (Small track, slow cars)

His next party is coming up in October and I don't know what we're doing this year yet! Plus DD is getting old enough where we'll have to start having kid parties for her now too

 

[bowlingchicaroo]

here's my 2cents...we usually have our dd's parties out in my dh's shop and we decorate it with the theme our dd's are into at that time...this year for dd who just turned 4 was a mickey mouse theme...so i got a mickey pinata and balloons and went to town decorating...my other dd had a princess theme so everything was pretty much pink and she is old enough to have friends over now...she just turned 7 a couple of weeks ago and she had a sleepover with her friends from kindergarten...and they all had a blast...& last year we had dd's party at a place that is like chuck e cheese's and it all went fine too...

i guess it is pretty much up to you as far as where you want to have it...we just really like the idea of staying home and all the family comes over and has a good time...

so i hope this helps you in deciding....

 

[MNdisneymom]

What worked for us...the place where my son used to take a gym type class (J.W. Tumbles, pretty sure they have a website if you're interested...) offered parties and I knew he enjoyed it so we did it. All I had to provide was the cake and paper goods...they did all the decorating, plus all the activities...It was so much fun for his third birthday, we went back for his fourth! We live in a small townhouse, and there's no way I could have had so many kids there. (this last year, there were 19 including my son.) Plus, it was constant activity for 2 hours--which all of the kids really enjoyed. I don't think that I could have come up with that much stuff for them to do. It was a little bit on the pricey side, but well worth the $$, IMO.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Hmm....

When I was younger I had a bunch of different parties!

When I was really young we always had parties at home. We'd do basic bobbing for apples, pinata, etc. type games. My mom had a clown one year, or always had some arts and crafts thing for the kids to do so the parents had some "relaxing" time!

At some point in there I had one party at a skating rink, and 2 at our gymnastics center. I remember those as being really fun- because I did gymnastics there and for the party you basically got to try everything with your friends. I think that if you have a kid who might not be that confident physically, you might want to stay away from that. But if they're adventurous, it's a lot of fun!

If you don't want to be running the whole party and keeping the kids under control, I would suggest bringing someone in who specializes in working with kids (a clown, magician, etc) or bringing the party somewhere where they do the same. Have fun!

 

[mom2aredhead]

We live in a small townhouse, and there's no way I could have had so many kids there. (this last year, there were 19 including my son.) Plus, it was constant activity for 2 hours--which all of the kids really enjoyed. I don't think that I could have come up with that much stuff for them to do.

There's no way we could fit that many people in our townhouse - my son is the 9th granchild on my hubby's side - now granted a few of those kids are in their teens, but add in the friends from day care, friends kids, etc and we'd be swamped. My nieces b-day is a few days before my son, so up to this year, we'd have cake at MIL's house for both of them with the rest of his family, then my parents will come over separately.

As far as "kid parties" - For the past 2 years we were in the "Happiest Place on Earth" for my son's birthday so the only people we had to worry about celebrating with were Mickey and the Gang! Got us out of throwing parties which was great. This year, however, he's already being invited to parties for his preschool friends at some of those play places and is talking about when its "his party" - so I guess we've avoided it as long as we could. Fortunately there are a lot of places to choose from near us (the result of a lot of small townhouses I guess) - I'll be looking for clean, private (or at least semi-private) party room, and flexibile packages that would allow me bring from home or eliminate some of the extras.

His B-day is in November and from what I've heard, those places book pretty quickly so I guess I should get moving!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Hey Stimpy- How was that mining place? I was thinking of doing a party there. Can you go there if you aren't having a party to play? Sorry to hijack but I was curious.

As for what I look for - it must be a place where we are the only party or it has to be a private room for the entire party. We have alot of kids that come that are all different ages and we do not want any escapees or strangers. It makes it easier for all the parents. We've done many different things. Recently we had my ds's at a facility and we had a police themed party. They did a great job! We had a bounce house room with a super slide as well and a blow up rock climbing wall. Cotton candy, sno-cones, pizza, cake, cupcakes, pinata, games etc. It was a blast!

 

[Stimpy]

Hey Stimpy- How was that mining place? I was thinking of doing a party there. Can you go there if you aren't having a party to play? Sorry to hijack but I was curious.

As for what I look for - it must be a place where we are the only party or it has to be a private room for the entire party. We have alot of kids that come that are all different ages and we do not want any escapees or strangers. It makes it easier for all the parents. We've done many different things. Recently we had my ds's at a facility and we had a police themed party. They did a great job! We had a bounce house room with a super slide as well and a blow up rock climbing wall. Cotton candy, sno-cones, pizza, cake, cupcakes, pinata, games etc. It was a blast!

Are you on LI too? If you mean the one here, it was awesome! They did a fantastic job but it hurt handing over that credit card. We definately got what we paid for and we did order extras. Would we have done it differently then? No, it was well worth it (plus DS was having some medical issues and we wanted to make it extra special for him.) Would I do it again in the future? I don't think so, it was a once in a lifetime type party. But then I never say never We always tend to go way too far overboard with parties than we should.

If you want to PM me, I'l be more than happy to answer any questions or give you any details I seriously thought it was one of the best parties and would recommend it.

I love the police theme idea! What type of place did you do that?

Sorry OP for straying OT!!

 

[Desnik]

Thanks everyone, and I don't mind anyone straying OT!!

OK, the reason I posted this question is I use to own a children's birthday party facility. It was only open for about a year. We did well, but it was not a good location and the parking stunk! We never had a complaint or unhappy child, and I loved doing what I did. The overhead in that particular place was a killer and we had to put a lot of money into a building we didn't own. Anyway, I got pregnant with DS, then had to be put on bedrest at 7months. DS was a premie and had too many complications to list. With all his hospital stays and poor health, also moving and renovating our place we were moving into, I simply could not do the business anymore. It killed me to close it especially since I knew it was something I loved. So, 4 years have passed. DS is 4 and DD is 9 and both are in school.(starting to feel the urge to do something, I have been a SAHM since I was pregnant with DD) I actually stumbled upon a rental in the "perfect" location with tons of parking. The rent is reasonable and the building is only 2 years old. DH and I are seriously thinking about opeing our facility again.(things a moving along but are still up in the air because of insurance) A new name and it would be a bit different than before. I was just nervous and wondering if I should do it again and I was also curious to hear from different people what they look for in a place. I learned a lot of lessons last time and I wanted to see if there was one thing that most people look for and it seems that most people like to be the only party going on at the time. That is how I do it. I also include everything from invites to goody bags and everything inbetween! DD is getting older and she had her last party at home. DS hasn't had a party out yet. So, I have been out of the party scene, LOL, for awhile and wondered if people still like the party facility option. Nothing like Chuck e Cheese, no offense but I hate that place. DD has had her party there, I ended up doing everything. The hostesses were useless and it was so chaotic and crowded. Anyway, if anyone has any advice or ideas I would love to hear them. I know what I would like to do, and what I did wrong last time. I just like to hear from real parents! I know I have to keep my overheah low, and by keeping the themes of the party focused on the activity and craft/project the kds do and not on the paper goods lowers my cost dramatically. For example, if I offer every character theme out there for the paper goods, I realistically can't buy them all in bulk and waist a lot of money on the paper goods that just get thrown away. So, this time, let's say it was a pirate theme. I would have the paper goods be black and red. Then focus on the activity and craft. The kids can make pirate maps, decorate a treasure chest, do a treasure hunt, play a walk the plank game. The parties are an hour and a half and include pizza, juice and the kids will make their own ice cream sundaes. I have been thinking that the pirate theme is popular and so are the high school musical/hanah montanna themes so I thought of doing a pop star party. They could do karaoke and dancing, dress up with sunglasses and feathered boas, walk the red carpet and have their picture taken. I could also do a tea party and go crazy with that, LOL! I'd be greatful for any advice, thanks everyone!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Stimpy- I pm'd you.

 

[TheDizMom]

I have only used a facility 2 times. Once for my DS and once for my DD. Both times they were places that someone else I knew had used first and I had seen how they ran the party myself. I personally hate Chuck. I just can't stand the mass chaos of that place. I used one place that had all those moon jump things like Pump It Up and Ben&Jerry's. I had good luck with both. Both places allow you to bring in food and drink if you want and their employee's do all the work. The only bad thing I can say is that B&J's insisted the party would take 2 hours and it was tops 1 1/2, next time I know to plan accordingly. I must say though that I have done all the rest of their parties at home. The kids have had fun, and though it's more work then using a facitily, it saves a huge hunk of change and when their preschool age and a little up they don't know the difference anyway. You just have to pick a theme and come up with activities to entertain them with the theme and you are good to go. Personally I think kids parties are getting way out of hand and I think if you can find something great for them to do at home they can be just as fun.

 

[kldmom2000]

We've had a few and I try to stick to places that are not mobbed as I'm so paranoid about any kids getting lost even though the parents generally stick around at this age...
My DD had her 7th bday this past Saturday at the local YMCA-it was an indoor pool party (they built a great new pool w/ a kiddie pool as well) They had 1 hr in the pool and 1 hour in the party room They kids had a blast!
Last year same child had her party @ the local children's museum.... we had the place to ourselves! They closed it at 4 to the general public and then from 4:30-6:30 we had the run of the place-it was awesome!
My younger DD was in Disney for her 4th bday last year-can't beat that!
The year before when she was 3, we had it at the Little Gym ~Not sure what we'll do for her yet this year in Sept

I only do this for their friend party...we always have a family party here because my IL's celebrate EVERYTHING and would be upset w/ me if I did not have them all over (about 20 of them plus my parents ) It gets to be too much with family AND their friends here and I prefer to just cook/prepare/clean-up for one party

 

[Stimpy]

Desnik, it sounds great! You aren't on Long Island, are you? I love having everything taken of for me. In our area, we tend to have big kid parties, about 20 kids, so having it at home is not really an option. (DS's b-day is October so weather is too iffy to plan on outside activities)

The only suggestion I have, which sounds like you have covered already with pirates, is to have boy options. We've been to party places like that and the parties are always great but it seems most of the themes are all girl oriented...princesses, make-up, tea parties, dance etc. We would have loved for a choice of boy themes. Right now we're running out of places LOL

 

[emma'smom]

I've always done big at home parties for my dd, but this year...I was just too tired and a party somewhere else sounded good. She picked our local arts center where they did a "clay" party for her. She wanted a Mardi Gras theme (after eating in the food court at POFQ), so they made clay masks with the potter. Then they came into a second classroom that I decorated in a mardi gras theme for cake and games. It was only 8.00 a girl...and no mess for me!! All I paid for extra was bringing my own cake and party decorations.

Other venues that are on my list for future parties:

Paint Your Own Pottery
Bead Shop (when she is a bit older)
Cooking Party (at local super market)
Swimming Party (YMCA)
Ice Skating Party (local ice rink)
Rent local movie theater
Party at local dairy (ice cream party)
We also have a "fun center" with ball pits/climbers, etc.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

For younger kids (up to about 7 at least) I'll only consider a place where we have the run of the whole place. Worrying about keeping track of a group of kids, some of whom I don't know well, in a crowded place is too scary for me. I also look for someplace where as much as possible is included -- the gymnastics place we did for years gave us everything but the cake -- goodie bags, paper products, juice boxes, pizza etc. . . I don't drive, and I'm a single mom so I'd prefer something where I don't have to lug a whole bunch of stuff. Finally, I really like something that's got physical activity and a free play feel to it -- not a class or a movie or a show. If I had a different child (e.g. not an active boy) I might feel differently.

Thus far we've done

1st birthday -- at home
2nd birthday -- at Gymboree
3rd birthday -- didn't want a party, we went to the zoo instead
4th, 5th, 6th and 7th birthday -- gymnastics place -- an hour of "open gym" and then cake and pizza
8th birthday -- very small indoor water park (first time we went to a "public place") This was only OK with me because there was only a tiny deep part (where I stationed my mother) and the group of kids was small.

 

[jcc0621]

We are actually planning DS's 4th Birthday right now. We went with a party at our local zoo. Tprice was great. $280 for 22 people (Adults and kids). They provide the food, the cake, each child gets a shirt, food to feed the animals at the petting zoo, a pony ride and a little tour of the zoo (This is not the Philadelphia Zoo - Too big and too expensive). We have invited 10 kids from DS's daycare and put on the invitation that a parent MUST accompany the child.

This is the first time we are doing this (all of his previous parties have been at home with family) and I love the fact that they are doing everything and I don't have to wworry about planning/shopping a week after we get home from Disney. The only thing I have to do is go to the party supply store to make up goodie bags for the kids

 

[ChevyNat]

I have always made huge at home parties, themed to perfection ha! ha! This year for my son, I wanted to go bowling, is was turning 11, so the kiddy parties are getting to be to young... but my kids started to be used to the big parties, so I came up with an in town scavenger hunt, where we had to collect different items and take pictures of certain things (we each had a list of what to get and take pics of, with different points) we had 2 hours to do so and then met up at the bowling alley where we declared the winning team and proceded with bowling... it was fun.
For my DD we had her birthday at Disney, can't top that ha! ha!

other themes I did:
DS
1st birthday - train themed
2nd - Pooh
3rd - construction
4th - Digimon
5th - pikachu
6th - Dinosaurs
7th - Harry Potter (from this age, getting elaborate)
8th - pirates
9th - Egyptian
10th - science
11th - scavenger

DD parties
1st - Furby
2nd - at my sis - princess
3rd - can't remember
4th - Monster inc
5th - Princess (getting elaborate from here)
6th - Charlie chocolate factory
7th - Disney and at home Pool party facility

 

[ChevyNat]

You can tell us some more of your ideas... I would to hear more about it... thank you!!!

 

[ogreenlee]

I could have used this thread a few months back when I was planning!!


We just had my DD4's bday party at a local playhouse that was putting on a children's production of The Little Mermaid. They have a room (the gallery) that they set up during the second set for the party following the performance.

I was kind of upset because the director wouldn't let me help decorate, and many of the decorations I bought never got put up. I even walked in there after the performance and NONE of the balloons I bought were in there. I unloaded my entire minivan full of stuff and the only thing decorated was the table, and the food set out. The lady told me that I could bring decorations, but boy what a waste of money that was.

However, the party went off fine. It would have looked really cool had all the decor been put up, but at least nothing bad happened. The party theme was "Under the Sea". I used all different shades of blue and green with big fish and seahorse balloons. It was supposed to look like water bubbles with fish.

THey did facepainting during intermission for all the kids in the party, and then when the party started, the castmembers, still dressed, all came in and talked with the kids.

They let us go onto the stage to take pix, which I'm really happy about...

I like the idea of having a party room b/c I can't have a bunch of kids at my house, either, but I also like having a place to have a party without Chuck or bouncy houses.