Would kids enjoy this? Classy yet reasonable B'day party...

[IluvKingLouis]

Thanks for all the feedback and wonderful suggestions. From what I can tell the singer has moved to California....she was amazing. I've sent the restaurant an email to see if there is another singer, and perhaps we can go check her out.

Worst case, I play violin, so the kids could have a strolling violinist ....just kidding.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

I don't think a live musician of any type is necessary...

 

[Mouse House Mama]

What about getting a magician?

 

[IluvKingLouis]

If I did a magician, I'd probably just have something at the house (they are kinda pricey here). But our house would be tight for 10 kids, and if it's cold out then they'd be cooped up in the house. I'm trying to find something that is weather neutral, close by, decent food, nice place for grown-ups to hang out, and an element of entertainment.

This has been the crux of my dilemma. Do I go for atmosphere and a unique experience that's light on entertainment, or squish a bunch of kiddo's into a small area but splurge more on entertainment?

 

[jedijill]

Can't help you with the party...no kids here...but thanks for the link the restaurant. I might have to slip down there some weekend for dinner. It's only about 15 minutes away from my house.

Jill in CO

 

[ampc3]

sounds like you already have your mind made up, but I don't think many boys would be to excited about this IMHO.
I think the girls would enjoy it enough, however at this age, I personally think they would still LOVE chuck E Cheese, I know all my kids still do~ and it's soo easy!~ just my 2cents for what it's worth.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Can't help you with the party...no kids here...but thanks for the link the restaurant. I might have to slip down there some weekend for dinner. It's only about 15 minutes away from my house.

Jill in CO

Their beef tenderloin melts in your mouth! The owner is such a nice man, and service has always been outstanding. I don't go there enough....should make more of an effort.

Really neat atmosphere too. I hope you enjoy your visit there. Let me know what you think!

 

[Jsme]

I think as long as the singer does kid stuff and there are kid related activities going on they would enjoy it a lot. Otherwise I would have to say classy is not normally what a child wants for a party. They want fun.

 

[ceecee]

sounds like you already have your mind made up, but I don't think many boys would be to excited about this IMHO.
I think the girls would enjoy it enough, however at this age, I personally think they would still LOVE chuck E Cheese, I know all my kids still do~ and it's soo easy!~ just my 2cents for what it's worth.

I agree! If you want to appeal to the majority, this would be it. Kids love CC and BAB. One of our best parties was at Build A Bear...just because it was so easy and fun. DD went to a dress up party with brunch at the Country Club and most of the kids were bored after 1/2 hr. Not enough games, etc.

 

[pooh17]

Will the restaurant be open to customers at this time?

I know your intent is to help a small business, however if I were to walk into a nice restaurant and see a bunch of 6 year olds having a bday party, I would turn around and walk out. And, I might not return. If several people did this, the restaurant owner could actually lose $$ in the long run.

I would do something that caters a bit more to the kids.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Will the restaurant be open to customers at this time?

I know your intent is to help a small business, however if I were to walk into a nice restaurant and see a bunch of 6 year olds having a bday party, I would turn around and walk out. And, I might not return. If several people did this, the restaurant owner could actually lose $$ in the long run.

I would do something that caters a bit more to the kids.

This restaurant is slow midday on the weekends, and they have two side rooms that they normally don't seat. I didn't want to be disruptive either, which is another reason I thought of this place. I'm also thinking 2pm for lunch to make extra sure the normal lunch crowd has left.

 

[smkiya]

What about a fashion show? What about an interactive story that is read and the kids participate in, kind of like an interactive dinner show!
Would you have a private room?

What if (like a pp said) as the guest arrive, they are announced and are asked to play a role. Like, "introducing Ms. Jane Doe, owner of Doe's jewelry store" and she is given a toy necklace, each child has a role to play based on the interactive story that you could write and read at the party. It could be a mystery. "The case of the missing earrings", you could hide them before the guests arrive. Leave the names of the characters in the story blank, and fill them in as the guests arrive. Maybe some other posters could think of some ways to make this really fun for them.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

ampc.....really my mind is not made up. This is the first place I'm floating this idea because I know how brutally honest Dis board folks can be.

Then, if we proceed, I'll be asking a few of the parents.

My DD attended a Build a Bear party, and I really hated it. There was no interaction with the kids...they got to build their bears then it was a shopping mad house. Some kids were crying because they could only get one extra item, while other kids were allowed (parents chipped in) to go on a bit of a shopping spree. I just can't do a retail therapy outing for kids. The kids didn't even mingle...they were too busy sorting through racks of teddy bear clothes and accessories.

Sorry, my dislike for excessive consumerism just kicked in.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

What about a fashion show? What about an interactive story that is read and the kids participate in, kind of like an interactive dinner show!
Would you have a private room?

What if (like a pp said) as the guest arrive, they are announced and are asked to play a role. Like, "introducing Ms. Jane Doe, owner of Doe's jewelry store" and she is given a toy necklace, each child has a role to play based on the interactive story that you could write and read at the party. It could be a mystery. "The case of the missing earrings", you could hide them before the guests arrive. Leave the names of the characters in the story blank, and fill them in as the guests arrive. Maybe some other posters could think of some ways to make this really fun for them.

I really do like this idea. I was thinking of the place cards, and asking the wait staff to address the children as Miss Rachel, Mr. Alex, etc... Make it a little fancy schmanczy. The wait staff there is terrific and would love to play along.

 

[monorailsilver]

I think it would be cute if you made it into a fancy kids party.

But I know my dd who turned 8 last year had a bowling party, $15/kid which included popcorn, pizza, soda & ice cream cake for 2 hours. The kids loved it!

My son wanted one this year as well but a Caboose party on our local Steam Train won out.

I thought I read you were worried it was going to be to pricey but if you make it more fancy it might end up being the same price as a bowling party or a pottery party, etc...

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I think it would be cute if you made it into a fancy kids party.

But I know my dd who turned 8 last year had a bowling party, $15/kid which included popcorn, pizza, soda & ice cream cake for 2 hours. The kids loved it!

My son wanted one this year as well but a Caboose party on our local Steam Train won out.

I thought I read you were worried it was going to be to pricey but if you make it more fancy it might end up being the same price as a bowling party or a pottery party, etc...

No, I actually think it would be less pricey, and more unique. I think the parents would enjoy it too. But I wanted to make sure the kids would find it fun.

The Caboose party sounds like a blast!

We have a bowling alley that's much further away that also does parties. But they bill for 14 kids regardless of how many show up. I see us having between 8 to 10.

 

[Colinsmom]

Buffets get expensive. If you want a buffet for the adults, I think that you will quickly exceed $15pp, especially if they get drinks (even if the non-alcoholic variety). Perhaps plan to order an assortment of appetizers for the adults to munch on instead?

Just a comment, though, about a 2pm party - I know that my 7yo wouldn't be up for a sit-down meal at 2pm. He couldn't wait that long for lunch, and it would be too early for dinner. Not to mention that a lot of food seems to go to waste anyways at kids' parties (they are too busy socializing to eat).

 

[ceecee]

My DD attended a Build a Bear party, and I really hated it. There was no interaction with the kids...they got to build their bears then it was a shopping mad house. Some kids were crying because they could only get one extra item, while other kids were allowed (parents chipped in) to go on a bit of a shopping spree. I just can't do a retail therapy outing for kids. The kids didn't even mingle...they were too busy sorting through racks of teddy bear clothes and accessories.

Sorry, my dislike for excessive consumerism just kicked in.

Sorry you hated it, did your DD like it??? You had a bad party leader, the girl that did ours was wonderful. She told the kids up front which animal they could choose and the shirts were in the back that they choose, they danced around the store with the bears and all the kids made a special wish on a heart for DD's bear, they all then played several games, sang Happy Birthday and they did the names and then picked up the bears and that was it. In each Cub condo there was a $5.00 off anything coupon, a CD with songs and a sticker sheet. DD got an autographed pillow. The moms talked about it for a long time, everyone loved it. The kids liked getting a bear much better than the normal party bag full of junk.

 

[Priorityonecb]

My girls, and their friends would have enjoyed that party at age 7 very much! The balloon animals and singer will be a hit! Good luck and happy birthday to your daughter!

 

[Irin997]

If I did a magician, I'd probably just have something at the house (they are kinda pricey here). But our house would be tight for 10 kids, and if it's cold out then they'd be cooped up in the house. I'm trying to find something that is weather neutral, close by, decent food, nice place for grown-ups to hang out, and an element of entertainment.

This has been the crux of my dilemma. Do I go for atmosphere and a unique experience that's light on entertainment, or squish a bunch of kiddo's into a small area but splurge more on entertainment?

At DD8's party in May, the weather was nice, but for all but 10 minutes of the party, they were inside....and my house is TINY. I live in a small 2 bedroom apt with DD and having 10-12 girls, my mom, and my BF helping was a lot of people. But we had a blast. I researched all kinds of fun games and made sure to have more than enough in case they got bored. We didn't even get to play all of the games!

It sounds like you're going to need entertainment anyway. You might as well save some money on food by buying pizza instead of going to a restaurant. BUT that's totally up to you.

How about something at the Castle Rock Rec Center? Here's their website:

http://www.crgov.com/index.aspx?nid=304

If I'm reading the flier correctly, they are offering a pool party for $119...is it indoors? That would be a blast for the kids!