So your child’s birthday is just around the corner, and you don’t have time to plan and prepare the perfect party? Don’t despair. There are plenty of fun places to hold kids’ parties that’ll save you time in planning, preparation, and clean-up. Most importantly, your birthday child and their guests will have a blast!
Try some of these party places for kids of all different ages. When you call, ask what amenities are available and included. Many sites provide invitations, food and cake, balloons and decorations, a private party area, a gift for the birthday child, and other special birthday services.
Skates & Blades
Roller skating rinks are again gaining popularity, and most offer a choice of inline or roller skate rentals. You could also consider a ice-skating or hockey party as a fun, chilly alternative.
Strike it Big
Bowling parties are a fun form of recreation for kids of all ages. Preschoolers can score every time with bumper bowling, while teens can go cosmic for glow-in-the-dark fun. Add to the amusement by offering small prizes for low and high scores and the most and fewest gutters.
Pizza and Play
Preschool and early elementary children thrill at invitations to these parties. They can play kiddie arcade-style games, win tickets for prizes, hop on coin-operated rides, and romp in soft play areas.
Water, Water Everywhere
Head to a splash pad or water park to beat the heat! Big kids can ride the waves, swish down water slides, take a plunge, and go on tubing adventures. What better way to cool off and party on a hot summer day?
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Check with a nearby farm, ranch, or orchard to find out what activities are offered. Many include hayrides, petting zoos, corn mazes, produce picking, and more. These are perfect for fall birthdays.
Recreational Romp
Indoor recreation, fitness, and play centers offer a wide variety of activities for birthdays, including gymnastics, swimming, basketball, and even arts and crafts.
Dance the Night Away
Check with your local dance studio for birthday party packages. Some offer professional dance instruction and allow food and party treats to be brought in, so the whole event is done at one location.
Music Marvel
Big kids will be in awe to see one of their favorite performers in concert. For young children, look for a kiddie musical adventure offered by a local musician, music center, or community theater.
Craft Magic
Young kids love to create. So schedule a craft party at an art center, fabric shop, craft store, or scrap-recycling center where kids’ activities are offered.
Tag, You’re It!
Kids will thrill at testing their skills and cunningness in a game of laser tag. These centers often offer on-site party areas and birthday packages.
Fast Food Fun
For a simple and inexpensive toddler or preschool party, fast-food joints are excellent choices. Children can crawl through the play area and dive into a pool of balls after enjoying a festive Kid’s Meal. Consider calling ahead to make a reservation.
Putt-Putt & More
Family fun centers offer a variety of entertainment, including batting cages, miniature golf, video games, bumper boats, and go-carts.
Hands-on Science
Kids of all ages will be thoroughly engrossed and entertained at one of the many hands-on science museums. The party-goers can try out gadgets, watch or participate in experiments, play instruments, construct, and much more.
Rock Climbing Adventures
Daredevils won’t want to miss one of these exciting quests. Look for a rock climbing gym in your area where party guests can do rock climbing with a professional instructor.
Beach Party
Give your teen some fun in the sun with a beach bash. Contact the park for information on volleyball equipment and to make a reservation for a covered picnic area. Look for a spot with horseshoes and plenty of sand or grass—and don’t forget the beach balls, pizza, and cooler of drinks.
Amusement Mini-Party
Theme parks make for big-time, road-trip fun for older kids who are content to take only one or two guests. When planning the guest list, don’t forget to budget meals, snacks, and drinks, which add up quickly in theme parks.
Party in the Park
Parties away from home don’t have to be costly. Reserve a shelter at a nearby park with a large, fenced-in, frontier-style play area. Little ones can run, climb, and play to their heart’s content. Bring along your party supplies and set up under a pavilion. To keep things simple, call ahead for pizza delivery.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
An afternoon canoe excursion for teens is the ultimate outdoor fun. Contact your local river or lake for details. Bring along pop and a picnic lunch, and make sure the food stays in the chaperone’s canoe where it’ll be safe from tips.
Z is for Zoo
Zoos are an excellent source for birthday entertainment. Many offer party packages that include meals, cake, invitations, live animal presentations, and more.
PERFECT PARTY TIPS
When planning your child’s party, keep in mind what is actually important. It’s not how perfectly the party goes, it’s that your birthday child and guests have fun. To ensure success, follow these tips:
- Keep the guest list manageable to avoid chaos, confusion, and conflict. The number of guests should correspond with the child’s age or slightly over.
- Request an RSVP with a specific deadline, so there is time to invite others should the guest list fall short. Be sure to include your phone number and email address.
- Offer your child choices for the party, ask for input, and allow them to assist in planning.
- Send out written invitations. Verbal invitations are easily forgotten and make the invitee feel like they were an afterthought. Also, it can leave the parents of the invited child wondering whether the invitation was approved by the birthday child’s parents.
- Include all details on the invitation, including a start and end time, address and directions, phone number, and what guests need to bring, such as a bathing suit and towel.
- Play it safe, and have back-up options in case something goes wrong. What if it rains? What if your cake baker falls through? What if the pizza falls on the ground?
- Keep the length of the party within reason. Unless it’s a sleepover or special event, preschool parties should be limited to one to two hours, and two to three hours for older children.
- Don’t plan to be the only adult at the party. Have a few designated family members or parents stick around to help, just in case.