One simple strategy will minimize birthday party preparation, clean-up and costs: Having your birthday party somewhere else besides home. Any birthday party can get expensive, and you might think having a party away from home would double the cost. But believe it or not, the amount you spend often goes down when you have the party away from home, not up.
Consider the full package deal offered by the venue before you lift a finger to help. Once you factor in all the food, favors and serving items you won’t have to buy, you just might save yourself a bundle of time, energy and headaches. Get the details on exactly what will be provided in advance, so you don’t duplicate any efforts, in filling in the gaps.
If the venue does not cover every detail, this can work fine. Bring the cake? No problem. Order a few pizzas? Easy. Bring some goodie bags? If that’s all you have to do for this party, you are going to love it.
Some of your favorite birthday party memories may end up coming from the party where you did the least work. You send the invites, show up and watch everyone go home with big smiles on their faces. No smile will be as big as the one you have on your face when you return to your nice, clean home.
Here is a full rundown of birthday party venues that often host parties away from home. Before you write off any candidates, be sure to search online, check out the Birthday Party Guide online on this site or the print edition of the Calgary's Child Magazine Jan-Feb 2014 issue, and call to double check. Birthday parties are big business, and businesses often add birthday party hosting after opening day, once services are established.
So, go ahead, ask your friends and neighbors for ideas but remember, nothing beats being the first family on the block to discover a cool new party zone no other family has tried yet.
Ready, set, party! Locations are listed here are from youngest appropriate age to oldest:
For younger children:
1. Doll stores
2. Pet stores
3. Building blocks stores
4. Stuffed animal stores
5. Nature centres
6. Toddler gyms
7. Indoor soccer fields
8. Bouncy house places
9. Children’s museums
10. Yoga studios
11. Karate studios
12. Farm or petting zoo
13. Science centres
For school-age children:
14. Dance studios
15. Tea stores
16. Pony riding barns
17. Family fun centre
18. Gymnastics studio
19. Indoor pools
20. Zoos
21. Bakeries
22. Children’s theatres
23. Garden centres or greenhouses
24. Cooking schools or studios
25. Pottery studios
26. Ice cream parlors
For tweens and teens:
27. Bowling alleys
28. Rock climbing places
29. Ice rinks
30. Movie theatres
31. Waterparks
32. Pizza places
33. Music studios
34. Hobby stores
35. Roller skating rinks
36. Karaoke spots
37. Craft stores
38. Shopping malls
39. Basketball courts
40. Nail salons or spas
There are few things Christina enjoys as much as throwing a birthday party her daughter’s friends will still be talking about months later and doing it all on a totally reasonable budget. Her latest book is The Writer’s Workout from Writer’s Digest Books.
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