Any Ideas for a 5 Year Birthday Party?

My daughter has 3 children so for birthdays, 1 time I remember them going to a McDonalds with the play area but lately she has had parties at a local park with playground and pavillions. There you have a choice of decorating the pavillion, a choice to cook hot dogs on a grill or just bring a cake, ice cream and drinks in a cooler. The kids always seem to have a good time at those parties as they mostly play on the playground so you don't need to come up with games, They are mostly all in one place so are easy to keep track of and little party favors with a small gift like a squirt gun for boys and maybe a color book for girls, You can get those so cheaply at a dollar store. Or you can get a pinata for them to be blind folded and with a plastic bat, let each one have a try at breaking it, they have fun free for alling the goodies inside once it is broken.

Theres quite a few things you have to choose from. The parties my kids went to & had a great time were: Mike Greenwells, Bowling, & Sunsplash. I think that it maybe too warm for Lakes Park in June.

Lowery Park Zoo? Or a local Park and bring slip n slide or a hose with sprinkler and kids type crafts....
Have fun
J.

What about at a Rec Center - they usually have a playground plus an indoor party room. That maybe an idea

The Temple Terrace Rec Center hosts parties in the gymnastics room. Its an hour of supervised gym time and an hour in the party room. Its relatively cheap too. The rec. center in LOL might offer something similar.

If you want an outdoor party, there's the beach or how about a park? Hillsborough State Park and Lettuce Lake Park are really nice places to have outdoor parties.

If you want an indoor party, is there a clubhouse in your subdivision that you can use? I don't know how you feel about McDonald's...I've been to a McDonald's party once, but that was many many years ago. You can also do a party at MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) or the FL Aquarium. The aquarium would be ideal b/c they have the outdoor water area for the kids to play in. There is a roller skating rink in north Tampa too. I think it's called Skate Odyssey.

Try Michaels or JoAnn's Craft store for a craft b-day party. They can help you choose an age appropriate craft for the kids.
Good luck

Hi-
A friend of mine has just scheduled her daughter's 3rd birthday party at The Little Gym on Dale Mabry. I have not been there myself, so can't say but I know her & she was very particular about where she wanted to have it, so I am sure it must be good. Sorry I don't have their contact info at hand though. Check it out.

I had my 4 year old's birthday at My Gym in Seven Oaks, they did a fantastic job, it was a 2 hour party and they constantly interacted with the kids with activities and games, it was around $200, I can't remember the exact figure.

Hi. When my younger daughter turned 7, we had it at the local YMCA. Lots to offer, kids had constant attention from the staff, they swam, played games with the employess supervising in the gym, and activity room, had decorations there, and a great cake, drinks, etc. My husband was hospitalized, and it was a good thing we had this pre-arranged, so life could go on for our little girl. There are some horseback riding camps, some farms, who schedule parties for children, and some restaraunts or individuals provide more formal parties, I would assume they could gear that toward a soon to be five-year old boy, vs. girl. Age 8 was Planet Fun, which was an indoor amusement area, which was very personal but I bewlieve they have closed. When Leah turned 9, we had it at a huge McDonald's. Then for every year after, we did this: Turned 11? Had 11 girls over for pizza, took them to the County Fair, bracelet for riding the Midway rides, then had them spend the night, with movie rentals and snacks. Some sleep. Supervised at all times by big sis and us, the parents, just for safety. One year they added on a trip to the Planitarium Light Show. Such a pleasure for them. Parents came after breakfast. Mind you, she was older when we came uupon this routine. Best wishes. Maddie (girls now grown, but vividly recall those days. Moved from Ct.& brought 2 factories and 55 families with us to Bradenton, Fl.)

Hi. You may want to check for publications in your local public library (possibly the Parenting magazine). I'm not familiar with the LOL area; but the first thing that comes to my mind is the Malibu Grand Prix track in Tampa. I believe they have go carts, put-put golf & video games..Good Luck!

You could try Kidz Zone in Ft Myers. They are an indoor playground for kidz 6 and under
The number is ###-###-####

I would try The Little Gym in Sarasota, Play Away, My Gym or Gymboree.

I saw the responses to look for ideas for myself also (3 Boys -- ages 8,5,5). My twins are May born and IT IS HOT outside -- so think a lot before having it JUST OUTDOORS .. unless it is at 10 AM or after 6 PM. Lettuce Lake and Hills. State Park are nice to have outdoor party if the weather is nice. I had it one time at Sun N Fun at lakeland and boys loved it -- because of airplanes and stuff. MOSI was a hit too. Aquarium water play is great for summer parties. It depends how much you want to spend, I guess and what your son likes the most -- my kids generally tell me for past 2 years what they would like and then I try to see what can fit in my budget.
Hope it helps

The big thing these days is a Birthday at Dinosaur World in Plant City. They give special rates for Birthday parties. Most McDonald's also do Birthdays. The park is a nice place to have a party for a little one. There are several parks in the county to choose from. Have fun.....

Hi there. A new place opened up on us 41 and sunset drive called Planet Bounce. The concept is the same as pump it up but a lot closer. Bowling is a great party place, the gymnastic place just north of us 41 and state road 54 on the right hand side ( I forget the name) is a fun place to have a party. Little Chef's academy on north dalemabry where outback is located (it is about $25.00 a person though) Sweet n sassy is a great place for girls, it is a girl spa place with hairdos, pedicures, manicures, runway for dress up etc. The pottery places are fun too! Good luck!

Hi N.,
I am a certified instructor with Music with Mar. and we do birthday parties! They can be hosted in any indoor location of your choosing. If you are not familiar with the program, I would recommend coming to a community class first. (I teach in Tampa, Oldsmar & Lutz.) For a schedule and for more info, check out www.musicwithmar.com.
W.

I have been to bowling parties...They are able to put up bumpers so they don't continually get gutter balls.

If I could afford it... I would have a party at a park and rent one of those big blow up bouncy things or something. You said June...they have blow up water slide things.

http://www.bouncytimes.com/

I look for a link and here you go!

HAVE FUN!
K. J.

After looking at the link I sent to you...MAYBE I CAN AFFORD IT! THANKS FOR MAKING ME LOOK!

Kid City is a GREAT place for that age group. It is by Lowry Park Zoo. Here is the website http://www.flachildrensmuseum.com/

How about a party at the local firehouse? I had one as a child and our daughter had one when she was 3. It was free but we gave a $50 donation to the firehouse. We ordered Little Caesar's pizza ($5 a piece), had cake, ice cream and drinks. The kids played on the firetruck. The firemen showed them about fire safety and how they dress, etc. All the kids loved this party and still talk about it.