Birthday Party - Nashville,TN

Found a great article in Parents magazine about a carnival themed birthday. It had great ideas of games(coin drop through water into cup/whipped creme pie in the face) and other activities like a fortune teller that pulls fortune cookies out of a 'crystal' fish bowl, kissing booth that offers up hershey's kisses, and tickets to cash in for prizes at the end of the day. Food ideas were hot dogs, cotton candy, and popcorn. You may still be able to find ____@____.com, it was in the july 2008 issue. Good luck.

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I have a 9 year old niece and she loves arts and crafts- so we had an arts and craft Birthday when she was 8, where the kids could draw, and make clay objects she and her freinds stayed busy and had a blast.

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Hi! Have you thought about the zoo or aquarium? Here in Georgia, the Georgia Aquarium has an option for sleepovers inside for birthday parties and such. They have special hunts and tours and everything!

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C.,

My daughter turns seven on August 12, and we are renting out the community pool. Her best friend has the same birth date(but one year older), and her mom and I are splitting the cost. It was $150.00 for 30 swimmers(you can pay more for more swimmers), here in Knoxville. We are each bringing our own cakes, plates, napkins, and party favors, and we are each bringing ice cream and drinks to share. They close the pool from 6:30-9:00 and the $150 includes lifeguards. I've been to two parties held there this summer, and it seemed a lot less stressful than having it at home. If your daughters' birthday is after the pool closes for the year then I guess I didn't help much.

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We've done bowling, and it does pretty well with both boys and girls. We ended up spending about $72 for 6 kids (that's per lane, so you can have more if you rent more than one lane), and that included a pizza, 6 drinks, and unlimited bowling for about 3 hours. Favors would be extra, and we had to provide those if we wanted them. I just got the kids glo bracelets since they did a cosmic bowl kind of thing. We really enjoyed it!

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My son just went to a party at the YMCA skate park. They close the park at 7pm and you have 2 hours of skating, skateboarding, roller skating, scooter riding. The kids had so much fun they literally would not stop to eat pizza OR cake. We couldn't even get them to watch the Birthday boy open presents.

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The YMCA near Sci Works has a great birthday room. It is affordable and you can set up to use the pool or gym for about an hour. I used this facility a couple of times. This location is great kindergarten on. I know that 5th/6th graders have fun parties there as well. You can just enjoy the gaming tables in the party room, or set up relays/crafts/ karokee etc.

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There are tons of great places to have birthday parties that will mesh with boys & girls. Like: Adventure Science Center, Nashville Zoo, Build-a-Bear, Third Coast Clay, The Discovery Center in murfreesboro, Pump It Up, Dave & Busters at Opry Mills, etc. What are her interests? What does she say she'd like to do when you ask her? Maybe you could show her some of these places online and see if she likes any of them. Good luck and happy planning! =0)

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I had my daughter's last birthday at "Build a Bear". Boys and girls both enjoyed it and I didn't have to get a get a goody bag, the bears were there goody. Then we went to the food court and I had cake and ice cream for everyone. You can go online and look up some info. Good Luck!

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What about a swimming party, a skating party or maybe someone with little ponies that would bring them to your house and give rides for a couple of hours?

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They have private party rooms at Adventure Science Center (used to be Cumberland Museum) in Nashville. My granddaughter went to a party there, and loved it. Not sure how much the Center charges per child, but they get the run of the place, and it's very well done, lots of things to explore.

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If you are in Winston, there is a newer place near the Mall called Funigan's Family Entertainment Center. We went to a party there with ages ranging from 4-8. We are having my son's 5th bday there. Great for boys and girls. It is affordable and they provide pizza and drinks (cake for one of the options). It is next to Office Max on Stratford. It is new so a lot of kids haven't been there yet which makes it fun and exciting.
Good luck,
MB

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I had the same dilemma with my soon-to-be 8 y.o. daughter. I wanted it inside and not at my house, and not at Pump It Up! I scheduled hers at an art studio... Bisque Art on Six Forks Rd. They can paint a ceramic craft during the party, or whatever you choose from their options. The Museum downtown has fun parties, I think it's the Museum of Natural History, but it's a bit pricier. One of the better parties we've been to was actually at Raleigh Grande movie theatre. They have a nice birthday party room and you can do party then movie. If you want to get really fun for the kids, there are trail riding parties. We did one at Deadbroke Farm Stables last year and the kids loved it, but I would probably recommend a different stable, as they seemed a bit unorganized. There are others that do the same thing and are probably a bit more together. Good luck!!

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We are having a birthday party for my soon to be 8 yr old son on Sunday. We belong to a local community pool, and have rented it for 2 hours. It's the same $ as it is to rent an inflatable, etc. and it includes 2 lifeguards.

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Treasure hunt in the backyard is fun. Boys and girls love it. They followed clues (can be hard or easy clues) that took them all over the yard and ended with digging up candy (placed in zip loc bags) that we buried in the sand box. They love the whole idea of the game. We had an obstacle course set up.

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Hi C.!
I know what you mean! My daughter turns 10 next month and I gotta come up with something different than most of the birthday parties. I found a place that is called "Dye Nation...Parties 2 dye 4" in Greensboro. They specialize in tie-dying birthday parties. All the children will "tie-die" a cup cake and a t-shirt. I see that the place is very successful with field trips and church programs. Maybe there is a place in your town that does this? my daughter's excited that her party will be different. Good luck!

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We allow our kids to pick. Sometimes they chose to pick one friend and have a day of fun with that person or small group of people- we have done dinner and a fun park (putt putt, arcade and go carts).They have also chose (on their own) to have the family meet us for dinner at their favorite restaurant... everyone pays for their own meals, we have a great time and the kids collect gifts- which they love. I have also done a "hotel sleepover". I picked a hotel with an indoor pool, allowed my child to pick a few friends and we ordered pizza, watched movies and swam at the hotel. They loved that party!

Year after year I was topping the year before and it got old. I have two kids so they were always comparing. I decided to let them chose then the pressure is off me. My husband and I always through a surprise in their plans to make it fun- but they do a good job of picking things within the budget they are given. They also get a kick out of being in control of the day.I have been doing this since they were 6 & 10. At 6 we had to give her some options to chose from- but it was still her decision. Now they are older (9&13) - they make the entire decision (within budget).

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My granddaughter just went to a neat party in a place in Apex.
It was girls, I would not want 7 yr old boys- too wild. It was an art party, where the kids all made several things. Boys? A park is ideal, boys like to run, constantly.

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Take her to the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville. They have birthday parties there. I think for a party of 10 children they let you have 2 tables at the shelter, you get to have a ride around the ranch to see the animals and then you come back and have cake and ice cream. It's a really nice place to have a party and boys will like it too.

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Hmmm...boys too, huh? Well that leaves out a "pretty party" with the girls going to a salon for pedicures, etc. Let's see.....bowling? skating? pool party? Build a Bear might be a good one too. Some boys at that age are ok with it, but some might feel they are too old.

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When my niece was this age, my sister got a hotel room in a hotel with an indoor pool. She made sure the room she got was by the pool so she could open the door to her room (for bathroom access and a food break) and then had a pool party. It was relatively cheap and my niece and her friends loved it.

You could also rent a movie theater. They do birthday parties where you can pick from a list of movies and they supply popcorn, drinks and sometimes a little party favor. It's not as expensive as it sounds.

Hope this gives you some ideas...

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When my daughter turned 8 I gave her a carnival party in the back yard. It took alittle planning but, all the kids (boys and girls) had a good time. We made up simple booths with games and activities. We had water baloon blast its basic water baloon dodge ball. Water gun fizzy fights. Take a denture tablet and tie it to a string necklace. The team with the last tablet intact wins. As they shout eachother with the water guns the tablets disolve. At each game you recived tickets that they got to exchange for items, this became their party gifts. We had a blast hope this helps. Pam

Several suggestions:

1. Japanese Stakehouse
2. Zoo (great b-day parties)!
3. Scrapbook party
4. Playground
5. Pizza place (make own pizza)

Pool parties are great for kids this age if you have access to a neighborhood or community pool. Good for boys and girls, not a lot of structured entertainment necessary, easily accommodates any size group, and keeps it out of your house! Some entertainment ideas... throw a bunch of change into the pool for a treasure dive, have relay races, pinata, water balloon toss, or just free play.
Good luck.

Have you thought of having an American Idol party? You would not think that boys would do things like that but they do. If not with boys, maybe a glamour party. Hair, make-up, nails - the works.

Look in your area for a local gymnastics place, they do birthday parties that are fun for girls and boys.

We did my sons 7th birthday at a skating rink, they loved it!

I'd love to offer advice, but we're in the same boat. My ODD will be 7 on the 23rd of August. Right now we're looking at a Barbie Princess party. It's running into an issue for us though because the little boy across the street is the same age and I don't want to exclude him, but I don't think he'd enjoy a Barbie Princess party with make-up etc. I'm thinking this will be our last year doing home parties. I'm considering Gattitown for next year (too late and not enough cash for this year lol) or renting our local city pool for a couple of hours for next year. I'm anxious to hear the suggestions that you get though.

Bowling party? Skating party? Pizza place with game room?

Hello C.! I am a rep with Noah's Ark Animal Workshop and this is a great "birthday event" that both boys and girls can do AT HOME! Check out my personalized website and let me know if there is anything I can do to help you!
C. D.
www.cindysanimals.com

WELL - I am not sure - BUT this is what my son (A single parent) is doing for his daughters 7th B-day.
She has requested a party at a GYM for her and 15 friends.
The gym does this on a regular basis. They take full responsibality for the kids for 2 hours.
He will furnish cake & plates.
Best of luck.

Dr C.

how about a roller skating party

Use this opportunity to teach your child & others about giving. Contact the local animal shelter ask if there is a place to serve cake & play a couple games. Ask each child to bring a gift for the animal shelter (food, toy, leash, collar, treats, litter box, ect) The $ you save renting a space for a party, take your child out & let her pick out something special as a reward for her kindness.
Or have children meet at an organization that helps people in need (like Salvation Army). If they supply the space for cake & a game or two, have each party guest bring a food item or blanket for donation.
Too often parties center around what will you feed the guests & what gifts will I get.

Have you considered a skating party? Local rinks have times set aside for birthday parties and even have games they play to help celebrate. You might even consider an ice skating party. My son had one at about that age and it was a big hit even for those who weren't great skaters but had always wanted to give it a try.

Hi C.,

I have a son that's only 8 months old....so, I'm no expert! But, I was at Cary Towne Center yesterday and saw this really cute place for little girls to get spa treatment and they throw parties. It was called Sweet & Sassy. I don't know much about it, but when I saw it I was pretty jealous they didn't have it when I was 7!

Ice skating or roller skating rinks usually do birthday party specials. Great for kids as it gets them excersising while having fun. Also most local YMCA's with pools will do birthday parties as well.

I'm not sure where you are, but if you have a Little Gym I would suggest that. The parties aren't too expensive and the kids (boys and girls) get to do some really fun activities on real gym equipment - with the Olympics coming up you could even make that a theme if you wanted to. The web site to my local Little Gym is below.

www.tlghickorync.com

My suggestion would be a rock star party! I saw some rock star like clothing from Hannah Montana at WalMart which she would probably love. Invite every one and let them know to wear rock star clothing (big belts, little mohawks lol)and get some little guitars. It may be a little wild for your taste but I think it would be cute.

Go to Young Chef's Academy. Kids and adults will have a blast and the price is good!!!!

What about a bowling party, skating party, or swim party. We live in a small town with not alot to do but these are a few of the things my kids enjoy. You could also do a pizza party at your local pizza parlor.

Have you thought about skating? no mater the weather or if you are entertaining boys or girls, most kids love to skate.
Sorry thats all I have. Good luck, T.

skating? rent a movie theater? spa day would be fun if there were no boys...mani and pedis for the girls. A "not quite spend the night" slumber party. It would be at your house but it would be fun...they bring their sleeping bags, a movie, popcorn, etc and they all go home around 10pm. It would be more low key than an actual party. Sorry, not much help but a few ideas. Oh, in Brentwood is a Young Chef's Academy....they literally cook their own meal and they get a chef's hat and apron as their take home gift! Try that, lots of fun!

W.

Hi how about a place like adventures landing, I am new to the area so I dont know if they do parties but that is an idea. go-carting, video games, or a bowling party. I dont know if they are to old but what about chuck e cheeses?
oh what about a movie party.
well I hope I helped a little bit.

good luck!!!!!!!!

Hey C.! We've always had a boy/girl birthday party for our son and when we took the kids bowling they had a blast. We went to the one in Corinth, MS they are real nice over there and the kids can also play in the arcade and they let you set up cake, ice cream etc. in their snack bar. The kids can make as much noise as they want since it's noisy anyway and they burn off energy...lol....or let them go to the movies...again there is the arcade afterwards and they have a desinated place to set up cake and ice cream.....

Is there a science center or nature museum nearby? My daughter was recently invited to a 6-year-old's party at a science center where a staff member gave a 45-minute presentation on various animals. The kids got to hold lots of animal skins, pelts, furs, etc. Then they got to see several live animals and hold a few, including some kind of dragon. There were girls, boys, and lots of parents there, and we were all charmed. Then we got to explore the rest of the science center. We may have our party there next year.

We did a skating party for my daughter's 7th birthday. Her last birthday was at Incredible Pizza, she had a blast and her friends had fun to. Other party ideas might be Children's Museum, Lichterman nature center, the zoo, build-a-bear, paint-a-piece... We have either had parties or attended parties at those locations and had a great time.

I rented a room ata hotel and the kids all went swimming indoors in the evening and we ordered pizza. The boys went home but the girls all had a sleep over in the room. It did not cost that much just the one room for the night and the pizza!

I suggest a Birthday party at a riding stable. My Daughter runs/owns "EE Stables" in Willow Spring and has done many birthday parties. Her # is ###-###-####.

Any chance you could plan a pool party? You don't have to plan activities or games - unless you want to provide a few pool toys - and a cake and some ice cream is all the food you need.

Hi C.,

Maybe your daughter and her friends would enjoy going skating? My daughter had a skating party for her 10th b-day. My son had a bowling party for his 7th b-day. Girls and boys were at both parties...we've also had pool parties. On Wednesday, my daughter is having a candle party for her 12th b-day. Not sure where you're located but the Avon Store in Charlotte, has an area in the back where you make candles. We didn't invite boys - didn't think they would be interested...so on Sunday we'll invite the boys to the pool and have pizza.

Just a few suggestions....

Be blessed, L.

For my daughters 6th birthday we are planning to go to the local collage and have a pool party at thetr indoor pool.

Do you have a skating rink nearby? We rented one for our daughter's 8th birthday in June. It was surprisingly inexpensive, she could invite as many people as she liked and they did all the set up and tear down. Ours - with cake and snacks cost under $100.00. The kids loved it!

My brother had my neices' 8th birthday party at a record studio. The kids got to record 4 songs and everyone got a copy of the cd as their take home gift. My brother said it was not any more expensive then having it at Jump Zone or any of those other places. All the kids had a great time and have a very cool cd to show for it.

How about bowling or miniature golf?

My daughter turned 8 in June. We did a bowling birthday party. We invited six of her friends from school and rented a bowling lane. On Saturdays Strike and Spare has a 3 hour a lane price including shoes bowling pizza and drinks. You would just have to provide cake; we did cupcakes since it seemed more portable. My daughter and her friends had a real good time so did the parents. Hope this helps.. Good Luck. T.