"Calling All Moms - Give Me Birthday Party Ideas"

My daughter had a costume party for her 7th bday. The theme was come dressed as a made up super-hero. She was "Super Kitty Girl". I took eyeliner and painted whiskers and a nose on her face, got her a headband w/ kitty ears and made her a cape. The kids that came to the party were so creative. There was "super-roo" and she showed up w/ her dad's rugby uniform on from australia and a kangaroo tail, there was super-chef. Hubby showed up as FisherMan. I was Ukulele Lady. It was a lot of fun.

Try Lemo's farm in HMB has baby farm animals, jumpies, pony rides, train ride. May be far for you but it is a thought. There is also Coyote Point or your local park, which is always a hit with kids at this age.

Assuming you live in San Francisco, some of the best birthday parties attended by my kids were held at one of the SF parks that have indoor rooms you can rent. This gives the kids access to the playground and a party room for you to set up for cake/ice cream and whatever else you wish to serve for the day. Some have also rented the jump houses (I have found this not really that necessary) because either way the kids have a great time just playing outside with each other, and the adults are able to hangout together and chat. (while still being able to keep an eye on little ones). You can also put a few tables outside with crayons and paper for kids to draw/color. Even when the parents have not rented the indoor room and just held the party in the park, these turn out to be some of the best, most relaxed birthday parties for everyone.

Good luck, and Happy Birthday to your little guy.

My Gym in SF is wonderful at that age. It's a bit expensive, but the kids have a wonderful time and the experience is really easy on the parents. Safari Run in San Mateo is pretty good, too, though I have never thrown a party there, only attended them.

I vote for the park idea too.. kids really just want to play with each other and don't need all the fancy themed places...not at this age. To add to the others' comments, hand out treat bags early containing things that can be played with at the park, i.e., chalk, bubbles, ribbon sticks, punching balls, small-size blow-up beach balls, echo wands, slide whistles, etc. Give each child a glow necklace, a hat or some item that identifies them as being a party guest. The kids will have a great time!!

Some ideas:
Ice Skating
Art Party - Purple Crayon
Gymnastics parties - Acrosports, American Gymnastics Club (boys love these parties too)
Karate
Lemos Farm
Chrissy Field, Julius Kahn Playground Clubhouse

Hi A. - Discovery Museum is worth a thought ( I know you said no museums - but it's really great ) ... also there are lots of art type places... where the kids can do some kind of activity.... ceramics, painting.. whatever

Then there's Gymboree - you completely avoid the cleanup

OR - just go to a local park or playground, and do a barbecue / picnic

Or rent a local hall and do it yourself... do games or a treasure hunt

Or swim party...

Good luck! J.

La Petite Baleen Swim School in Half Moon Bay has 2 hour parties for all ages. (non-swimmers must be accompanied by an adult) I've had my kids' parties here a few times and everyone leaves happy. It's such a unique party because it's indoors and the pool is 90 degrees :). Kids can swim for a little over an hour (depending on what you plan to do after...pizza, cake, gifts) Then they change clothes and head to the party room to eat, etc.

You bring the food, they provide the "Water Watchers",who serve as lifeguards during the swimming portion and then help serve the food and take care of all the clean up after! Call La Petite Baleen and ask for the Half Moon Bay location to get the Party phone number.

I've had my kids bday parties at both My Gym and Lemos Farm and they are both great. The kids really enjoy a lot.
Ive been to Safari Run, and my kids enjoyed that party too, although I think its for a little older kids, like 5 and up.

Another place which comes to mind is JCC. They have great options like pool party, ceramics party etc. They do one hour of supervised activity and then you get a room for the cake, and whatever else you want to serve.

I believe YMCA also offers various birthday packages (sports, pool parties,etc) so might want to check with them as well.

We brought the kids to Fuddruckers (Daly City) when the cold fog canceled our plans outside. We didn't have a reserved space for 6 kids and 4 adults and it was fine. We got two platters of the sliders (mini hamburgers), 2 different kids meals and an extra large "frings", and a salad platter. That did it for all of us. About $50 without tokens. The 6 year olds wanted tokens, the 2-3-4 year olds were just happy running around and sitting on things.

If it's bigger party you can reserve a spot or get their party package. I would just suggest getting a set about of tokens per child and then that's it.

Some folks walked over to the movies afterwards as well.

Have fun!