Planning a Birthday Party

Hi D.,

There are a lot of places that offer the things kids love about Chuck E Cheeses, but w/out the madness. My sons b-day parties were at a place called Sports N Stuff, and they offer different birthday packages... for instance for his 5th birthday we had the Martial arts package... where they had the kids break boards, do some basic moves, and the kids had a BLAST. After the martial arts part (They gave my son a Karate uniform to wear and everything) they eat, then they can play games and the arcade is not nearly as chaotic as the house of the mouse. It's also good b/c if you have a variety of ages you can mix things up... like I had a couple of kids too young for the Karate, so they used the HUGE jungle climber.

My girlfriend had her daughters party at a place called Kid Junction... where they have a bunch of little open rooms for the kids like the post office, the grocery store, the dress up. The also have video games and the huge climbing thing like Chuck...

These places are different in that they are not as crowded, more organized, and you have a private room for your party. I HATE the cheese place... I can't believe they even make you share a table when having a party so that they can cram as many kids in as humanly possible.

My son doesn't get a party every year, so the years off I just take a couple of his friends to the movies, or bowling, and out to eat at a fun restaurant. This year (next week actually) his birthday is the same day as the first season game for the Yankees... so he's going to have a couple of friends sleep over, I'm decorating everything w/baseball and Yankee paraphernalia, and they are going to celebrate that way. A lot of kids LOVE to have their friends sleep over, so that might work for a 4 year old as well... and w/only a couple of kids it's pretty easy.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Where are you located? We had a wonderful party at Rescue Zone in Bergenfield, NJ which I would be happy to tell you more about and I would highly recommend.

1 mom found this helpful

Is there a Children's Museum near you? They often have group rates and a place to have pizza/cake. 4 years old is a great age for them to explore a museum like that.
You could also see if you could reserve the gym at your local school and then just bring a bunch of balls and crafts. Definitely have a structure set up and a slightly flexible time-line. That way it won't be total chaos. 4 year olds need some physical activity and space for it - but they also respond well to organization if it is set up well. Maybe hire one of the local coaches or someone you know who is good with kids to run a few activities.
Just remember - birthdays are supposed to be fun - and our kids can definitely sense our stress when we're trying to pull off these grand events. Keep it simple-for you and for him. Good luck!

I love Tumble Bee/Gimboree birthdays. Children museum of NJ is also good. Recently Kids Kingdom opened up..

Not only is Chuck E. Cheese getting old, it's like a kid casino, my opinion. My daughters birthday is at the end of October. It has never been nice for her b day, in order to have kids and adults outside or even the garage for that matter. I have found in the past couple of years, that there seems to be some sort of competition for birthday parties. I was sick of feeling overwhelmed and trying to keep up with Jr's b day party from last week. I just have my child invite 4-6 kids that she really likes and wants to have from her class. Then I have close family and friends along as well. It is more intimate, and it gives you, the parent, a chance to honor your child, surrounded with people who are always in your life and childs life to begin with.
When I was growing up, we didn't have the competition for the biggest and best birthday parties in town. It has become ridiculous in my opinion. For my birthday parties, I would have like 2-4 friends over,and my family, it was small and it was beautiful. Keep it simple, and small. Your child might just remember and cherish it more as well, as I do now. Good luck.

hi,

i'm not sure if they host birthday parties, but i would look into the garbage museum in stratford. it's awesome & kids LOVE it.

Good luck!

You can try Fun and Games, although it is a bit like Chuck E Cheese...or Gravity Lanes. They do a really good job there. Their price list can be just bowling or up different levels to bowling, hot dogs, fries, drinks and cake. Two hours and you're done...Good time limit for 4 year olds. You can also check with a church and see if they rent out space. Many of them do. Then you can do an inside party that you "host", yet not at your house.

Check out funbuses.com

The bus comes to your house. I just had my five year old's party at home with the bus. I had the kids come at 10am, and exactly at 10:15, the bus pulled up and all the kids cheered.

They get on the bus and have a little "tumbling" and games class for an hour. They all came inside after the class for pizza and cupcakes and the party was done. They all raved about it at preschool!

It was really nice that people were able to stay in town instead of traveling to a place, but yet I didn't really have the party in the house! (except for the eating part) The kids were so tired and hungry from the party, that they really didn't run around the house...they ate and then their parents came and picked them up.

Hi D.!
My son's birthday is also in November, so I know exactly what you mean!!! We've done a bowling party which works out pretty well. When my son turned 4 I had the party at home and it worked out great. We had a magic show and hired a magician named Doug Young (sorry, I don't have his number), but if you google him, he'll turn up. He was fantastic!!!! We had 7 boys in total, and he had them entertained the entire time. When he finished, I gave the boys cupcakes and their parents took them home (I made sure there wasn't going to be any time for them to run around and get crazy). I would highly recommend him!!! If I find his number, I'll write back.
L. B.

wow - you got alot of responses, I wanted to check out what people suggested. I was at Build a Bear the other day and saw a party in action, it was cute and they start at $10 per kid, plus, the parents stay and watch so you can keep it short. My only question was if they can serve a cake in there, I didn't ask. My girlfriend did the "cooking party" where they made pizzas and decorated cupcake cones - it was a HUGE hit - and NO MESS FOR YOU! Anyhow, I have my son's first birthday this weekend, somehow, with people inviting themselves, it's now over 75 people, I'm freaking out... thank goodness it's at a restaurant and I don't have to "do" anything... good luck - we've got many years of birthdays to come!

My daughter just went to a birthday party where there were about 6 or 7 kids and they made pizzas together. The parents had all the ingredients ready - had the kids help stretch the dough and top the pizzas. My daughter had fun - she loves to cook. Her birthday is in January and I had the idea to have the kids decorate their own cupcakes to eat. I am goin to take a picture of them holding their decorated cupcake and print out the pictures before they go home.

I also this past winter had her party at McDonalds. The kids were able to play on the playground, they all got a happy meal, prize bag, cake was included (and it was pretty good) as well as one employee to take care of everything. It was only $6 a kid! WAAAAY cheaper than chuck e cheese and the kids had a lot of fun.

I don't let myself get stressed out about parties anymore either. I used to feel like I had to "keep up with the Jones's" but I am tired of having to spend a fortune on parties. Keep it simple.

Hi D.!

Some local YMCA's host parties and you can pick a theme (i.e Dinosaurs, or even a pool party). Or if there is a local gym that you can rent (usually not expensive - maybe $50 an hour) you can have a Basketball party. Some Knights of Columbus's have big rooms that you can rent for pretty cheap and you can bring things in (like little basketball hoop, bowling games, fun sports things etc). Another idea is have the party at a Bounce U or something where all those inflatables are. That is starting to become more popular. If you would like more ideas please feel free to email me :o)

S.

Playtime Village in Monroe, CT
You can look them up on the internet. A friend of mine has held two parties there for her son (now 4 years old). There're lots of different areas for the kids to play in, and then the staff do a half hour class with everyone. Finally, there is pizza and soda, and ice cream.
If this place is not in your area, I'm sure that there are other places out there that do similar things.
Have fun!!!

Not sure where you live, but we did a party in Hyde Park at The Young Chef's academy. The kids get to make their own pizzas and decorate their own cupcakes. They do a good job and then the kids get to eat their creations. A lot of gymnastics places do a good job too.

Hi D.,
I am not sure where you live but I own a children's birthday party place in East Islip. We offer many parties for 4-year olds. Check out my website www.partyexpressonmain.com and if you live in the area and see something that you would be interested in, please give me a call.

There are lots of places that do birthday parties. Look for children's museums. If you are in or around Union County, NJ, there is a great place called Imagine That in Floram Park that is a wonderful place for a birthday party. Check it out and see what you think. I would also look on the internet.

Good Luck,
C. Thomson

check this website: Party Locations on KidsCT.com - Everything Kids in Connecticut.

Also how about the YMCA the kids love to go swimming and the last year I had a party for my 4 years old son at West Haven, by the beach, I think is called Party "N Play... the kids had a lot of fun !

If you're in Westchester, you should try Locomotion in Ossining, or SporttimeUSA in Elmsford. You should also look into local nature centers. they usually have cool parties where they will bring out some of the animals for a touch and feel party. I know the Greenburg Nature Center in Greenburgt and Tea Town in Ossining have great parties. I also have my own party favor business if you're interested in personalized party favors. I do give 10% off to MamaSource members. My website is www.LittleShopofFavors.com. Good luck!

If you live in Nassau or Western Suffolk, some of my favorite birthday party places are Wood Kingdom, Bouncers & Slydos, and All-Stars Gymnastics. They're all appropriate for 4-year olds and a lot of fun.
Also, I can offer a unique party favor - personalized candy bars and/or water bottles. I also do invitations. Contact me at ____@____.com for more details.

I just had my 4 year old son's birthday party this past weekend. We went to a local gymnastics place, "Hampton Gymnastics", and the kids had a blast on the zip cord, the trampoline, swinging on a rope and tumbling. My husband and I agree that this was the best party to date.

We had our 4 year old party at Kidnetic in Montville. It was WONDERFUL! They have open play, then they blow up a jumping mat, have another activity, and end with a zip line. They serve pizza and ice cream - I beleibe the cost was $15 a child. They also offer other packages.

Our son loved it so much that we had his 5th birthday party there as well!

Good Luck!

how about gymnastics

BrightIdeas.com

Have Fun!

C.

I read somewhere about renting out a gym. Like a gymnastics place. There is lots of room to run and tumble and whatever.

When my children were that age, we went to McDonald's or went to the local bowling alley and the kids used the bumpers they had a blast. Only suggestions. Good luck.

You could always do a Noah's Ark Animal Workshop. Instead of taking a group to the mall, you can host your own Noah's Ark Workshop anywhere, McDonalds, a movie theater, grandma's, or even at home. Its easy to do and everything you need comes in the kit. You may want to have a crew member host the party. You can sit back and take pictures, and enjoy the fun. Check out my site at www.noahsarkworkshop.com/tonettestone_s5580

Your activity becomes the take home gift.
Lots of themes to choose from.
www.FunTimesandGreatMemories.com

T.

Although this is sort of at home, it will eliminate your space issue. What about a Fun Bus or a Tumble bus? They are busses that are cleared of all of their seats and gym and tumble equipment is placed inside. The kids love it! I believe they have a website that is something like funbuses.com. I am pretty sure that they have heat and A/C

My girlfriend is planning on having a Pony Party next year for her 5 year old. I thought it was an awesome idea. I bit pricey, but worth it. http://www.whitepostfarms.com/ponyparties.htm

How about Bounce U? The website is www.bounceu.com and they are all inclusive (invitations, food, etc.) so that you don't have to do anything. Good luck!

Just in case this helps, my sister just had her four year old son's birthday at a bowling alley. It was really fun!!

I know that The Little Gym hosts birthday parties. There are alot of other types of places that are hosting birthday parties these days and they cover alot of things for it, so some stress will be lifted from you. My aunt had my 5-year old cousin's birthday party at the place where he takes karate. They played games and did an obstacle course and other fun things. Don't know what your son is into; I have a 12 1/2 month old girl, so I'm not sure about four-year old boys :) Good luck!

My son's birthday is in November too and I had the same issue as you did. I ended up throwing him a party at Kids Kingdom in Lagrange(very clean!!) It's 1 huge room (not little rooms)with lot's of things for them to do there were kids even as old as 11 and 12 and they had a good time as well. This place caters to a lot of ages. I rented the place to myself so there weren't strangers coming in during the party. It worked out great!!! next year is another thing... i have to come up with somewhere different... maybe bowling or rent a place.
-M.

What about trying your local boys & girls club or the YMCA. My 7-year-old also likes bowling.