My son will be 5 at the beginning of December. Unfortunately, my apt is too small to have a party there & grandparents houses are out of the question due to animosities. So I need to find a neutral ground.
He's requesting Chuck E Cheese, but I just can't afford that right now. Also thought about Kiddin' Around Playcare (they can do private bday parties on Sundays). They're also much cheaper, but not sure about a theme.
I've tried doing something outside in the past, but we never know if it's going to be too cold or not (bday is Dec 5th).
Any suggestions that won't break the bank?? --oh, there is about an equal amount of kids & adults invited too. So keeping adults semi-entertained would be helpful too. ;-)
Thanks moms!!!
We have the same problem. Some rec centers can be rented very inexpensively and some cities even offer party services (arlington does) for themed parties. It's worth looking into...
You don't have to buy the bday package at CEC. Just get $5 tokens for each kid, bring in a donut cake (where you pile a dozen or 2 donuts in a pyramid and throw some sprinkles on them - the best part is that you don't need a knife and forks) and splurge on one of those blow up crowns (or borrow it from someone who already has it). If you sign up to be a member, you get coupons in the mail. Have it in the middle of the afternoon so maybe you won't have to provide pizza either, although that's why some kids go to CEC.
I 2nd the McDonalds idea. We went to a 3 yo party last year and all the parents did was bring in a cake and all the kids got a coupon for a happy meal ($3-4). The kids got to eat and play with each other - that's all that really matters. No matter where you go the parents have to endure the torture of all those kids anyway.
You could always take just a few close friends to a matinee or even the dollar theater. That way you can splurge on a huge bucket of popcorn for everyone to share!
I was going to suggest Chuck E Cheese but not the official party, just as a few others have mentioned. That's what I plan on doing for my soon to be 4 year old in a couple of weeks. Bring in our own cake, give kids tokens, and maybe buy a pizza for the kids. I've seen some parents even do it at a time nowhere near mealtime, so that there is no expectation that everyone be fed a meal. It can be done very affordably!
My local library has a "friends room" that can be reserved for this kind of thing and it's free. We have had all but the 1st birthday party there, and everyone had a blast.
There is a trick to chuck e cheese - do not book a party through them. call and find out what their non busy times are. set your party for that time, and invite your guests. take up tables that are not in the "party" room, order some pizza and get some tokens. Bring a cake and have fun. You can print coupons for pizza and tokens online.
Do an ice skating party.
I love the idea of the library!
I would also look into Burger King or McDonald's- the ones with the play zones. They used to do really reasonable packages that included lunch, cake and play time!
Know anyone in Carrollton that could rent a room at the North Library Branch? They have a free room for Carrollton residents. It is good size, has tables and chairs. Do a craft party! We had a cake decorating party their once. I have a great craft idea I can certainly share with you if you want to contact me.
Maybe the Addison Library has the same type of room set up.
Kim
S. - Cake Decorating P.
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i don't know your area, but we have a petting zoo that is practically free, that is a fun time for everyone. we did that one year that we lived in an apartment. i didn't pay for the "party room" but we just all went to the petting zoo and had a blast.
