It seems like I have been on the phone non-stop the last few days calling one place after another for Thade’s party. I made the task a little easier by setting up a spreadsheet with all of my questions to ask, and the locations of where I hope to have the party.
Here is my list:
- How much does it cost to book the location?
- Is there a deposit that is needed before we can book the location?
- What date/times are available to book the party?
- How long can the party be?
- What foods/beverages do you supply?
- Will you supply party favors/decorations?
- Can we bring in our own dessert?
- How many people can we invite/is there a minimum?
- Are there any clean-up fees?
Whew! I had better get back to the party planning!
Whaere are you thinking about Nico? Do you guys have a pump it up close by? We have thought about that, but it probably will be when the boys are older……
The spread sheet is a great idea! Way to think ahead and you are always so organized!
Blessings!
How many people are you inviting?
Kids bowling parties fun, and the bowling alleys here have an employee help the kids learn how to handle the ball and just have fun. I paid $8 per kid, we brought in our own cake and we bought enough pizza and pitchers of soda from the bowling alley cafe for $35. We had 10 kids, counting my ds, and it cost $100.
We got to use 2 lanes for 2 1/2 hours.
We had a fun party at Chuck E’s, but did not reserve the Chuck E’s party, we just bought the pizza and drinks there, brought in our own cake, and used the Chuck E’s coupons to by tokens and pizza, better deal than the Chuck E’s pre-arranged party and we enjoyed it a lot! When you use the Chuck E’s bday package, they really rush you in and out and it’s very annoying.
Another fun party is a movie party. Dd had one and the theatre gave us a deal of $7 per child which included the movie, popcorn, drinks, and some arcade tokens for after the movie.
Another year, we had a party at McD’s and the kids were in heaven. They all had kids happy meals, played like crazy, and the parents just relaxed and talked. It was very inexpensive,and we brought our cake in and the Mc D manager gave all the kids a free ice cream cone. I just called ahead and they saved us some bd party tables.
Another year we had a party at home and served chicken drumsticks, pizza, cakes, and ice cream. I bought lots of little prizes at the Dollar Tree and the kids had a treasure hunt.Aall of the kids really had fun. I put aside extra goodies just in case a child didn’t find as much as the other kids.
Just some ideas, I’m sure you’ll come up with a fabulous party for Thade!
I forgot to add that we always buy the helium happy birthday balloons at Dollar Tree, as well as the paper bd supplies. The balloons are only $1 each and they will fill up as many as you want while you wait.
The only decorations I use are lots of balloons and a Dollar Tree Happy Birthday banner.
Good for you, planning a party out of the house: after Jake’s last party, I vowed to never again have an in-home party. There is definitely something to be said for having someone else clean up afterwards.
I love McD’s for parties…the kiddos run off lots of steam, and all we pay for here is the happy meal. We can bring our own cake, too. Good luck with your planning.
Great idea on the spreadsheet! Mimi had some great idea’s too. Some of the parties we have done over the years are: bowling, rollerskating, indoor swimming party, Mc D’s, pizza (with arcade)indoor playground, paint your own ceramic’s, Build A Bear, and lunch w/a movie. Home parties are fun too but lots of work and clean-up. On the flip side though, they are usually lots cheaper. Can’t wait to see what you decide on! Good luck 🙂 Ellie
Thanks Marva! We are a little over an hour from anything cool, like Chuck E Cheeses or Build a Bear. I really wish we had a few more options for a fun place to hold a party. If only the weather would cooperate, and we could have the party at the park, but its January, so you never know what the weather will do 😉
Thanks Mimi! All of your parties sound like so much fun! I hope to make a trip to Dollar Tree (30 mins away) for all of the party supplies 🙂
We are looking at a McDonald’s party, but I’m still debating having the party at home and serving appetizers. Either way, I hope that the birthday boy has a great day!
Thanks Susan! I thought that Jake’s party looked like so much fun. I don’t know if I should have a McDonald’s party and invite a few friends, or have a party at home and invite kids and parents too. I know I had better make up my mind soon, and get everything ready for the party!
Thanks Ellie! How I wish we had a Chuck E Cheeses, Thade would love to go their for a big party. We are about an hour + away from anything fun, and it is hard to get guests to drive out of town. We do have McDonald’s, and that sounds like that would be a lot of fun for the kiddos.
We really are limited in this town for parties. I wish we still had the bowling alley and I could recommend it. It would be a lot of fun. Winter birthdays are already pretty limiting but he will have a ball with anything you come up with!
Thanks Stacey! I agree, it is hard to find a fun place for a kids party, unless you want to drive an hour and a half 😉 I would like to have the party at home, but my hubby really wants to have the party somewhere else. Either way, I had better make a decision soon, Thade’s birthday is just around the corner.