Birthday parties can be fun and memorable but can also make a big mess when it comes to hosting them at your home – especially when children are involved! But you can be the birthday hero by choosing a venue that offers something your kids and their friends will enjoy while providing a hassle-free setup for mom and dad.
While an outside venue means an easier time for parents, there are some things you should consider before you book, however.
What To Consider When Planning a Kid Party
Kathryn Richardson is a mom of four and the founder and creator of YearCheer. She tells RetailMeNot what you should consider when planning a kid’s party outside the home.
- Age matters: Ensure you are picking an age-appropriate venue that appeals to both your kid and the kids that you are inviting. From gymnastics to climbing, laser tag to ninja courses, and craft studios to yoga studios, there are so many fun and easy places to host a kid’s birthday party.
- Privacy concerns: The most important aspect of choosing where to host a kid’s party is the safety and privacy of the venue. If you have young children or prefer a more intimate party, look for a “closed party venue” location where you can rent out the entire space for just the kids at your party. You can often find this option at smaller toddler gyms like Little Gym, or bounce houses like Pump It Up where you rotate through the rooms or local arts and crafts studios. As a parent and host, this option allows you to relax and get to know your kid’s friends a bit better as you can observe just your party playing together. An “open party venue” is often found at locations such as Climb Zone, Sky Zone Trampolines, Chuck E Cheese, or a roller rink. These options can work for older or more independent kids who you don’t have to watch as closely and worry about getting lost or mixed up with other patrons of the venue.
- Color code the guests: If you choose an open venue, put kids in matching shirts, color themes (like all orange shirts) or accessories that can double as a party favor to make it easier to keep track of the kids in your birthday party.
- Decide whether to drop off or have parents attend: Be upfront with other parents if this is a drop-off party or if parents should stay. If you plan to have parents attend, make sure to provide food and drink options for them as well.
- Should siblings stay home? Be clear on the invite if siblings can come to the party and if they can participate or not. If it’s a party where parents are expected to stay, it can be a nice option to let siblings attend if it’s in your budget and the size of the party allows it.
- Expose them to something new and different: Hosting your party at a fun venue can be a great option to expose your kids to a new experience such as an aquarium, or celebrate an activity they love. It also helps make party planning and execution easy for parents!
What To Ask Before You Commit
While some might seem obvious, it’s always good to have a refresher, especially if this is your first time celebrating somewhere other than your backyard.
These are some important questions to ask before you book your party:
- Can you bring in outside food, cake and/or beverages?
- Can you bring in your own decorations?
- Are you charged a flat rate or per child? What happens if a child doesn’t show up?
- Are there any waivers that need to be filled out by parents in advance? Are they insured in case a guest gets hurt?
- Are there any specific dress requirements? (i.e., specific socks, art smocks, closed-toe shoes, etc.)
- What are the protocols for COVID Safety?
- Is there a financial minimum you have to hit?
- Do they do background checks on employees (because they will be around children?)
- Is the rate quoted the total or will there be service fees and taxes added after?
- How far in advance do they require a reservation?
- Will other people at the venue be allowed to mingle with your kids in any capacity during the party?
- Will their team handle cleaning up or is that your responsibility?
How To Save Money on Your Kid’s Soirée
In your average suburban neighborhood, you can expect to spend between $15 to $35 per kid, explains Richardson. “Depending on the type of activity, this may or may not include food. For an average party at a venue with 20 kids, I would expect to spend between $350 and $450 at many national chains,” Richardson adds. That said, there are ways to cut corners and save a little cash:
- The number of children you invite and the venue you pick are going to be the top factors that determine how much you spend.
- If you can bring in your own food, this can be a great way to save money.
- Go basic when it comes to beverages, like opt for water and just one or two other options in pitchers, says event planner Christine Wheat, of Christine A. Wheat Special Events in upstate New York.
- By not cleaning/preparing/decorating your house, you are already saving both time and money, says Richardson.
- Sites like Certifikid and RetailMeNot often offer coupons for birthday parties at big national chains.
Now, without further ado, here’s the Real Deal on the top places to host kids’ parties.
1. Best Kid Character Party Place
Chuck E. Cheese
While he may technically be a rat, kids still flock to get their photo taken with this party mascot. Perhaps it’s the pizza, prize tokens and arcade games that make Chuck E. Cheese’s so fun. The national chain has been a party favorite for more than 40 years and even managed to bounce back from bankruptcy, with a recent rebranding. Partygoers can also enjoy a dance party with Chuck E. himself and a trip into the ticket blaster machine.
Number of Locations: 612 locations in 47 states
Best For: Younger children
Price Range: $200 and up
2. Best Kid Arcade Party Place
Dave & Buster’s
Video games, TV and food – it’s no surprise tweens and teens love Dave and Buster’s. Most locations are located inside a mall and have over 100 games for kids to enjoy.
Number of Locations: 140
Best For: Older children
Price Range: Packages start at $33 a person
3. Best Girls’ Party Place
Hair Cuttery
If you have a kid who loves to play dress-up and do hair, Hair Cuttery is the place for you. The salon chain welcomes groups of all sizes and would be happy to provide a fun and safe space for your little ones to celebrate any occasion. The salon offers cuts and styling for children with prices ranging from $16-$30.
Number of Locations: Hair Cuttery is the largest privately owned and operated chain of full-service hair salons in the United States, employing thousands of salon professionals in more than 500 company-owned locations on the East Coast and in the Midwest.
Best For: Young and older girls
Price Range: $16 to $30 per person
4. Best Party Place for Active Kids
YMCA
Just like the song says, “it’s fun to stay at Yyyyyyy Mmmmmm Ceeeeee Ayyyyyyy.” The YMCA provides a safe indoor space for parties that often includes a swimming pool, a gym and a party room for pizza and cake.
Number of Locations: The YMCA has 2,700 separate organizations with 10,000 branches
Best For: Younger kids
Price Range: $135 and up
5. Best Kid Bowling Party Place
Bowlero Corp (Bowlmor Lanes and AMF)
If you’re looking for a fun party activity where you don’t have to worry about the weather, bowling is an old standby. Bowlmor/AMF’s packages include the lanes, the arcade and the food – and for older kids, they can bowl by black light.
Number of Locations: 300
Best For: Older kids
Price Range: Priced per person and varies location
6. Best Party Place for Movie Fans
AMC Theaters
If your kid loves superhero movies, scary ones or action flicks, with AMC Theaters, you could rent the entire theater for him/her and all his friends! You can choose your movie and then pre-order food for your personal screening and celebrate in a big way. Some theaters offer a private room for food and cake after the flick.
Number of Locations: 959
Best For: Older kids
Price Range: $200 and up
7. Best Kid Bounce House Party Place
BounceU
Let your child and all his friends get the wiggles out by jumping around a variety of huge inflatables at BounceU. From bounce houses to slides, games and more, it’s nonstop action for jumbo-sized fun. Packages include food, drinks, favors and more.
Number of Locations: 150
Best For: Younger kids
Price Range: $399 and up
8. Best Arts and Crafts Party Place
Michael’s Stores
Creative kids call for creative parties. Michael’s is considered to be the superstore when it comes to arts and crafts. But what you might not know is that they host kid’s parties with over 10 crafty themes to choose from. You just buy the materials, and they provide the room as well as a sales associate to help. As a bonus, the crafts they make double as the party favor to take home.
Number of Locations: 1,250 in 49 states
Best For: Kids of all ages
Price Range: $120 and up
9. Best Party Place to Minimize Your Planning
Main Event (Now Teaming Up With Party City)
Throwing an unforgettable party is the goal. But, if you don’t have a lot of time to plan every detail and source your decorations, you’re in luck. Entertainment venue Main Event (which offers bowling, video games, laser tag and more) is partnering with Party City for five turn-key party decoration packs kids will love and parents will appreciate.
When you book a Main Event party (between $11.99 and $29.99 per guest — see all package options), you can also select a decoration pack add-on for between $48 and $56 that will be provided (and, this is key: SET UP) by Party City. The decoration packs include different color schemes and decorations (and plates and cutlery for some packages).
No rushing to the party store in advance and hoping that the helium-filled balloons won’t pop inside your car on the drive over. No setting up the party room at the last minute.
10. Best Party Place for Social Good
Humane Society (Various Locations)
Some Humane Society locations offer party packages for kids. What you get varies by location, but most tend to include a tour of the shelter, games/crafts, decorations, use of a conference room for cake-cutting and, in some cases, playtime with animals. Your dollars go toward benefitting the shelter, and the kids learn about animal rescue.
Best For: Ages 6+
Price Range: $250+
Contact your local Humane Society to see if it offers party packages.
Best Party Place for DIY Fans
Lowe’s (Build a Birthday Packages)
Lowe’s announced it would start offering kids’ parties in early 2023. It offers two-hour Build A Birthday packages that allow kids to make a memorable take-home DIY project. Parties include a party captain (to lead the party), a party space in the store, one DIY project kit for each kid booked and more. See details!
Optional upgrades include pizza, drinks, desserts and favors. And, if you book soon, you might be able to get a $100 Lowe’s gift card (which Lowe’s is offering for the first 50 parties booked).
Number of Locations: Only available at some locations in 10 U.S. cities. See the list.
Best For: Kids ages 5 to 12. Up to 20 guests per party.
Price Range: Starts at $349 for the Lil Builders package with some beginner friendly projects. Starts at $399 for the Premium package, which includes some higher-level projects.
The post 11 Party Places for Celebrating Your Kid in 2023 appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
