Do you have a child with a birthday just around the corner? Are you looking for a unique, memorable birthday party experience? If you live in the Atlanta area, check out the following venues that may be the perfect place for your child’s birthday.
Center of Puppetry Arts
Who doesn’t love puppets? Unfortunately, with today’s one dimensional children’s programming on cable and satellite our children do not have the opportunity to have a full understanding of how fun puppets can be. But a birthday party at the Center of Puppetry Arts can give your child a fun birthday party and a new perspective on entertainment.
A birthday party at the Center of Puppetry Arts includes priority seating for the birthday child and guests for one of their unique puppet show presentations. After the show, your party is escorted to the Harlequin Hall birthday room where you will continue your party. While the Center does not provide cake and refreshments, you are allowed to bring your own and continue with cake and presents while you are in Harlequin Hall. For an additional cost a Create-A-Puppet Workshop can be added to any party for $3.25 per child or 10″ plush animal hand puppets are available $5 each.
The fees for the parties are:
Birthday Room Rental: $75 (45 minute rental)
Performance Ticket: $8 each, with every 10th ticket free minimum of ten tickets requiredHere are some things to know when you are booking your party. These stipulations were taken directly from the Center of Puppetry Art’s Website.
You must be a Center Member at the Dual/Family level ($75) or above. If you are not a current Member at that level, you may join or upgrade when reserving your party.
Parties are available on weekends only. Please make your reservations at least 4 weeks in advance – space is limited and dates fill up quickly. Call the Center for more information about their parties. They are reachable at (404) 873-3391 or you can email them at [email protected]. You can also visit their website at www.puppet.org/spec/birthday.shtml.
FernbankMuseum of Natural History
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History lets visitors get up close and personal with world’s largest dinosaurs, explore different cultures with their hands-on exhibits and discover the wonders of nature with their IMAX productions (Africa: The Serengeti is playing now through February 15). If you are a museum member you can take advantage of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s birthday package for children ages 4 – 12.
With this package you will receive:
All-day Museum admission for 10 children and four adults
Three hours in a private party room
One free T-shirt and goodie bag for the birthday childThis birthday party package is $350 and only available to museum members. You can add on the IMAX experience for an additional cost. In addition, they also have lunch specials that you can add a la carte per person. You are responsible for bringing your own cake and refreshments.
For reservations and more information contact the museum at (404) 929-6390. You can go to their website to find more information on exhibits and future IMAX productions – www.fernbankmuseum.org.
Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Children’s Museums are wonderful, enriching venues to host a child’s birthday party. This particular Children’s Museum is no exception. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta states that its’ mission is “to create environments and activities where young children experience the power of imagination and the pure delight of learning with each other and with grown-ups.”
If you decide to plan your child’s birthday party here, you can be certain that your child and their guests will get to use their imaginations as they explore the hands-on museum where they can paint, build and use all of their senses to discover hidden talents. A birthday party at Imagine It! includes:
• a private party room for an entire hour
• a party host to assist you throughout the party
• a hands-on make and take activity!
• super-fun, super-packed goody boxes for 10 children!
• free party invitations
• admission to the museum for up to 10 children and 12 adults after the party
You can also add food such as Papa John’s Pizza, juice boxes and Dippin Dots ice creams for additional charges.
The birthday party package is intended for children ages 2-8. Prices are:
$295 – non-member or Discover It! member (price includes $50 non-refundable deposit)
$265 – Explore It! level members or higher (price includes $50 non-refundable deposit)
You can contact the museum directly for more information at (404) 527-3693 or email [email protected]. You can also view their website at www.imagineit-cma.org/parties.html.
Imagym Kids Play and Fitness
When you book a birthday party at Imagym Kids Play and Fitness you can be assured that your child and their guests will use plenty of energy when they engage in fit play games, races and other playful activities with these playful parties.
There are three party packages to choose from: the basic, the select and the premium.
The basic party package includes 90 minutes of fun and games as well as paper goods for children, juice, mailed invitations, plates, cups, napkins, utensils and balloons. The price for this party is $300 for members, $325 for non-members for up to 20 children.
The select party package is all-inclusive with mailed invitations, paperware, juice, a birthday child special gift; a custom made cake, the Loop pizza, and a delicious fresh fruit bouquet from Edible Arrangements. The price for this party is: $575 for members, $600 for non-members for up to 20 children.
The premium package is 2 hours with special clown entertainment and great food. You will also receive everything in the select package plus candles and quality party favors. The price for this party is: $1325 for members, $1400 for non-members for up to 20 children.
Check out Imagym’s website for FAQ’s and more information – http://www.imagymkids.com/parties/ or call (404) 843-3481.
Pump It Up
This is bounce house heaven! Located in Tyrone, GA (about 24 miles from Atlanta) this party venue will provide hours of entertainment for the birthday child and their guests. Even the parents will find the inflatables irresistible.
Pump It Up specializes in parties. In fact this venue is not open to the public. It is reservations only. So, you are assured that you will get the royal treatment.
They offer many, many options for parties and the prices range from reasonable ($175 for 14 children) to a little more expensive ($355 for 14 children). They have classic birthday parties, weeknight parties and even a Pumpjama Party (yes, kids are in their pjs). The best way to find out which party is right for you would be to go to their website to view all the different types of parties and their policies. Then give them a call to schedule your party.
The website for the Tyrone location is http://www.pumpitupparty.com/StoreHome.aspx?StoreID=140&PageName;=StoreHome.aspx. Their phone number is (770) 632-5555.
Tanglewood Farm
If you have young children who love animals and don’t mind getting up close and personal with these animals, then the Tangelwood Farms “Barnyard Bash” is the party option for you.
Tangelwood Farm is an 1800’s Wild West Town with more than 100 Miniature Farm Animals to pet and feed. When you have a “Barnyard Bash” birthday party here you will get to take a tour of the Wild West Town and pet and feed over 100 hundred miniature farm animals, have a pony ride for all of the kids, and use of the indoor Saloon or outdoor picnic area.
These parties last about 90 minutes and in addition to the pony rides and miniature animal encounters, you will also get to enjoy cake and refreshments (these are not provided. You must bring your own).Each child will also receive a Wild West Souvenir.
Prices for the Barnyard Bash are $400 plus tax for up to 12 children. You can find out more by contacting Tanglewood Farm at (770)667-MINI. You may also go to their website and fill out a Barnyard Bash Reservation Form. The website address is http://www.tanglewoodfarmminiatures.com/visit/barnbash.html.
YoungChefsAcademy
Young Chefs Academy is a cooking school for kids. The purpose of this location is to teach children the basics of cooking. The purpose of their birthday parties is to have fun, fun, fun!
When you book a birthday party at Young Chefs Academy you can expect the following:
1.5 hour party
Young Chefs Academy T-shirt for the birthday child
Recipe card for each guest
Personalized invitations (printed and mailed)
Drinks for guests
Paper goods
Balloons and decorations
Recipe Choices: Pizza or CalzoneYou must have a minimum of 10 kids and the price is $275. They also offer specialty parties where guests and the birthday child can create a pasta dish, a Mexican fiesta or
homemade ice cream and cookie cones. These specialty parties also require a minimum of 10 kids and the price is $299.
This location of Young Chef’s Academy is located at 2903 North Druid Hills Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329. The phone number is (404) 633-2633. The website for this location is www.youngchefsacademy.com/stores/store_page.php?franchise_id=231.
If you choose to have your child’s party at Zoo Atlanta, you can be sure of one thing – your child and their guests are going to turn into party animals. The birthday party package that Zoo Atlanta offers includes:
Rental of the Birthday Party Pavilion for 90 minutes
Free Admission for the Birthday Child and one Parent
10 Additional Admission Tickets (Adults or Children age 3 & above)
Guest Seating
Disposable Tablecloths, Plates, Cups & Napkins
Complimentary Parking
Catering for 12 guests (Adults & Children age 3 and above) The birthday packages are for children ages 3 and up and prices are: Non-Members $375
plus tax, Zoo Atlanta Members $325 plus tax.
They also offer a la carte activities such as All-Access Rides Wristband (Train, Carousel, Rock Climbing), face painting, clowns, magicians, jugglers, fortune tellers, animal encounters, caricaturists, and unicyclists. Be aware, these a la carte offerings are not cheap. In addition to what you pay for the birthday package, you will be expected to shell out another $175 – $500 depending on what you choose. But if your budget can afford it, this would definitely be a birthday experience like no other.
Zoo Atlanta can be contacted at (404) 624-2819 to make reservations. Reservations must be made at least one month in advance. You can also go online to their website and download the Birthday Party Order form and mail it to them. The Zoo Atlanta website is www.zooatlanta.org/events_birthday_parties.htm.
Sources:
www.puppet.org/spec/birthday.shtml
www.fernbankmuseum.org
www.imagineit-cma.org/parties.html.
http://www.imagymkids.com/parties/
http://www.pumpitupparty.com/StoreHome.aspx?StoreID=140&PageName;=StoreHome.aspx
http://www.tanglewoodfarmminiatures.com/visit/barnbash.html
www.youngchefsacademy.com/stores/store_page.php?franchise_id=231.
www.zooatlanta.org/events_birthday_parties.htm
