There are so many places to choose from when planning your child’s birthday party. Keep in mind the following things when looking for the right place: how old is your child and his/her guests, how much money do you wish to spend, will you be providing food or just cake, interests of your child and his/her guests, weather, and location (how far will guests have to travel). All of these factors will help you decide on the best locale for your child’s special event. For example, if your child’s birthday is in the middle of winter, you will probably want to have the party indoors. If you have many little guests (under 3), you probably wouldn’t want to do a bowling party. One thing I have found nice about having parties at locales is you don’t have to do the clean up when it’s over . . . .to me the cost is well worth that! Below I have listed a sampling of locales for parties in and around the Memphis area. Most of the locales have a minimum of 10 children.
The Children’s Museum of Memphis (Midtown)
For $200, you can invite up to 40 guests to join you for fun at the museum. You and your guests will get a party room for 1 hour and then fun free time in the museum. You provide your own cake, refreshments, paper ware, etc. for your party. You must have one adult for every 5 children. Party times available include: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 am-12:30 pm, 12:00 noon-2:30 pm or 2:30-5:00 pm and Sunday, 12:00 noon-2:30 pm or 2:30-5:00 pm. Call 901-458-2678 to make your reservation.
The Memphis Zoo (Midtown)
For $200 ($250 for non-members), you can invite up to 20 guests. Your fee includes invitations, admission, a party room for 2 hours and someone to greet guests. For $100 more you can get $5 worth of rides for each guest and a guided tour of Cat Country. Add-ons provided by the zoo at additional costs include Private Keeper Chats, piñata with candy, favor bags, Backyard Burgers meal, pizza party, sweet treats package (ice cream and cake) and Mrs. Patches (storytelling, music, puppets, and more). Call (901) 333-6572 for more information and to make your reservation.
Pump It Up (Bartlett)
For $260, you can invite up to 25 friends for 2 hours of jumping fun! Your price includes 1½ hours in the play arena and ½ hour in the party room, invitations, party supplies, and clean up. Add-ons at additional costs include pizza and soda, goody bags, and balloons. Call 901-386-8700 for more information and request a date.
Cedar Hill Farm (Hernando)
For $200, your party will include a 2 hour party for up to 20 children and their parents. During the first hour, the guests will get a farm tour including the petting zoo, a pony ride, and a tractor drawn hayride. Then, the chicken show will sing “Happy Birthday” to the guest of honor. The second hour you can have your cake and ice cream and let the kids play on the playground. Every child receives a helium balloon and the birthday child receives a t-shirt. Extras at an additional cost include an inflatable farm train, cedar hill railroad ride, goody bag lunch, and paper products. Call (662)429-2540 for more information and to make a reservation.
Golf and Games Family Park (Memphis)
For $13 per child, your birthday guests can play putt putt, ride the go kart or bumper boats, and receive 10 arcade game credits. Also included for each child is a piece of pizza, a drink, ice cream, and a party favor. Party supplies are also included and more game tokens and a group photo for the birthday child. You are guaranteed a party table for 2 hours. Call 901-386-2992.
Chuck E. Cheese (Cordova)
For $10.99 per child, your party will include a decorated table reserved for 90 minutes, 2 slices of pizza per child and refillable soft drinks, 20 game tokens per child, a birthday cake, a hostess and a CEC performance. The birthday child receives a cup, a balloon, a crown, and cotton candy. For $15.99 per child, you can get all of the above as well as additional tokens for each child and prize tickets for each child and a party favor for each guest. Call 901-757-7776.
Cordova Bowling Lanes (Cordova)
For $99, a party of 10 includes shoe rentals, an hour of bowling and an hour in the party room, balloons and party favors, invitations, party goods, a host to assist you, and set up and clean up. For $3.50 per child you can get goody bags for your guests. For about $30 more, you can get pizza and drinks for your party guests as well as a birthday cake. Call 901-754-4275.
Build a Bear (Wolfchase Mall)
You set the price . . . starting at $10 per guest. The total cost depends on the type of animal your guests pick (or you allow them to pick) and the fashions for the bears. With 6 guests, you get a party leader, an autograph bear for the birthday child, party favor for all the guests, printable thank you cards and invitations online. After making bears, you could head up to the food court to have lunch and/or cake and ice cream. Finish the party off with a ride on the carousel. Call 901-266-4548 to book your party.
FunQuest Skating Party (Collierville)
For $12.95 per child, your guests get 1 hour of skating, invitations, 2 pizzas, drinks, paper goods, and 30 minutes in the party room. Plus, the birthday child gets a gift! For $5 more per guest, you can add laser or bowling. Call 901-850-1124.
The Fire Museum of Memphis
For $125, your party of up to 20 will receive a museum tour and use of party room for 2 hours and balloons. For $50 more, add fire chief hats for the kids, a shirt for the birthday child, and paper products. Call 901-320-5653.
Other locales to check out include:
Sweet and Sassy in Bartlett
A Memphis Redbirds Game
Malco Theaters
The Little Gym
Paint a Piece
Bounz Party in Southaven
Misty Hollow Farm in Millington
Kidz Kountry Petty Zoo in Southaven
Young Chefs Academy in Cordova
With any locale, listed or not, be sure to call way in advance to book the location for your child’s party so you can get the desired date. When calling locales, ask the following questions: days and hours of operation, birthday packages offered, costs, what is included in the package, age requirements, number of guests allowed, adults included, food included or not, can you bring your own food, other rules and restrictions, and ask if you can visit. This will also help you in making your decision. Don’t forget to get print a map to the location and include it on your invitation.
