Planning a birthday party for your child can be a challenge. Finding the perfect place to make the birthday boy or girl happy isn’t always easy or affordable. Here are some choices in the greater Phoenix area that might be just what you had in mind.
1. The Phoenix Zoo
Why not get wild at the zoo and let your little tiger have an unforgettable birthday? The Phoenix Zoo offers both hosted and do it yourself parties. The basic hosted party package includes admission for 10 children and 12 adults, a Safari Train ride, a carousel ride for the children and a nature activity craft with the Party Host. The Party Host does all the work for you serving 6 pepperoni or cheese pizzas, cake, ice cream and beverages for the guests. The birthday child gets a gift and there are party favors for each child. They even include invitations. This package starts at $300 plus a $75 deposit which is required at time of reservation.
Is $300 a little too steep for your budget? Try a do it yourself birthday party. For $100 you can rent a birthday party ramada for one and ½ hours. There is no limit on your group size. You can bring in your own commercially made food. The Zoo can provide a cake for $25 each and pizza for $12 a pie. Admission is not included in the price but group rates are available. Ready to get wild at the zoo? Call 602-914-4333 or go to http://www.phoenixzoo.org/ to reserve your party today.
2. Polar Ice
If the birthday falls during the summer move the party inside and out of the heat. To really cool things off why not go to Polar Ice? The birthday child will delight in ice skating and you will delight in having your own Party Host/Hostess. The Celebration package is $150 and includes admission for 10, one hour party room rental, 3 pitchers of soda, candy grab bags, invitations, 100 tokens and a special gift. For $25 more you can get 2 large cheese pizzas. They currently don’t offer cakes so why not pick up an ice cream cake to go with the ice skating theme? The host will serve it up for you, all you have to do is bring it in and have fun. Interested in this cool party? Call 623-334-1200 or go to http://www.polaricepeoria.com/
Pump it Up “the inflatable Party Zone” offers bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses and more. Your little one can invite up to 25 friends and they are sure to have fun and burn off energy during the one and ½ hours in the party arena. Invitations, party supplies and help with the party are included. You can also order pizza and a beverage for $1.95 for one slice or $2.95 for 2 slices per child or order a large pie for $15 each. Goodie bags are available for $2.95 per bag. If you want to pump up the birthday party this year call 623.434.7867 or to find a location near you go to http://pumpitupparty.com/
4. Brunswick Zone
Brunswick offers 3 birthday bowling packages that will ensure everyone has a ball. Castle Lanes medieval theme will delight even the hard to please princess, wizard or knight. Spider Strikes offers creepy crawling fun and Safari Alley is made for the animal lover. Bowling, shoe rentals, bumpers, invitations, a pizza or hot dog meal, crafts and paper party goods are all included in the price of $83.99 for up to 5 kids. To find a location near you go to http://bowlbrunswick.com/
5. Build-A-Bear
Did you know you can have a birthday party at Build a Bear? Forget the cake and ice cream and let you’re the little ones make their very own new best friend. They get to choose it, stuff it, give it a heart filled with their wishes and make a personalized birth certificate. Every party that has 6 or more guests includes a party leader to entertain the guest throughout the party process, an autographed bear for the birthday child, party favors for all the guests and printable invitations and thank you cards. Prices start at $10 per guest for a bare bear or you can add accessories for an additional cost per guest. Go to http://www.buildabear.com/ or call 877-789-BEAR.
The perfect place for that 7-14 year old girl might just be Justice just for Girls. With 3 birthday party themes you are sure to find something that she will like. The Pretty Princess includes a crown, sash and wand. The Rock Idol includes a rock headset and arm socks. The Movie Star includes a sparkle head scarf and a sparkle boa. Each package includes 6 justice fun favors, a mini makeup kit, a party camera for the birthday girl and a photo album for the price of $25 per girl. If you buy shine party accessories and favors each guest will get a free makeover. To find a location near you go to http://www.justicejustforgirls.com/
7. Challenger Space Center
For an out of this world birthday party try the Challenger Space Center. They offer packages designed for kids either 5 and up or 10 and up. The Cadet party is for 7-20 guests ages 5 and up and 10 adults and costs $325. It includes 1 ½ hours of space themed activities, 1 hour use of space themed birthday room and a host to make sure there is no turbulence. Space themed invitations, cake and juice are also included. The guests will enjoy a simulated launch in the Earth Space Transit Module and will get to create their very own ultra violet bracelets, comets and space helmets. The Solar System party is for 7-20 guest ages 10 and up and costs $375. Instead of the space themed activities and the simulated Earth Space Transit Module the guests will get to see a 2 hour Simulated Space Flight: Rendezvous with a Comet. For an out of this world party call 623-322-2001 or go to http://www.azchallenger.org/public.birthdays.htm.
It might sound like a funky new burger joint, but it’s not. For an inexpensive totally original birthday party try using your car. You can have a birthday party theme like The Great Race that will leave your pre-teen or teenager delighted. You divide up the party into 2 teams. Each team will have a designated driver. The teams are given clues & challenges they have to follow to win a prize. Clues can be as simple as “What kind of pie do you eat with your hands” once they guess pizza you drive them to the nearest pizza place where one team member has to face a challenge of eating 2 slices of everything pizza including anchovies to get the next clue. The next clue could be “strike while the iron is hot” which will lead them to the bowling alley where they will have to bowl to a certain score before given the next clue. The party can be as long or as expensive as you want it to be. The kids will have a blast and you just might too!
With all these choices you are sure to find that perfect place to have a birthday party for your child. Don’t settle for the same old boring place this year and make your little one’s birthday wishes come true.
