Child Birtday Party suggestions

Can anyone suggest a good place to have a 4 year olds birthday party? Don't really want to have it at home and, with it being January, can't plan any outdoor activities. Can't afford to spend a fortune, either. Thanks!

 

Ice House in Garner (yes 4 years olds have them there often), The Bowling Alley, The Little Gym, Dance Art Studio, Build a Bear or lots of the karate places do them too....

Been or done them all! LOL

 

My 5 year old dd went to a party at Kids Clubhouse in Clayton off of 42. She had a blast. They have a couple of the big bouncers and different activities. I think her Mom told me it was $170.00 for two hours but I'm not sure how many kids that was for. Pottery Camp and Screaming Mimi's do parties too. I have no idea what they charge.

 

The b-day parties we have attended were at:

Up & Away (behind Food Lion) it was fun, plenty of toys for the kids to play with, have an indoor bounce house available, did a take home craft and ate pizza cake and ice cream, this is very affordable from what I understand

Screamin Mimi's (Wal Mart plaze on 70) I had my boys' b-day party there in December, I really liked it and the kids loved it. This is more expensive but you also get pizza for the kids, a cake, your invitations, T-shirt for the b-day child all included in the price where you don't have that at the above. Only thing I wasn't crazy about was that it is open to the public during your party unless you pay extra for a Sunday morning private one.

Little Gym in Clayton has parties, I am not sure of the cost here but was fun for the kids

There was a place we went to out in Apex that had all inflatables indoors where the b-day party was in its own private room with inflatables and a privat room for the party itself. I know this was very pricey but it was GREAT!! as far as fun goes (mom & dad could play on the inflatables too :mrgreen

That is all I can think of right now, if I think of anymore I will post em'

 

Rainbow Lanes Bowling in Clayton, I did my twins four year old b-day there and it was pretty affordable, I brought the cake and they supplied pizza, ballons, soda, plates and napkins and the room to have it in, then they bowled (with bumpers of course) two games. It was super fun.

 

We did Build a Bear when my daughter was around that age. I thought it was pretty cool b/c they each got a stuffed animal as a party favor. It was pretty comparable to what other party places cost and we didn't have to do a thing to entertain them. Then we went into the food court to have a big Cookie Cake. That could be a little nerve wracking if you don't have relatives or friends to help take care of setting up drinks and cake, I guess, but it remains one of her favorite parties.

 

I would say Kid's Clubhouse. We went to a party there. Now my kids want their party there.
I even had fun!

 

My sons have had them at Rainbow Lanes, and that was a lot of fun, but wouldn't recommend it if you're going to have younger ones there, because it's hard for them to play, unless you take them in the separate game room. We've also had one at Funwerks (a different name now I think) but that would be too cold for now, unless they offer specials during winter months for arcade only, not sure. Also did build a bear, but not the actual "party", we just had a couple kids come and we supplied $20 for each kid to make a bear. I thought the party itself was expensive, and we didn't have as many kids as needed. Been to Kids Clubhouse and my son had a blast. Chuck E Cheese is ok, and wouldn't do Bullwinkles in Cary, it's very crowded and not pleasant for anyone at all. That's all I can think of for now.

 

Oh yeah...we have been to Bullwinkles in Cary too!!! I second DMJ's recommendation, I hated it, too crowed and too loud.

 

What about that Pottery Camp over by Walmart - they might have some pottery type activites for small children?

 

Is the party for a boy or a girl? How many people do you plan to invite? We have done McDonald's in Garner, Kid's Clubhouse & Premiere Athletics for my son starting at age 4. Kids Clubhouse is the best deal for the price if you have alot (more than 10) of kids coming.

 

Thanks for your excellent suggestions !
I have called Up and Away and plan to stop by there this afternoon to take a look. I'd completely forgotten that place was there!
The party is for a 4 year old boy.
I called Kid's Clubhouse but found $170 to be a little bit steep for us right now. You could have something like 35 kids for that price but I'm not sure we even know 35 kids to invite !
I like the McDonald's idea and called them too - very reasonable. The down side to that is that you never know how crowded the place would be. Sometimes, I can't stand to even sit in the play area to eat because it's so loud. It would be a great location except not knowing if it was going to be a zoo - even before your party kids arrived.
Screamin Mimi's website showed their party package at some over $200.00 - can't quite swing that!

Again, thanks for all of the information !

 

Glad you got some ideas!!!

Another one that was fun, the indoor pool at Pullen Park, I do believe that is in the same price range as Up and Away. Not sure if you have to live in Wake county though or not?

 

So far the only place that we've ever had a private party was at up and away. I'd have to say it was by far worth it for the money. The adults could sit comfortably and relax, the kids could play without having to share with another party, and we didn't really have to stress about anything cause they told us what time to open presents, cut the cake for us, cleaned up, and everything. The indoor bounce house was a hit at the last party we had there too.

 

When we had our party at the McDonald's in Garner (401 & 70 intersection location) they reserved tables in the play area for us so there was no problem with seating. We had ours on a Sunday afternoon so it wasn't crowded. Good luck with your choice!

 

We did my son's birthday at McDonalds at 210 this year. What a great experience. I know there is a concern that you won't know how crowded it will be, but we only had 1 other kid come in the whole time. I feel like the times they offer their parties is perfect to avoid the crowds. It cost me $70 for 12 kids to have Happy Meals, cake, ice cream, and gift bags. Plus, the big benefit was, I didn't have to set up or clean up. I would definitely recommend this idea. I've heard that not all the McDonalds offer the Happy Meals with the party, but this one does.
This is the first time I have paid to do a party somewhere other than home, and it cost me less than doing it at home. Usually I have to have enough to feed the parents too, but at McDonalds, they knew they were on their own.
Good luck with your party.

 

Call me crazy, but I have never done a birthday party for DS that wasn't close family and friends only. We usually throw a big to-do back home in VA and invite both sides of the family. I've taken cupcakes, etc. to school, but haven't had a party to invite classmates to our home or out somewhere. I guess if you know most of the parents, thats one thing, but I don't. I have a huge family, so I don't think DS feels deprived..........yet. :?

 

I have a stupid ? Why does a 4 yr old need such a grandeiouse (sp) party. It's 4.

How about a couple of "friends" from church, pre-school, family come over and celebrate? Take a bunch of pics, eat cake, open presents and then its over. Unless the friends have a sleep over?



I'm probably missing something because I don't have kids, but really?


The first real birthday I can remember was when I was 12. We had a pool (don't start with me) and had a pool party. Home made ice cream, fun in the pool, presents - just good kid fun.

Alright, I'm done :beathorse:

 

I went to a party at the Pottery Camp and my kids really liked it. The only thing is that it is a little crowded and others are there as well. Good luck.

 

The big party is not "needed" by anymeans but it is always fun. After several years of inviting family and a few friends over we decided it was just too much. We both have large families so we are talking about 30+ people in my house! There was never anyone to "leave out" without feelings getting hurt soo there were just too many people. By moving the party to a kids party place, we still told everyone about it but mostly only the family members with small children attended (besides grandparents of course) so that worked out. Also, my son's birthday is in the winter so there was no moving the party outside! I would love for his birthday to be during warm weather because we would just invite everyone to the park or just have a cookout in the backyard. By the time I spent money to feed that many people at my house, it was the same difference as the party place.