April 2006

Birthday Parties to Keep Kids Moving

By Paula Rudberg Lowe

Birthdays are important rites of passage for youngsters and parents, but the most memorable aspect of turning one year older is the all-important birthday party. There are many opportunities for birthday party fun in the South Sound, whether it’s heading to a place where kids can try new activities and burn their energy, hosting a party in your home with an entertainer, or creating your own birthday fun.

Getting the kids up and moving is fun for everyone and makes the birthday party go quickly. Consider your child’s age and what kind of activity would be appropriate for him and his guests. Some venues cater to preschoolers, while others specialize in entertaining elementary school-age children. Call to ask what ages are best for specific activities.

Make Your Own Active Fun

Scavenger Hunts
These can be held at home, in the backyard or at a local park. Write clues with language that can be easily read by the children. Hide them well before guests arrive in places where children not familiar with the area can find them.

It’s especially fun when the hunt is tied to the party theme – for example, with a pirate theme, guests look for clues that lead them to buried treasure. Consider leaving a small item for each child at each station, such as a pirate eye patch or a toy. The last stop can be the grand finale where guests find a chest filled with gold chocolate coins and pretty toy jewelry.

Beach Parties
Before young beach explorers go to see the wonders of a saltwater beach at a local park, show them pictures of the sea life they will find, such as crabs, barnacles, sand dollars and clams. Teach them how to observe sea creatures: Look, touch, and leave them at the beach. If they turn over rocks to look at crabs, turn them over again to protect the crabs.

Talk to parents about what children should wear – rubber boots or tough sandals to make their way through soft sand and barnacle-covered rocks. Invite parents to join the sea creature search party for extra help. When the party arrives at the beach, give each child a colored plastic bucket and shovel. Set boundaries on where they can explore. Help them find treasures to take home in their buckets – only the rocks and shells without animals.

When it is refreshment time, eat at the picnic tables at the park. Kids can play games on the lawn.

Find Venues for Physical Parties

Boating

Boston Harbor Marina, Olympia
Rent stable, easy-to-learn hydro bikes or pedal boats, as well as canoes, rowboats and kayaks. Those under 10 can ride in a double or triple kayak. Rentals include PFDs. Bring food or buy it on site and eat at picnic tables or on the beach. Reservations encouraged especially on weekends. $5 per hour and up. 360-357-5670, www.bostonharbormarina.com.

Olympic Outdoor Center, Poulsbo
Olympic Outdoor Center rents kid-size kayaks and paddles for ages 7 and older, along with PFDs. Go boating for two to four hours. Floating party room is available for rent by Port. $15 to $30 per child; group rates for 10 to 40 kids. 800-592-5983 or 360-697-6095, www.olympicoutdoorcenter.com.

Bowling

Westside Lanes, Olympia
Take the kids bowling during public bowling sessions. Parents bring their own food and refreshments to party room. Kids using bumpers, $16 an hour; no bumpers, $3 person per game, bowling shoes included. Reserve one week in advance. 360-943-2400.

Climbing

Edgeworks, Tacoma
Parties include two hours of climbing, equipment, shoes and one staff member for every four climbers. After climbing, enjoy a party in the lounge that overlooks the climbing facility. Bring food and decorations. Party bags are provided. Best suited for ages 6 and older. Reserve at least one week in advance. $25 per climber, minimum of four. 253-564-4899, www.edgeworksclimbing.com.

Vertical World, Bremerton
At the Kitsap Gym - Vertical World, parties include climbing a rock wall with staff guidance, plus use of a party room. Bring food and decorations. Climbers get a gift bag. Schedule two weeks in advance. $25 per child. 360-373-6676, www.verticalworld.com.

Warehouse Rock Gym, Olympia
Children 7 and older can climb a rock wall in a safe environment. Staffers and parents help guide kids. Staff directs games. Equipment and climbing shoes are provided. Maximum: 25. Make reservations two weeks ahead. $100 and up. 360-596-9255, www.warehouserockgym.com.

Gymnastics

Black Hills Gymnastics, Olympia
Parties are 90 minutes long on weekends and include one hour of supervised gym time, plus 30 minutes in the observation deck to eat and open gifts. Reserve one month in advance. $75 for up to 10 kids (birthday child is free). 360-413-9855, www.blackhillsgymnastics.com.

NASA Gymnastics, Gig Harbor
Children have the gym to themselves and are guided by experienced gymnasts who help them try the vault, bars, balance beam, trampoline and matted floor for somersaults and cartwheels. Parent brings food and decorations. Best for ages 2 through 10. One hour of gym time is followed by 30 minutes for the party. Reserve one month in advance. $90 if enrolled in classes; $110, if not enrolled. 253-851-7061, www.nasagym.com.

Puget Sound School of Gymnastics, Puyallup
The gym is available for parties on Saturday afternoons and Sundays for ages 18 months to 18 years. Kids have the gym for one hour, and then enjoy a private party room for food and gifts. Reserve at least two weeks ahead. $90 for up to eight kids; $110 for nine to 12 kids; $150 for 20 kids. 253-845-0910, www.pssgymnastics.com.

Rainier Gymnastics Academy, Rainier
Parties begin with one hour of organized or open gym fun, followed by 30 minutes for refreshments and gifts. Parents bring food and decorations. Price varies according to the number of children. 360-400-1988, www.rainiergymnastics.com.

The Little Gym, Puyallup
Birthday parties are 90 minutes long and are held on weekends. Kids have private use of the gym and party room. Party package includes invitations, a birthday leader and assistant, set-up and clean up, and a T-shirt for the birthday child. Reserve a month in advance. $190 for nonmembers, $165 members for birthday child and up to 15 guests. 253-435-7400, www.tlgpuyallup.com.

Indoor Playing

Briggs YMCA, Olympia
Take children to the Briggs YMCA where they can use the decorated party room hosted by a staff member for one hour. The party includes cake and juice, activities, games and gift packets. Two-hour party activities include swimming during open swim, gym activities (basketball, hula hoops), adventure zone or climbing wall, as well as crafts. $115-$150. 360-753-6576, ext. 137, www.briggscommuntyymca.org.

Downtown Olympia YMCA
Children select one of the following activities: swimming (private pool time), ballet, games or gymnastics. After playing for one hour, they go to the party room for one hour to open gifts and enjoy refreshments. The birthday child receives a YMCA T-shirt. Decorations, food, set-up and clean up done by party staff. Ages 4 and older. $110-$168. 357-6609, ext. 105, www.olympiadowntownymca.org.

Odyssey I, Tacoma-University Place
Children 13 and younger can run off energy in this indoor entertainment facility featuring a 4,000-square-foot jungle gym, laser tag arena and game room. Packages offer food, and some offer party room. $11.99 per child for jungle play or $13.99 per child if food is provided. Reserve up to four weeks ahead with deposit. 253-566-3231 or 253-566-3233, recorded message, www.odyssey-1.com.

Valley Athletic Club
Take the birthday party to the indoor pool (outdoor pool open in summer) or gym. Five packages are offered in different prices ranges, depending on whether staff or parents provide food and decorations. $125 ($100 members) - $275 ($220 members). For a theme party, add $30. 360-352-3400, ext. 108, www.valleyac.com (click on youth, birthday parties).

Outdoor Jumping and Playing
In addition to going to a park or playground and using the equipment, parents can hire these companies to deliver set up, and take down inflatables and other play equipment.

Astro Jump
Astro Jump rents large inflatable toys, including ones shaped like castles, dinosaurs or racecars, as well as jumps, obstacle courses, bounce houses and more. Cotton candy, sno-cone or popcorn machines or spin art are also available. $125-$165 for four hours. 800-244-JUMP (5867), www.astrojump.com.

Funtime Events, Thurston and Mason Counties
Funtime rents birthday party games (gunny sacks, limbo sticks) and inflatables, and staff can organize and lead games. Cotton candy machines, popcorn machines and karaoke machines are also available. $100 (bouncer rental) for three hours, up to $500 (party package with prizes, gift bags and events). 360-754-7480.

Kidz-in-Motion Tumblin’ Bus, Olympia
The bus stops at your house and provides one hour of entertainment for 12 children ages 2-10. The staff leads entertainment, games and gymnastics, all set to lively music. Kids receive gift bags, and the birthday child receives a photo and T-shirt. $175. 360-528-5439, www.tumblinbus.com.

Merry Makers, Tacoma (serves area from Everett to Olympia)
This company rents inflatable jump rides, slides, obstacle courses and more. Characters, such as clowns, princesses, cowboys, pirates or magicians, can entertain at parties and staff members can create dress-up adventure parties with supplies included. $125-$595; entertainers $85-250. 253-572-0172, www.merrymakers.net.

Nature Walking

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Tacoma
Parties include a full day’s admission to the zoo, 90 minutes’ use of a party room, cake, drink and ice cream; $375 for up to 25 guests, $425 if a full lunch is included, $11 per additional guest. Upgrades include party bags with masks, theme cakes and favors and private animal encounters, if available ($150 per animal). 253-404-3805, heidik@tacomaparks.com; www.pdza.org.

Tacoma Nature Center, Tacoma
Children 4 to 11 who enjoy nature may hear a story, learn facts, go on a walk, make a craft and get a small native animal figurine. Program options include “Reptiles Rule,” “Pond Critters,” “The Tail Tale” and “Spineless Wonders.” Up to 20 children can enjoy refreshments and open gifts in a separate room. $100. 253-591-6439, www.metroparkstacoma.org.

Roller Skating/Ice Skating

Harry Sprinker Recreation Center, Spanaway
Children may take their birthday guests ice-skating during the public sessions. The party includes use of the party room, skating, helium balloon, cake and lunch. The birthday child receives a card and a pin, and the birthday song is played during the skate session.
Price: $120 for 10 children; $15 for each additional child up to 15 children. 253-798-4000, www.sprinker.org.

Pattison’s West, Federal Way
On Saturdays and Sundays during public skating, birthday groups skate, then use the party room for 45 minutes. Pattison’s supplies fruit punch, ice cream and place settings, plus a package for the birthday child. Reservations required. $64-$80. 253-838-7442, www.pattisonswest.net.

Skateland, Olympia
Birthday parties take place during public skating sessions in the party room. Child’s name and age are announced and all skate to the “Hokey Pokey.” The birthday child receives one free soda pop. Bring birthday cake and ice cream, but other food must be purchased on site. Pizza and pop is available. No reservations needed. $4 per child for two hours includes skate rental. May bring own skates. 360-352-9943 or 360-701-4662, www.skatelandolympia.com.

Skate-n-Station, Tacoma
Birthdays for up to eight children in the party room include ice cream, soft drinks, balloons, a gift for the birthday child, skating and a hostess to assist. $69-$139. 253-535-2251, www.skatenstation.com.

Tiffany’s Skate Inn, Puyallup
Parties are held in the party zone for one hour, plus skating (includes skate rental) during the public session. Everyone celebrates while skating to the “Hokey Pokey” and birthdays are announced. $55-$130 with choice of four packages in the afternoon or evening. 253-848-1153 or 253-848-1076 (recording), www.tiffanysskateinn.com.

Swimming

Discover Aquatics, West Olympia
Children 3 and older swim and play in an 86-degree pool for an hour, supervised by lifeguards. Children have their own party room and a party coordinator for one hour in addition to pool time. Invitations are included. Parents decorate and provide refreshments. $180 for 15 participants or $75 an hour for pool rental only (no party room). 360-867-9283.

Fife Swim Center, Fife
Rent the entire facility, which includes indoor pool, toddler pool and hot tub supervised by two lifeguards. Lobby includes tables for party. Pool available 4 - 9 p.m. weekends.
$100 per hour, minimum of one hour for up to 45 people. 253-922-7665, http://cityoffife.org.

Lacey Parks & Recreation, Lacey
Rent an indoor swimming pool for some wet, weekend fun supervised by lifeguards. Reserve two weeks in advance. $47.50 per hour for up to 20 swimmers. 360-491-0857, www.ci.lacey.wa.us.

Stewart Heights Pool, Tacoma
For a summertime pool party (June 18-Sept. 5), head to an outdoor pool that has a 160-foot water slide, lazy river, zero-depth pool entry, bubble pool and more. Party includes private party rooms for up to 60 people and open swim passes. Catering is available on-site. Reserve one week prior to rental date. $100 or more, depending on number of guests. 253-573-2532, www.metroparkstacoma.org.

Paula Rudberg Lowe is an Olympia-based freelance writer and a proofreader for Northwest Parent Media.

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