Happy Birthdays at Quail Hollow Ranch

Move over, Boardwalk. A birthday party at Quail Hollow Ranch provides a unique way to get your kids outside, for a change, while learning about the plants and animals in their own backyards.

“It was so easy,” said Krista Cole, whose daughter, Saje, recently celebrated her sixth birthday at the park. "All I had to do was show up with food, and they covered games, decorations, even the goody bags."

In 1928, Larry and Ruth Lane bought a failing publication called Sunset Magazine and then in 1937 bought some land in Ben Lomond, which they named Quail Hollow Ranch, fulfilling their dream of starting a horse ranch and creating a retreat from their increasingly successful business.

The Lanes also used the ranch for test gardens and a test kitchen for the magazine, and the barns were featured in a 1948 issue, but Quail Hollow did not really shine until they remodeled the house into a fine example of early California ranch architecture in 1952.

On the day of Saje’s birthday party, the vintage ranch house was transformed into a party funhouse filled with children’s laughter.

Like most parents, Krista is “super busy” with a full-time job over the hill, two small girls and a husband. While he shot video as a special remembrance of the day, she and the other parents had the time to sit back and enjoy the celebration.

From many birthday-party themes, the Coles chose “Running with the Wild Cats,” where kids run, hide, stalk and play a variety of games that show how predators and prey act toward each other.

“The kids learned about the whole cycle of life, starting at how different animals protect their babies, and Lee Summers, the naturalist, held their attention all the time," Cole said. "That was incredible! She stayed on the animal theme the whole time. It was fun for everyone and educational at the same time.”  

When Summers asked the children to act like snakes, the floor gyrated with little bodies, looking more like jumping frogs than rattlers, and parents could not hold back their laughter.

Since the day was chilly and overcast, Summers was able to adapt the animal activities for the playroom inside. But once the food and birthday cupcakes were eaten and Saje had opened all her presents and her guests received their goody bags, they all grabbed the balloons hanging from the ceiling.

The kids adjourned outside to the big green lawn, running as fast as they could and laughing as hard as they could, as they held up their brightly colored balloons. As you would expect, some balloons lost their lives on the field, but that made it more thrilling.

After all the fun and food, the birthday girl admitted, “My favorite part was opening up my presents.”

 “We’re definitely doing it again next year,” Cole said.

Families can choose from several parties for children from 5-11 years old:

• The Call of the Dinosaurs—games, stories and crafts while learning about ancient reptiles.
• Running with the Wild Cats—run, hide, stalk and play a variety of games that show how predators and prey act toward each other.
• Creepy Crawlies—hunt for insects and arachnids outside while learning about them.
• Old-time Pioneers—play old-time games like three-legged races, egg toss, sack races, and marbles.
• Victorian Party—learn parlor games like charades and blind man’s bluff while enjoying cookies and tea.
• The Fabulous Fifties—play '50s games, listen to '50s music and learn about the era.
• Lost and Found—learn to use a compass to find an invisible trail that leads to a birthday treasure.
• Mad Scientists—explore chemical reactions, electricity principles and differences between acids and bases

The money you spend for your child’s birthday is deposited in the general fund for Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation, which has undergone much belt-tightening, even eliminating the director of Parks and Recreation position recently.

Contact scparks.com/quail_hollow_activities.html for more information and activities.