Moms Talk: Birthday Party Planning

The birthday party for your child is just as important to them as a birthday bash would be for you.

So, why not make it the best it can be, albeit without hitting the wallet too hard.

Indoor venues offer some great options. Bowling is always an easy and popular choice.

For more active fare, you can reserve time at Little Gym in Hatfield or Pump It Up in Chalfont. Pump It Up is an inflatable party zone.

Some moms in the MOMS Club have great experiences even renting out firehouses for parties. A firehouse can host a party with a fire theme: Children can see the fire trucks, tour the firehouse and even meet the firefighters, who they see as local heroes. It is also very affordable to rent out space in a banquet room at a firehouse.

If a spring or summertime birthday comes along, then an outdoor venue may be a better option for your child and his or her friends and family.

Renting a pavilion at the local township park is usually free or low-cost. Lansdale Borough lets you reserve the gazebo and picnic area at Stony Creek Park for a family event. The charge is $40 for a borough resident and $80 for a nonresident. The borough requires a security deposit that is twice the amount of the rental fee. The maximum reservation time is four hours, and the gazebo can accommodate 50 people.

The borough’s Parks and Recreation Office has an activity room that is also available for rent.

Sandy Hill Farm in Plymouth Meeting offers two-hour parties on Saturdays and Sundays that include a petting farm, two hayrides and pony rides. Weekday parties are available upon request.

You can have a "Farmer for the Day" theme party and make the venue Pennypack Farm in Horsham. Or, go to a local apple orchard and do some fruit picking.

A great outdoor venue that offers miniature golf, batting cages and ice cream is Freddy Hill Farms in Towamencin.

Sometimes, you want to separate the "friend" parties from the family parties.

Here's a tip: Make it a family-only birthday party up to age 5.

When it comes to friend parties, there is a formula that works great in coming up with the number of kids to invite. Take your child's age and add one. Much will depend on the size of your immediate and extended family and the size of your house or venue.

If you are trying to save money, then a birthday party at home may be to your liking.

Has anyone had experience with Playful Chef? It is a package that gives you the tools and recipes to allow children to actually bake healthy foods.

Another idea is to find a music teacher to come to your house and lead a class in making music, much like the Kindermusik classes for toddlers and preschoolers.

Scavenger hunts are always an exciting adventure for children, especially if you offer prizes or a bag full of toys you buy at U.S. Toy.

If you have a little money to spend, you can't go wrong with a make-your-own-sundae or hoagie event during the party.

Fun can be had in the backyard with a moonbounce or playhouse. I suggest sending a message on your local MOMS Club Listserv to borrow one.

If it won't scare your children, hire a clown to make balloon animals or paint the faces of the guests.

A summertime party in the backyard is the perfect season for a sprinkler or Slip 'N Slide.

Here are some other tips or ideas:

• Plant seeds as a part of the party, or have guests bring donations for a charity like pet food for an animal shelter, then visit the shelter as part of the party.
• Co-host a party with another family whose child either shares a birthday with your child or celebrates a birthday around the same time. Chances are, they have overlapping groups of friends.
• Plan a special trip to New York City on the train and visit an American Girl store or see a Broadway show.
• See if a local hotel or YMCA will rent their pool for a few hours. This may offer more reasonable rates than other options.
• If you belong to a local pool, find out what guest rates are, and have the event there. Some pools offer discounted rates for birthday parties.

Remember: Themes can be fun. A pajama party gives an opportunity for a sleepover and breakfast foods as snacks and dinner. A "Polar Express Party" offers creativity in making the invitation a "Ticket to Ride," with games centered around trains.

For an even more extreme creative party, host a Backwards Party. Guests come in the back door, you serve the cake first, and then sing "Happy Birthday" and have the guests wear their clothes backward.

If your child has a favorite book or movie, then there's another chance for a theme. Have an Alice in Wonderland Un-birthday Party with cookies and other treats, stuck with toothpicks labeled with signs that say "Eat Me." You can even have a crazy tea party.

The idea is to make sure your child is happy and that their guests leave happy.

A good birthday makes for a memorable, lifelong experience.