Birthday party help!

lala5507

I mentioned before that we are going to let dd have her first friend party this year.  Entering the world of "friend parties" is really stressing me out.  Some of these places are crazy expensive!  I would like to keep the cost around $200.  We will be having a max of 15 girls.  Animal Friends in on my short list.  Has anyone had a birthday party at Gymkana in Wexford or All Star Gymnastics in Robinson? 

If you have any other suggestions, I'll that them!  Thanks!

Meghan&Rich

We haven't had a party at Gymkhana, but the boys have been to a few parties there, and they have really enjoyed them.

We are having a bowling party for Garrett at the end of the month.  I think it is around $8 or $9 per child (it includes bowling, shoe rental, paper products/decorations, free game tickets...maybe some other things), then we are ordering pizza.  We are also having around 15 kids, so I think it should around $200.

egpitt22

These parties do add up!!  If you're open to going north, you could also check out Wildwood Highlands, we did Jake's party there a few years ago and it was reasonable (I think $12/kid which included arcade tokens, an attraction like the play area or laser tag, and food)  I assume you're looking for indoor?

sundaygirl

Just hopping on to say we are in the same boat...number six will be the first party we do outside of our home and for more kids than we've had in the past.  DS has decided on Chuck E Cheese and I hate to burst his birthday bubble - but I feel guilty inviting people to the land of adult torture!!

lala5507

Meghan&Rich said:

We haven't had a party at Gymkhana, but the boys have been to a few parties there, and they have really enjoyed them.

We are having a bowling party for Garrett at the end of the month.  I think it is around $8 or $9 per child (it includes bowling, shoe rental, paper products/decorations, free game tickets...maybe some other things), then we are ordering pizza.  We are also having around 15 kids, so I think it should around $200.

Maybe I need to look into another bowling alley.  The one closest to us looked like it would end up being closer to $300!

lala5507

Oh, I forgot to add we are west of the city and this would be a group of 5/6 year old girls.  The party will be early April, so it has to be an indoor venue.  Any other year, I would love to push it off until May and get a picnic shelter at our local park.  But, the baby is coming in May so no postponing.

amyjoy18

We went to a party at All-Star gymnastics in Robinson last year.  DD also used to attend gymnastics there.  It's very casual and they didn't do anything "special" for the party really--besides the class.  I also think the facilities could be updated.

The instructors did a little class for the kids, working on the big trampoline, and the other apparatuses.  I think they also swung on the rope if I remember correctly.  The class was 30 minutes or so. 

The parents brought in pizza, ice cream (in the cups which was an awesome easy idea) and cupcakes.The parents also did a pinata and pin the something on the something game. 

I don't remember the staff helping with the party portion at all (not like I've seen done at the bounce place or gymboree)--so there is still a lot to do on your end. 

But with that said, DD had a great time at the party.  I don't think it's a bad place for a party, but I would maybe tour it and ask a lot of questions on the service levels before committing.

gwennythepooh

The Island Sports Complex (Neville Island) has options for either ice skating or miniature gold: http://rmuislandsports.org/birthday-parties

4EvR&4AlWz

Consider Paint Monkey or Painting with a Twist...they are pricey but girls that age love them!

(I did DD's 5th birthday party at my house with rainbow artist theme and the kids painted their own canvas...I had outlines of flowers, rainbows, dogs, steelers logo or blank as options).  It cost me $120 for 20 kids for all of the paint, canvases, rainbow cake, plates, cups, napkins, snacks, etc.

lala5507

amyjoy18 said:

We went to a party at All-Star gymnastics in Robinson last year.  DD also used to attend gymnastics there.  It's very casual and they didn't do anything "special" for the party really--besides the class.  I also think the facilities could be updated.

The instructors did a little class for the kids, working on the big trampoline, and the other apparatuses.  I think they also swung on the rope if I remember correctly.  The class was 30 minutes or so. 

The parents brought in pizza, ice cream (in the cups which was an awesome easy idea) and cupcakes.The parents also did a pinata and pin the something on the something game. 

I don't remember the staff helping with the party portion at all (not like I've seen done at the bounce place or gymboree)--so there is still a lot to do on your end. 

But with that said, DD had a great time at the party.  I don't think it's a bad place for a party, but I would maybe tour it and ask a lot of questions on the service levels before committing.

The girls took gymnastics there in the fall, so I am familiar with the facility.  It's good to hear about the party aspect though.  If I'm spending that kind of money, I would expect more from the staff "running" the party.

bride2003

My girls have been to a few parties at Gymkhana & they go there so they usually have fun.  I think the mom brings in the cake, drinks etc... so not sure what they provide other than facility.  If I have to pay to have it somewhere I want to do as little work as possible

lala5507

bride2003 said:

My girls have been to a few parties at Gymkhana & they go there so they usually have fun.  I think the mom brings in the cake, drinks etc... so not sure what they provide other than facility.  If I have to pay to have it somewhere I want to do as little work as possible

I think gymkhana is our front runner right now.  I *think* the bulk of the party happens in the gym with instructors.  And then only the last 1/2 hour (cake/presents) would be my responsibility to keep the kids entertained.  I'm going to be largely pregnant at that point, so having 15 little girls run around a gym sound so much nicer than them running around my house.