Michele Decoteau
micheledecoteau@verizon.net
Party Places for Kids!
Birthday celebrations are an important part of childhood and create long-lasting memories. Great birthday parties build self-esteem and teach important social values. Keep in mind that children need different things at different ages. Smaller kids need smaller parties whether at home or not. Once kids start school they have a longer attention span and friendships with peers become a more important part of their lives, so they might want to include more friends.
If planning a fun party and hosting it in your own home isn't your idea of a good time, don't worry. Nowadays there are plenty of other alternatives. Hosting a party at a venue outside the home can ease the stress of planning a great party, especially as many of the party locations include some or all of the party planning.
Here are some out-of-the-ordinary venues in the Blackstone Valley for kid’s parties.
Justice for Girls, a clothing store for tweens in Millbury, offers ‘Just for Fun’ makeover parties with themes like Princess, Rock Idol and Movie Star. Partygoers receive a mini makeover, accessories, make up kits, and more. The birthday girl receives a camera and photo album as a gift. For complete info visit their website at: www.justicejust forgirls.com.
Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester offers your nature nut a great party experience. Talented naturalists take kids on a guided tour of the Sanctuary. Then they do crafts and games that are fun ways to learn about our environment. Currently they offer three themes: Bugs, Birds, and Animals. “Everyone is amazed at how much kids really learn at the party and how much fun everyone has,” reports Party Planner Martha Gach. Parties generally last 2½ hours and the fees are quite reasonable. Please contact Martha at (508) 753-6087 for details.
The Whitin Community Center in Whitinsville offers Splash Parties that include the use of the pool and a party room. They have two rooms to accommodate smaller and larger parties. You will need to bring in your own food and paper goods, but they do provide a refrigerator. This is a fun low-cost way to make a splash. For more information, please visit their website at: www.ourgym.org.
The Habitat for Soccer and Sports in Uxbridge offers not only a Moms
Soccer League, but great birthday parties as well. Kids get to pick a
sport to play such as soccer, flag football or kickball and will be refereed.
Then comes the really easy part for parents: all the food, paper goods
and clean up is included. Check out their website at: www.thehab.com.
For the crafter in your family, consider a party at The National Gallery
in Sutton. They tailor parties to your child’s interest and can
include themes like Stuff a Bear, woodcrafts, jewelry and American Girl
crafts. Beth Crowley, youth class coordinator says, “One great choice
is making a doll and clothes for an American Girl Doll. That way if you
have an American Girl Doll, you now have a doll for your doll, but if
you don’t have one, you still have a doll for you.” These
parties include drinks, paper goods and decorations. You supply the food.
This is a very reasonably priced party option. Please contact Beth or
Dottie at (508) 476-2149.
Don't forget the old stand-bys like McDonald’s and Chuck E. Cheese. Kids get the opportunity to run around and generally everyone likes the food. This low-cost option can be very popular, however. Christy Boucher of Millbury, mom to Joe, 5 and Mia and Alex 2 1/2, booked a party at Chuck E. Cheese only to find out that seven other moms booked parties for the same exact time. “I think the staff handled all the parties and the kids all seemed to have a great time,” Christy said, but added, “I think the parents were a bit stressed out. If we did another party there, I’d think about a doing it at an off-time like during the week.”
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Michele Decoteau is a freelance writer and editor living in Millbury.
Her dot com home can be found at www.micheledecoteau.com.
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This article originally appeared in the Blackstone Valley Shopper February 2007.
