| While throwing your child a birthday party is high on | | | | 3. Children's or Science Museum. If you have a larger |
| any parents list, most people don't want to spend a | | | | budget, a local science or children's museum can be a |
| fortune for the celebration. Depending on the time of | | | | great place to hold a birthday party. Some places |
| year and your budget, there are some great options | | | | have party hostesses and provide some supplies, so |
| for the location of the party (other than your home). If | | | | just check what they provide in your city. You may |
| you do decide to throw a party outside your home, be | | | | only need to bring a birthday cake and presents. |
| sure to include your child in the location decision. If the | | | | 4. Movie Theater. Many towns have inexpensive or |
| child is young, you may want to bring them to the | | | | dollar show theaters that will rent out the entire theater |
| location prior to the party so that they can get | | | | or give you big group discount as well as discounts on |
| comfortable and excited about the upcoming event. | | | | snacks and soda. Some theaters will let you bring in |
| Most kids look forwarding to opening their presents at | | | | some of your own snacks and a cake so just check |
| the end of their party. So whatever option you choose, | | | | and see what can be done at your local theater by |
| make sure you set aside a special place where all the | | | | speaking with the manager. |
| party goers can place the birthday gifts. | | | | 5. Neighborhood Club House. If you live in a planned |
| 1. Town Park Shelter. Many local communities offer | | | | community, chances are that you have a club house in |
| rental shelters at the parks where they have picnic | | | | your neighborhood or apartment complex. Often these |
| tables, grills and play equipment for the kids. The older | | | | rooms are either free or can be rented for a nominal |
| children can go play while the adults hang out. The | | | | fee by residents. The club house would likely give you |
| food doesn't have to be gourmet, instead keep it | | | | more room than your home, but it would still be close |
| simple and easy like barbecuing hot dogs or burgers or | | | | enough that you could set up the birthday party |
| a couple baked lasagnas with salad. Follow up with a | | | | relatively easily. |
| fun birthday cake from your local warehouse club, | | | | 6. Local Fire Department. Often times, local fire |
| grocery store or your own kitchen. | | | | departments have rooms that they will allow local |
| 2. Fast Food Restaurant. Both McDonald's and | | | | residents utilize for free or for a nominal fee. Some fire |
| Hardees offer kids parties that include a party hostess, | | | | departments will even give the children of a private |
| food and cake at reasonable prices. The other great | | | | birthday party a tour of the department and let them |
| thing about these restaurants is that many have | | | | try on some of the firefighters' gear and get their |
| Playlands or plastic ball pits so that the kids can be | | | | photos taken. These pictures make great keepsake |
| entertained while the adults chit-chat and relax a bit. | | | | gifts for all the children. |