Susie Steckner
Special for arizonamoms.com
Mar. 13 2008 10:28 am
Birthday parties can be a lot of fun to plan, if you know how to get started.
Invitations
• The Internet is full of free printables, which are inexpensive and different than the usual store-bought offerings. Check out www.familyfun.com, www.activitiesforkids.com and www.hp.com/go/activitycenter. Also, sign up for Family Fun's Printapalooza! Newsletter, which will send new printables to your inbox weekly.
• Order personalized invitations through www.cardstore.com, which will address, stamp and mail your cards. Or try www.birthdayinabox.com, which has partyware that coordinates with invitations. Invitations range from $1 to $3 per card.
Locally, try the Paper Soiree, www.papersoireeinc.com, in Chandler for custom cards.
• Make your own cards with step-by-step directions from www.familyfun.com. If you want to keep it easy, cut out a dinosaur footprint from construction paper and write out party details. To create something more involved, such as for a sleepover party, create mini-pillow cases and tuck in card stock printed with party details. Add bubble wrap to puff up the pillow. Costs vary per project.
Favors
• Many party destinations will provide them for a nominal cost. Bounce U charges about $3 per child; Side Door Supplies, at Jennifer's Party Pad, sells them for as little as $5 but can also create custom favors for more. You can also find plenty of pre-made goodie bags at Oriental Trading Company, www.orientaltrading.com, including pirate loot bags filled with an eye patch, mini-compass and more at a cost of about $15 for six. For a different twist, send kids home with a chocolate-dipped cookie decorated with favorites such as Elmo or a fire truck. Find some cookies, starting at $3.25 each, from Chandler-based FavorZ, www.favorz.net.
• Put goodie bags together yourself with the help of local stores and online retailers. Try Oriental Trading Company for unusual containers such as mini-tin pails (12 for about $8) or neon mesh drawstring bags (12 for about $6). The company sells plenty of goodies to go inside, from tub toys to musical instruments to stickers, starting at less than $1 each. For more favors, check out online retailers www.plumparty.com (boys will love the stretchy body parts for $2.50 each) and www.birthdayinabox.com, as well as Cost Plus World Market stores Valley-wide.
• Skip the candy and plastic toys altogether and give out a larger item, such as a coloring book and box of crayons, a mini-flashlight, card game or a craft project. Cost Plus World Market, www.worldmarket.com, sells classic games such as jacks and pick up sticks in cute tin containers for about $3 each. Look for other simple favors Valley-wide at Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores.
Birthday Services
Valley party planning companies can provide fun extras. Here's a few:
• Party Pals Children's Entertainment does kid characters, caricatures, activities such as tug of war and limbo, and martial arts and hula lessons. Details: www.azpartypals.com.
• Giggles Galore Party Entertainment offers kid characters, face painters, balloon sculptors and magicians. Details: www.gigglesgalore.info.
• Whimsicals provides kid characters, crafts, activities such as kiddie manicures, mini ballet classes and pirate-themed games. Details: www.partywhimsicals.com.
Parks for all ages
The Valley is home to several public parks ideal for keeping kids entertained and party costs down. They're loaded with amenities such as sand volleyball courts, sports fields, trains, urban lakes, spray pads and more. And, of course, they've got tried-and-true playground equipment and swing sets, plus ramadas and private picnic areas.
Check these out:
• Encanto Park, 2605 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix. 602-261-8891.
• Cesar Chavez Park, 7858 S. 35 Ave., Phoenix. 602-495-5844.
• McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. 480-312-2312.
• Desert Breeze Park, 660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd., Chandler. 480-782-2727.
• Freestone Park, 1045 E. Juniper Road, Gilbert. 480-503-6200.
• Kiwanis Park, 5500 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-350-5200.
• Playtopia at Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler. 480-782-2727.
• Sahuaro Ranch Park, 9802 N. 59th Ave., Glendale. 623-930-2820.
• Avondale Friendship Park, 12325 W. McDowell Road. 623-333-2400.
• Goodyear Community Park, 3151 N. Litchfield Road. 623-882-7525.
• South Mountain Park, 10919 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-534-6324.
• Arcadia Park, 3402 N. 56th St., Phoenix. 602-256-3220.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz contributed to this report.
