By Jill “MamaBug” Frier
The holidays are over, the tinsel and lights are coming down soon. So what’s next? Well, at our house it’s time to get ready for our daughter’s Birthday! There are many great places to host birthday parties in the Valley. The venues we list here range in price, size and location, and will help you if you are going plan your youngster’s birthday party this year.
Pump it Up
One of our favorite venues for a birthday party is Pump It Up. This venue provides rooms full of bouncy houses, slides, and other activities that kids love. There are several locations around the Valley and one of the best features is that the entire party is planned for you. You can pick from a variety of packages to include different numbers of kids, add on pizza and drinks, and have the staff at Pump It Up do all of the setup, serving, coordination and cleanup. This is a great choice if you want to minimize the headache of planning and hosting a party, and not a bad price when you add up all of the effort.
The Play Factory
The Play Factory is similar to Pump It Up, but a smaller venue and great for younger kids. Conveniently located in the Desert Ridge Marketplace, the Play Factory specializes in kids parties and typically reserves weekends just for booking these types of events. A little less expensive that Pump It Up, this is a good choice for smaller kids and smaller parties, but still lets parents host their party without having to worry about setup, cleanup or serving.
The Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is one of our family’s favorite places to visit all year round, but is a fantastic place for a fair weather birthday party. While it is more expensive than many venues, booking a party at the Phoenix Zoo will definitely make the party memorable for your child. These packages typically include zoo admission and a reserved ramada, as well as a personal party host, party favors, crafts, cake and ice cream and other zoo activities. If you child loves animals and going to the Phoenix Zoo, a birthday party here will make their day!
Girly Girlz
Have you got a little diva in your house? Well Girly Girlz may be the birthday party destination for you. You can host a glitzy, girly party with a variety of themes from rock star to princess. And again, the staff at Girly Girlz takes care of everything for you. Give your little girly a birthday to remember with her best girlfriends – and leave the work to Girly Girlz.
Jump Street
A great place for super active, bigger kids to have a birthday party is Jump Street. With a couple of locations in the Valley, Jump Street will host your birthday party so you don’t have to worry about setup, clean up, cooking or serving. They offer a variety of packages, but this is a great venue for the young trampoline fanatic in your family!
Peter Piper Pizza
Peter Piper Pizza is one of the most popular venues for all kids at our daughter’s school, and it’s easy to see why. Fresh pizza, fun games and a custom party host let parents take it easy, while the kids have a blast. Pizza and games may seem simple, but sometimes simple things are the best and the kids enjoy every minute of playtime together. If you are looking for a great venue on a smaller budget, Peter Piper Pizza is a great choice for a fun birthday party.
Phoenix Parks
Are you on a budget but still want to get your birthday party out of the house? A Phoenix city park near you is a good choice. You can reserve picnic tables and plan events at many of the city parks around the Valley, while others are first come first serve – at no cost to you. If you want to bring a bounce house or offer beer, you can get a day permit for a small fee. A birthday party in the park is a great way to celebrate your kid’s birthday in a fun location for a small price. Be sure to check out the city policies before you plan, to make sure everyone has a great time.
There are so many other birthday party venues in the Phoenix area that it’s almost impossible to list them all here. These are some of our favorites and the ones we’ve seen first hand, but watch Ladybug’s Blog for more birthday party venues and ideas in the coming months!
