Party Guide

Atlanta Parent Magazine’s

PaRTY

GuiDe

Entertainers

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Mobile Party Services

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Party Places

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Supplies and Rentals

Custom Birthday Parties!

Princess Party Superhero Party Cooking Party

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Fairy Garden Party

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Science & Robotics

Video Game Room Lego Party

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Tea Party l Art Party l

Glow-in-the-Dark

Create-your-own Party

PARTY RENTALS AVAILABLE: Character Appearances Cotton Candy Snow Cones Chocolate Fountain Face Painting S’mores Candy Buffet Dance Floor with disco ball Photo Booth

$

25 OFF

a birthday party: Code POP3

678-779-7052

1218 Rockbridge Rd. SW, Stone Mountain 30087 Near the intersection of Rockbridge Rd. & Five Forks Trickum Rd. (across from Kroger Gas Station)

www.popadoodle.com

All-Inclusive Parties

Atlanta Parent Magazine’s

PaRTY GuiDe Atlanta Parent’s Party Guide is the No. 1 source for planning your upcoming events. From local resources to party planning tips and checklists, you’ll find everything you need to make your next bash a huge success.

25 Tips for a Great Party Throw a winning birthday bash with the help of these party planning tips and ideas. / 8

Make Your Child’s Day a Special One This will be a birthday your child won’t soon forget. / 13 Yum! Edible Party Favors Guests will give a lip-smacking approval to these sweet party treats. / 20

Party Planner / 22 Special Advertising Section

Choose where you want to have your party, or who you want as a special guest to make planning a breeze.

Entertainers n Mobile Party Services n Party Places n Supplies & Rentals n

Party Countdown Checklist Keep your planning on track by using our checklist for a successful day. / 25

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PARTY GUIDE

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Atlanta Parent Magazine’s

PaRTY

GuiDe Publisher Liz White lwhite@atlantaparent.com Associate Publisher Laura Powell

Business Development Manager Amy Smith asmith@atlantaparent.com Account Executive Carolyn Haushalter chaushalter@atlantaparent.com Libby Hammonds lhammonds@atlantaparent.com Sarah Bergeron sbergeron@atlantaparent.com Special Events & Digital Sales Jordan Lisvosky jlisvosky@atlantaparent.com Editorial Art Director Sheri Taylor-Emery Editorial Amanda Miller Allen Teresa Farkas Production Robin Mintz Operations Manager Caroline Ward

Piccadilly Puppets

Let us entertain you with puppets, music, storytelling and audience participation.

Birthday child always gets a puppet!

Puppet making workshops available

404-636-0022

www.piccadillypuppets.org piccadillypuppets@earthlink.net

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PARTY GUIDE

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r u o y e Hav

Birthday Party e Ice! on th

Party Package

• 8 skaters (includng birthday child) for $100 • Each additional skater $12.50 • $50 non-refundable deposit required when booking party • Balance due by cash or credit the day of the party

Includes

• Admission and skate rental • Party room for 45 minutes • Two pitchers of your choice of Coca-Cola products with refills while in the party room • 10% coupon for the birthday child to use in our Pro Shop with receipt of booked party

on available Ice skating less Party bookings. ay with all birthd

• Add-ons available.

Duluth – 2300 Satellite Blvd. NW, Duluth 30097 • 770-813-1010 Kennesaw – 3061 George Busbee Pkwy. NW, Kennesaw 30144 • 770-218-1010

Iceforum.com

LACE up your SKATES for Atlanta’s BEST skating rink BIRTHDAY PARTIES! Parties start at $99 ($160 value) All American Skating Center • Covers up to 10 skaters (Plus of Stone Mountain features two Birthday Child. Each addtl. skater is $10 separate rinks with colorful lights • 2 hour party • Admission & skate and upbeat music during skating rental • Drinks with free refills hours as skaters of all ages roll • 4 game tokens per child upon friction-defying wheels.

• Add-ons available!

5400 Bermuda Road | 770-469-9775 Stone Mountain | 30087 www.aaskate.com

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TIPS FOR A GREAT PARTY

Throw a winning birthday bash without the fuss by following these ideas.

Be Organized

1 2 3 4 5

Plan ahead – think about what you want to do a few months in advance and set a budget.

Decide whether the party will be on the actual date or the weekend, whether you’ll celebrate at home or somewhere else and how many guests you will invite (experts say the number should be about the same as the child’s age).

Decide how much work you want to do – make and decorate a cake, or order one from a bakery? Elaborate decorations or simple crepe streamers and balloons? Get your birthday child involved in party preparations – the guest of honor will enjoy helping with tasks like decorating or measuring ingredients for a cake.

Keep in mind that an at-home party is less expensive, but requires more work, and if you choose a party venue, you turn the work over to professionals. If an at-home party seems daunting but you can’t budget for a party venue, consider holding the celebration in a neighborhood park.

When choosing a party venue, book well in advance to secure your date. If cost is a factor, check whether the party package costs less on weekdays, and plan accordingly, or consider a dual party for siblings, cousins or friends who have birthdays close together.

Get Help

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PARTY GUIDE

Ask for help from friends and family. You’ll need other adults to help with decorating and supervising the party – offer to help with their child’s party if they help with yours.

Plus, friends might have ideas you can use in planning.

Plan to hire a teenager or two to help with supervision if friends and family aren’t available.

You’ll want to have photos of the party, so put someone else in charge of photography. You can’t be a hostess and photographer at the same time, and wouldn’t it be nice to have photos of your child with each guest as they arrive?

atlantaparent.com

Choose a Party Theme

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Pick a party theme based on your child’s interests – having a focus will make plans and decorating easier.

Look for ideas online or in party books.

If your child is altruistic by nature, consider collecting donations in lieu of gifts. Ask for toys or books to donate to a women’s and children’s shelter, or choose a local animal shelter and ask for pet supplies to be donated.

Look for decorating ideas to suit your theme, and then use items you might already have to keep costs down. For instance, pull out the lawn chairs, beach towels and sand pails for a beach party theme.

Plan the party menu with your theme in mind – hotdogs are great for a baseball-themed party. Serve cake or cupcakes decorated like a baseball, jersey or bat. Have popcorn and peanuts for snacking.

Come up with fun games or a craft to fit your party theme – make pirate hats or princess crowns, dig for “dinosaur bones” in a sand box, have a mummy race where kids compete wrapped in toilet paper.

Hire professional entertainers to add to the fun of the party – a clown who creates balloon animals, a reptile show or a musical act.

Avoid the time and expense of making goodie bags, and consider giving a single item instead, a “magic wand” for a fairy tale theme, a small bag of chocolate gold coins for a pirate theme, a toy car for a NASCAR theme.

Make a schedule of events for the party, an approximate time to allot for games or crafts, for serving cake and opening gifts, and for the party to end so parents will know when to pick up kids.

Once that’s all set, plan to send electronic invitations a few weeks in advance, using a website such as evite.com.

Specify party hours.

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TIPS FOR A GREAT PARTY

Get More Organized

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Make a timeline for tasks so you won’t forget details and so you can space out chores.

Go shopping and do party prep before the day of the event. Make sure to confirm the head count and finish the decorations; finish make-ahead food prep and house cleaning – including putting away breakables – two days in advance, and baking or picking up the cake the day before the party.

On the day of the party, allow more time than you think you’ll need for getting everyone dressed and for last-minute preparations, such as blowing up helium balloons or setting places at the table.

Have a Plan for Gifts

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Decide when your child will open gifts – most parties end with gift opening, but sometimes parents opt to open gifts after guests go home or as guests arrive.

Make sure your child is schooled in proper etiquette and acknowledges gifts with a smile, even if he doesn’t like the gift, or has a toy just like the one he’s received.

Assign someone to keep a list of who gave what as the gifts are opened. Your child should write thank you notes after the party, and you may not remember each child’s gift.

Get Off to a Good Start

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Be sure everyone gets a good night’s sleep before the big day – a tired party child or parent can’t enjoy the party.

Have a contingency plan for mini-disasters – a first-aid kit for scrapes and cuts, a backup craft or game if the first attempt falls flat, a list of parents’ phone numbers if a party guest wants to go home immediately.

– Amanda Miller Allen

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PARTY GUIDE

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Drive.

Play.

Learn. l

High Tech Cars for All Ages

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Real Life Driving Experience

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Realistic Streets with Traffic Signals

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36,000 Sq. Ft. Indoor Park

The Perfect Party Place for Aspiring Drivers Ages 3-15

Birthday Parties & Field Trips

Take a Pit Stop at The Grill!

470-545-7227

2055 Beaver Ruin Road • Norcross • www.tinytowne.com atlantaparent.com

PARTY GUIDE

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Celebrate All Day! Make your child’s birthday extra special this year, and celebrate at each meal all day long. If your child’s birthday falls on a school day, pick a Saturday or Sunday to have a full-out day of celebrating how great they are.

n Wake up surprise. Decorate your child’s room with balloons and streamers and have a gift sitting there when they wake up, starting the day off on a great note. Burst into their room with silly string and sing Happy Birthday to get the day started with some fun! n Breakfast party. Have your child’s favorite breakfast food ready when they hop out of bed, whether this is scrambled eggs, doughnuts from their favorite shop, or pancakes and waffles. Make a buffet of toppings like fruit, nuts or chocolate chips and whipped creme to cover their pancakes or waffles. n Picnic lunch. Pack a basket with kid-worthy picnic foods and find a traditional red and white checkered tablecloth to lie down on the grass.

This can include assorted sandwiches, juice boxes and “ants on a log” celery and peanut butter. Have a picnic party in your own yard, or head to a local park for your meal and playtime after.

n Sundae treat. Who doesn’t love eating dessert before dinner? Let your child add toppings to ice cream sundaes and banana splits, and let them (for once) have it before dinner. If you don’t want them to spoil their meal, let them decorate the sundaes after eating and enjoy an extra treat. n Bedtime camping. If you decide to celebrate on a weekend, set up a tent in the backyard and have a camp out. If you want to skip the sundaes, let your child roast hot dogs and make s’mores around a fire pit before sleeping in their very own tent.

– Teresa Farkas

fUN-O-RAMA PARTIES Creative Balloon Art Artistic Face Paint & Airbrush Full Service Theme Parties Characters & Mascots Puppets, Magic & Comedy Bounce House & Party Rentals Balloon Decorations

770-572-1737

www.funoramaparties.com atlantaparent.com

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N ew e in st Pa Gw rt in y Fa ne ci tt lity

• 12 FLAVORS OF CUPCAKES • 10,000 SQ.FT. PARTY HOTEL • GLAMOROUS BIRTHDAY PARTIES 1-844-SAY-PINK www.PinkHotelAtl.com 1825 Rockbridge Rd. SW, Ste. 15B Stone Mountain, GA 30087

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PARTY GUIDE

FEATURED ON:

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Birthday Party Resource Guide FUNOPOLIS FAMILY FUN CENTER 706-335-3866 40155 HWY 441, Commerce 30529 funopolisfamilyfuncenter.com Funopolis Family Fun Center offers the best Birthday parties in Georgia. You bring the birthday person, cake, camera and guests and we do the rest. Sit back and enjoy the fun we offer. Several packages available that include: exclusive party room for 1.5 hours, your own private hostess, balloons, paper products, invites, food & drinks for guests, birthday person gets a tee shirt & 100 tickets.

RED HOT FIRE TRUCK EVENTS 404-925-1221 Redhotfiretruck.com

Kids love fire trucks!! Remember passing a Fire Truck and hearing kids shout … “FIRE TRUCK!!” ? That’s the idea with Red Hot Fire Trucks. Only they take it one step further and let the kids actually BE the fire fighters. Kids can take a ride, blow the horn, sound the siren, and see the lights flashing. They dress up in the gear, play with the hoses, shoot the water, and see what it’s like to be a real Fire Fighter! Bring the party to your home, child care center, school or event! For more info, email info@RHFTE.com.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA 404-527-3693 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta 30313 childrensmuseumatlanta.org

A party at the all new Children’s Museum of Atlanta is the perfect way to celebrate your child and provide a fun and memorable experience for your guests. VIP packages include private party room, host, science or art take-home activity, and fun and learning on the all new Museum floor.

BE A CIRCUS BIRTHDAY STAR! 404-370-0001 Dunwoody and Decatur www.CircusCamp.org

Celebrate your child’s birthday with Circus Camp’s trained professionals. One-on-one instruction learning to swing on the trapeze, spin on the Web, and get all fancy with our expert face painting. Magic shows, balloon sculpting, juggling and other extras are also available. Register online NOW before all time slots are filled! atlantaparent.com

PARTY GUIDE

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The Perfect Sports-Themed Party for your Child!

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GRAND SLAM PACKAGE

HOME RUN PACKAGE

$

549 for 20+ kids: (less than $19 per child)

$250 for 6 kids: ($15 for each addtl. child)

Includes: Pizzas, Drinks (Water, Powerade, Soda), Cake & Candles, 10 Batting Machine Tokens per Child

Includes: Pizzas, Drinks (Water, Powerade, Soda), Cake & Candles, 10 Batting Machine Tokens per Child

Birthday Child Receives: D-BAT T-Shirt, D-BAT Hat, D-BAT Wrist Bands

Birthday Child Receives: D-BAT T-Shirt, D-BAT Hat

Birthday Package Includes: Party Room for 2 hours, 2 Instructors for 1 hour, Team Field Area for 1 Hour, D-BAT Cleans Up

Birthday Package Includes: Party Room for 2 hours, 1 Instructor for 1 hour, Field Area for 1 Hour, D-BAT Cleans Up

Atlanta’s Premier Baseball & Softball Academy Buckhead Marietta Johns Creek 404-355-9700 678-403-2632 770-813-3333 Perimeter West Cobb 678-459-2457 678-496-7777

dbatatlanta.com • 404-355-9700

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PARTY GUIDE

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TERTAINMENT CENTER

ATLANTA’S LARGEST INDOOR EN An amazingly interactive and one-of-a-kind experience from the moment guests step foot into the 130,000 square foot facility.  Interactive Bowling Lanes

 3-story Netted Play Structure

 World’s Largest Ninja Playground  30-foot Jump Pillow  Electric Go-Karts

 More than 50 Arcade Games

Customized Party Packages Send the Invitations and Show Up No set-up, clean up and hassle free!

SLINGSHOTPLAY.COM

atlantaparent.com

BASIC PARTY PKG.

23 pp

$

Unlimited Ninja Play & Netting Structure Pizza & Bottomless Drinks Reserved Party Space, Tableware & Personal Party Host Add on Race, Bowl or Arcade for the Ultimate Party Package

6344 Cash Court NW, Peachtree Corners

30071

678-585-2268

PARTY GUIDE

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Book Now for a Great Birthday Party!

Ends!

Fun Never Where The r Party Today.

Book You

Birthday Child Free

Laser Tag when you book Mini Golf a party for 8 Dec. 31, 2017 Go Karts expires Rock Wall

Arcade Games Spider Zone Inflatables 706-335-FUNN

40155 Hwy 441 • Commerce, GA Interstate 85@ Exit 149

funopolisfamilyfuncenter.com

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PARTY GUIDE

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Yum! Edible Party Favors

by Hunter Leibler

Guests will give lip-smacking approval to these easy-to-make party favors. n Animal

Party Favors

Add some pizzazz to a Mason jar and fill it animal crackers, cookies or other treats with an animal theme.

Directions: Glue plastic animals to the lid of a Mason jar and allow to completely dry.

Apply painter’s tape along the inside of the ring (where it screws onto the glass jar).

Spray paint the lid and ring a color of your choice and allow to completely dry.

Attach a thank you tag to the neck of the jar with baker’s twine.

Fill with your goodies.

Source: CrazyWonderful (westermanfam.blogspot.com)

n Sugar

Horn

n Candy

These favors are perfect for a unicorn-themed party and can double as an activity station for the girls at the party. They can take home edible unicorn horns decorated to their choosing.

All you need is a waffle cone, frosting and sprinkles.

Flip the waffle cone upside down, have the girls cover it in frosting so the edible glitter and gold can stick. Let guests eat or take home.

Source: darlingdarleen.com

Kabob

This party favor is perfect for any party theme. Take a skewer and thread fruit gummies, like Sour Gummy Worms or Twizzler Bites, until it’s full. Use bright colors to make the candy kabobs pop. Wrap the candy in plastic for a clean, finished look that makes it easy for the kids to take home. These party favors are simple, creative and so tasty.

Source: thecandyblogger.com

n Train

Whistle

Perfect for any little boy who is obsessed with Thomas the Train, these goodie bags will be sure to add a little motor flair to his party.

The train cookies can be made at home with a simple sugar cookie recipe and a train-shaped cookie cutter; sprinkles can be changed to match the colors of the party. The train whistle and small toy can be found at Michaels or local toy stores.

Source: northwestcharm.blogspot.com

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PARTY GUIDE

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PARTY GUIDE

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Party Planner

Whether you’re planning a birthday bash for 20 kids or a block party for 100, our Party Planner is your ultimate resource for finding entertainers, party places, supplies and everything you need to plan your event.

Listings provided by advertisers

Entertainers n Alison Agency thealisonagency.com Clowns, Face Painting, Balloon Sculptures, Inflatables, Jugglers, Stilt Walkers, DJs, Hula Dancers, Caricaturists, Magicians, Story Tellers, Princesses and more! $125 and up. 770-509-9409. n Auntie Renee Speaks auntiereneestoryteller.com Party entertainment for boys and girls. Includes Storytelling, puppet shows, games, face painting, arts and crafts. 770-402-0564. n Clowning 4 You clowning4you.com Face painting, balloon, character visits, hoopers, fire eaters, jugglers, stilt walkers and more. 678646-9741.

n Once Upon a Ballet onceuponaballetatl.com A professional performer comes to your home or have your party at one of our locations! Email onceuponaballetatl@ gmail.com. 404-964-0529. n Parrot Productions parrotproshows.com Tame, performing parrots. Educational entertainment for children. Cuddle, touch, learn. Accommodates special needs.

770-715-5337. n Piccadilly Puppets piccadillypuppets.org Professional puppet shows with storytelling, music and interaction. Make-a-Puppet activity also available. $180 and up.

404-636-0022.

n Fun-O-Rama Parties funoramaparties.com Balloon artists, face painters, bubbles, games, costumed characters, puppets, magic, inflatables, balloon décor and rental items. 770572-1737.

n Sir. Crazy Pants sircrazypants.com Sir. Crazy Pants is a full on bang your head, rock your socks off, rock-n-roll show.

SCP will provide the comedy and music for your next event.

n Have A Bashery haveabashery.com Fun, creative, interactive themed parties with games, crafting and goodie bags. Perfect for boys and girls ages 1-13. 404-832-5144.

Mobile Party Services

n Jason’s Music Party jasonsmusicparty.com A Birthday Concert for your Child! Interactive, live musical entertainment. Ages 1-8. $175 and up.

678-708-2321.

n Artzy Party artzyparty.com Mobile painting parties transform your space into an art studio! All ages from $200.

404-895-7069.

n Artivity Zone artivityzone.com Glitter, paint and more keep the fun going at our Arts & Crafts parties! 770-306-8785

n Interactive Selfies interactiveselfies.com Interactive photo booth, customizable backgrounds and fun props. Perfect for birthdays, baby showers, school events and more. 404-353-5254. n Little Red Barn littleredbarn.us Cutest Miniature Petting farm comes to you, Pony Parties, Pony Carousels, Horse Drawn Wagons and more. 678-493-5860. n Red Hot Fire Truck redhotfiretruckevents.com Take a ride or sound the siren of a real, red fire truck. “5-Alarm Fun” package includes fire truck ride, squirting water from a real fire hose, decorations, kid size firefighter gear and more.

404-925-1221. n Sam’s Path Mobile Petting Zoo samspathpettingzoo.com The zoo comes to you! Monkey, Kangaroo, Zebra, Camel, Lemur and Farm Animals. Camel and Pony Rides. 706-717-8837. n Science Creations sciencecreations.com Best Party Ever! Scientist, Horseback riding, Rockets, Bubble Potion, Geysers!! Class workshops and after school programs available.

Starting price only $150. 678-531-2357. n Tumble Bus tumblebusatlanta.com Acrobats and gymnasts…Our gym comes to you! Rock climbing walls, trampoline, monkey bars and more. Ages 2-6. 770-529-5771.

Party Places n All American Skating aaskate.com Have your next birthday party at Atlanta’s best roller rink! Includes skate and room rentals.

Add-ons available! 5400 Bermuda Rd., Stone Mountain 30087. 770-469-9775. n Center for Puppetry Arts puppet.org For members only. Includes 10 tickets to a performance, priority seating, birthday announcement before performance, party room for one hour, crown and throne for birthday child. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-881-5149. n Chamberlain’s Chocolate Factory chamberlainschocolate.com Step inside the quaint chocolate production and party center and be greeted with the sweet smell of chocolate making. Parties include instruction, chocolate, goodie bag and more.

678-728-0100.

Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation

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PARTY GUIDE

n Chattahoochee Nature Center chattnaturecenter.org Animal encounter, nature hike, favors, games and FUN included! 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell.

770-992-2055 ext. 237.

atlantaparent.com

n The Children’s Museum of Atlanta childrensmuseumatlanta.org Make memories that will last a lifetime at Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Climb to the center of the Earth, launch a rocket ship, milk a cow and so much more in the Museum’s newly renovated space. 404-527-3693 n Circus Camp circuscamp.org Jump, twirl, spin and swing! Circus parties with aerial trapeze training and more. Other circus arts available. Ages 5 and up. 404-370-0001. n College Football Hall of Fame cfbhall.com Put Your Next Birthday Party in the Hall of Fame!

Celebrate Hall of Fame style with 95,000 square feet of interactive fun including a 45-yard indoor football field! Multiple packages available including the guest of honor’s name on the video board, a birthday cake and more! Book today! 404-8804841 or groups@cfbhall.com. n CrossFit North Atlanta - Ninja Warrior ninjafitkids.com Party like a NINJA! Take on our TV show inspired obstacle course including Zipline and warped wall. 404-355-4500. n D-Bat Atlanta dbatatlanta.com Book your child’s next sports-themed party with us and we’ll take care of the rest! 5 Metro-Atlanta Locations. 404-355-9700. n Funopolis Family Fun Center funopolisfamilyfuncenter.com 11 Acres of Fun for all Ages. Play, Shop and Stay. Awesome birthday parties. Group pricing available. 40155 Hwy. 441 South, Commerce.

(I-85 north @exit 149). 706-335-3866. n Glow Galaxy glowgalaxy.com Glow Galaxy provides unique, memorable birthday parties and open play times (not during parties) in the glow-in-the-dark play area with six large glowing inflatables, a sports court with full size basketball hoops, soccer, football and glow mini-golf. 6527 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross. 770-368-3008. n Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation gwinnettparks.com Various facilities available to rent for birthday parties, team celebrations, class parties, pools, gymnasiums, pavilions, community rooms. 770822-8840. n Ice Forum - Duluth iceforum.com Have your birthday party on the ice! Packages include skate rentals, party rooms, etc. Add-ons available! 2300 Satellite Rd., Duluth 30097. 770813-1010. n Ice Forum - Kennesaw iceforum.com Have your birthday party on the ice! Packages include skate rentals, party rooms, etc. Addons available! 3061 George Busbee Parkway, Kennesaw 30144. 770-218-1010.

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Treetop Quest

n Interactive Neighborhood for Kids inkfun.org Parties include admission to the museum for 16 kids, 90 minutes in the party room and a T-shirt for the birthday child. 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. 770-536-1900.

n Pink Hotel pinkhotelatl.com Atlanta’s new 10,000 sq. ft. party hotel featuring a Cupcake Café, 6 Hotel Suites, Salon & Spa, Arcade, Library, Movie Theatre, craft room and more. Call the Concierge today! 1-844-SAY-PINK

n Knock Music House knockmusichouse.com The best VIP Red Carpet, Paparazzi, Music Video, Hip-Hop Dance party place in Atlanta. 1052 St. Charles Avenue, Atlanta 30306. contactknock@gmail. com 404-919-5719.

n Popadoodle popadoodle.com All-inclusive birthday parties perfect for your child.

Themes include Princess, superhero, fairy garden, art, Minecraft, lego, or create-your-own! 678-7797052.

n Laser Voyage Cafe laservoyage.com Birthday Parties are Ultimate!!! Heartpounding, live-action pirate laser tag!

Navigate a maze of passageways in a legendary pirate ship! 1866 Buford Hwy. NW, Duluth. 678-514-3430. n LEGOLAND legolanddiscoverycenter.com/atlanta It’s time to Party! For the best birthday party in town, celebrate yours at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta!

3500 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta 404-8489252. n Linda’s Riding School lindasridingschool.com Providing a unique setting for your child’s next birthday at our place or yours. Activities include ring riding.

770-922-0184. n The Little Gym thelittlegym.com The Little Gym Awesome Birthday Bash is a wish come true for parents. Your child and their friends get the whole place to themselves and The Little Gym handles everything from set up to clean up! Alpharetta, 404-600-4894. Snellville, 770-982-0901. Smyrna, 770-434-6661.

n RealTime Gymnastics realtimegymnastics.com Does your child use the curb as a balance beam?

Let your child learn the proper techniques during a birthday party at Real Time Gymnastics! The first hour of the party consists of gymnastics, cheer if requested, and games, certified instructors will teach the fundamentals and drill form. Everything is included from set up to clean up. Parents provide ice cream and cake. Two locations: Roswell, 404-841636; Alpharetta, 770-640-6605. n Slingshot Entertainment slingshotplay.com Bowling, Electric Go-Karts, Ninja Obstacle Course, Netted Kid’s Play Structure, Arcade and Restaurant.

Private Party Host included for all parties. Peachtree Corners. 678-585-2268 n Southeastern Railway Museum southeasternrailwaymuseum.org Party in our vintage railroad car, gazebo or exhibit hall! Includes admission for up to 20 guests; most include train ride or park train ride for all partygoers.

2 hours, $150 and up. 3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth.

770-476-2013. n SS Airsoft ssairsoft.com Indoor Play, Parties, Sales Events located near the Mall of Georgia. 4729 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Sugar Hill. 678-714-6001.

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Party Planner n Stars and Strikes starsandstrikes.com Bowling, arcade, laser tag, bumper cars and extreme party packages for kids and teens. Party Host, pizza/soda, invitations included. All birthday kids get entry into FUN MACHINE! Buford, Cumming, Dallas, Lawrenceville, Loganville, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, Woodstock.

678-965-5707. n Tiny Towne Drive Safely tinytowne.com Indoor Park for aspiring drivers, ages 3-15. Learn the rules of the road, drive, ride, play, eat and party! Private party room and packages. 2055 Beaver Ruin Rd., Norcross. 470-545-7227. n Treetop Quest treetopquest.com Family friendly treetop obstacle course and zip-lines, starting at 4 years old! $22-$49 per person, $7 goody bags. Buford: 404-277-6113 and Dunwoody: 770-365-0356. n Tumbletots Preschool and Parties funttots.com Awesome PRIVATE Birthday Parties perfect for ages 1-6! Fun Indoor Playground, moonwalk, theme cakes, craft, story, balloons, tattoos and gift bags. Norcross. 770-729-9660.

Those Guys Rent Everything!

4710 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068

678-569-1271

30+ years of serving Atlanta Party Rentals • Tool Rentals • Equipment for Sale

www.suburbanrental.net

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PARTY GUIDE

n Vinings School of Art viningsschoolofart.com Art Parties starting at $215 for 10 children. $265 for 15. Larger group pricing on web.

Children can design a unique 3D sculpture, canvas painting, or work with clay. Smyrna 678-213-4278.

Supplies & Rentals n Fun-Fare fun-fare.com Atlanta’s premier event company with over 50 inflatables, quad jump, 24 ft. rock wall and trackless train. 770-425-3033. n Jumptastic jumptastic.com Atlanta’s leading source for Inflatable moonwalks, Slides, Games and Ride rentals. Over 400 inflatables. Insured. $150 and up. 404-537-1805. n Starstrickn Entertainment Specializing in kid birthday parties! Jump Houses, Cotton Candy, Bubble & Popcorn Machine, Character Meet & Greet, Balloon Columns and More! 770-949-8549 n Suburban Rental suburbanrental.net Those guys rent everything! 30+ years serving Atlanta, Marietta and Roswell. Check out their wide variety of equipment. $80 and up. 678-569-1271. n Topplin Tots facebook.com/topplintotsatlanta The must have item at your toddlers next party.

Atlanta’s own soft play rental company is booking now for 2017.

atlantaparent.com

Party Countdown

Checklist

Keep your birthday party planning on track with this helpful checklist. From setting a budget to welcoming your guests, it’s sure to make throwing your bash a cinch.

Six Weeks To Go ❑ Decide on time and money budget ❑ Begin researching costs of external locations ❑ Research entertainers for in-home party ❑ Check out books about kids’ parties from the library for theme and game ideas Four Weeks To Go ❑ Choose party theme ❑ Select party location ❑ Determine maximum number of guests ❑ Finalize date and time ❑ Book and send deposit for entertainers or external locations Three Weeks To Go ❑ Make or buy invitations and send them ❑ Make transportation arrangements to external location ❑ Finalize menu ❑ Order cake and food if not homemade ❑ Arrange for extra helpers Two Weeks To Go ❑ Shop for paper goods, theme props, goodie bags and game prizes ❑ Make favors and/or assemble goodie bags ❑ Plan games and make any decorations or game props ❑ Select music as needed

Party Day

Six hours to go ❑ Pick up last minute items, such as helium balloons ❑ Clean up clutter and put away any special items not used for the party Four Hours to Go ❑ Decorate house Three Hours to Go ❑ Make final food preparations ❑ Make final game preparations

atlantaparent.com

Make SWEET Party Memories with a CHOCOLATE Making PARTY  Each child makes their own chocolate goodies  Party treat bag to take home  Kids learn all about chocolate while having fun creating yummy treats

❑ Buy any craft supplies needed for party crafts One Week To Go ❑ Confirm final numbers with party location ❑ Confirm arrangements with entertainer ❑ Create menu and ingredients shopping list ❑ Shop for non-perishable foods and ingredients ❑ Develop a timetable for the party day Three Days To Go ❑ Confirm that helpers will show up ❑ Call entertainers and party rentals to confirm your order ❑ Finalize all props and music needed for games and crafts ❑ Check camera, video supplies and batteries ❑ Choose party clothes and get them ready to wear Two Days To Go ❑ Make food that will keep in refrigerator or freezer ❑ Check the house for safety hazards ❑ Put away any special breakables

chamberlainschocolate.com 678-728-0100 6365 Spalding Dr. • Norcross 30092

Linda’s Riding School Love Horses?

Linda's provides a unique setting for birthday parties or any special function.

Activities include ring riding.

One-hour parties includes a demonstration for 15 minutes and ring-riding for 45 minutes.

Party at our place or yours!

Camps Lessons Trail riding

770-922-0184

www.lindasr idingschool.com

One Day To Go ❑ Bake or pick up cake ❑ Rent videos for sleepovers ❑ Review day of party timetable

One Hour to Go ❑ Set table ❑ Dress yourself and your children 30 Minutes to Go ❑ Have helpers arrive ❑ Run through timetable and basic responsibilities with helpers ❑ Put out materials for first activity or game Party Time! ❑ Welcome your guests

PARTY GUIDE

25

Atlanta Parent Magazine’s

VININGS SCHOOL OF ART All 1 hr. classes for

@Paint canvas or age 2-14 are @3D sculpture/paint $15 or less per class @or clay work Saturday drop-in classes are available year round

Many ART choices@2 hour parties $215 for 10@$265 for 15 kids $300 for 18@$325 for 20 kids

678-213-4278

viningsschoolofart.com

We come to you! Miniature farm animals & a pony to ride.

• Birthdays • Field Trips • Church Productions • Pony Carousels CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR PARTY!

678-493-5860

PaRTY

GuiDe ADVERTISER INDEX

All American Skate ......................... 7

Jumptastic Moonwalks.................. 27

Artivity Zone ................................. 26

Laser Voyage Cafe........................ 16

Auntie Renee Speaks.................... 12

LEGOLAND Discovery Center........ 17

Chamberlain’s Chocolate Factory......................... 25

Linda’s Riding School.................... 25 Once Upon A Ballet....................... 24

Chattahoochee Nature Center........ 6

Piccadilly Puppets .......................... 6

Children’s Museum of Atlanta....................................... 11

Popadoodle..................................... 4

Circus Camp................................... 2

RealTime Gymnastics................... 18

College Football Hall of Fame ......... 3

Red Hot Fire Trucks....................... 19

CrossFit North Atlanta Ninja Warrior................................. 12

Sam’s Path Mobile Petting Zoo..... 27

D-Bat Atlanta................................ 16

Pink Hotel...................................... 14

SS Airsoft...................................... 21 Science Creations......................... 20

Fun-Fare....................................... 21

Slingshot Entertainment................ 17

Fun-O-Rama Parties..................... 13

Southeastern Railway Museum..... 14

Funopolis Family Fun Center......... 19

Stars and Strikes............. Back Cover

Glow Galaxy.................................. 27

Suburban Rental........................... 24

Gwinnett County Parks & Rec. ...... 19

The Little Gym ................................ 6

Have a Bashery............................. 25

Tiny Towne Drive Safely................. 11

Ice Forum........................................ 7

Topplin Tots................................... 24

Interactive Neighborhood for Kids............................................ 5

Treetop Quest............................... 20 Vinings School of Art..................... 26

CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR EVENT!

26

PARTY GUIDE

atlantaparent.com

Moonwalks, Party Fun and More!

OVER 300 INFLATABLES

Newest, Highest Quality and Largest Selection of Inflatables in Metro Atlanta.

404-537-1805 WWW.JUMPTASTIC.COM