WINTER/SPRING • 2022
PARTY GUIDE! SUMMER / FALL 2022
FANTASTIC BIRTHDAY SPOTS
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PLANNING A HOME PARTY FROM START TO FINISH GREAT THEME IDEAS FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY STAR
Take the stress out of birthday party planning with Happy Hangout. Customize any package to make this birthday the best one yet!
513-458-1470
2041 Anderson Ferry Road Cincinnati
happyhangoutws.com/party
Book a fun and informative experience for your special day! See, touch, and hold the amazing Dino Buddies during a wild up-close encounter, all while learning how to protect and preserve wildlife and wild places. Facebook.com/DinoBuddiesLLC 513-460-2737 DinoBuddies513@gmail.com
EXCITING - UNIQUE - EDUCATIONAL 2 summer 2022
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SUMMER 2022
Table of Contents BIRTHDAY STRESS-FREE IDEAS FOR PARTY PLANNING BUSY PARENTS
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STRESS-FREE BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR PLANNING BUSY PARENTS
14 10
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THE LATEST LATEST IN IN THE LOCAL PARTY OPTIONS
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COMPANY E S TA B L I S H E D I N
MISSION STATEMENT MISSION STATEMENT
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Nashville, Rutherford, Sumner and Cincinnati Family magazine aims to Williamson Parent Magazines aim to provide the community connection provide the community connection parents long for. We help moms, dads parents long for. We help moms, dads and families navigate the uncharted and families navigate the uncharted waters of family life, and we weave waters of family life, and we weave bright threads of joy and opportunity bright threads of joy and opportunity into the daily lives of families. into the daily lives of families.
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Artsy kids create memories with friends and craft something unique during a custom Local Studio 325 birthday party!
859-376-4325 3622 Decoursey Ave., Covington
www.LocalStudio325.com 4 june 2021
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Basic Package - $108 ($187 Value)
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Contact Erin Claybaugh at 859-594-4487 ext. 33 or at erin@florenceyalls.com
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10,000 sq. ft. of Visually Open Play Space • Sand Table • Dramatic Play • Inflatables • 3 Story Play Structure Voted Best Children’s Birthday Party Place, Most Loved Indoor Playland and Best Kids Activity 9405 Cincinnati Columbus Road West Chester Township
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Star Glazers 513-474-6364
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Partay!
by Kimberly Blaker
Party Ideas for Busy Parents So your child’s birthday is just around the corner, and you don’t have time to plan and the perfect party? Don’t despair. There are plenty of fun places to hold kids’ parties that’ll save you time in planning, preparation and cleanup.
SNAP. (it’s done!)
T
ry some of these party places for kids of all different ages. When you call, ask what amenities are available and included. Many sites provide invitations, food and cake, balloons and decorations, a private party area, a gift for the birthday child and other special birthday services. (please turn the page)
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Partay! Skates & Blades - Roller skating rinks are again gaining popularity, and most offer a choice of inline or roller skate rentals for kids. Also, consider ice-skating and ice or a roller hockey party as a fun alternative. Strike it Big – Bowling parties are a fun form of recreation for kids of all ages. Preschoolers can score every time with bumper bowling, while teens can go cosmic for glow-in-the-dark fun. Add to the amusement by offering small prizes for low and high scores and the most and fewest gutters. Pizza and Play – Preschool and early elementary children thrill at invitations to these parties. They can play kiddie arcadestyle games, win tickets for prizes, hop on
Recreational Romp – Recreation and fitness centers offer a wide variety of activities including gymnastics, swimming, basketball and arts and crafts.
Party Tips
You Should be Dancin’ – Check with your local dance studio for birthday party packages. Some offer professional dance instruction and allow food and party treats to be brought in, so the whole shebang is done right there.
• Guest List: Keep it manageable to
Music Marvel – Big kids will be in awe to see one of their favorite performers in concert. Craft Magic – Young kids love to create. So schedule a craft party at a fabric shop, craft store, or scrap-recycling center where kids’ activities are offered. Cops and Robbers – Kids will thrill at testing their skills and cunningness in a
avoid chaos, confusion and conflict. The number of guests should correspond with the child’s age or slightly over. • Request an RSVP with a specific deadline, so there is time to invite others should the guest list fall short. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. • Offer your child choices for the party, ask for input and allow them to assist in planning. • Send out written invitations. Verbal invitations are easily forgotten and make the invitee feel that he was an afterthought. Evites are perfectly fine for invitations, you just need to gather everyone’s email addresses. • Include all details on the invitation, including a start and end time, address and directions, phone number and what guests need to bring, such as a bathing suit and towel. • Be aware that for little kid parties, a mom or dad may plan on hanging
coin-operated rides and romp in soft play areas. Water, Everywhere – Head to a wave pool or water park where big kids can ride the waves, swish down water slides, take a plunge and go on tubing adventures. What better way to cool off and party on a hot summer day? Old MacDonald Had a Farm – Check with a nearby farm to find out what activities are offered. Many include petting zoos and lots of other fun activities, too.
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22 summer 2022
game of laser tag. These centers often offer on-site party areas and birthday packages.
around and they may bring an extra
Fast Food Fun – For a simple and inexpensive toddler or preschool party, McDonald’s, Burger King and other fast-food joints are excellent choices.
can help you in planning party favors
Putt-Putt & More - Family fun centers offer a variety of entertainment, including batting cages, miniature golf, video games, and go-carts.
outdoor parties.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat – An afternoon canoe excursion for teens is the ultimate outdoor fun. Contact canoe rental facilities for details. Bring along soda and a picnic lunch, and make sure the food stays in the chaperone’s canoe where it’ll be safe.
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sibling (or two!). Just knowing this and treats. • Play it safe, and set a rain date for
• Keep the length of the party within reason. Unless it’s a sleepover or special event, preschool parties should be limited to one hour, and two to three hours for older children.
Sensory Friendly Birthday Parties In our Sensory Room
3 Party Packages to fit your budget!
11912 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati
513-583-1874
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Let’em wish Take your birthday party
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3321 Alamo Avenue • Cincinnati, Ohio 45209 cincinnatifamilymagazine.com
summer 2022 9
Partay!
by Heather Lee Leap
Stress-Free Birthday Planning
TIME.
(don’t waste it!) Time. It’s only on your side if you use it wisely. If you squander the time it takes to plan your child’s next party, you will be sorry at some point or another.
P
lanning a kid’s birthday party can be super fun or super stressful. There’s a lot to think about includ-
ing food, guests, decorations and more. But just like any other big event, the first question is where? And that’s where your budget comes into play. If a big party at a party destination is on your mind, you need to book it up to eight weeks ahead of time (to get the day and time you want). But you can also have a great birthday party at home. Follow our tips for ideas, inspiration and more. Let’s PARTAY!
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Decisions, Decisions
• Set your budget • Decide on a location • Pick a date • Choose the time & duration • Make a weather back-up plan • Choose entertainment & games • Choose a theme
Call, Book, Reserve
• Order food • Order cake/desserts • Rent tent, chairs, etc. • Book entertainment • Book other vendor (if applicable) • Confirm vendors one week prior
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Who’s Coming?
• Create a guest list • Prepare invitations • Send invitations • Follow up with guests
Eat & Drink
• Plan a menu • Decide on drinks • Create a shopping list
Fresh Themes Bowling: with or without bumpers, means casual fun. Circus: Face paint, juggling and dressing up. Kids can create their own acts and entertain one another. Donate: In lieu of gifts, request that guests contribute funds to an organization the birthday child is passionate about. Extraterrestrial: Plan a space-themed party for your future astronaut. Fairy Tale: Ask guests to come dressed-up. Rent a princess to join and read a story. Luau: Eat pineapple, serve fruit punch, give out leis and play Limbo. Sleepover: Say yes to pizza, popcorn and late-night giggling. Local park fun: Reserve a park shelter by a playground. Dance party: Disco ball, neon necklaces, dance music. Obstacle course: Get creative in your back yard with hula hoops, old cardboard boxes, and anything else you have lying around. Kids can climb, jump and crawl over, under and around. Time their circuit as part of a friendly competition.
Go Shopping
• Non-perishable food • Perishable food • Drinks (for kids and adults) • Candles • Party favors • Decor • Plastic table cloth, paper plates, cutlery, napkins, cups
One Day Before
Miscellaneous
• Create DIY decor • Have cash for tips • Make music playlist • Clean house for a home party • Cut grass
• Prepare party food that can be made in advance • Decorate • Create a shopping list • Assign photo-taking person
Last-Minute Do-Dos
Rock climbing: Head to a local rock gym to learn new skills together and get moving. Science: Take chances, get messy and explore the laws of physics or the states of matter. Use books of experiments from your local library. Uniquely you: What does your child’s dream party look like? How can the theme reflect something special about what is important to your child or your family? Volunteer for a cause and invite party friends to join in. Water fun: Rent the party room at your local pool for a splashing good time. X-men and friends: A superheroes theme can include capes, masks and feats of daring do, well-supervised, of course. Yard games: Time to teach your kids and their friends all the old favorites. Croquet, badminton, “Mother, May I?” “Red Light, Green Light,” Freeze tag, etc.
It’s Party Time!
• Take lots of pictures • Enjoy yourself; be flexible • Keep track of gifts (name of gift and giver) • Be aware that there may be tears, extra kids and the great unknowns
• Pick up cake/dessert • Set out food • Chill drinks • Assign photo-taking person • Tie balloons to mailbox (if party’s at home)
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Puppets: Make sock puppets with button eyes or design simple stick puppets. Read a short story or fable for inspiration to get kids going.
Turn the page for fun party destinations! summer 2022 summer 202219 11
It’s PARTY TIME at West Chester Academy! Party with music, dance, or gymnastics. Our state of the art facility and qualified and dedicated staff will provide the perfect party for your special child! Everyone has fun as the birthday boy or girl’s birthday is celebrated in style. Parties are 90 minutes long and may be scheduled for Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 12:30 or 3 p.m.
8107 Market Place Drive • West Chester
513.829.2345 • WestChesterAcademy.com
12 summer 2022
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BY AMANDA HAYWARD
Celebrations! Best Birthdays for Little Ones
They say the hours are long but the years are short, so celebrate your birthday kids BIG!
O
ne minute you’re a mom zombie and the next it feels like you’re an ultra marathoner running aimlessly at your mobile toddler. Yes, it goes by quickly, but celebrating little ones is super fun when they’re small. As we begin to crawl out of pandemic restrictions, here’s the latest on what your favorite party spots are doing these days to make your child’s special day exciting and memorable.
INDOORS
teachers and age-appropriate activities and lessons made specially for your tiny artist! Each kid gets a framed piece of their original art and cool party favors, and they provide the materials and fun. Plus, they bring their Mobile Arty Party to you! Color Me Mine Crestview crestviewhills.colormemine.com/events/kids Choose the Kids Ceramic Party for ages 2 - 12 for two hours in the party room, setup and cleanup, a tech to assist, a commemorative signature dinner plate, glazing, firing, materials and instruction.
Abrakadoodle Greater Cincinnati 513-297-5655 | abrakadoodle.com/oh-greater-cincinnati What’s so cool about Abrakoodle’s Arty Party? The talented art
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Dig ‘N Play 513-847-1055 9405 Cincinnati Columbus Road #8 West Chester, Oh dignplay.com Whether you choose to have a private party or semi-private party, the birthday kid will “dig” spending time with his closest circle of friends and family. Each package has its perks that include a private party room and clean up! From their huge custom sand table, to inflatables, and three-story play structure, this will be a party to remember. EnterTRAINment Junction 513-898-8000 7379 Squire Court West Chester, Oh entertrainmentjunction.com This is a train-lovers dream come true. Featuring a railroad museum, an indoor children’s play area with a maze and funhouse and an outdoor kid’s train ride, your little conductor will have plenty of entertainment plus lots of party packages to choose from. Florence Y’alls 859-594-4487 ext. 22 7950 Freedom Way Florence, Ky florenceyalls.com/birthdaysbashes Celebrate your little one’s big day with Y’all! He will love being a star for the evening - packag-es include family section tickets, sodas, wristbands to the Kids Zone, a special Happy Birthday shout out from his fans during the 5th inning, and to really put the icing on the cake, he will get to throw out a ceremonial first pitch AND keep the autographed baseball, too! Let’s play ball! Milk and Beans 859-360-0257 574 Buttermilk Pike Crescent Springs, Ky milkandbeans.net Four different packages can be semi-private or totally private. Bring your own decorations or add a package for a stress-free celebration. Check out all of the add-ons online and the differences between parties.
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Pump It Up of West Chester 513-829-7867 7724 Service Center Drive West Chester, Oh pumpitupparty.com VIP treatment with your party kid’s own bouncy house arena; a private party room, games, inflatable party playgrounds and the special blow-up birthday throne. Contactless payment options plus increased cleaning and sanitizing in between parties. Puzzle Pieces - A Sensory Sensation 513-583-1874 11912 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, Oh puzzlepiecesofohio.com Throw your sensory child a birthday he’ll love. Choose between three packages (Basic; Midsize; or Premiere). Each includes two hours in the sensory room and various amenities. A magician or face painter can be added, too. Run, Jump, and Play 513-771-7529 5897 Pfeiffer Road, Suite B Cincinnati, Oh runjumpnplay.com An enormous playground and fun inflatables! The new toddler addition lets tots explore with sensory adventures and educational activities. Parties include a personal party host, a private party room, invitations and paper goods. You bring the cake. They set up and clean up the mess! Star Glazers 513-474-6364 starglazers.com They bring the fun to your birthday kid! A pottery expert brings the supplies and offers booklets and ideas for your masterpiece. Pricing includes the cost of supplies, glazing and firing. No mess and all fun! Urban Air Trampoline Park Cincinnati 513-322-3130 3321 Alamo Ave. Cincinnati, Oh urbanairtrampolinepark.com/ locations/ohio/cincinnati You choose your party package and Urban Air takes care of the rest - setup, hosting and cleanup - and watch your little birthday kid enjoy all of the indoor play and trampoline fun that their little heart desires. There is something for all ages, too, with
a full adventure park loaded with more than just trampolines. Packages include party necessities, balloons, 2 hours of play, socks and more! Masks are required; enhanced cleaning procedures; a sanitation team; limited capacity on attractions; temperature checks when you arrive and more health and safety protocols on their website. West Chester Academy 513-829-2345 8107 Market Place Drive West Chester, Oh westchesteracademy.co Birthday party themes for ages 1 and older. Bubbles, dress up, games and more. They supply invites, party supplies, optional party bags; and 90 minutes on Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 12:30 or 3 p.m. Lobby is currently closed; you may invite up to 15 party kids (including birthday kids); party participants can choose to wear a mask in the gym; adults required to wear masks to and from the front door and in the party area.
OUTDOORS
For picnic shelters, call well in advance and ask for pricing. Cincinnati Nature Center Krehbiel Pavilion Shelter cincynature.org/about-us/ facility-rental-9/krehbiel-pavilion-26 This roomy shelter has eight picnic tables that seat up to 50 people and is located right
outside the much-loved Nature PlayScape, perfect for little explorers. Masks are required when inside buildings and during programs but no longer need to be worn on trails. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden 513-281-4700 3400 Vine St. Cincinnati, Oh cincinnatizoo.org The “Zoo it Yourself” Birthday Party Package is new this month! Pick up your party package at the Welcome Center and have your own Zoo-It yourself birthday party. Enhance your party by adding extras! Gorman Heritage Farm gormanfarm.org Little ones love farm animals! Meet animals in an open space and play! For more information, e-mail Caroline at cbear@ gormanfarm.org. Great Parks of Hamilton County Picnic Shelters greatparks.org/reservations/ picnic-areas Great Parks is not hosting parties for the 2021 season, however, they do offer 58 opensided picnic shelters and two non-sheltered picnic areas that are available to reserve up to a year in advance including Lake Isabella, Sharon Woods and Fernbank Park to name a few.
Party On! Find More Party Ideas Online at cincinnatifamilymagazine.com including: BIG KID PARTIES BOOKING PICNIC SHELTERS CAKES, COOKIES AND TREATS FUN THEMES RENTING INFLATABLES SEARCH OUR DIRECTORIES!
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