Kidsguide PartyGuide 2017

KIDSGUIDE Making Family Life Better in OC & Long Beach Metro | More on kidsguidemagazine.com | Summer 2017

Party Guide

Perfect

Venues & Entertainment

Invitation Dos & Don’ts

10

Hilarious Games

Hacks

Party Food, Photo Booths & Lots More

parties Party packages and entertainment at your home or party facility. Also see listings throughout the Kidsguide Directory as many offer party packages.

• Adventure City 1238 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim (714) 236-9300 www.adventurecity.com What a day of excitement! Play in Adventure City as long as you like; enjoy one-hour in the whimsical Party Station eating pizza and other treats served by your own party hostess; take a private train ride with your child as the engineer, and much more. Adventure City provides everything from invitations to wonderful memories. Parents can relax and enjoy the party.

• A Karate School for Kids (714) 899-1000 www.betusa.org The academy offers birthday parties, along with Girl and Boy Scout meetings. Rental space is available for groups, aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, etc. Classes for adults and children; group or private instruction—home-school classes too! Children’s program begins at age 4. Classes are held Tuesday through Saturday. While learning self-defense and coordination, participants also learn life skills such as respect, self-esteem, discipline and self-confidence.

• Aquarium of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach (562) 951-1630 www.aquariumofthepacific.org Let the Aquarium supply all the ingredients for an unforgettable party! Birthday parties include a one-hour classroom program featuring animal touch time, bio-fact discovery and a souvenir craft project. The party concludes with an additional half-hour in the classroom for the birthday celebration. Guests are welcome to bring their own cake; food items can be provided for an ad-

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ditional cost. All you need to do is call at least two weeks prior to reserve a date (subject to availability) and then invite your guests. For parties up to 25 people: $1,200. For parties of 2645 people: $2,000. Members discount available.

• Art Explorers (714) 552-0782 www.artexplorerskids.com Fun and creative art projects for birthday parties, Girl Scouts and Boy Scout badges. Kids (grades K-6), come dressed to get messy and ready to explore all different types of art and art mediums. Visit www.artexplorerskids.com for more information.

• Art Steps 18212 Imperial Hwy., Yorba Linda (714) 524-2248 24000 Alicia Pkwy. # 31, MV (949) 454-9555 www.artstepsclasses.com Birthday parties or scout classes at Art Steps are fun, mini art classes. Each child proudly brings home a beautiful, finished drawing in crayon, marker or pastel, as a party favor or as work toward an art badge. Contact for details on their new location opening in Irvine!

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10

Games to Keep the Party Going!

1. Freeze Tag: Just like regular tag with one cool catch — the kids who get tagged freeze in place until a designated “unfreezer” can free them from their icy prison.

2. I Want My Mummy: Give teams each a roll of toilet paper and see who can wrap up a teammate the fastest. Is it a waste of toilet paper? Maybe. Is it the most fun you’ll have in long while? Yes. Definitely, yes.

3. Musical Chairs: Update this oldie by incorporating dance moves as they circle the chairs. Guests will have to ‘ju ju on that beat’ if they want to win this battle.

4. Chubby Bunnies: Sit kids (6 and older) in a circle and pass around a bowl of marshmallows. Have each kid stuff one in a cheek and say “I am a chubby bunny.” Keep going by adding a marshmallow each round. Anyone who laughs or doesn’t speak clearly is OUT! 5. Dancing Chain: First kid wiggles his hips. Second kid wiggles his hips and adds jazz hands. Third kid wiggles his hips, waves his jazz hands and…what’s next?

6. Sticker Stalker: Everyone starts with a sheet of stickers — the challenge is to stick them on people without them noticing.

Get stealthy because the first to use up their stickers wins.

7. Scavenger Hunt: The night before the party put together a list of items. Then figure out how you can make the directions into an easy riddle. Rumplestiltskin need not attend.

The first to finish and bring in all of the correct items is victorious.

8. Disney Charades: Who can impersonate our favorite mouse the best? You can even get tech savvy with it, and pull in apps like Heads Up! 9. Cotton Ball Nose: Put Vasoline on the outside of each player’s nose. Each player has to transfer cotton balls from one plate or bowl to another without using his/her hands.

10. That’s a Wrap: Give each player a set of oven gloves. Have them try to unwrap candy (such as Hershey Kisses or Starbursts) while wearing the gloves. The player with the most candy unwrapped after a minute wins!

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• Blue Submarine (888) 218-8085 www.thebluesubmarine.com The Blue Submarine offers fun, educational adventures in marine biology. They bring live tidepool animals to you, adding an unforgettable experience to your birthday party or special event.

The Blue Submarine allows your guests to visit the tidepool without getting wet! English/Spanish bilingual programs also available. Call today to book your party or special event! See ad on page 4.

• Bold Girlz Store and Party Place 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy., Ste. 305, Mission Viejo (949) 348-1300 www.BoldGirlz.com Offers fashion camps, fashion-themed birthday parties, spa parties, rock star parties and more.

Parties include exclusive use of their beautiful, private party room, stage and runway, hair and makeup, fashion crafts and more.

• Bowers Kidseum 1802 N. Main St., Santa Ana (714) 480-1520 www.bowers.org/kidseum Invite your friends to a fun-filled, unique birthday party experience! Customized packages may include a face painter, storyteller, and art projects.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Kidseum. Party packages start as low as $285.

• The Bubble Rollers Emerald Isle Entertainment Inc. (714) 508-3690 www.thebubblerollers.com www.emeraldevents.com The original Bubble Rollers (the premier product-line from Emerald Isle Entertainment) allows you to run, walk or roll on water without getting wet! No pool? They can bring an inflatable pool, or have your party at a public pool or park, or a Bubble Rollers location; they are approved by OC Parks, California PTA and Compliance Depot for all schools, churches and public events. Be the first to offer a Bubble Bumper or Bubble Bumper Soccer event; or try their Land Zorb Bubble Rollers, Large Tube Rollers and Paddle Roller Boats.

Perfect for children’s parties, corporate events, carnivals, fundraisers, team building or any special occasion. Their newest attractions include: foam parties, synthetic mobile ice skating rink and curling, Quad Mobile Bungee Trampoline system, photo booth and Huge Radical Run Obstacle Course. Don’t be fooled by imitators... they are the original and only Bubble Rollers.

See ad on page 1.

• Build It Workspace 4388 Cerritos Ave., Los Alamitos (714) 947-0800 www.buildit.ws/birthday-parties Parties at Build It Workspace are an exciting and creative way to celebrate your child’s big day.

Fun activities include robot races, sewing with electronics, soap/chocolate-mold making, 3D printing and laser cutting. Girls and boys learn

something new and create a unique project to take home. Parties are two hours with exclusive use of the facility. Scouting events, meetings and fundraisers also available.

• Columbia Memorial Space Center 12400 Columbia Way, Downey (562) 231-1200 www.columbiaspacescience.org Host your own out-of-this-world event at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. Use the entire 20,000-square-foot Space Center or select facilities for meetings, birthdays, reunions, weddings, banquets, and other special events. Birthday party packages are available.

• Discovery Cube Orange County 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana (714) 542-2823 www.discoverycube.org Have an unforgettable birthday full of discovery, learning and play at Discovery Cube! Your party guests will spend the day exploring two floors of interactive exhibits, watch a live science demonstration, and celebrate your special day with pizza and refreshments catered by Bean Sprouts in the Birthday Party Zone! To learn more or book a party, visit www.discoverycube.org or call (714) 913-5030.

• East West Ice Palace 11446 Artesia Blvd., Artesia (562) 809-6200 www.eastwesticepalace.com Fun party package includes public skating admission, private party room, pizza, cake, soft drinks, party decor, plus skate time. Skating lessons available upon request. Also offers public skating and skating classes for kids (3+) and adults.

• Emerald Isle Entertainment Inc. Mobile Ice Skating Rink (714) 508-3690 www.emeraldevents.com Emerald Isle Entertainment has added something new and exciting to their inventory. First it was walking on water, then it was Bubble Bumper Soccer, Laser Tag, Quad Bungee, huge obstacle courses and photo booths—and now you can ice skate year round! If you’re looking for a unique experience for your corporate, church, or school event or home party, try their synthetic mobile ice rink. It can be set up on almost any flat paved surface and they can even provide the skates. Want to try ice curling? Contact them for that, too! See ad on page 1.

• Fire Pixie Entertainment (714) 831-1880 www.firepixie.com Fire Pixie Entertainment SoCal brings awardwinning entertainment to parties throughout LA and Orange Counties. Your favorite characters, superheroes, fairies and pirates (even swimming mermaids!) are ready to surprise and delight your guests. They offer the best face painters and balloon twisters in the area, and also magic, storytelling, puppets, hula hooping, games, music and lots more fun at kidsguidemagazine.com

more! Perfect for birthday parties and corporate events, their entertainers and artists are sure to delight guests of all ages. They work with you to customize your experience and will make your event truly unforgettable. Check out their website, call or email socal@firepixie.com to bring the magic to your next event! See ad on page 4.

• Golf N’ Stuff Family Fun Park 10555 E. Firestone Blvd., Norwalk (562) 868-9956 www.golfnstuff.com Have your child’s next birthday party, team party or scouting event at Golf N’ Stuff Family Fun Park! Pizza Party packages can include easy or challenging miniature golf and exciting rides, including go-karts, bumper boats and kiddie train.

While there, guests also enjoy the latest in arcade games, great prizes, snack bar and party facilities. Where the 5 and 605 freeways meet.

• Gryphon Fencing & Fitness Studio 971 Via Rodeo, Placentia 92870 (714) 519-1343 www.GryphonFencing.com Knights, pirates, Jedi, Zorro or Robin Hood?

Fencing and archery are fun activities for all ages. Gryphon offers fencing or archery-themed birthday parties for kids and adults. The birthday person and guests will play games, learn basic fencing moves and cap the event with a fencing match using Olympic-style electric scoring equipment. For archery-themed events, partici-

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LET’S HAVE A CART PARTY!

Gourmet Food Prepared Fresh in Front of Your Guests on Antique Style Food Carts A Catering Company.

Call for a Free Brochure.

(310) 578-2278 (CART) www.letshaveacartparty.com pants will learn safe shooting skills, play games and shoot balloons. The typical birthday party is two hours with 90 minutes for the fencing or archery activities and the last 30 minutes set aside for cake or refreshments. Call for rates and availability. Email: info@gryphonfencing.com.

• Irvine Lanes 3415 Michaelson Ave., Irvine (949) 786-9625 www.irvinelanes.com Irvine Lanes bowling center offers fun, easy-toplan, and affordable birthday parties for kids of all ages. With 40 lanes of bowling, they can accommodate parties of any size. Their catering kitchen offers many items that can be added to

Since 1969

• Kosher Hot Dogs • Hamburgers • Soft Chicken Tacos • Candy Apples • Salad Bar • Fresh, Hot Cookies • Crepes & Omelets • Chocolate Fountains • Glatt Kosher Menu • Gourmet Pizzas • Chicken Nuggets • French Fries • Cotton Candy • Ice Cream Sundae Bar • Hot & Ice Blended Cappuccinos • Plus Much, Much More!

your birthday party, including fruit and veggie platters.

• Jessica Lake Photography 4549 Cerritos Ave., Ste. A, Cypress www.JessicaLakePhotography.com JLP makes enjoying and preserving your little one’s first birthday as easy as can be! Their First Birthday Cake Smash with a real cake is the perfect way to celebrate! Little ones’ personalities shine and it’s a fun event all around. They also have monthly JLP Pop-Up events—a great balance of boutique photography at an even more affordable price. Be sure to visit their website to see the variety of services and specialty sessions they offer. Email: jessicalakephoto@gmail.com.

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$10 Off new clients

entertainment

Book Your Party Now!

Award-Winning Princess & Superhero Parties

Adventures in Marine Biology

Let’s Have A Cart Party!

Educational & Fun Live Tidepool Animals Camps • Field Trips • Birthday Parties Special Events English/Spanish Bilingual Programs

We Come To You!

Gourmet Food Prepared Fresh in Front of Your Guests on Antique Style Food Carts. See our ad & listing on page 53.

888-218-8085

Order 2 Carts and Get the 3rd Cart FREE. Call (310) 578-2278 (CART)

• Kick It Up 8129 E. Wardlow Road, Long Beach (562) 430-1812 www.kickitup.com A variety of parties and options are offered, including the Enchanted Princess Ballerinas’ Ball, Fairy Dream Dance, Pineapple Princess Hula Party, Pop Princess Hip Hop Party, Go...Fight...

Win Cheer Party and the Dancing Princess Party!

All birthday parties include exclusive use of their decorated studio, glitz and glam session, fun dancing and games, and a personalized cookie cake! Great for your daughter’s birthday, scout troop or soccer team. Customized parties are also available for tweens, teens and adults.

• Kidnastics 10712 Reagan St., Los Alamitos (562) 431-1102 www.kidnastics.net Kidnastics has always been the place to be for your child’s birthday party. With over 23,000 square feet

www.thebluesubmarine.com

of gymnastics equipment, your child and their friends can enjoy over several hours of active-play in a fun and safe environment. With exciting attractions like astro-jumps, tumbling trampoline, castle playhouse, interactive games and so much more, your child will enjoy their best birthday party yet! Come join them for a fun-filled and most memorable event of your child’s life. Their birthday party sessions are very popular so hurry and call to reserve your spot today!

Please visit the website or call the number listed for more program information.

• Leeway Sailing Center Birthday Party Packages 5437 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach (562) 570-1719 www.longbeach.gov/park A unique fun celebration at the beach! Birthday Party Package “A” includes one hour of beach games, one hour of barbecue and one hour of boating. Pricing ranges from $255-490 based on size of party, package and amenities. Birthday Party Package “B”

includes one hour of beach games or barbecue and one hour of boating. Pricing ranges from $200-465 based on size of party, package and amenities. Nonrefundable deposit due at time of reservation: $50.

• Let’s Have a Cart Party (310) 578-2278 (CART) www.letshaveacartparty.com Since 1969, Let’s Have a Cart Party has been preparing fresh food at your party site in front of your guests. Kenny Baines, owner and head chef, handselects only the finest produce for your occasion.

Meats are fresh and never frozen. Carts include: kosher hot dogs, gourmet pizza, chicken nuggets, french fries, baked potato bar, cotton candy, ice cream sundaes, fresh hot cookies, crepes, chocolate fountains and many more. Their antique-style carts add a unique character to any celebration.

See ad on page 3; coupon on this page.

• Life of the Party (562) 860-7797, (714) 903-7689 www.LifeOfThePartyONLINE.com

PArty food hacks When it comes to food, “don’t overthink it,” advised Rachel Fernandez of Let’s Have a Cart Party which has been serving treats from vintage carts at Southland events for more than 45 years. “Kids are pretty easy to please.”

Choosing just one or two main dishes helps you plan quantities, avoid waste and save cash, she said. Their most popular kid items are…it’s a thriller…hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken nuggets, French fries and hand-dipped ice cream bars, but she also fields loads of requests for pizza, tacos and quesadillas.

Count on at least two pieces of the main dish for each grown-up and one for each kid. Also include a few other options, like fresh fruits and veggies or pasta salad, for vegetarians/vegans, kids with allergies, pescetrians — basically, all the -arians.

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You can double food as entertainment (no, not a food fight) by having guests make their own grub. Set out toppings for a make-your-own hot dog, mini pizza or taco bar. Sketch a menu on a chalkboard and let kids choose their bread and fillings for a schmancy grilled cheese. Create a caramel apple station, or spear banana chunks with straws and let guests dip them in chocolate and sprinkles. Fill hardware-store paint buckets with pretzels, dried fruit, chocolate chips, cereal and marshmallows to make pre-hike trail mix.

And don’t be surprised to find that a caterer is totally affordable! “We buy everything in bulk, so we can pass those savings along to our customers,” said Fernandez, who can help you plan for any budget.

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The best children’s entertainers in Southern California! Their expert staff features top performers including magicians, clowns, super heroes, princesses, and fairy tale and holiday characters. Plus, they offer karate parties, dress-up/glamour parties, karaoke sing-alongs, puppet shows, reptile shows, pony rides/petting zoos and much more. Over 20 years of experience. Call for a free consultation on how to make your party great! See ad on this page.

• My Gym Children’s Fitness Center Long Beach 3287 Industry Drive, near Redondo and Stearns (562) 986-0066 www.mygym.com/longbeach Easy, fun, all-in-one parties! Exclusive use of the entire gym. Convenient and easy for parents.

Games, games, games...and so much more. With a birthday right around the corner, why not give your child the experience of a lifetime. Celebrate at My Gym with captivating games, rides and unique activities customized for your child. The caring and energetic staff will handle everything.

• Parties By Erin & Co. (562) 901-0111 www.bestpartiesbyerin.com With more than 15 years of experience, Parties

By Erin and her team of talented performers can make your child’s dream a reality. What sets them apart from the rest? They custom-build every party according to your theme and age group, so they grow with your child each year.

From face painting and magic with Cinderella for the younger set, to combat training and relays with a super hero, they relieve your partyplanning stress. For older kids, they coordinate dance parties and sports, or experience their newest theme, “Who-Done-It” mystery parties, with a cool party host who makes sure the party is exactly what your child had hoped for! There’s no character too unusual, no theme too extravagant! Send Parties by Erin & Co. your idea and let them create the party your child has always wanted. See ad on this page.

Planning a Kid’s Party?

We have Southern California’s TOP CHILDREN’S PERFORMERS!

Magicians

Super Heroes

Dance & Dress-Up Parties

• Robotics Party at Sylvan Downey (562) 622-9210 Huntington Beach (714) 848-6072 Laguna Niguel (949) 349-1835 Long Beach (562) 429-8320 www.sylvanlearning.com Looking for a fun and creative way to celebrate your child’s birthday? Sylvan Learning has the hottest activity around ... a Robotics birthday party using LEGOs! Select from different themes available and watch your child and their friends enjoy a day of building, programming, and friendly competition. This is the perfect choice for your LEGO-lover while amazing their friends and family with a unique birthday activity. Students not only leave with pizza and goodies but they will also leave with some new STEM words in their vocabulary! Your child’s party is sure to be memorable and unique. See ad with discount coupon on page 3.

• Sewing Lab Los Alamitos 4215 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos (657) 465-5499 www.sewinglablosalamitos.com A fun three-hour sewing party! Party go-ers (grades 2+) will not only learn how to safely use a sewing machine, but also sew their own party favor—a reversible tote bag or a stuffed animal. A birthday party they’ll never forget!

• Shared Science (562) 285-3942 www.sharedsciencefun.org Shared Science will help you design a physical science or robotics workshop to suit your event needs.

Shared Science provides kids (grades K-9) with unique engineering fun that includes LEGO constructions, computer programming or even robotics.

INVITATTION Dos & Dont’s DO

send invites at least two weeks in advance. Be sure to include the location and street address, a start and stop time, whether the party’s a drop-off and if you’ll be serving a meal or just cake. Should the guests tote a towel and swimsuit, dress for a mess, or plan to spend the night?

Say so now. Spiderman swingin’ by at 2 p.m. sharp? Clue in your guests so they don’t miss the show.

DO

save money by picking up invites at your local dollar store and sprucing them up, or get fancy with websites like Smilebox (smilebox.com) or Greeting Island (greetingisland.com) where you can browse dozens of free printables.

DO consider the classic rule of thumb—

one guest for each year of the birthday bambino’s age.

DON’T

be afraid to adjust the number up or down, but be real: “Having a very large group can be stressful for the parent and keeps them from enjoying their child’s special day,” said Elisa Zamora of Blue Submarine. She recommends 20 or less.

DO

Puppet S

hows

Princesses Clowns Characte & rs

Santa & ny Easter Bun

• Pretend City Children’s Museum 29 Hubble, Irvine (949) 428-3900 www.pretendcity.org Exciting and engaging parties for children (infant-8).

With a variety of packages and customized offerings,

Much More!

Call for a FREE consultation!

(562) 860-7797 • (714) 903-7689

consider your venue. A crowd of squirmy first-graders might be pinched in your parlor, but they’ll have plenty of elbow room at a roller rink.

DON’T feel obligated to invite your off-

spring’s whole class. For a smaller group, pop the invites in the mail.

DO recruit other grownups, or a neigh-

borhood teen, to help run games, pass out cake or supervise, especially if you’ll be walking through an amusement park or other public venue. Plan on one adult for every four kids.

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DIY Photobooth 1. Find a backdrop like an old sparkly sheet from your local thrift shop or even a tablecloth covered in your themed character. Post it on the wall with tacks or tape.

2. Prepare the props on a small table near the backdrop. Dollar stores are starting to carry these or you can DIY some of your own to match your theme.

3. No professional camera needed.

Phones take great quality images! The day before the party just clear up some space in your gallery and you’re good to go.

3. Snap away! Grab a kid, give him a prop, make him smile. Easy as that!

4. Make an online album. After the party, transfer your picture perfect pics to an album on Facebook so that everyone can giggle at the great time they had.

Workshop content can be tailored to group age, interests and take-away projects. Greater Long Beach locations.

• Skateboarding Parties with Skatedogs (714) 313-8787 www.skatedogs.com Skatedogs comes to your home with portable ramps and rails to create a custom skatepark for a oneof-a-kind birthday party. Guests can ride ramps and get skateboarding tips from an experienced instructor. All parties include a T-shirt for the birthday boy or girl, with the option of including a T-shirt for all participants.

• Splash! Buccaneer Bay Waterpark 13806 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada 90638 (562) 902-3191 www.splashlamirada.com

Celebrate your birthday or any special event and have a splashing good time at La Mirada’s premiere fun destination, Splash! Buccaneer Bay Waterpark.

From end-of-school-year celebrations, to company picnics, birthday parties and team events, celebrations are easy to plan and fun to attend. From an All-American Picnic, to upscale dining, their catering services can accommodate your needs. Allinclusive waterpark birthdays, full park rentals, and picnic areas are available. Splash! offers the best value, with free parking, picnic areas, all-day park access, lockers and tasty food. The 18-acre park is beautifully landscaped with palm trees, lush green grassy areas, lounge chairs and umbrellas.

• Task Force Laser Tag and Airsoft Shooting Range - Emerald Isle Entertainment Inc. (714) 508-3690 www.taskforcelasertag.com www.emeraldevents.com Get your next event blasting with Task Force Laser Tag or Mobile Airsoft Shooting Range! Great for both kids and adults, they offer the most realistic Laser Tag experience in Southern California. Their state-of-the-art equipment works both day and night, and their paintball-style inflatable bunkers turn your playing field into a one-of-a-kind realistic battle zone. They can operate almost anywhere, including parks, schools, indoor halls, gyms, backyards and more. And, no one else in the Western U.S. offers their airsoft machine-gun style enclosed shooting range. Both are the ideal attractions for your one-of-a-kind birthday party, school or church carnival, corporate team building or fundraising

z z uzO N E

B E M SO

event. Approved by The California PTA and Compliance Depot. Also available are their foam parties, Quad Bungee Trampoline system, Huge Radical Run Obstacle Courses and mobile photo booths (see listing for “The Bubble Rollers” in this section).

See ad on page 1.

• The Rinks Anaheim ICE (714) 535-RINK Huntington Beach Inline (714) 901-2629 Irvine Inline (949) 559-9949 Lakewood ICE (562) 429-1805 Westminster ICE (714) 248-9611 Yorba Linda ICE (714) 692-8776 www.The-Rinks.com Put your party plans on ice at The Rinks! They offer packages with cake, refreshments, balloons and party decorations in their private party rooms. Then take to the ice for the coolest fun, including an exclusive group skating lesson for you and your birthday party guests! For party package prices and information, visit them online or call.

• Vans Skatepark Birthday Parties 20 City Blvd. West, Orange (714) 763-3800 www.vans.com Vans Skatepark is a great place to have a birthday party. The skatepark has a few different party packages to choose from—some even include private lessons. There is plenty of room for parents to watch as well as a video game area. Please contact the park for details.

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