3 minute read
PARTY PLANNING IS A BREEZE
While many have taken a pass on birthday parties the last few years, the time has come to bring back the fun and joy of celebrating birthdays. St. Charles Park District staff is ready to help plan a super event with ease. Staff like Emile-Margaret Spangler, a facility coordinator at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, help families create the perfect event, from finding the right theme to providing downloadable birthday invitations, table coverings, activities and more. “We help with the planning and take all the work out of it,” Spangler says. “I love helping people plan their events.” A great event starts with a great theme, and the park district truly has something for everyone. Using its different recreation spaces, one can have a party focused on animals, crafts, sports and more. Parties are geared to a child’s specific age and interest. Each party includes plenty of time for a great activity as well as time to enjoy food and treats. Whether you’re serving up pizza and cake or sending guests home with a treat to enjoy later, a fun time will be had by all. Having a party at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center? Guests will want to arrive early or stay after to enjoy a visit with the center’s resident critters, Spangler says. New birthday themes include Fairy Garden & Gnome Homes, Incredible Insects, Rad Reptiles, Out of this World with a focus on astronomy, and Nature at Night. Hickory Knolls will continue to offer its popular Dino Dig Bash and Critter Exploration themes. For example, with a Dino Dig Bash party, partygoers learn
By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske | Photos provided by St. Charles Park District
about dinosaurs, get to meet some of the Hickory Knolls reptiles that are descended from dinosaurs, participate in their own fossil excavation and get a chance to paint their own copy of a fossil. In the new Nature at Night party, guests take a guided night hike along one of the trails outside of the discovery center and return to enjoy a campfire experience. For those who prefer to keep the fun indoors, check out some of the great themes at the Pottawatomie Community Center — including the newest, Dance Party, where guests will learn simple dance moves. What if you could host a Nerf battle and not have to clean up the darts? The park district staff can make this dream a reality with its Nerf Party where young guests will enjoy their own mini battles. Other popular themes at Pottawatomie include the Princess & Pirate Party, Superhero Party and a Stuff ’n Fluff Party where guests create their own furry plush friend to take home. Pottawatomie Community Center’s large multipurpose room also makes a great space for your own themes, whether it’s a guided painting class or other crafts and games. While the staff has created fun themes for birthdays, these programs aren’t only for annual milestones. Scouts, clubs, teams and other organizations are welcome to host their events using the space and themes for their group gatherings. Spangler recommends booking a party at least one to two months in advance. For active kids with energy to burn and looking for room to run, check out the sports-themed parties at Sportsplex, with access to the indoor turf fields. Guests can play soccer, flag football, Wiffle ball and more. With reasonable rental and party fees, there will be plenty leftover to purchase the perfect cake and enjoy it too, without having to clean up any crumbs. To explore party themes and details, visit www.stcparks.org/birthdayparties.
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