By Kristen Eriksen
A friend of mine asked me about suggestions for childrens’ birthday party locations, and, more specifically, what I thought about Chuck E. Cheese. I have not been there in years, and the twins don’t know what it is.
Honestly, I hope it stays that way for a while!
No horror stories here, but overall it’s just too noisy, chaotic and expensive for my taste. We’ve had family birthday parties for the twins at home so far, but I think this will be the year to branch out for my soon-to-be 5-year-olds in June!
In December, our family went to our first not-at-home birthday party. It was for a 3-year-old family friend at “Jump On In” in Lowell. We had never been there, and I was nervous. My kids are little, and I had a harrowing day at another children’s gym place before (another post to come…..). I gotta tell you, this place was great! We divided play time between two big rooms with bouncy houses, slides and climbing structures. Fearless Ben just started going. Charlotte was more cautious, and needed her mom’s hand to give her confidence. Now, I am 5’ 10”, so it is not easy for me to fit in climbing structures built for kids! But I did! The day ended with pizza, cake and ice cream. The place was very well staffed, and the timing (about 2 hours) was perfect.
Last week, I brought Ben to a party at Plaster Funtime. The invite said that they would prefer that you drop off, but parents could stay if you don’t interfere with the “artwork.” I was skeptical, since I knew this mom invited 20 kids, and I did not intend to just drop him off. I got to have coffee and chat with some of the moms! Melissa, the staff member who ran this show in Chelmsford, was great at handling these 4 to 6-year-old kids. She doesn’t mess around. I still would not have wanted to leave, but she was like a little, fun, silly drill sergeant! She kept all the children in line, and on task. Again, we ended with pizza, and cake.
This week, Charlotte has been invited to a birthday party at the Acton Children’s Museum. I love this place, anyway, so I see a fun time in our future there.
So, two fun birthday parties down, and who knows how many more to go. I just pray that we don’t have to enter the world of Chuck E. Cheese too soon!
Kristen Onos Eriksen
/ February 2, 2012Here is my latest post about Birthday Parties…………..
Susan Ortler Anganes
/ February 3, 2012I never liked Chuck E. Cheese either. We attended a birthday party there years ago and it was chaotic. My Teddy turns eleven on Monday and he requested we go to the Boston Museum of Science. We’re members there, and the kids never get sick of going. There’s always something new to see. We will go Monday (thanks to homeschooling we aren’t really skipping school just going on a field trip!), and celebrate Teddy!
On another birthday note, Teddy has it in his head that he wants a “Portal Birthday Cake”. I am not a gamer OR a baker for that matter, so I am going to have to figure out how to create this:
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Cake-from-Portal-The-Orange-Box/
Is there a Betty Crocker mix out there somewhere that will create this for me
Linda
/ February 3, 2012Try the American History Textile Museum in Lowell. They give a very nice birthday party!
http://www.athm.org/education/public_programs/birthday_parties/
Susan Ortler Anganes
/ February 3, 2012MUCH more educational than Chuck E. Cheese and LOTS of fun!
Amy Dienta
/ February 9, 2012Time to clay in Nashua is awesome for birthday parties!! As well as Leda lanes in Nashua!!