Happy Birthday, now pay up!

Mason is turning 3 in less than a month!  Normally Mom's of almost 3 years olds will write a blog about oh how big junior is getting and wow can’t believe how fast the time went.  I’ve been there done that lol.  I agree with both statements but this blog is about party planning!

Mason had his baby shower at 1 month old.  We invited close family and friends and had a nice little get together.  Mason was spoiled with gifts and love.

On his first birthday we had a similar party but instead of gifts and love, it was love and donations to the Food Bank.  We felt he had so much already.  The party was a blast!

Mason’s second birthday was a smaller affair and since his best friends were at school, we had the party AT school!  I decorated their eating area with monkey decorations, Mason’s Dad and I made monkey cupcakes & banana cookies and had a great little soiree!  Again, no gifts were requested but Mason still got spoiled by a few friends!

So now we are at birthday #3 and I’ve been doing some thinking and would like to throw a traditional party with food, cake and games and of course his best friends.

Well I figure the best place to start is Facebook, so I put a shout out to my local friends asking for venues and ideas. 

Then off to the Internets to scope out places and pricing.

The categories you have to choose from: 

Disclaimer: The prices shown below are as of Feb 24, 2012 and are subject to change.  Due to editing, not all details have been included on each venue so it is recommended that you check the link and see the most current information personally.  None of the vendors below have compensated me for these listings and there is no recommendation implied by listing them.  Booking with these companies is at your own risk for satisfaction.

$425 for NON members.  $340 Members.  Admission + decorated party room + cake + drinks.  No outside food. 

$299 for NON members, $263 Members.  Room + admission + food + loot bags + cake + activity.  Max 30 people.

 Community Center/YMCA (bouncy castles, gymnastics or swimming)

Ranges depending on what community you live in.  For bouncy castle it was $130 - $260 including room + decorations + bouncy + coordinator for games.  No food but allowed.

Choose from craft and games $135.50 for up to 12 kids or Mini play place - $158.00 for up to 12 kids *more kids cost more

Or have public party (shared with public) for $105-$85 depending on private room for cake etc. Or rent the whole place for $285 non prime time or $315 prime time.

$80 + $16.50+HST per person (including adults).  Room and admission only.  You can bring your own food

 Activity Centres

$79 for weekday or $115 for weekend. + HST. 

Food is $2.50 per kid (hot dog and juice) or hot dog + chips + juice $3.25 per kid.

  • Max 8 adults for the birthday rate, more if it’s a private party.

Chuck E Cheese’s

Interactive website that asks for location + amount of guests before it provides a price.  I put 8 kids and 9 adults.  100 free tokens.  + Balloons, 8 tokens for birthday kid, hat, 16 tokens per kid, free pop, 2 slices pizza perkid, tableware, evite.  $23.99 + HST per kid.

Invitations + 90-120 private program + 60 minutes party time + admission.  $20 gc to birthday kid.  Bring own food.  $12 non members, $10 members.  Per child.

$9.25/child and $11.25 per adult.  Min 10 children.  ·  One free adult per 5 children (ages 3-8); One free adult per 10 children (ages 9-15).

  • Options include train tour ($3.00/person); education program ($2.00/child); reserved outdoor Picnic Area (A=$25, B=$50, C=$75 deposit) or reserved indoor area (Animalasium Learning Centre) is available for $100 for 2-3 hours.

 $325 Wild Zoo Party

  • admission to the Zoo for 10 children and 2 adults (extra's will pay the "birthday party rates")
  • choice of outdoor picnic area (AREA A) or a 2 hour indoor rental in our "Animalasium Learning Centre"
  • activities for 10 children
  • lunch for 12 people
  • miniature train ride for 12 people

Zoo host for the birthday party to help you keep everyone happy along the way

 A few other things I learned:

 Clowns aren’t cheap – $125/hr (usually a 2 hr minimum)

  • Bouncy castle’s aren’t cheap – $100/hr
  • How bout renting a pony? 2 hrs @ $265
  • Hosting creep crawlers? www.mikescritters.com.  $145+tax for 9 animals showing for an hour
  • Baking party - $355-$440 for 1.5 – 3hrs

I did mention that this party is for a THREE year old right?  I don’t live in West Vancouver!

Maybe I chose the wrong profession? Hosting children’s parties brings in dough!!!

 Stay tuned for the next blog to see what venue we actually chose and how Mason had the best bday ever!

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