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Planning A Party?

The City Has Countless
Types Of Birthday Bashes To Choose From.

Here, A Roundup Of
Inspired Themes And Venues (Plus Cakes, Entertainers, and The Dos and Don’ts Of
Birthday Etiquette)

CARNIVAL FOR KIDS Host a
full-fl edged, Coney-Island style carnival for your child at Carnival, an
ambitious new space above Bowlmor Lanes. Birthday guests receive tickets to use
on authentic boardwalk style gaming—including a basketball toss and fi sh
pong—as well as access to concession stands offering popcorn, cotton candy and
snow cones.

SPORTS SAMPLER Budding sports stars can take part in obstacle courses, relay
races, tug-of-war, dodgeball, potato sack races, and more challenges when they
throw a sports-themed bash. Chelsea Piers and Kids In Sports both
host athleticthemed parties.

PUPPET PARTY Celebrate
with a private puppet show just for the birthday guest and her friends. You can
find shows ranging from classic folk stories to interactive modern tales at
places like the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park,
Puppetworks in Park Slope, and the 14th Street Y.

GYMNASTICS BASH
Flipping, tumbling, jumping, swimming and climbing are just a few of the
activities kids can engage in at a gymnastics-themed party—under the supervision
of coaches of course! Great venues include 74th St. MAGIC, Gymtime Rhythm
& Glues, Jodi’s Gym,
and My Gym.

GROUP SCAVENGER HUNT
Kids who love deciphering codes and clues can give their brains a workout with a
group scavenger hunt. Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts organize
kid-friendly hunts in Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and
other iconic New York destinations.

WACKY SCIENCE Kids who
get a kick out of how things work can get up close and personal with experiments
like

exploding volcanoes,
gooey ooze, and indoor fireworks. Check out Mad Science, New York Hall of
Science,
and The Scholastic Store for great science-themed party
options.

PAMPERING PRINCESS What
little girl doesn’t want to be a princess for a day? The birthday guest and her
friends channel their inner divas and live the glamorous life with makeovers,
pedicures, hairdos, and more at places like Cozy’s Cuts for Kids and
Dashing Diva.

A BEARY GOOD TIME Kids
around the country love the chance to make their very own Teddy Bear and other
stuffed animals from scratch at Build-A-Bear Workshop—and our budding New
Yorkers are no different! Participants stuff, stitch, and dress their creations,
and go home with a furry new friend.

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM For
an overnight adventure, consider hosting a sleepover at a local museum. Kids can
take part in museum’s activities, get flashlight tours, and more. Both the
American Museum of Natural History and the Children’s Museum of
Manhattan
offer sleepovers.

DANCE PARTY Engage your
child’s natural rhythm and love of movement with a dance-themed party. Your
child and friends will move and groove to the music, and maybe even learn a few
new moves too! Groove out at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center and
Discovery Programs.

MAKE YOUR OWN ROBOT With
Robot Galaxy, a make-your-own robot party offered at Toys “R” Us Times
Square and at Robot Galaxy in Freehold, NJ and West Nyack, NY, kids can hop
aboard a space ship to design their own talking robot, which they get to name
and activate in front of all the guests!

SOCCER CELEBRATION Score
big with a celebration thrown by Supper Soccer Stars, which hosts parties
at both indoor and outdoor locations. The festivities include soccer activities
and the chance to perfect skills, followed by a mini-World Cup tournament.

MAKE A MEAL OF IT A
restaurant or dessert cafe is a great place to host a party, and they often have
private rooms you can rent out. For a sweet time, try Magnolia Bakery on
the Upper West Side or Sweetie Pie Restaurant in the West Village. For a
full-fledged luncheon or dinner, Big Daddy’s on the Upper East Side and
Heartland Brewery and Uno Chicago Grill, which both have locations
throughout the city, host kid-friendly affairs.

ANIMAL ANTICS If your
child loves anything that moos, oinks, tweets or growls, celebrate his birthday
where the wild things are by exploring the urban jungles and farms of New York
City. Great places to get up close and personal with real animals include Art
Farm In the City, Queens County Farm Museum, Central Park Zoo,
and Bronx
Zoo.

SUBWAY SOIREE For a New
York-centric themed party, try the New York Transit Museum where kids can
explore over 100 years or transit lore, hop aboard old subway cars, and take
part in hands-on workshops!

PLAYGROUND PARTY The
indoor playground and interactive water adventure station at City Treehouse
make it a perfect place for a birthday party for young kids. Simply rent the
space and create your own party, or work with the party planner to customize the
affair.


YES TO YOGA Whether
they’re doing the downward dog, the cat, the cow, the rainbow pose, or even,
yes, the pineapple pose, your child and his guests will get a Zen-like kick out
of yoga-themed activities and games at Karma Kids Yoga.

ROCKIN’ ROLL If your
little maestro loves to jam, give him the gift of music on his birthday with a
party at one of the city’s musical activity centers. He’ll dance and sing along
with the band, and maybe even learn to create some of his own music. apple
seeds, Kidville, Three Little Birds, Hands On!, and Moey’s Music Party
are all great options.

A MAGICIAN’S AFFAIR From
a magic comedy show, to balloon animals, to a secret VIP magic room and the
chance to levitate—the birthday boy or girl who hosts their party at Fantasma
Magic
will be just one abracadabra away from their most memorable birthday
party yet!

KARATE AND CAKE Your
birthday child can kick, punch, and chop her way through her birthday at one of
the city’s martial arts centers, including Tiger Shulmann’s Karate, East Side
Tae Kwon Do,
and West Side Taekwondo. Not only will she and her
guests learn skills from instructors, but they will gain confidence, poise,
respect and self-control that will endure long after the party ends.

GAME TIME Kids will be
on top of their game at Dave & Buster’s, the game emporium that has
everything from the classics (Skeeball, Donkey Kong, Pac Man) to the modern
(Dance Dance Revolution). There’s plenty of action and sports games, too,
including bowling and basketball.

BALLET FOR A DAY Treat
your prima ballerina and her friends to a ballet-inspired birthday celebration
at a premier New York City studio. Kids will have fun warming up and performing
a special ballet story at venues such as Ballet Academy East and Steps
on Broadway.

ELEGANT TEA PARTY A
fancy tea party is a great way to make kids feel special on their big day. At
Alice’s Tea Cup and American Girl Place, children’s parties
include options like tea service, assorted sandwiches, and sweet treats as part
of an elegant spread. Dolls are invited!

SPOTLIGHT ON YOU Kids
can unleash their inner thespians by dancing, singing, and acting their hearts
out while honoring the birthday guest! Check out the performance party options
at Broadway Babies/Superstars, Camp Broadway, DramaZone, Discovery Programs,
and New York Kids Club.

BOWLING BASH Kids can
compete to stay out of the gutter while they battle each other in a birthday
bowling game. From choosing the perfect bowling shoes, to enjoying snacks and
drinks, to rolling that perfect strike, it’s a full afternoon of fun! Great
places to host parties include Harlem Lanes, Lucky Strike, and Bowlmor
Lanes.

POOL PARTY One doesn’t
have to travel to a suburban country club to host a pool party. Kids can splish,
splash, reach and pull right here in the city. Host a party with activities both
in and out of the water at venues such as Asphalt Green, 92nd Street Y,
Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center, McBurney YMCA,
and West Side
YMCA.

DATE ON SKATES Your
child and their friends will love the chance to pull on a pair of skates and
show of their skills on the rink—or learn a few from an onsite instructor. Tell
the kids to leave their modesty at home and remember that falling is part of the
fun! Try Wollman Skating Rink, The Rink at Rockefeller Center, and
City Ice Pavilion.

FOODIE FETE Kids can
make their cake (or pizza or sushi) and eat it too at a
cooking-themed birthday party. Cupcake Kids, Citibabes, Mini Chef NYC,
and the JCC all offer foodie-inspired fetes. Perhaps you will
discover the next Bobby Flay or Julia Child in the bunch!

SUPER HEROES PARTY Every
kid enjoys saving the world! At Gymboree’s Little Super Heroes birthday
parties, kids can dress up and pretend to be their favorite superhero, while
teachers lead the way in games and activities.

AN ARTSY AFFAIR Kids can
choose from a variety of themes when they throw an art-themed party. Whether
they’re creating a painting, a piece of pottery, or knitting a scarf, guests go
home with a piece of art to serve as a keepsake. Children’s Museum of the
Arts, Hi Art!, The Craft Studio,
and Loop of the Loom all inspire
kids’ imaginations.

DRESS UP PARTY Little
princesses can create the perfect look with a dress-up party at Let’s Dress
Up!.
Spend the afternoon trying on gorgeous gowns, tiaras, jewels, and
shoes—plus getting your nails done!

TABLE GAMES GALORE Host
your little guy’s next birthday party in a space where he and his guests can
play games like ping pong and pool. Spin New York specializes in ping
pong, while Slate is a lounge-like space with ping pong, foosball, and
pool.

TOY TIME Celebrate by
throwing a party in the most imaginative toy store on earth! At FAO Schwarz,
families can throw a party in a special private room or opt to take over a
portion of the store. Renting the entire store is also an option for a
one-of-a-kind affair.

Contributors: Leah
Black, Kristen Duca, Heather Peterson

http://npaper-wehaa.com/nyf/2009/10/#?article=623295


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