I am looking for a place to have a birthday party. Our house is not an option, we just don't have the room for the number of family members invited. We usually do Chuck-e-Cheese, so I was wondering if any moms had any more ideas out there?
Bowling alley, TAGS Gymnastics center, Inver Grove Community Center indoor waterpark, The Eagan Community Center....
Chuckie Cheese is the cheapest I've found but Roller Rinks are pretty comparable but for the older kids. Everything costs a fortune I've had this problem too.
Playworks at Mystic Lake Casino had birthdays too that are reasonable.
In Woodbury they have Funzone, which has a big indoor playgym, or rollerskating, I know they do birthday parties. Also Central Park library has a very fun indoor playground called Lookout Ridge, they also have party packages.
Your local YMCA or Edinborough indoor playground in Edina. Grand Slam in Burnsville offers different packages and choices so they might have a cheaper one.
When my son turned 3 we held it at McDonalds. I paid $50 for 10 kids and that included hamburger happy meals for everyone, invitations, cake, party favors, and a host to conduct games. They also played at the indoor play yard there. It was the greatest birthday party ever. It was cheap, everyone had fun, and I literally had to do nothing except show up.
Depending on age, interests, and number of kids I suggest checking out ChooChoo Bob's or the Jackson Street Roundhouse. Also you can do birthday parties at the Community Center play areas (Eagle's Nest in New Brighton, The Blast in Eagan are 2 of my favorites). My son just went to a party at Como Zoo and had a great time. Not sure on the various costs of these options but hard to imagine they cost much more than Chuckie Cheese.
I'm anxious to see your responses, because I have the same question myself!
I don't know if this is in your price range, but have you checked out Choo Choo Bob's?
http://www.choochoobobs.com/Birthday_Page.htm
You didn't say how old your kids are and from your description, I gather that they are boys. One idea I am holding onto that someone gave me is to contact your local fire department and have it there. Many times for a donation, they will let the party come in and try on the gear, see and climb on the trucks, etc. Granted if they are called out to a fire, there goes your entertainment! Sometimes, they have an auxilary that will be there, so that if they are called out to a fire, you can still use their meeting room/ kitchen area for the cake and icecream.
We have our sons 1st BDay in the middle of winter and we have a huge out door deck, "my outdoor livingroom" that will not be an option for people to use. We have enough bonus points that are going to be expiring at the end of the year to use toward 2 free nights at a hotel, which is what we are doing for his birthday. We found a hotel with a water slide that is part of the deal so that the older kids are entertained as well.
Hope this helps!
Can't say if these are cheap or not, but they're the most popular choices in our area:
The Blast in Eagan
Pump It Up in Burnsville
Grand Slam in Burnsville
Bowling
Roller Skating or Ice Skating
