I'm looking for ideas for a birthday party for my daughter. Bowling, Skating, and FunFlatables is already not an option. And definately no sleepovers or home party due to the size of our house. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.
Michael's in Orland does craft parties. I also have done "spa" parties at nail salons. You just have to find one that is willing to do it for a discounted price.
We are doing To Be You Studios in lincolnshire. it is big bucks but the kids make thier own music video and I am only allowing her to invite 10 kids to keep the price a bit reasonable.
There is a place at the FoxValley mall where they can do there hair, make-up and nails, and I can't think of it for the life of me. It is on the 2nd floor right above the water display. I wish I could remember the name of it for you...But good luck to you. I know my son who just turned 8 is doing lazor tag...which is always fun....
What about a pool or rock climbing party at the local Y? You could also contact a local jewelry making shop and talk with them about a 'group' event.
I don't know how many kids you want to have over, but at age 9 she might be "getting over" the whole party thing. What about a special night out for her and a friend or two? Like dinner at a restaurant, take them to the movies and let them get popcorn and sodas, you and your DH or another mom sit in a different section? You might win major brownie points for being a COOL mom.
What about a spa(ish) party or a tea party? Is she into American Girl stuff? They have some ideas. Scrapbooking (look at littlemissmatched.com books) would be fun if she's into that.
For starters, I don't know your budget but you could take the ideas and scale down....
Limo party. Attendees are limited due to number of people restrictions in the limo. We've done 2 at ages 10 and 11. The first, limo picked up daughter and me first, we then went to each girl's home to personally pick up, the parents and siblings got to look inside, etc . After everyone was picked up, he drove them around town to populaar places, stopped the limo to let them pop heads out the roof, etc.
On the first party,,,,the limo ended at our house where girls came in, party, sleepover. I know you said no to your house.
On the 2nd party, instead of coming to our home, we had fewer girls, I rented a suite at a very nice hotel. The girls went swimming, primped, we walked to a nice Italian restaurant, had dinner, went for ice cream, back to the hotel where they enjoyed themselves, watched movies, late night dessert with room service, donuts in the morning, everyone gone by 10. They loved it...,no mess at my house!!
SImilar parties here are Sweet and Sassy where the girls have option to have a pink limo, go get made over at a spa like place for younger girls.
Hope that helps give some ideas.
What about mini golf or taking a group to the movies?
my daughters kids love the polka dot penguin. kids get to pick out a ceramic pc from a selection you choose ahead of time. they get to paint them get them fired and then take them home. kids love it. there is one at the mall near us and i know its a chain. may be one by you
When my neice was nine my sister and I took her and 3 friends to a hotel that had a pool. We brought a cooler full of snacks and soda, along with games and baloons. We got two rooms, I stayed with 2 girls and she stayed with 2 girls. But before bedtime we let them have one room to themselves, (rooms were adjoining) just to play and act crazy in for a few hours. We made sure there would be no fridge in the room, so they wouldn't grab the expensive soda and or booze. And we blocked the phone so they couldn't call Japan, Lol. And we just let them have private girl time. They loved going to the pool and the gym, and simply being there. It doesn't have to be an expensive hotel and you can always find great deals online. If you can spend a little more money, since you live in Indiana, The hotel at the Holiday Star Plaza in Merrilville (spelling)? has a really neat lobby with a jungle like vibe with the pool right in the middle. Some of the rooms look down on the whole area. There is also a bar and music for the adults. Well just an idea. P.S I think that hotel by the Holiday Star Plaza is a Radisson, but I am not sure.
I agree with the special outing...at that age we started taking my son to things like Blue Man Group, musicals downtown, a day at a museum and overnight at a hotel, stuff like that. She might really enjoy just a day alone with mom!
I once saw a brochure at Michael's craft store that they do parties in the craft room. A Michael's employee runs the craft making and there were many to choose from for all age groups. Then you can have cake and gifts. Kind of low-key, but different.
We have boys, but my friends w/girls like to do the Build a Bear parties. Have fun w/whatever you decide!
my daughter loves Odyssey Fun World - there's one in Naperville and one in Tinley Park. She had her 8th bday party there, and over xmas break we went again (she's 10 1/2 now) cause they keep asking to go all the time.
Other options: indoor mini golf, Cold Stone Creamery has parties where the kids use the stone and learn how to mix their own creation, Libby Lu type places
If you go to the library there are free Chicago Parent or Suburban parent or Oaklees Guide magazines that have all sorts of more options in them.
