Birthday Fun. Birthday parties are meant to be fun! They are certainly a big deal for children, but often a dilemma for parents. Without adequate planning and organization, the chaos and confusion that will surely follow can ruin the day for all involved.

The first key to planning a successful party is to consider your child’s personality. Is he or she outgoing or shy? Energetic or mellow? Quiet or loud? Or just somewhere in between? Choose a party that will fall in their comfort zone. Next, look at your budget. Decide how much you can afford to spend, and stay within that boundary. Finally, decide how many guests to invite. Many parties my kids attend today are large (15 to 25 children), but most information I read says that it’s best to invite as many guests as the age of the birthday child—i.e. three kids to a 3-year-old’s party. So what will you do? Follow the experts’ advice or follow the other parents’ lead? No matter what type of party you choose to host, ask a friend or family member to be on hand to help out.

Be sure to look through the following list of birthday party places and ideas. There is something for everyone and for every price bracket. Good luck planning this special day!

Boomerang Bouncers & Entertainment. Lenexa, Ks. They keep the fun and memories bouncing for all ages and occasions. Offering dozens of bouncers, obstacle courses, wet & dry slides, and laser tag. They also offer popcorn, cotton candy or snowie shaved ice. Courteous drivers deliver right to your backyard or other location. Weekday & other discounts available. Contact: www.boomerangbouncers.com or 913-322-8839 .

Bounce House Moonwalks, Gladstone, Mo. They provide endless entertainment for any party. Their moonwalks are perfect for birthday parties, church functions, school functions, family reunions, company picnics and more. Contact: www.Bouncehousekc.com or call 816-420-0365

Dave's Gymnastics Factory. Lee's Summit, Mo. They offer fun parties for boys and girls. Parties are 1 1/2 hours long. Includes obstacle course with gymnastics equipment, jumping from a trampoline into a foam pit, rope & other supervised games. DGF provides ice cream cake, lemonade, cups, bowls, napkins, utensils, candles. Set up / clean up is included. Contact: www.davesgymnastics.com or 816-525-5650.

Gymboree Play & Music. Lee's Summit, Mo. Gymboree offers age appropriate parties for children ages birth to 5 years. Expect activities such as bubbles, games, singing, and playing. Various themes are available or you can create your own. Entertaining is made easy for the host. They provide a teacher that does all the set up, leads all activities and fun, and then cleans up the mess. Children love playing and singing in a clean and safe facility. Included in all party packages are exclusive use of the facility, experienced teacher to lead all games, balloons, invitations, set up and clean up. Contact: 816-525-7529.

Juggling Jeff Productions, Greater Kansas City. This winter you can spice up your party with some delightful indoor fun and games. Invite your friends and family to celebrate with their most popular deluxe entertainment package (total running time about 90 min.) Juggling & magic show, group party games and balloon animals for each child. Quick & easy set-up. Entertainment in standard size room. Priced according to entertainment package provided. Contact: www.jugglingjeff.com or 816-792-5559.

Kindermusik with Denise Revo. Lees Summit, Mo. They bring the party fun to you. They provide a completely interactive, totally fun experience for everyone—children and adults alike. It takes the planning and entertainment load off you. Exploration and free play with instruments for up to 15 minutes sets the stage for the next 30 to 45 minutes of exciting, guided musical activities such as singing games, instrument play-alongs, creative movement and much more. For children ages 1 to 6 years. Adults must participate with children ages 1 to 3 years. Maximum: 12 children. Contact: www.revomusic.com or 816-554-2363

Mercury Gymnastics. Kansas City, Mo. Check out their 25,000 sq.ft. facility with one of the largest foam pits that your child will ever play in. All parties include 60 minutes of gym time, followed by 30 min. of cake and gift time. Also included are invitations, paper supplies, birthday t-shirt, plus your own coach to facilitate your party. Contact: www.mercurygymnastics.com or 816-880-9996
Pruter's U.S. Martial Arts and Sport Taekwondo. Blue Springs & Lee's Summit, Mo. A party lasting one and a half hours for up to 25 children with 2 instructors leading the fun. A specialized 30-minute martial arts class with your child breaking a board. They furnish table plates, cups, napkins, forks and tablecloth. A thrilling cake cutting ceremony with your child using a real sword to cut the birthday cake. Contact: 816-224-0000 Blue Springs, 816-525-4300 Lee's Summit or www.pruterstkd.com

Storybook Stables. Kansas City, Mo. This farm is nestled on rolling hills in Kansas City North, just five minutes west of I-29 and Barry Road. Two hour parties include one hour of pony rides on two ponies and one hour in the Stables' party room or picnic grounds. Add a campfire, painting a live pony, a hay ride, games, add more ponies and/or lengthen your party time. They can travel to your location - trip fees apply. Call for optional activities pricing. Contact: 816-716-4714.

Wings of Love Bird Shows. Kansas City, Mo. Choose from three shows which include colorful toucans, an owl, parrots and a vibrant pollinator. Bird-day child participates in show by performing magic tricks and other interactions with birds. Birds ride table bike, spell, high-wire bicycle, roller-skate, drive vehicles, play basketball, bowl, raise the flag, speak on cue, hip-hop, break-dance etc. Dazzling educational entertainment for all ages. Contact: www.wings-of-love.com or 816-645-3601.