Kennedy
Age: 3
Hosted by her parents Nathan and Kaite Morgan
Party theme and décor: The party was mermaid-themed featuring the character Ariel from Disney’s animated feature The Little Mermaid. The movie is one of Kennedy’s favorites.
Location: Her party was held at Fundays Family Fun Café in Jackson, where she had her party last year. It is in the perfect location for family traveling from all over the state.
Sweet treats: Family friends made the cake and the cookies.
Food: Fundays provided pizza and the most delicious Michigan salad.
Activities: Fundays is a play area in and of itself, so there’s no need to plan activities and games. An Ariel and Flounder pin-the-tail game was available for guests, but they didn’t get a chance to use it since they were having so much fun playing.
Party favors: Guests were provided with goodie bags of small treats that Kennedy picked out and an individually wrapped cookie.
Photography: Kaite Morgan of Captured by Kaite Photography.
Get to know Kennedy:
• She loves mermaids, unicorns, rainbows, sparkles, and fashion accessories.
• She loves to go to the Hands-on Museum with her siblings and just started swimming lessons.
• Her favorite place to go in Ann Arbor is the Little Seedling store, which she calls “the magic fairy store.”
Josh
Age: 13 at the time (currently age 16)
Hosted by his parents Stefanie and Herb Aronow
Party theme and décor: The party was Josh’s Bar Mitzvah family celebration and was sports-themed with a focus on Josh’s favorite sports of basketball, hockey, football and soccer. There were supportive messages and inspirational quotes with “Josh DID it” with a swoosh as the “J” and many quotes printed on pillows and boards throughout. Quotes included “write your own future”; “everything you need you already have inside”; and “play with heart.” Long tables were decorated with Josh’s own collection of jerseys. Debbie LeClaire Designs provided decoration and invitations were by Paper Station in Ann Arbor.
Location: Josh’s party was held at the University of Michigan Stadium Big House in the Jack Roth Stadium Club. Josh grew up going to Saturday football games with extended family and it was a huge part of his childhood (multi-generational Wolverines).
Sweet treats: There was no cake but there was a dessert table by Katherine’s Catering of Ann Arbor and a table with a color scheme with large glass jars and blue and silver candles done by mom.
Food: Game food stations were stocked with Josh’s favorites including sliders, Caesar salad, wings, macaroni and cheese (with exotic toppings) by Katherine’s Catering. Amanda’s Kitchen Catering was also used throughout the weekend.
Activities: Star Trax Events of Ferndale provided DJ services for dancing. Guests also had Big House field time and locker room tours.
Party favors: Guests were given basketball reversible mesh tank tops with Josh’s logo.
Photography: Abby Rosenbaum of Abby Rose Photo.
Get to know Josh:
• He loves sports of all kinds, creativity, his dog Ollie and being with friends and family.
• Before his Bar Mitzvah, he collected a truck full of gently used sporting goods and donations for the Detroit Police Athletic League (PALS) to help less fortunate children stay active, be part of a team and love sports.
• One of his favorite books is Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
• He previously attended the Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor, Burns Park Elementary and Greenhills Middle.
Mabel Rose
Age: 5 (party was for her 4th birthday)
Hosted by her parents Abby Rosenbaum and Tom Bick
Party theme and décor: Princesses were the focus of Mabel’s party. She was a big fan of Disney’s Frozen so the family went all out including Frozen-themed treats and a play snow station. Frozen characters Elsa and Anna even came for some surprise songs and visiting.
Location: Her party was held at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor.
Sweet treats: Sweet Heather Anne, in Ann Arbor, made an amazing Frozen-themed cake. The family also made white-chocolate dipped strawberries, representing Elsa’s frozen hearts.
Food: The family had light snacks with a vegetable tray, Sven-themed cheese sticks, Jell-O jigglers which were ice cubes for Frozen’s Kingdom of Arendelle, and other goodies. Hot chocolate and coffee was available for the parents.
Activities: The party guests enjoyed free play and had fun at a station where fake snow was made. Guests also had fun with Wild Raspberry Face Painting. Some amazing princesses from Enchanted Rose Productions came to surprise the guests and lead stories and songs.
Photography: Abby Rosenbaum of Abby Rose Photo.
Get to know Mabel Rose:
• She loves the music of Ann Arbor singer/songwriter Joe Reilly.
• She loves going to the library and the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum.
• She loves eating grilled cheese at the Fleetwood Diner in Ann Arbor.
• She is excited to start kindergarten at Dicken Elementary this year.
Where to Party
If you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate, the Ann Arbor area has just the place! From jumping and climbing, to nature or animal-themed parties, there’s something for everyone on this list of party venues.
Champion Gymnastics
7240 Jackson Rd.
734-222-1810 | champgymaa.com
Birthday child and guests receive one hour of private gym time supervised by staff. Games, obstacle courses, gymnastics and more! Then, the second hour is for food, cake or activities planned by the birthday family. Event pricing includes birthday-themed decorations and place settings and, of course, plenty of fun. Call to reserve a date.
Leslie Science and Nature Center
1831 Traver Rd.
734-997-1553 | lesliesnc.org
The center offers nature-themed parties led by staff. Party participants may do anything from meeting birds of prey up close to building a campfire. Standard parties are two hours.
Zap Zone
4177 Carpenter Rd., Ypsilanti
734-930-6670 | zap-zone.com
Party packages include Zap Zone attractions, pizza and beverages, party room, host and supplies for 10 guests. Guest of honor receives a t-shirt and two free passes.
Planet Rock
82 Aprill Dr.
734-827-2680 | planet-rock.com
Parties include 1 ½ hours of supervised climbing, with a break in a private party room for snacks, cake and presents (provided by birthday guest), and additional time for climbing.
Airtime Trampoline Park
800 W Eisenhower Pkwy.
734-470-0040 | airtimetrampoline.com
Party packages include a personal host for set-up, serving and cleanup, 1 ½ hour jump time and one hour of party area time, paper products, food, drink and souvenirs. Guest of honor receives a t-shirt.
Michigan Academy of Gymnastics
240 Metty Dr. C
734-761-7610 | michiganacademy.com
Parties include one hour of instructor-led gym time for 10 children (additional cost for more). A party room is also available. Birthday guests receive 10 percent off of new class registration.
Sky Zone
42550 Executive Dr., Canton
734-981-0007 | skyzone.com/canton
Packages include one hour of jump time, access to all courts, a party host, paper goods, party room setup and cleanup, and a digital invitation. Pizza and beverages are available.
Fun Garage
43335 Michigan Ave., Canton
734-895-7901 | thefungarage.com
Packages include choices of attractions, including laser tag, Spin Zone, Rope Course and Ballocity. Parties are two hours with a party room, paper goods, pizza and beverages provided.
Goldfish Swim School
2107 West Stadium Blvd.
734-849-2038 | goldfishswimschool.com/ann-arbor
Party goers receive two hours of private access to pool with certified lifeguards on duty to oversee activities. Cupcakes, beverages, centerpieces, balloons, tropical decoration and paper goods also provided.
Peachy Fitness
2385 S. Huron Pkwy.
734-681-0477 | Peachyfitness.com
Kids and teens, ages 3-16, can choose from a number of party themes such as Zumba, yoga, Pajama Jam, or spa. Peachy offers several customizable party packages full of engaging activities. Parties include two party attendants, decorations, setup, and cleanup.
Kidopolis Ann Arbor
509 State Cir.
734-769-0263 | Kidopolis.net
Birthday parties include two hours in an imagination-driven play space as well as a party space, utensils and paper goods, kitchenette for use by hosts, two blue-tooth speakers and a special gift for the guest of honor.
Domino’s Petting Farm
3001 Earhart Rd.
734-998-0182 | Pettingfarm.com
Birthday party packages include the chance for guests to feed bunnies, goats, or alpacas. There is also a party space available either in a pole barn or a pavilion. For an additional fee, pizza and tractor rides are available, as well as additional bags of animal feed.
Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty St.
734-994-8004 | Annarborartcenter.org
Parties include a professional art instructor and all art supplies for an age-appropriate art project selected from a project menu. Setup and cleanup is provided with hosts bringing food and decorations of their choice.
