Birthday Guide 2011

Cameron Lim, 6, of Ann ArborWhat to do when it’s time to party

No matter the time of year, birthdays are celebrations all children and their families look forward to. Cake, friends and good times are always included, but what if you’re looking for something more memorable? Ann Arbor Family is here to help with some of Ann Arbor’s premier birthday party locations!

Chelsea Treehouse
320 N. Main St., Chelsea
734-475-1555

www.thechelseatreehouse.com
Play the day away at Chelsea Treehouse. Your own personal party host will guide you on your way through an engaging afternoon of fun for a six person party for pizza, games and more. For $13.50 per child, packages include pizza, tableware, name tags, printable party invitations and balloons. Birthday hosts may bring their own goody bags, however, the TreeHouse asks that no items contain nuts, as Chelsea TreeHouse is a peanut-free facility.

My Urban Toddler
7025 E. Michigan Ave., Saline
734-944-3628

www.myurbantoddler.com
Make yours a truly special event at My Urban Toddler. Three party packages, ranging from $125 to 385, offer daily admission to the play space, decorations, paper products and utensils, and a dedicated party host. For an additional charge, My Urban Toddler will cater your fiesta or supply party favors.
boast a dinosaur or space theme and include a tour through the Museum, theme prizes for guests and a gift for the birthday child, scavenger hunt, games, hands-on activities, paper products, invitations and beverages. Parties are only available on Saturdays and Sundays. Add a planetarium show for $50. Party pricing begins at $195 for members and $215 for nonmembers.

Leslie Science and Nature Center
1831 Traver Rd.
734-997-1553

www.leslieesnc.org
Track a teddy bear, explore the woods or have an animal adventure at the Leslie Science and Nature Center. Programs are ideal for all ages and begin at $150 for 15 children. The Center will provide tableware (plates, cups and utensils), birthday hosts are asked to supply decorations, cake and goodies for guests. For an additional $150 fee, a sleepover at the Nature Center can be added!

The Bead Gallery
311 E. Liberty St.
734-663-6800

www.bga2.com
Make your own jewelry! Children ages 6 to 13 can create a necklace and bracelet for $50 (for up to six guests,$10 for each additional child). A material kit is provided, for a $5 charge, and guests may choose between different styles, colors and charms to make their own unique adornment. Party hosts are asked to bring any food.

Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum
200 E. Ann St.
734-995-5439

www.aahom.org
Get scientific! Take a guided tour of the Museum and see your choice of a scientific activity! For two and a half hours, up to 15 children will have use of a birthday party room, a party host and receive a discovery goody bag. The Museum will provide 15 invitations, paper goods (plates, cups, napkins) and a special present for the birthday child! The birthday family is asked to supply the birthday cake, any additional food or beverages and decorations.

Chelsea Center for the Arts
400 Congdon St., Chelsea
734-433-2787

www.chelseacenterforthearts.org
Get crafty at the Chelsea Center for the Arts. Bring a group of eight or more ($10 booking fee, $12 per person) and CCA will provide an instructor, materials for a project of your choice and a space for two hours. Party hosts are asked for bring party foods, paper products and goody bags.

Ann Arbor
Art Center
117 W. Liberty St.
734-944-8004

www.annarborartcenter.org
Parties begin with an individually created birthday card for the guest of honor, the birthday child creates his/her own crown, followed by a guided project! Art projects are designed for children over five years of age and have a maximum of 20 guests with at least one adult chaperone. Party hosts are asked to bring refreshments, cake and ice cream. Lasting for two hours, parties cost $17 per child for a mixed media extravaganza or $19 per child for a clay party in addition to a $75 deposit for the party room.

Goldfish Swim School
2107 W. Stadium Blvd.
734-265-0941

www.goldfishswimschool-annarbor.com
It’s a swimmingly good time at Goldfish Swim School. For $450 (up to 24 children) the guests may use the pool area for an hour and 20 minutes, access the party area for 40 minutes and enjoy a batch of cupcakes and beverages! The School will take care of the decorations, invitations and three staff members will be on hand to coordinate the festivities. Pizza may be ordered for an additional charge. Party pricing for 25-36 guests is $550, more guests is $650.

Sophia McAllister, 1, of Ann ArborU of M Exhibit Museum of Natural History
1109 Geddes Ave.
734-764-0478

www.lsa.umich.edu/exhibitmuseum
Have a dino-mite day or travel out of this world with the Exhibit Museum! Parties for children ages four to ten,boast a dinosaur or space theme and include a tour through the Museum, theme prizes for guests and a gift for the birthday child, scavenger hunt, games, hands-on activities, paper products, invitations and beverages. Parties are only available on Saturdays and Sundays. Add a planetarium show for $50. Party pricing begins at $195 for members and $215 for nonmembers.
 

Domino’s Petting Farm
24 Frank Lloyd Wright
734-998-0182

www.pettingfarm.com
Visit Domino’s Petting Farm for a pizza party in its historic farmhouse, take a hayride and visit the animals! Package pricing begins at $200 for 20 guests and pony rides are available April through October. Domino’s will providepaper products and party hosts will want to bring cake, cups, any additional food, decorations and goody bags.

Creature Conservancy
4950 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.
734-929-9324

www.thecreatureconservancy.org
Visit animals from across the globe! With programs suited for all ages, The Creature Conservancy can comfortably accommodate 25-30 guests in its presentation room. Program options include Amazing Animals, Got Milk?, Rainforest Romp and Around the World in 80 minutes for prices ranging from $122 to $251.

Dancer’s Edge @ Studio D
3045 Broad St., Dexter
734-424-2626

www.dextersdancersedge.com
Aspiring dancers can get a taste of the spotlight, with parties featuring an hour of dance and an hour of cake, ice cream and presents. Each package includes free cake and invitations. Parties start at $10 per child; $15 package includes balloons, decorations and treat bags.

Liberty Athletic Club
2975 W. Liberty
734-665-3738

www.libertyathletic.net
A two-hour party includes pizza and soda, with plates and cutlery included, balloons, and use of the club’s indoor water park, with swimming and a waterslide. There are games in the Lagoon Activity Center, and (for guests age seven and up) a rock climbing wall. Packages start at $225 for members and $255 for non-members, for 12 children and four adults. $15 for each additional guest, up to a maximum of 20. Don’t forget to bring a towel!

Colonial Lanes
1950 S. Industrial Hwy.
734-665-4474

www.coloniallanescubsac.com
Have a “Youth Birthday Blast” party, with two hours of bowling. The birthday child gets a bowling pin balloon bouquet, and each child gets a pass for one free game on their next visit. Parties start at $7.95 per child, with pizza, drinks, goody bags and more available for additional cost. Bring your own cake and ice cream. Friday and Saturday times available.

Yost Ice Arena
1116 S. State St.
734-764-4600.

yost.ath.umich.edu
The University of Michigan’s historic ice venue offers several packages for your skating party. There’s a private party room available, either before or after public skate times. Prices start at $200 for ten guests, including skate passes and rental, pizza and cake, with all paper products,utensils and decorations provided. $275 covers 15 guests, and $325 is good for 20. Additional guests are $10 with each package. Hockey parties are also available for an additional fee — call for details, or to reserve your time.

Planet Rock Climbing Gym
82 Aprill Dr.
734-827-2680

www.explore.planet-rock.com
Get vertical at the area’s premier climbing zone, with terrain suited for everyone from novice to expert. The ABC For Kids package is available for youngsters three to seven, including an hour and 15 minutes of fun and games, followed by cake and gifts. The Clip and Go party, for kids five and up, features some real climbing, with assistance from the trained staff. $125 for up to five guests, $20 for each additional guest.

Claire Zaski, 1, of DexterScio Church Stables
8830 Scio Church Rd.
734-995-5600

www.sciochurchstables.com
Get ready to ride, with a rain-or-shine Pony Party, in Scio Church’s year-round indoorarena! Kids spend an hour taking turns riding experienced horses or ponies, assisted one-on-one by trained staff, followed by presents and cake in the Observation Room. Bring your own cake, or it can be provided (call to ask about cost). Face painting available $30 per hour. Basic party is $200, with two ponies for up to 12 kids. Additional
ponies $50.

Xtreme Bounce Zone
82 Aprill Dr.
734-761-324
2
www.xtremebouncezone.com
Jump around. Your guests will tumble to their hearts’ content on the Bounce Zone’s six huge inflatables. It’s a safe, friendly environment to cut loose and blow off some steam, to the sound of fun music. Feel free to bring your own food, cake and ice cream. $200 for two and a half hours of bouncing.

Jump City
2825 Boardwalk
734-995-5055

www.jump-city.com
Have all the inflatable fun you can stand, with Jump City’s Bounce House, Giant Slide, Gladiator Arena and more. Two hour parties include an hour and 15 minutes of bouncing. Packages start at $210 for 15 guests, $10 for additional guests, and range up to the $485 Ultimate Party, for up to 50. Plenty of extras are available, including pizza, balloons and goodie bags. Call or check out the website for prices.

Chelsea Teddy Bear Co.
400 N. Main St., Chelsea
734-433-5499

www.chelseateddybear.com
Kids can see where teddy bears are born, and take home a cuddly friend of their own, with a party at the area’s own teddy bear factory. Each guest gets an animal of their own and a t-shirt, along with goodie bags and balloons. You can bring your own cake, but there’s a $10 cleanup fee. The approximately two hour party packages range from $14-24 per guest, depending on choice of stuffed animal. Six guest minimum.

Wildlife Safari
734-454-1833

www.theanimalguy.org
Have an animal adventure at your birthday festivities! For $325, Wildlife Safari will bring animals from across the globe to entertain your guests.

Previous article
Next article

Recent Articles