If a child in your household has a birthday coming up during this winter or the upcoming spring season, you’re probably wondering where to start. You know your child’s party should be fun for the kids, but it should be fun for you as well. In this issue you will find tips to help you plan a great party for your child. If you decide that you just can’t handle all the details, let the professionals take care of you. Many businesses specialize in throwing parties. Following is a list of companies that will organize your party and entertain your children so you can enjoy yourself along with the guests.

Action Martial Art Academy LLC. Blue Springs, Mo. Plan your next action packed birthday party at a martial arts school. Fun for all ages, enjoy learning techniques, self defense, games, and board breaking. Your Child will have a great time being: “Sah Bah Nim” for a day. Saturday and Sunday times are available. Contact: 816-224-4105.

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.

Dance Line Image. Liberty, Mo. Give your kids an amazing party to remember. Choose from one of the themes available such as beautiful princess, cheer x-treme, tumble jungle, fit -n- fun workout, hip-hop divas, karaoke kids, pajama rama, & plains, trains & automobiles. Each party includes a party hostess & teacher, T-shirt for each child, group party photo available for birthday boy/girl, a fun themed dance, paper goods, cake & drink supplies. Parties last 1-1/2 hrs. Cost: $25/ child- min. of 8 children. Also available pizza & drinks for up to 10 guests $40. Non-refundable $50 deposit required at time of booking date. Cancellations must be made 1 week prior to date of party. Contact: 816-792-4372

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. Parties offered Saturday & Sundays. Cost: $175 up to 20 children. Contact: www.davesgymnastics.com or 816-525-5650

Emerald City. Overland Park, Ks. Offers a unique, physically active birthday parties and public play times for children ages 4-12. Children play on in-ground trampolines, rope swings, zip line, slides, tunnels, climbing walls, a huge foam pit, slam-dunk basketball, a maze and more. Packages include color invitations/release forms, 30 minutes in a party area, and helium-filled balloons tied to Blow Pops for each child attending. Bring your own cake, ice cream, etc. Freezer available. Cost: $145.00 for up to 10 children. $10 per additional child. Contact: www.emeraldcitygym.com or 913-438-4444

Faulkner's Ranch. Kansas City, Mo. They offer two hour pony parties that are exciting, organized, and completely facilitated by their cowpoke hostess. The children make a western craft, participate in the cow milking contest, play a rodeo game, and take pony rides. In the second hour you are welcome to bring a birthday treat, open gifts, and visit the animals in the petting farm. The spacious facility is set-up and cleaned-up for you and can accomadate up to 30 children and unlimited adults. Contact: 816-761-1234.

GAGE Center/Bump City. Blue Springs, Mo. All packages are based on 10 participants; include invitations, T-shirt for the birthday child, supervised fun-filled playtime in the gym or pool, and 30 minutes in the party area for gifts and refreshments. Ages 6 & up: Choose the package to fit your needs. Bump City (indoor playland). Ages 11 & up: Monster Mountain (indoor rock wall) or Rock’n Ropes party (indoor challenge course). Ages 1–5: Bump City Jr Parties, located in the new facility, includes challenging obstacle courses, trapezes, foam pit, rope swings and a giant 3 person slide. Refreshment packages may be added to any party. Cost: $135–$260 Contact: www.gagecenter.com or 816-229-7775

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. At Gymboree 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. Cost: $159 Contact: 816-525-7529

Hannah’s Heart Art & Resource Center. Grain Valley, Mo. Kids of all ages can enjoy a birthday bash with an artistic flare. Choose from a variety of fun art activities that can coordinate with your party theme. Choose from art, pottery, dance, music, and computer animation. Parties include two activities and a goodie bag. Call to schedule your party at least 2 weeks in advance for a two hour block of time on Saturdays from 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Cost: $10/ person for 5-20 people. $25 non-refundable deposit is required. Contact: 816-847-0721

Juggling Jeff. Greater Kansas City. Warm up this winter with indoor fun and games. For your child’s next birthday party. Invite friends and family to celebrate with their most popular party package. Deluxe Entertainment Package (total running time about 1hr.) with a 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.

Kidz Kabana. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Their parties are designed to be easy and convenient so parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy their child’s birthday party. Parties are held on Saturday and last about two hours. They are designed for around ten children. Choose from moonwalk bouncer, luau or jungle theme decorations. Includes table ware, paper goods, cake, drinks and personalized invitations plus 3 optional games or choose a visit from Dora or Diego. Cost: $75–$200 Contact: 816-554-4949

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

Lee’s Summit Jazzercise. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Your child will enjoy a fun-filled party with a theme of your choice. Offering many themes to choose from. They do all the work for you, providing everything from paper products to the cake (packages available with or without this option). Friday, Saturday, and Sunday times are available for 2009. This will be a party your child and their guests will remember forever. Cost: $100 – $140. $10.00 off with mention of this ad. Contact: www.jazzercise.com or 816-554-3322

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

Mindy’s Dance Center. Lee’s Summit, Mo. Let them make your next birthday party the most memorable party ever. Their “Stress-Free” parties allow parents to enjoy the occasion while they handle everything. Choose from themed party packages: Princess Tea Party, Beautiful Ballerina, Devine Diva, High School Musical and the newest edition, Fancy Nancy. Each guest receives a T-shirt. Contact: www.MindysDanceCenter.com or 816-554-STAR

Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop. Lee’s Summit, Mo. The first ever traveling stuff and fluff animal workshop where they bring the party to you. Birthday parties, mom groups, day care centers, scout troops, fundraisers and more. Parties usually last about an hour. Contact: www.partyanimalheadquarters.com or 816-786-2275

Pottery Art. Independence, Mo. They offer many birthday packages. Your child will have a ball at their pottery wheel party, jewelry, or paint on pottery party. They can create their own bowl on the pottery wheel or make glass pendants. They are open evenings and weekends. Let their friendly staff make your birthday a special one. Contact: 816-353-3003

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

Theatre of Imagination. Kansas City, Mo. With Movie Star Acting they bring costumes to you and make your child the star of a movie. Everyone watches the movie right there and you get a free DVD. Ages 4 & up, parties run 2 hours. Themes include Hannah, Superhero, Diva, HSM, Pirate, Princess, Beach Party and more. Also good for scouts, after school, slumber parties, fundraisers/auctions, home school groups and church functions. Contact: www.tiarts.com or 816-561-2787

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

YMCA. Kansas City, Mo. Offering 3 packages to choose from. Basic includes 1 hr. use of a party room and 1 hr. of activities. Bash includes 1-hour use of a party room and 2 hrs. of activities. Blowout includes 1 hr. use of a party room, decorations, tableware, cake, and a drink, along with 1 hour of activities. Contact: www.ymca-kc.org or 816-561-9622 (YMCA)

Happy Birthday & Happy New Year!