Sports
Where: Kids Are Tops Sports Center
Basics: 7644 Paragon Road, Centerville; (937) 435-2199, www.kidsaretops.com
Price: Gym, dance and cheer parties start at $140 for 10 children.
Brilyn was bouncing off the walls — actually the floor — and her mom wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Becky Wagner was having her daughter’s birthday at Kids Are Tops Sports Center in Centerville. Brilyn and her preschool pals romped and played in the Tumble Bunnies gym that includes trampolines, slides, an assortment of gymnastics equipment and a foam block pit.
“It was so easy having a party there,” Wagner said. “The kids want to do everything; they have so much fun.”
Kids Are Tops has gymnastics, dance and cheer parties in the gymnasiums and dance studios as well as swim parties in the facility’s 90-degree pool. Parties include a supervised hour in the gym or pool and 30 minutes in the party room. Families supply the food, beverages and paper products.
Gaming
Where: Chaos Room
Basics: 894-D S. Main St., Centerville; (937) 368-4051, www.thechaosroom.com
Price: Starting at $199 for a party of 16.
If ‘‘Halo 3’’ battle sounds echo through your house frequently, then the Chaos Room might be the ideal party locale.
This facility has 14 screens, ranging from 12- to 18-feet long, positioned in private rooms gamers can play Wii, Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 games all while settled into ultra-comfortable home-theater-type seats. Play five-on-five in NBA Live 2010 or do battle with 15 other friends in ‘‘Halo 3’’ or any number of other popular games.
Party packages include a reserved party room and a private gaming room, for 16 or 30 guests, as well as tokens and tickets for the arcade games. Food can be ordered from Buffalo Wings and Rings next door, paper products are supplied and cakes can be brought in.
Hobby
Where: EnterTRAINment Junction
Basics: 7379 Squire Court, West Chester; (513) 898-8000, ext. 203; www.enter TRAINmentjunction.com
Price range: $139 and up for 10 guests, birthday guest is free as are adult chaperones (one per guest).
This one could be a bit of a drive, depending where you live, but if your little one loves trains, it could be a great fit. At this train-themed family entertainment center, close to 100 engines chug across the miniature landscape as wide-eyed visitors follow their path along miles of track running through intricately decorated displays. Pint-size engineers push buttons along the way, triggering sounds ranging from coal mines to farm animals.
Parties include the interactive model train display as well as the American Railroading Museum. Kids can let loose in Imagination Junction, a 5,000-square-foot play area with tunnels, slides and Thomas the Tank Engine. Birthday parties can be held in one of several private party rooms and include food, beverages and a party host. Chaperones, up to 12 total, are free with 12 party guests, which means parents can partake in the party fun.
Crafting
Where: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store
Basics: 2270 Miamisburg-Centerville Road; (937) 435-1440, www.joann.com
Party contact: Angie Thacker
Price range: $125 for a party of eight, includes all supplies and a teacher.
Crafting parties at Jo-Ann Fabric’s Centerville location (all locations don’t offer party packages) are tailored to the interests of the guest of honor. From sewing to jewelry making and cake decorating to tie-dye, all of the party guests will complete a project, with the help of an instructor, in the store classroom and take their masterpiece home. The two-hour parties also allow time for gifts and refreshments.
Baking
Where: Ele Cake Co
Basics: 810 E. Dixie Drive, West Carrollton; (937) 384-2253, www.elecakeco.com
Party contact: Kristina@elecakeco.com
Price range: $160 and more for a decorating party of eight.
Guests can have their cake and eat it, too — their cookies, as well, for that matter. Little bakers can roll out the cookie dough, bake and decorate their very own creations or slather frosting on and decorate a half dozen fresh-baked cupcakes. Party packages include use of a private party room, pizza, beverages and, of course, cake.
More party options
Arcade action: Flashing lights, skee-ball and arcade games are just part of the attraction at Chuck E. Cheese, 30 Prestige Place, and The Magic Castle, 4990 Wilmington Pike. Add in pizza, soft drinks, game tokens, climbing tubes or a Softplay area and, now, you have a party. Rates start as low as $8.50 per child at the Magic Castle and $10.99 at Chuck E. Cheese. For information, visit www.gorollandia.com or www.chuckecheese.com.
Animal encounter: The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery has a variety of party options for children from 2-12 including Animal Exploration, Dinosaur Discovery, Space and Beyond and Grossology. Guests might participate in experiments, enjoy a private planetarium show or get up close and personal with some critters. Basic packages include a specialized educational program with a private instructor as well as cake and snacks and start at $155 for members with 10 young guests, ages 4-12, and four adults. For information, visit www.boonshoftmuseum.org.
Aquatics: Swimming parties are not weather permitting at local recreation centers. The Vandalia and Washington Twp. recreation centers and the Kettering Recreation Complex can host swimming birthday parties and have party rooms for cake and ice cream celebrations. Prices vary by the number of guests and residency. The resident rate for a no-frills swimming Coupon Party at Kettering is $25 for 10 children. Vandalia residents can host a pool party for up to 12 guests and have an hour in a party room, with a party host and all paper products for $80.
Bowling: Bowling parties can be as low-cost as renting a few lanes for an hour or two or can include everything from a souvenir write-on bowling pin to a meal, complete with cake and ice cream, and a party host. Prices vary by center and package but a two-hour 10-person party at Beaver-Vu Bowl, including invitations, shoes, pizza, pop and return game passes, starts at $110. There are more than 15 bowling centers in the Miami Valley that offer parties for bowlers of all ages.
Baseball indoors: Englewood Fun Center, 569 S. Main St., has indoor batting cages offering slowpitch softball and fast-pitch baseball. The facility has a private party room, arcade games and inflatables. A batting cage/arcade party starts at $139 and includes $110 in arcade tokens. For information, call (937) 836-2300 or visit www.englewoodfuncenter.com.
Bouncing: Burn off energy at any number of inflatable-filled fun centers like BounceU at 2109 Lyons Road, Miamisburg. Party packages include private playtime in various bounce rooms, party hosts and a private party room. Val-U parties start at $200 for 10 guests. For information, call (937) 610-0500 or visit www.bounceu.com.
Cinema: Many theaters offer movie parties complete with a party room, unlimited popcorn and soft drinks during the designated party time, a party host and reserved seating in the theater for the movie of your choice. Cinema De Lux 14: The Greene and several area Showcase Cinemas are among those that offer parties at $17 per child for a party of 10.
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