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************************************************************************************************************* Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal - www.cincymuseum.org 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203. (B-day party info: 513-287-7021). Not only is this place an architectural landmark (it used to be the old train station back in the day), it has three awesome museums, an I-MAX theatre and the most interesting rotunda you'll ever see - you just have to look up! And it still functions as a train station for Amtrak. They also host some awesome birthday parties with a variety of themes. Parites include a party host, theme-related program, fun activities, Servatii's cake and decorations. Call for more info on the themes below:
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Cincinnati Zoo
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens - www.cincinnatizoo.org. 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45220 (513-961-1870). They offer a vairety of birthday party packages to fit your budget. The bonus of a zoo party is that you can have up to 24 guests (b-day party child, kids & adults) plus they can stay after the party and enjoy the zoo. Check out their website for more info but the Adventure Package sounds like a great deal. It's only $225 for members and $275 for non-members and includes an hour in theTreehouse for 24 guests, with cupcakes, ice cream cups, juice boxes, a craft project and unlimited train, tram and carousel rides. They have other party options available too. For parties call 513-559-7763.
*************************************************************************************************************** Craft/Pottery Party JoAnn Fabrics - www.joan.com. They'll customize a party for your child and everyone makes a craft. You pay for the rental room and the crafts and you'll get a personalized attendant to help you during the party. BYOC - bring your own cake. MadPotter - Decorate some pottery and have a fun birthday adventure. They have various party package rates available if you have 8 or more in a group. You can bring food and drinks into the facility too ($10-$18/child). Michael's - www.michaels.com. Another place to get creative. For $50 room rental fee and cost of crafts, you get a party assistant who helps you with the craft, party set up and clean up and the birthday child gets their own craft apron. You can bring your own cake, pizza and drinks in too. There is a minimum of 5 kids with max of 10 allowed. Pizazz Studio Inc. - www.pizazzstudio.com - This is a unique gift shop and a "random creations" studio. You can do some great shopping as well as make your own necklaces, paint glass pieces and more. They will host birthday parties, showers, Girls Night Out events and more. 122 W Loveland Ave, Loveland, OH 45140-2932. (513) 683-3333.
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Dress Up/Princess Party The Enchanted Village - 3 South Sycamore St., Lebanon, Ohio (513-228-0623). Ages 3-8 years. My daughters have been to birthday parties here and it is adorable. The lower floor houses a really fun and unique toy store - even if you don't have a birthday party, take your child here, it is magical. Upstairs, the rooms are decorated beautifully. You can pick different themes - Journey through Narnia, the Enchanted Garden, decorate cookies in the Princess Kitchen or have a Tea Party. Call for pricing. The Royal Table - www.theroyaltable.com - If you have a princess living with you then you need to visit The Royal Table. It is adorable and would be a great place to host a princess party. They do it all so you don't have to. From their website they state, "The Royal Table specializes in elegant, fun filled princess dress-up tea parties for little girls, ages 3 to 10. Our parties are celebrated at our beautifully decorated venue using china table settings, linens and decorated chairs. A princess tea party will transform your little girl’s birthday into a magical fairytale." They have lots of birthday party options available starting with their basic party package and you can add on additional party features to make your little one feel like the belle of the ball. Choose from Princess Anastastia, Princess Grace and Princess Nicole. They also have rentals available for bridal showers, baby showers, book club meetings and more. Located in Mt. Lookout at 3512 Eastern Ave. 859-653-4958. Tippi Toes - www.tippitoesdance.com - In addition to their dance classes for ages 18mos to 12 years, they also do birthday parties. If you want to do a home party and you'd like a visit from Snow White or Sleeping Beauty then call Tippi Toes. My daughter went to a birthday party where she dressed up as a princess and then they had the "special guest princess" arrive. The girls were in awe. Snow White read them a book (about herself) and had the girls do princess activities. Please call (513) 708-9162 for Mason, Lakota, and Deerfield Twp. Call (513) 578-1280 for Blue Ash, Anderson & Mariemont.
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Energy Buster Party (inflatables, etc.) Bananas Play - www.bananasplay.com. 7102
Hamilton Mason Rd., Liberty Township, Ohio 45011 (513-777-9200). One
advantage of having a party here is that they include unlimited popcorn
and drinks with their b-day party package.
Go Play Cafe - www.gym-nation.com. 836
Reading Rd. Mason, Ohio (513-229-7315). This is a huge indoor play
place with tunnels, climbing & slides. They have a basic party ($125) which includes 15 kids, 90 minutes in Go Play Cafe & the party room and a party coordinator (you provide all the supplies). The Go Play Party ($150) includes admission for 10 kids, 90 minutes in Go Play Cafe and party room and all the paper products, ice cream cups and juices with a party coordinator. Parties offered 7 days/week. Party Hoppers - www.partyhoppersonline.com - 5170 Delhi Pike. (513) 451-4386. This was started by a local Mom, Aimee McBride, and she must know what she's doing since what kid can resist an inflatable jump fest? Party Hoppers can not only bring the fun to you (birthday parties at your location) but now you can go to their new facility and enjoy open play and get some yummy snacks at the Hopper Cafe (WiFi available). Have fun on the indoor playground, toddler area and basketball courts. They also have indoor birthday parties at Sports of All Sorts in Tri-County.
Pump-It-Up - www.pumpitupparty.com. 7724 Service Center Dr. West Chester, OH 45069 (513-829-7867). My daughter has been to two birthday parties here and she always has a great time. They have two huge rooms filled with inflatables and when they turn the lights down low, everything starts to glow. Their party attendants are great helpers and really make it fun.
Run Jump & Play - www.runjumpnplay.com . 8481
Duke Blvd, Mason, Ohio (513-701-7529). This place is a one-stop fun
factory. You have many choices here from the large inflatables to the
indoor playground. They also have bowling and glow in the dark mini
golf. You can do an inflatable only b-day party or you can do a combo
one with golf or bowling or just do bowling or golf - many fun
choices. The one advantage of a b-day party here is that you can
invite a lot of kids. They allow you to bring in your own cake and
drinks (bring lots of drinks or cups since the kiddos will be thirsty
after all that jumping and running).
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Golf Monster Mini Golf - If you want a "howling" good time, then visit Monster Mini-Golf. We went to a birthday party here and my girls loved it, although I think they enjoyed being in the glow-n-the-dark fun factory instead of really getting into the game of golf. This would be a great place for a birthday for ages 8-12 since I think their concentration level is a bit more than a preschooler and a kindergartner. They have a private party room for to enjoy cake and presents (and it's decorated so cool). 7058 Ridgetop Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio. (513) 759-5400. See our Mini-Golf page for other places that may do birthday parties.
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 "What do you say to a 79,000 square foot, indoor entertainment area featuring its own gigantic waterpark? Let’s Go! It’s Huge! It’s Wild! And it’s all yours when you book a party package with the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason!!" - Great Wolf Lodge, Mason, Ohio. PARTY PACKAGE INCLUDES: One-hour party, where each guest will receive two slices of 1-topping pizza, Souvenir Great Wolf Sipper with free drink refills and 8 tokens to our Northern Lights Arcade - it is 8,000 square feet, has over 100 video games and a ticket redemption center. 2 free adult admissions with at least 10 paid admissions. Please ask about our add-on packages. Cost: $35 per person (wih a minimum of 10 or more, based on availability). You also need one adult for every 5 children. For reservations call Cub Club (513-229-5819). Parties can be booked every day of the week. ***************************************************************************************************************
Countryside YMCA - www.countrysideymca.org - 1699 Deerfield Rd., Lebanon, Ohio 45036. (513-932-1424). Great place to go to get some energy out. They offer a Gymastics Obstacle Course party. My four year recently attended a party and had a blast. You'll have an hour in the party room with a hostess to get things running smoothly and you'll also get to go to the gymnastics room for some fun. They have music going and the kids really love it. You can invite up to 15 guests. You provide the cake & snacks and they'll provide the pizza and juice boxes. You can also do other activities such as the climbing wall or swimming. Parties are held on Fri., Sat. or Sun. Gymboree Play & Music - www.gymboreeclasses.com. 4700 Duke Blvd., Suite 105 Mason, Ohio (513-459-4769). Ages first b-day to fourth b-day. Get one hour of play time and then 1/2 hour to one hour in party rooom. You can even bring in your own food and drinks. Price includes private use of facility, a Gymboree teacher, goodie bags and invitations. Minimum of 8 guests. Gym-Nation - www.gym-nation.com. 836 Reading Rd., Mason, OH 45040 (513-229-7315). This is a one-stop shop for gymnastics, tumbling and cheerleading. They offer program for ages 15 months and up. They do gymnastic themed birthday parties (Saturday & Sundays) if you have some energetic youngsters to entertain.
The Little Gym® - www.thelittlegym.com. 7318 Yankee Road **************************************************************************************************************
Laser Tag Party Laser Web - www.laserwebtag.com. This is a 3 level facility with all sorts of laser tag fun. There is an on-site arcade and they also do birthday parties ranging from $12.99/person up to $19.99/person. Check their website for more details. New location in West Chester opening March 26. Laser Web Cincinnati - 7285 Dixie Hwy. (RT. 4), Fairfield, OH 45014 Phone: (513) 860-2882 Laser Web Dayton - 533 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Centerville, OH 45459 Phone: (937) 435-2737 Scallywag Tag - www.scallywagtag.com.- Another fun laser tag birthday party option. East location: 491 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45255 (513-528-3696) West location: 5055 Glencrossing Way, Cincinnati, OH 45238 (513-922-4999).
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Many local movie theaters have movie themed birthday parties. They usually have a private room where you can have cake, ice cream and pizza and open presents and then you get to watch a movie on the big screen. This type of birthday is probably best for 1st graders and up. See some movie theaters on the Movie page.
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Nature/Farm Party Sharon Woods - Sharon Centre - www.hamiltoncountyparks.org. They recently started doing b-day parties here but it also looks like fun for kids ages 5-10. The two-hour party includes a nature program, party favors, a small gift for the birthday child and time to play in the Adventure Station indoor play area. The cost is $8.00 per child with a minimum of 10 children and a maximum of 20 children.
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Other Recommendations
Build-A-Bear - www.buildabear.com/ . Kenwood Towne Center, 7875 Montgomery Rd. I almost did this for Sarah's upcoming b-day and I know I'll do it in the future because it seems so cute and plus the guests get to take home an actual stuffed animal that they helped make (no need to buy any additional party gift bags for this party). They don't have a place on site for you to have a "party room" to open gifts and have cake but either before or after your Build-A-Bear experience which is facilitated by a worker there, you can head to the food court and either buy a kid's meal from Burger King or Chick-Fil-A for each child or get pizza to share and then you can have cake. Or you could skip the kid's meal and just have the cake and presents there. Just bring one of those plastic party tablecloths, some party plates and you'll be good to go. You can even print off invitations and thank you notes from their website! Prices start at $10 per guest and I think you need a minimum of 6.
Kid's First Sports Center - www.kidsfirstsports.com. 7900 E. Kemper Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249 (513-489-7575). They advertise "The Worlds Best Birthday Parties"! Birthday Party Director - 489-7575. Check out either The Basic Party or The Deluxe party. Parties are held on Sundays all year and you have a 2 hour party with a personal party host, cake & ice cream, pizza, drinks and party supplies. You can select either a swimming party or gymnastics party. Swimming Party - Get one hour of private pool time for ages 5-12 years (guardian must be present if child is under age 5). Then you get to have food, cake, and presents in their party room.
Lifetime Fitness - www.lifetimefitness.com. 8310 Wilkens Boulevard, Mason, OH 45040 (513-234-0660).
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Reds Hall of Fame Party Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum - 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. (513)765-7923 This sounds like a great party for baseball lovers. For kids ages 5-14 years, you can have a b-day party for up to 12 in a private area of the museum that includes baseball themed party supplies and favors, gift from the Reds Hall of Fame for the b-day child, unlimited time to tour the museum and 12 admission passes for unlimited use to tour the museum until the end of the year.. The b-day child gets an individual Hall of Fame membership which has Reds ticket vouchers, Redsfest pass, and more. They'll provide pizzas, bottled water and a cake from Graeter's. This party package is only $140 and seems like a really fun, unique party. ***************************************************************************************************************
Rock Climbing Party Lifetime Fitness - www.lifetimefitness.com. 8310 Wilkens Boulevard, Mason, OH 45040 (513-234-0660). They have rock climbing birthday party packages available. Rock Quest Climbing Center - www.rockquest.com. 3475 E Kemper Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45241,     (513) 733-0123 . If you have some adventuresome party goers then rock climbing might be just what they are looking for. They have two party packages to choose from (Deluxe and Speedy) and they each offer climbing time with Belayers, harness rentals, time in the party area with pizza and/or cake and drinks. The Deluxe package is for 2 hours & 45 mins and the Speedy Deluxs is for 2 hours.
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Roller Skating Party (see Skating/Skiing/Sledding for other skate places)
Fun Factory Roller Skating - www.FunFactoryRollerSkating.com -
1631 Sherman Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45212. (513) 613-1311. Located in
Norwood this looks like a fun place to go. They have
some great birthday party packages starting at $99 for up to 10 kids but you can upgrade the parties for even more fun. Click here for more information. Skateown USA - www.skatetownusa.us. 8730 N. Pavillion, West Chester, Ohio 45069 (513-874-9855). This might be fun for little bit older kids since they seem to be better coordinated. They have 3 levels of b-day party packages but their $9.99/child package sounds pretty good (10 child minimum): (see my article on Associated Content for more about Skatetown).
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Science Party
Drake Planetarium - www.drakeplanetarium.org - Offering Lego birthday parties. Enjoy a hands on birthday party experience where kids can create some Lego masterpieces. They get a 90 minute party. For ages 4-12 years. (513) 396-5578. Mad Science of Cincinnati - www.madscience.org/Cincinnati. 9471 Loveland Madeira Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 (513-793-6784). Their motto is:
"We Get Kids Excited About Science!!!!!"
I think that is great. So check out all that Mad Science has to offer. They do unique and "edu-taining" birthday parties. *************************************************************************************************************** Spa Party Girls of all ages love to be pampered so why not have your daughter's next birthday party at a spa or nail salon. My girlfriend recently went all out and rented a limo for her daughter's birthday. The girls loved it and felt so grown up. They then headed to a local McDonald's Playland for lunch and then the limo took them to a nail salon for manicures (really just a polish change but the girls didn't know the difference and it's a lot less expensive than a full out manicure). After, they headed back to the birthday house for cake and ice cream. If you're like me, a limo may not be affordable, but having the girls meet at a nail salon for a polish change is. Have a couple of parents stick around to help carpool the girls back to your house for cake and presents. *************************************************************************************************************** Swimming Party This sounds like a great idea and kids will definitely love it, but I'd want to make sure I had some extra adults on hand to watch and I'd probably keep it on a smaller scale. With that being said, you can check out: Kid's First Sports Center - www.kidsfirstsports.com. 7900 E. Kemper Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249 (513-489-7575). They advertise "The Worlds Best Birthday Parties"! Birthday Party Director - 489-7575. Swimming Party - Get one hour of private pool time for ages 5-12 years (guardian must be present if child is under age 5). Then you get to have food, cake, and presents in their party room. Lifetime Fitness - www.lifetimefitness.com. 8310 Wilkens Boulevard, Mason, OH 45040 (513-234-0660). They have swimming birthday parties available. Call for more details. Mason Community Center - www.imaginemason.org. 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio (513-229-8555). They have a few party packages available but you can either have an ice cream party or pizza party. You have the use of the Community Center Glass Room for cake, ice cream and presents then your guest get to head to the fun pool. You need a minimum of 10 guest and 2 adults to host a party.
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Train Party EnterTrainment Junction - www.entertrainmentjunction.com. 7379 Squire Court, West, Chester, Ohio 45069 (513-898-8000). We haven't been here but would like to go. Here is a snippet from their website to let you know what they are all about. "At EnterTRAINment Junction, you can Marvel at the world’s largest (25,000 sq. ft.) indoor train display, bounce, climb and crawl in a spectacular children’s play area, discover at an imaginative railroading museum, engineer your own locomotive around a track in a hand-cranked railroad car, thrill to themed walk-thru mazes you won’t believe, and much more."
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Ahhh, we've all been there - "what should we do for Susie/Billy's birthday this year?" Since most of us have to plan for birthdays, I thought I'd put some ideas down and it might help you so you don't have to think so hard (you know that can just wear any Mom out).
Parky's Farm - Winton Woods. 
