[birthday party 411]

Many resources exist throughout Tampa Bay for fabulous kid birthday parties. Whether you live in the heart of Tampa, Lutz, Clearwater/St. Pete or Brandon, you will find our guide helpful in designing a memorable birthday bash.

play places

Locations in North and South Tampa
(813) 282-8547

Available to children 1-10. Play floor open to guests for 1 hour and ½ hour is spent in all-purpose room.
Members price: $315 for 14 children, $12 extra a head after the 14 is met. $335 for non-members and $14 a head after the 14 is met. Includes preparation and stamping of invitations, paper goods, plates, certified instructors, balloons, gift registry, coffee/drinks for kids, you bring cake/food.

Chuck E Cheese
Locations in Brandon, Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater

The original party place—the one you remember as a kid—but with needed upgrades. No more ball pit; it has been replaced with a mazes and slides and rock walls and climbing apparatus, video games, ride on toys and simulation machines. Two things that we particularly like are the stamp identification system between parent and child and the fact all the pizza, juice/water, salad bar, sandwich platters etc. can be secured in Chuck E. Cheese. They can even provide the cake. The stamp identification system works like this: Parents and child get matching “invisible” stamps on their hands when they enter the facility. No child may leave the facility unless they have passed a guard station (manned by an employee at all times) who double checks that the child leaving is with their parent. Parties start at $10.99 a child. BNB Tip: Check out these locations before you commit to one. Like many mass chain companies, some are better equipped, newer and cleaner than others.

Baby Bungalow
3106 W. Azeele Street, Tampa 33609
(813) 356-1293

Want to have a house setting, without using your house? Try Baby Bungalow. I have been to several birthday parties here and the Bungalow is really perfect for all age kids. It has a kitchen that you can use and three other rooms that are perfect for setting up your party fare. One room comes equipped with a play kitchen, blocks, baby toys and more. Also, the Bungalow boasts an outdoor area with picnic tables (including a small picnic table for the kids) and a playground set with ride on toys. Rental is $75 on the weekends. You make arrangements through the staff and some one will open up and close down. You are responsible for cleaning the party mess and of course your own food and refreshments. Call the number above to inquire.

The YMCA
Locations throughout the Bay Area

To give you a general idea of what your area Y could do for you, we have included information for Interbay-Glover Family YMCA. If you are turning ages 3-10, they can design a party with your child’s needs and wants in mind. They are available only on Saturdays, either from 1-3 or 3:30-5:30. The Interbay YMCA has an outdoor pool, so a pool party is an option, but only for children 6-10. The Gymnastics room and the Bouldering room are options for any age child between 3-10. They can accommodate up to 18 children per party. The facility rental is $165 for members, $210 for community. You provide food, cake and refreshments.

bounce parties
Bounce U
Location in Largo
(727) 548-JUMP (5867)

This “party stadium” has a number of bounce apparatus and games, enough to keep a room full of children happy for a long time. They also have arcade games and a “spider climb” climbing contraption. Their parties are generally for 25 children and there are three packages to choose from, many offering invitations, hours of play, ‘party pros’ to help and guide the party, paper products, etc. There is a new category of party, called U Jr. which is designed for a smaller group. It includes max. 12 bouncers, invitations, 1 hour ½ play time, 1 party pro, 12 cupcakes, drinks and a t-shirt for the birthday child. The cost is $160 for Mon-Fri. party, $180 for Sat./Sun/School Holiday party. Food is available for purchase through them and there is no outside food allowed except for cake. Pricing for packages (except U Jr.) ranges from $220 to $395 depending on the day it’s held and the package you want. Waiver forms must be signed by each child attending party. Bonus: Book your party in the month of June (to be used whenever you want) and receive $20 off the party price.

Pump It Up
Locations in Brandon and Westchase
(813) 854-2222

This is extreme kid partying—lots of jumping, lots of running, lots of fun—enough energy release to make even 10 year olds want a nap afterwards. Essentially a large room with ‘interactive, inflatable play structures’. Your child’s birthday fun can be secured in any one of two party packages, many including invitations, set-up and clean-up, playtime, cake time all for a certain number of children. Other ad-ons include pizza, juice or soda, balloons, etc. Children must have a waiver signed before attending a party here and they must wear socks.

museums & zoos
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 33602
(813) 273-4015

Designed with kids turning ages 3-12, these aquatic parties are a fun, and even educational way, to celebrate a birthday. Party with the Fishes can be held indoors or outside in their water area, Explore-a-Shore and food can be secured through the aquarium. Party packages start at $185.00 and there are discounts for being a member. Free parking and admission to the aquarium for each guest is included with the party package. They can even arrange for a personal greeting from a scuba diver at the Coral Reed exhibit!

The Lowry Park Zoo
1101 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa, 33604
(813) 935-8552 ext. 266

These “wild” parties are scheduled either Saturday or Sunday at 10 am or 1 pm. A party usually includes special animal encounters, full admission to zoo for all guests, party decorations, room rental for 1.5 hours, beverages, paper goods, an instructor led game, e-invitations and even complimentary grains for the kids for the petting zoo. Prices are discounted for members, and packages start at $185.00. Food has to be brought in from outside resources and can only be served in the room. Outside food is not permitted in the zoo.

Great Explorations
1925 Fourth Street North, St. Petersburg
(727) 821-8992

A wonderful “exploration encouraged” museum, Great Explorations is an educational, exciting, climate-controlled way to spend a birthday. Many, many party options, everything from ‘build your own’ to ‘themed sleepovers’! They offer parties in themes like Pirates of the Caribbean, ArtSmart and even American Idol. Parties range in price from $125.00 and there is a discount for members. Most parties are for 20 guests. Ice cream is included, but not cake and you have to secure your own food off the premises. BNB Tip: Pappa Johns is located across the street for quick delivery and Panera Bread is across the street.

Kid City
7550 North Blvd., Tampa 33604 (next to the zoo)
(813) 935-8441

An imaginative, hands-on play place geared for young children; literally a ‘kid city’ with toddler sized buildings that compromise a small city (think post office, library, fire station, etc.) Their birthday room comes complete with a ‘throne’ for the birthday boy or girl, a pre-party planner, postcard invitations, birthday cake, birthday activity, juice boxes, paper goods, free admission for all guests and even a coupon for a free return visit! Packages start at $160.00 and there is a discount for members. Food can be arranged with advance notice. Their party’s run Saturday 10:30/12:30 and 2:30 and you have the use of the room for an hour, although your guests can stay at the museum for as long as they would like.

public parks/playgrounds
Tampa has many well-maintained, kid friendly, public parks and playgrounds. Most have “shelters” which are concrete, canopied areas, many with grill stations and picnic tables. Write down the shelter number you want (they are posted on the shelter) and reserve in advance. Visit http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/rentals/shelterrentals.cfm and it will give you complete information about sizes of shelters and renting fees plus all the parks in Hillsborough County and maps to all of them. The shelter is yours from 10 to closing the day you rent it. You can also call (813)931-RENT(7368) to check availability and to rent a shelter.

Some popular park birthday hot spots are:
-Ballast Point Park (bonus: Taste of Boston restaurant is there and they can provide food for your get together. Think fried clams, chicken strips and grilled cheese fare)
-Kate Jackson Park (bonus: nice, indoor clubhouse can be rented)
-Corona Park
-Palma Ceia Park
-Al Lopez Park
-McFarland Park
-Davis Island Park