Get out! When NOT to host a party at home.

Obviously, I love hosting birthday parties. One doesn't set about to write 31 Days of Birthdays without some sort of buy-in.

But there comes a time, when even the most dedicated of us says: You know what? I'm not up for it this year. That time often coincides with a school-age boy asking you to host 10-15 of his closest buddies in your house for the day. Or maybe that's just me.

And people: if you don't want the hassle of hosting a party at your own house, there are so many options today. SO MANY. Businesses all over America have woken up to the market that is kids' birthday parties. It's true you'll pay more for an outside venue. But if you don't want to deal with planning, decorating, details and/or you just need a place other than the sofa where your child and their friends can jump around like crazed people for 2 hours - you have options. 

We hosted Natalie's seventh birthday party at a community center water park, because:
a. she wanted to invite ALL her friends
b. we lived in a tiny townhouse at the time
c. Teyla was six months old.

We also employed the Chuck E. Cheese strategy (Corey and I like to say Rat d'Frommage, because it makes us sound cooler) the year Connor turned six because:
a. he wanted to invite ALL his friends
b. we lived in a tiny townhouse at the time
c. Teyla was 18 months old, which is almost more work than a six month old.

I've listed a few other birthday party venues to get you started; if you have an idea to add, I'd love to hear it in the comments.

• dance studios

• karate studios

• indoor water parks

• craft stores

• bowling centers

• zoos

• indoor trampoline parks

• movie theaters

• cooking schools

• American Girl stores

• indoor climbing center

• amusement park

• paint-your-own ceramics

• railroad station

• Whole Foods (cooking parties)

• children's museums or science museums

• tea houses

Sometimes, getting out of the house is the best birthday party of all. 

Originally published October 2013