Another birthday might be cause for disdain as the years pile
up, but for a kid, it’s the day the world caters to you. Here are
some ideas for local places to throw a kid-approved birthday
bash.
Another birthday might be cause for disdain as the years pile up, but for a kid, it’s the day the world caters to you. Here are some ideas for local places to throw a kid-approved birthday bash.
Chuck E. Cheese
910 Renz Lane, Gilroy, (408) 842-5799, www.chucke cheese.com/birthdays
The giant mouse who rocks out with his band leaves party goers entranced, and when the show is over, kids scramble to claim their slice of gooey cheese pizza. The restaurant offers several arcade games including Skee-Ball, simulated race cars and miniature basketball hoops.
In Gilroy, manager Paul Reed said parties have been booked solid since the restaurant opened in late December, and reservations – especially for weekends – are booked for months ahead.
Chuck E. Cheese’s party package is $10.99 per guest, which includes a decorated table for 90 minutes and a special show by Chuck E. Cheese and the band. Each guest receives two slices of single-topping pizza, all-you-can-drink soda, a slice of birthday cake and 20 free tokens to spend at the prize counter.
If the party is held on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, each guest receives 28 tokens and the reserved table has no time limit.
If you can do without the comical mouse, several other local pizza parlors also welcome birthday parties with reservations, offering decorated tables, multiple television sets and video games.
The Player’s Edge
1500 Lana Way, Suite A, Hollister, (831) 638-9782, www.playersedgehollister.com/party_packages.html
For a kid who loves sports, there’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than to climb a child-sized rock wall and play structure, hit baseballs in a batting cage and root on favorite professional teams on television.
The most basic party package – $9.95 per guest, with an 8-guest minimum – includes two hours in the party room, popcorn, plates and settings, balloons, a hot dog and soda for each guest and unlimited time in the play area. The most advanced package – $15.95 per guest with an 8-guest minimum also covers a baseball for party goers to sign, a T-shirt for the birthday kid, three tokens per guest and pizza instead of hot dogs.
Morgan Hill
Aquatics Center
16200 Condit Road, Morgan Hill, (408) 782-2134
A birthday party at the beach would be fun, but getting there with a car full of kids screaming “are we there yet?” doesn’t sound so appealing, and neither does vacuuming post-party sand out of the car. So, grab the goggles and head to the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center, where the party package includes all-day admission during regular recreation swim hours for 15 people, with three hours of access to the party room. Lunch includes two large pizzas – pepperoni or cheese – as well as three pitchers of soda and veggie sticks with dip.
Packages start at $250, with a $100 damage deposit and $17 processing fee. Payment is due in full at the time of reservation. Additions to the party package include additional pizzas and soda pitchers for $15 and $4, respectively.
The center also can provide birthday T-shirts and invitations with a map to the center. Group rates are available for parties of 20 or more. Lunch from the center’s “poolside oasis” can be requested with advanced notice.
Bonfante Gardens
3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, (408) 840-7100, www.bonfantegardens.com/groups/groups.html
Pulling off a birthday party can be a stressful experience for parents, but at least the surroundings can be serene.
At Bonfante Gardens, the backdrop to the perfect party are hundreds of trees, plants and flowers to keep parents at peace while the kids are running around and riding rides.
For parties with 25 or more, Bonfante’s party package includes discounted admission to the park, a private, decorated patio for three hours and an all-you-can-eat meal including hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, chips, soda and a birthday cupcake.
Admission is $29.99 for ages 7 to 64 and $27.99 for ages 3 to 6 and 65 and older.
Gilroy Bowl
7550 Monterey St., Gilroy, (408) 842-5100
Where else can birthday boys and girls take home their very own bowling pin, signed by partygoers, as a memento from their party? For $9 per guest, kids can enjoy hot dogs, sodas, chips and one game of bowling including shoe rental.
In lieu of hot dogs, partiers can share a pizza for eight. Party times are limited to accommodate other bowlers. Bumper lanes and lightweight bowling balls are available.
Glazed Creations
17245 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill, (408) 778-0441, www.glazed creations.net/parties.html
Candy-filled goody bags are a sweet way to remember a party, but why not create a customized work of art that lasts forever?
At Morgan Hill’s Glazed Creations, party goers can design and paint ceramic figurines. Packages start at $16 per guest, which includes 1 1/2 hours in the party room, party invitations and a party hat for the guest of honor.
Each guest can pick out a ceramic figure to paint from the $5 to $7 range. The most advanced package, $24 per guest, includes more time in the party room and figurine selections from the $12 to $15 range.
The Family Golf Park
4000 San Felipe Road, Hollister, (831) 637-8100
Eighteen holes of miniature golf, a driving range and two batting cages will keep party goers busy before they chow down on pizza and soda at Hollister’s The Family Golf Park.
The party lasts about 3 1/2 hours and is $14 per guest with a 10-guest minimum.
Villa Mira Monte
17860 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill, (408) 891-1980
With its wrap-around porch and country feel, the historic Villa Mira Monte is the perfect place to throw a Victorian tea party. Built in 1884 by Hiram Morgan and Diana Hill, the air-conditioned house also has a dance floor and outlets for music equipment.
Villa Mira Monte is owned and operated by the Morgan Hill Historical Society. The cost is $30 per hour Tuesday through Thursday for parties with up to 25 guests. Time is sold in four-hour blocks Friday, Saturday and Sunday, $200 Friday and $300 Saturday and Sunday. A security deposit also is required.
Community Centers
Morgan Hill Community Center 17000 Monterey Road, (408) 782-0008, www.mhcommunity
center.com
Gilroy Youth Center
7400 Railroad St., (408) 846-0460,www.ci.gilroy. ca.us/comserv/recguide.html
The Morgan Hill Community Center offers two large multi-purpose rooms, a ceramics room, a dance room, an outdoor amphitheater, a rose garden and kitchen facilities. The children’s pavilion also features an outdoor playground and a water-play area. Prices vary according to time of day and how many rooms are being rented.
In Gilroy, the Gilroy Youth Center offers billiards, shuffleboard, video games, table soccer, football, basketball and arts and crafts. Prices vary according to time.
At home or a park
If you’re willing to assume clean-up duties, throw a birthday party at home or in your favorite local park. But not just any birthday party – childhood is, after all, fleeting.
Gilroy-based My Pony Party offers hand-walked pony rides, petting zoos and reptile zoos. Prices for pony rides start at $160, which covers one pony for an hour. An hour with two ponies is $270, and prices increase with the number of hours. Pony-led cart rides are offered for $250 an hour.
The petting zoo showcases chickens, rabbits, ducks goats and pigs. Prices start at $170 for an hour and increase $100 each hour.
Party goers can touch snakes and lizards as well as a turtle, a tortoise and a carnivorous frog in the reptile zoo, which is $250 for an hour-long presentation. A $50 discount is offered if a petting zoo and pony ride are booked together.
Or, rent an inflatable jump house for kids to bounce away their birthdays. Jump houses come in a variety of themes, such as Spiderman, SpongeBob SquarePants, Barbie and Power Puff Girls from Hollister-based The Bounce Co. Prices vary. Check the phone book or visit your local chamber of commerce for more information about specific businesses.
For a calmer birthday experience, several local party-supply stores offer tents and dance floors for rent, as well as themed table settings, balloons and other decorations.
