Birthday Party Venues for Kids in the Lehigh Valley

So you're planning a birthday party for your child. It can be a challenge to find a party place that hasn't been overdone. Throwing a children's birthday party at home may cost somewhat less, however cleaning before and after the party and structuring activities for the children may be worth the extra cost. Based on experience, here are my top picks for children's birthday party venues in the Lehigh Valley area.

Parkettes National Gymnastic Training Center
401 Martin Luther King Jr Drive
Allentown, PA 18102
(610) 433-0011
www.parkettes.com

Prices for children's parties are $125, $150, and $175, depending on the number of guests. The party consists of 1 hour of supervised gymnastics activity followed by ½ hour table time. Party times available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays due to the gymnastics teams practice schedule. If you have a special request, you can ask and they may or may not be able to accommodate you. The party price includes balloons, table covering, party bags for you to fill, and coupons for guests to receive a free class. You are free to bring whatever food and favors you'd like.

The Parkettes gym is a great party venue, especially for children in the 3 to 6 year old range. The first hour of the party is run by Parkettes staff and includes such activities as trampoline, tarzan rope, climbing wall, and relay races. They provide an excellent opportunity for physical activity and the staff is friendly and very in-tune with children.

Parkway Lanes
1630 South 12th St.
Allentown, PA 18103
(610) 797-1567
www.amf.com/parkwaylanespa

Parkway Lanes has several party packages available. For $13.99 per bowler, you get an hour of bowling and an hour in the decorated party room. Children have a choice of a slice of pizza or a hot dog, and unlimited drinks. Free bowling coupons for the party bags and invitations are included. All you need to bring is the cake!

Allentown YMCA
425 South 15th Street
Allentown, PA 18102
(610) 434-9333
www.allentownymcaywca.org

The Allentown YMCA is the answer to having a fun party at a reasonable price. Choose from swimming, gymnastics, and sports parties. All aprties include an hour of activity followed by and hour in the party room. Tablecloth and balloons are provided. You supply the food and paper products. Conveniently, there are local pizza shops that deliver to the Y, and you may even be able to get a quantity discount.

Swimming and sports parties accommodate up to 25 guests, while gymnastics parties accommodate 20 guests. Sports parties offer your choice of soccer, hockey, volleyball, basketball, tug-of-war, parachute games and relay races. The ball pit is an added option for children ages 4-8

Studio Fun
101 South Main St.
Nazareth, PA
610-365-2889
www.studiofun.biz

Studio Fun has a package to suit your needs, whether the birthday child is 8 or 80. In a valley full of game venues, Studio Fun is a truly unique answer to the tween and teenage party dilemma.

Guests split into groups and record karaoke and star in a music video and photo shoot. For the photo shoot, guests choose from hundreds of backgrounds and take home a print. Each guest also takes home a CD and DVD of their performances. In addition to the studio activites, DDR, Rock Band, and Guitar Hero games are also available for the party-goers.

At Studio Fun, you can tailor a party package to suit your own needs. The Hollywood Package is $299 and includes 2 hours of party time for 15 guests. You supply your own food and paper products. Parties are available to accommodate up to 50 guests. You can add upgrades such as additional party time, snacks, food, invitations, even a cop car limo to pick up and drop off your guests (www.copcarlimo.com).

In addition to parties, individuals can stop in during business hours to play games, record songs, and even have DJ and Dance instruction. This is a terrific opportunity to check out the facility!

Bounce U
3241 Hamilton Blvd
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104
Phone: (610) 841-7088

9th & Linden Streets
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18020
Phone: (610) 814-2779
www.bounceu.com

Youngsters are sure to have a bouncin' good time at Bounce U. The Value package includes and hour of bounce time, and ½ hour of party room time for up to 15 guests. You will need to bring all food and paper products. Food and favors can be added to your party for an additional charge. Bounce U is a wonderful, active party for children who need to use up that extra energy!

Limited party times are available, so be sure to call for availability!

Independence Family Fun Center
4345 Independence Drive, Schnecksville, PA 18078
610-769-5811
www.familyfunoff309.com

The standard package is $195 for 10 guests. This includes an hour in the party room, roller skating and skate rental, along with a choice of rock climbing laser tag, bowling, or moon bounce. Soda, pizza, ice cream, paper products, game tokens, and invitations are included.

The nice part about Independence Family fun center is that there is something for everyone, and when the games are over, you can still skate!

Now that you have a few ideas, go ahead and plan that party!