This will be the 2nd summer my family has been living in Florida, and with my son turning 3 in June, I'd like to host a nice birthday party. Problem is I'm a little stumped on ideas - I've researched renting out places but they all seem so expensive. I think having a pool party or any outdoor party will likely just be too hot, and my house is too small to really host active little kids. So I was wondering if anyone might have any other suggestions - what do others do for summertime birthday parties? I'd love to hear your ideas! Thanks so much!
Do you have any subdivisions around you that have clubhouses? Alot of times they will let you rent them out even if you don't live there. I know ours does and they charge either $50 or $75 for 4 hours (depending on the time of day). May be worth looking at.
I'm not sure where you live but check with some of the Rec centers. They have pools and you can have parties there. I know Highland Rec has a really neat pool with slides and stuff. We had a party there one year and it was really fun and not too costly. Good luck!
Like Lisa said, the rec centers are fairly inexpensive. http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/recreation/recrea...
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/rentals/
There is a park in Brandon on the corner of Kings and Bloomingdale that is totally shaded. I had a party for my daughter there in the morning in early Aug. It wasn't too bad as far as the heat goes. It would probably be really nice in June in the morning. You can reserve one of the pavilions for ~$35, I think, or take a chance, show up really early and claim one for free.
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/parkservices/regi...
I too live in FLA and struggled with the same issues you mention, space, cost and safe ideas. We picked a local park, reserved a shelter near a playground and bathrooms and either catered or prepared the food ourselves and had 100 people with children have a great time. This way the children can play games, eat cake, etc and not mess your home and it's less expensive than a rental party however there is a effort on the food/decor.
We had my daughter's 2nd birthday at the Sprayground in Oldsmar. It was in July. It was only about $25 or so to rent the covered pavillion for the entire morning and the only other cost was food, cake, goody bags, decorations, etc. It was great because the kids stayed cool playing in the water and because we had a large covered pavillion it wasn't too hot.
Not sure if that's close to where you live, but it worked out great for us.
Good luck!!
My daughter is turning 3 in June and we are searching for a place to hold her party as well. In the past we have had her party at the local parks (just rented a shelter), but it is always so hot in June and she (and everyone else) just ends up over-heated and miserable. We have been looking into a local rec. center, but most seem to be a minimum of $50/hour on the weekends and that's just for the room - doesn't include food and entertainment. Just seems like a lot to me for a 3 year olds party. If you get any great suggestions, I would love to hear them as well.
p.s. I have a son who is 4 months old - our kids are the same age. :-)
