Face it…every year your child is not going to want to have their birthday party in your living room or backyard. At least once, your child will ask to “take it on the road” and have their party somewhere new. Although some of these ideas can get pretty pricey, you may want to look at the less stressful nature of an outside party as a benefit to be considered.

Some common places to hold a birthday party outside of the home are:

1. Restaurants – Kid-friendly restaurants are the best, when your focus is a birthday party. Several chain restaurants have separate “party rooms” you can rent for such events. Usually decorations are not included, but packages can be purchased that will supply all your food needs. (Ask if the cake is provided, though. Some will include the cake, some will not.) Regular party games can be taken for entertainment.

2. Theme Parks – Big theme parks are really exciting for teens to visit. Group discounts are sometimes available, as well. Depending on your budget, provide transportation and admission costs for all your guests, but other purchases can be left to the parents. Make sure to have enough adult participation, so that groups of teens are not walking around alone. (For significantly older teens you can trust to walk unaccompanied, provide watches for every group, so meet up times are not missed. Pre-set the watch alarms to remind them a meet up time is coming up!)

3. Open Gyms – The new craze in birthday parties is having them at “Open Gym” facilities. During particular times of the day, these facilities are only available for birthday celebrations, so the guests get to jump, tumble and play on everything as they please. Be sure to ask if staff will be manning all the stations!

4. Local Parks and Recreation Facilities – Large meeting rooms and special picnic areas can be used for birthday parties. Many times you can get these locations for free! Of course, no food, drinks or decorations are provided, but it is nice to know that after the party is done, all you need to do is throw away everything! Most also have playgrounds for the kids, so entertainment is simple and wholesome. Regular party games can be taken and played by all the guests, as well.

5. Public Pools and Water Slide Parks – Public Pools are quite a bit less expensive and several of them do have areas for very young children all the way up to older teens. Many have picnic areas attached that you could have the “party” in. Water slide parks would work much like a theme park in organization.

As with any party planning venture, information is needed. Call up local facilities and do some price comparisons. See what is included for the cost you are quoted. Start early!!! When you are planning a party outside of your home, you really need to be organized and book your party well in advance.