The Manhattan Times

Make a wish! Great ideas for kids’ birthdays

I had been planning my daughter’s birthday party. She turned nine. We started planning two weeks before. I know what you’re thinking. Yes, last minute, but I think I have been in denial. Not only is she turning nine, but now, I have been a mom for nine years.

As you might know, I facilitate New Moms’ groups and I often remind the women that with your baby's birth is the birth of motherhood. Motherhood (and fatherhood) is a process that comes in stages of development, just like the growth of our babies.

Here I am, nine years later, and I am amazed by the flurry of time that has passed and the things I continue to learn from my children and from being a parent. I am also learning that my daughter’s birthday celebrations and desires change yearly.

Nine kids scarfed down hot dogs and fries with veggies and cake and then, the highlight, our neighbor's dog visited. It lasted a bit more than two hours and then everyone went home. Whew, we made it and it was fun! It was pretty low-stress and I found out, at nine years old, the kids were an integral part of creating the fun for themselves (I just offered the possibilities).

Here are some relatively low-cost birthday party ideas that local parents suggested:

Have a bowling party (Paradise Lanes in Yonkers 914-969-2417, Harlem Lanes 212-678-2695)

Hire a professional face painter

Make a pizza party (in your home or at a restaurant)

Use a space at the local YM/YWHA (they have various party plans 212-569-6200)

Throw a slumber party

Visit the Bronx or Central Park Zoo: just bring the group and supervise them yourself.

Go ice skating at Riverbank State Park

Have a one-day dance class/party (Washington Heights Cultural Center (212-569-2224)

Throw an Inwood Hill Park Nature Center nature classroom birthday party (212-304-2365)

Hire Otsi the Clown to  come to your home, do magic and tailor a party to fit your needs (otsieclown.com 347-585-9767)

Party in the local parks (for park permit: www.nycgovparks.org/sub_permits_and_applications/events_faq.html