FEBRUARY 2010 -- If the mere mention of the words 'birthday party' sends shivers of planning anxiety down your spine, then worry no longer. We've assembled 10 great places for you to celebrate your little one's big day. From preschool water bugs to preteen nature buffs, the list below features venues suited to a variety of ages, interests and budgets.

Little Fishes Swim School
8200 Brentwood Industrial Drive
St. Louis, MO 63144
314-647-7946
www.littlefishesswimschool.com
Want a pool party but have no pool? No problem! A two-hour party reservation at Little Fishes Swim School includes 45 minutes of free swim with pool toys and a lifeguard. The rest of the time guests are free to enjoy a play area and party room. Little Fishes provides invitations, juice boxes, forks, plates, napkins and tablecloth—all you bring is the cake! A supervised craft is optional for an extra charge. Perfect for little fish of any age. Costs $200 for 10 guests.

The Little Gym of Ballwin
15425 Manchester Road
Ballwin, MO 63011
636-256-4500
www.tlgballwinmo.com
The 90-minute parties at Little Gym are perfect for active kids ages 1 to 12. Gymnastics, games, dance and sports activities are just a few of the possible supervised activities your guests can enjoy, all tailored to your crowd. Party includes private use of the entire facility, two staff members at your disposal, invitations, paper goods for cake or snacks plus a special T-shirt and balloon bouquet for the birthday child. Cost is $195 for up to 15 guests. 

Yucandu Art Studio
20 Allen Avenue
Webster Groves, 63119
314-963-4400
www.yucandu.com
Feeling artsy? Yucandu is the perfect spot for crafty kids ages 6 and older. Party includes two hours in a private room, handmade invitations, and an art instructor and helpers to oversee a group project. Costs $220 to $280 for 10 guests.

Olivette Lanes
9520 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
314-991-0365
www.olivettelanes.com
Bowling may feel like an old standby, but these folks know their birthday parties. Fun for children ages 3 and up (and their parents), Olivette lanes can host events for as few as six and as many as 144 guests. Basic party package includes one game of bowling or one hour of play—whichever comes first. Rental shoes and sodas are also provided, and food may be purchased or brought by hosts. Cost for 10 people begins at $76.50.

Saint Louis Zoo
One Government Drive
St. Louis, MO 63110
314-781-0900
www.stlzoo.org
Sure, your kids may have been there dozens of times, but they've probably never been this up-close-and-personal with some of the zoo's four-legged inhabitants. The zoo pairs parties with a member of its education department for fun, guided activities and animal contact. Parties can be designed for preschool or school-aged children. A variety of themes and venues are available, and for a fee, the Zoo can provide everything from train tickets to goodie bags for your guests. Costs vary considerably depending on venue, chosen options and number in party, but begin at $300 for up to 30 guests.

Vetta Sports Clubs of St. Louis
1425 Saint Peters Cottleville Road
Saint Peters, MO, 63376
636-498-4625
www.vettasports.com
Soccer fanatic in the family? Celebrate his or her birthday at Vetta Sports St. Charles, where your guests will be treated to 50 minutes of indoor field time supervised by a staff member, 45 minutes in a party room, soda, invitations, thank you notes, and a special T-shirt for the birthday child. Price ranges from $195-235.

Sky Zone
17379 Edison Avenue
Chesterfield, Missouri 63005 
636-530-4550
www.skyzonesports.com
What do you get when you mix athletic courts and trampolines? Some pretty happy party-goers! Sky Zone welcomes jumpers of all ages, but it is a particularly good choice for school-aged boys who won’t get enough of games such as 3-D dodgeball. Party packages include either open or private jump time on the playing courts as well as time in a private party room with pizza, paper goods, drinks and special gifts for the guest of honor. Costs vary based on party package but begin at $15 per person.

Shaw Nature Reserve
Hwy. 100 & I-44
Gray Summit, MO 63039
636-451-3512
www.shawnature.org
Sometimes it's best to forgo the conventional birthday party trappings and opt for something a bit more natural. Look no further than Shaw Nature Reserve. Bring a group to the 2,500 acre reserve and experience the beautiful Ozark landscape. For older children, consider a picnic and one of the many self-guided hikes. For younger children (ages 3 to 5) enroll your party in one of Shaw’s Little Acorn classes, which includes guided activities, snack, story and craft. Picnic areas are free to use but require reservation, self-guided pamphlets begin at $0.50 and Little Acorn classes are $18 for a child and adult.

Bounce U
South County and Chesterfield
314-845-7529
www.bounceu.com
Kids love to bounce, especially on giant inflatable structures. Bounce U offers a variety of party options for ages 3 and older, which include more than an hour of bounce time in your own private bounce room, 40 minutes in a private party room, staff members managing all the details of your event, invitations, souvenir T-shirt for the guest of honor, access to video arcade games and paper products. Food and other add-ons also available. Cost begins at $99 for eight participants.

Kindermusik Academy
The Lodge at Des Peres
1050 Des Peres Road
Des Peres, MO 63131
314-968-2855
*Additional locations in Chesterfield and Clayton
http://www.kindermusikstl.com
Let your guests express their creativity with the help of music educator Nancy Love from Kindermusik Academy. Love will host a 40-minute program (sometimes shorter for younger children) for party-goers between the ages of 1 and 5 that includes music, singing and dance. Plus, all participants receive a coupon for a free class to enjoy at a later date. House calls or off-site visits can be arranged, or parties may inquire about renting one of Kindermusik’s three available facilities for an additional charge. Parties begin at $150.

Need more party ideas? See Part Two of Birthday Party Best Bets.

After living and writing in St. Louis for almost 15 years, Meredith Boggess has plenty of good things to share about her adopted hometown. She and her husband recently welcomed their first daughter into their home on The Hill, and, despite the sleepless nights, they are still awash in that new parent glow. Contact Meredith at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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