Remember that the smaller the guest list, the less your stress.
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If you are looking for a fun way to celebrate your child's birthday, Lake Charles, Louisiana has the venues you need, whether you want something educational, active or artistic. Better yet, most of the venues do the dirty work of setting up and cleaning up for you so you have more time to help your child celebrate.
Museum Party
At The Children's Museum in Lake Charles (swlakids.org), children can have fun and learn at the same time with exhibits such as a bubble factory, rock climbing wall, kitchen simulation and art workshop. As of 2011, The Children's Museum has birthday party packages that include access to the museum's party room, invitations, party bags and balloons as well as ice cream and punch -- all parents have to do is bring their own cake and the museum will take care of pretty much everything else.
Stay Cool In The Water
If your child loves the water, consider having a party at True Blue Watersports (truebluewatersports.com). The facility specializes in swim lessons and scuba diving but also has a 50-foot heated indoor pool for year-round use. Children have access to the pool, water slide, an inflatable jumper slide and tables and chairs for refreshments. All parties include a life guard and party coordinator. For kids 8 and older, you can even book a scuba diving party that includes an introductory lesson with a master instructor. SPAR Aquatic Center (discoveramerica.com/ca/louisiana/spar-aquatic-center.html) offers indoor and outdoor pools and a kid-friendly water park. As of 2011, the facility doesn't offer structured party packages but there are plenty of places to group up for a celebration.
Movement and Dance
For the dance-loving girl or boy, book a party at the Dance Studio (thedancestudio.weebly.com). The Dance Studio offers parties with themes such as hip-hop, ballet, musical theater and pirates and princesses. Parties last 90 minutes and include choreographed instruction, games and a place to have cake and presents. Parents must provide their own refreshments and decorations but the Dance Studio will do all of the cleanup. Guzzy's Gymnastics (guzzysgymnastics.com) is another option for active kids ages 3 to 12. Parties at Guzzy's include gymnastics-themed activities such as parachute games, an obstacle course and tumbling. Guzzy's provides an entertainment and party room so all parents have to provide is the cake, refreshments and decor.
Sports Fun
The Putt-Putt Fun Center (putt-putt.com/_minisites/_la_lakecharles/index.html) is home to 18 holes of miniature golf, batting cages and a snack shack for hot and cold treats. 2011 birthday party packages include one hour of miniature golf or batting cage time, invitations, the birthday child's name on the Putt-Putt marquee and cake, cupcakes, pizza and drinks for an additional charge, if requested. Petro Bowl (petrobowl.net) will host a bowling party for kids of all ages. Party packages include one hour of bowling, rental shoes, food and drinks for each guest. Guests are also given two free passes for a future visit. Petro Bowl will set up bumper bowling on your lane for kids 9 and younger.
Other ideas
Lake Charles offers other options if you still haven't found a venue to suit your child's interests. To bring out your child's artistic side, plan a party at Cafe au Clay (cafeauclaypottery.com) ceramics painting studio. Cafe au Clay offers party packages that include paint, brushes and ceramic pieces that it will fire in its kilns. Parents can choose what kids paint based on price point, including figurines, tiles, plates and boxes. Lake Charles is also home to dozens of parks and recreation sites. Plan a party at one of the area parks with a picnic and outdoor games. If your kid loves camping, consider Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park (jellystonelcla.com) for an outdoor camping adventure party. The park has a playground, water park and a lake to try out a paddle boat or canoe. Rent one of the park's cabins for an overnight party so guests have plenty of time to use all of the amenities.
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About the Author
Nicole Brown has been a freelance writer since 2007. She works as an administrative professional in the legal field and does freelance writing part-time. She has an associate degree in business administration from American Intercontinental University and a bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Phoenix.
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