If you have children, the thought of your kiddo’s next birthday probably brings up a rush of emotions: affection, nostalgia, love, panic.
Don’t panic.
If you want to plan a fun party, but don’t want to go crazy in the process, you’ll find a the whole spectrum of options in Snohomish County to help.
Some of the simplest locations are city and county parks. Sure, you’ll still have to do some planning, but you won’t have to clean your house, and the playgrounds will do most of the work of entertainment.
At the other end of the spectrum, you can find a venue that will do everything for you, from mailing invitations to cleaning up the mess.
Absolute Air Park
What: An indoor trampoline facility.
Where: 18802 67th Ave. NE, Arlington; 855-788-5867; absoluteairpark.com.
Party options: Two-hour parties, 45 minutes of which reserves a private party room. Party host, pizza, drinks, setup and cleanup, party invitations, cake.
Cost: Parties from $200 to $375 depending on the day of the week and number of guests. See website for details.
Bee Bops and Lollipops
What: A retail store focusing on products for kids includes a space for parties.
Where: 1112 First St., Snohomish; 360-568-2333; www.beebopsandlollipops.com.
Party options: Customized parties based on child’s age and interests, includes use of room, crafts, games, cupcakes, beverages, favor bags and a hostess. Setup and cleanup are included. Themes include cowgirls, cowboys, princess and jungle parties.
Cost: $199 for a themed party package for 10. Other options available.
Clayful Creations
What: Paint-your-own-pottery studio.
Where: 102 Avenue D, Suite 2, Snohomish; 360-217-7671; clayfulcreationstudio.com.
Party options: Pottery painting, suncatchers, mosaics and tie-dye parties. Pizza and cupcakes included.
Cost: $16 to $28 per person.
Color Me Mine
What: A paint-your-own-pottery studio.
Where: 15603 Main St., B105, Mill Creek; 425-338-0401; www.millcreek.colormemine.com.
Party options: 2 hours of reserved studio time, $14 piece of pottery or in-store credit per child, balloons and face painting. Options including food are available, or you can bring your own. For ages 3 and older.
Cost: $23 to $34 per child.
Comcast Ice Rink
What: Ice skating on a regulation hockey-size rink.
Where: 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett; 425-322-2653; www.comcastarenaeverett.com.
Party options: Ice skating and skate rentals, private table for 10, food and beverages. Tables are set up and decorated. Food and drink are available.
Cost: $100 to $180 for 10 skaters. Additional skaters are $5. Additional tables are $25 each.
Doodlebug Sports
What: Paintball and laser tag.
Where: Indoor location: 3303 McDougall Ave.; Everett; 425-257-9800; outdoor location: 9600 115th Ave. SE, Snohomish; 425-257-9800; www.doodlebugsportz.com.
Party options: Play laser tag or paintball. Room available for half an hour after party for refreshments and gifts.
Cost: Paintball starts at $200; laser tag starts at $150. Check website for details.
Everett Memorial Stadium
What: Baseball stadium, home of the Everett AquaSox.
Where: 3802 Broadway, Everett; 425-258-3673; www.aquasox.com.
Party options: Upper box seat for each guest, food and drink, coupons for inflatable games. The birthday child can deliver a pitch before the game.
Cost: $20 per person for 10 or more people.
Everett Skate Deck
What: Indoor skate rink, also has bouncy toys and slides.
Where: 9700 19th Ave. SE, Everett; 425-337-0202; www.everettskatedeck.com.
Party options: Parties include admission and skate rental, a reserved table for 45 minutes, ice cream and pop, and place settings. Party upgrade includes pizza, time, the slide and bouncy toys and a party-favor bag.
Cost: Varies depending upon day and time: $64 to $88 for basic package, up to eight skaters; $145 to $165 for upgrade package, up to 12 skaters; more skaters can be added to either type of party for an additional fee.
Evergreen Lanes
What: Bowling alley.
Where: 5111 Claremont Way, Everett; 425-259-7206; www.evergreenbowling.com.
Party options: Two-hour bowling party includes shoes, a souvenir bowling pin with balloons, free game coupon and four game tokens for each child, soda with refills, hot dogs and french fries or pizza.
Cost: $14 per person.
Family Fun Center
What: Entertainment center with attractions such as go-carts, bumper cars and miniature golf.
Where: 7212 SW 220th St., Edmonds; 425-774-4263; www.fun-center.com/public/edmonds.
Parties: Options include play on the various attractions, games, and food and drink; check the website.
Cost: Varies; check website.
Frances Anderson Center
What: Recreation center.
Where: 700 Main St., Edmonds; 425-771-0230, ext 1344; bit.ly/YAWlZk.
Party options: An hour of directed gymnastic activities and half an hour for refreshments and gifts. Helium balloon for each child and T-shirt for the birthday child. You provide refreshments and tableware.
Cost: $148 for residents, $170 for nonresidents. Additional kids $9, up to 14 kids.
Galaxy Hobby
What: Hobby shop featuring remote controlled planes, boats, cars and more.
Where: 19332 60th Ave. W., Lynnwood; 425-670-0454; galaxyhobby.com.
Party options: Building items such as model rockets and race cars. If the party includes building a car, kids can also race it around the track. Food and beverages can be included.
Cost: $14.99 per person for a mini 4-wheel-drive party. Call for options.
Glacier Lanes
What: Bowling alley.
Where: 9630 Evergreen Way, Everett; 425-353-8292; www.glacierlanes.com.
Party options: Two hours of bowling, shoe and ball rental, soft drinks, balloons, cups, plates, napkins, group picture and a gift for the birthday child.
Cost: $60 a lane, up to six bowlers per lane.
Imagine Children’s Museum
What: A variety of exhibits and an outdoor playground on the roof with musical toys and a dinosaur dig area.
Where: 502 Wall St. Everett; 425-258-1006; www.imaginecm.org.
Party options: Museum’s open hours, or after hours. Daytime parties include 90 minutes in a private party room and unlimited playtime in the museum. After-hours parties have the main floor and common areas to themselves. Parties can order food from the museum or bring their own. Parties include online printable invitations or postcard invitations.
Cost: Prices for the daytime range from $85 to $400. After-hour parties range from $340 to $500 for up to 75 guests for two hours; an additional hour is $200. Weekends are more expensive than weekdays.
Jump Rattle &Roll
What: Bouncy and inflatable toys.
Where: 17631 147th St. SE, Suite 6, Monroe; 425-381-5490; jumprattleroll.com.
Party options: Exclusive use of the jump arena for an hour and a half, followed by 45 minutes in a private party room. They can provide decorations and refreshments. See the website for details.
Cost: $195 and up on weekdays and $245 and up Friday through Sunday. Pizza packages are an additional fee.
Lake Stevens High School pool
What: Swimming pool.
Where: 2908 113th Ave. NE, Lake Stevens; 425-335-1526; www.lkstevens.wednet.edu/Page/192.
Party options: One hour of swimming and half an hour on deck for gifts and refreshments.
Cost: One to 25 swimmers, $70; 26 to 50 swimmers, $100; 51 to 75 swimmers, $125; 76 to 100 swimmers, $150.
Little Gym
What: Gymnastics studio.
Where: 7207 Evergreen Way, Suite R, Everett; 425-348-4848; www.thelittlegym.com/EverettWA.
Party options: Exclusive use of the gym for games, music and activities. Trained instructors lead the play. There is a party room for cake and presents. The employees handle setup and cleanup. Invitations are included, including addressing and mailing. There is a “Dora the Explorer”-themed party available.
Cost: $160 to $235.
Lynnwood Ice Center
What: Ice skating rink.
Where: 19803 68th Ave. NW, Lynnwood; 425-640-9999; www.lynnwoodicecenter.com.
Party options: Admission and skate rental and a decorated table, either in the lobby or the party room. You can bring outside food.
Cost: $109 for party with table in lobby; $139 for table in private party room. For eight skaters. Additional skaters $13 each.
Lynnwood Recreation Center Indoor pool
What: Indoor swimming pool with features including a lazy river, shallow play area, waterslides and family hot tub.
Where: 18900 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood; 425-670-5732; www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/ PlayLynnwood/RecCenter.htm.
Party options: You can rent the pool for either shared or private swim time. Party rooms are also available for rental. The rental includes lifeguards and use of all pool features.
Cost: Pool rental: $130 shared pool rental for up to 25 swimmers, $780 private pool rental for up to 150 swimmers. Room rentals: $65 for 25 people or $130 for 50 people. Room rentals are for an hour and 15 minutes, but can be extended.
Maria’s Desserts
What: Hands-on cooking or baking classes. Kids can make the food or desserts to be eaten at the party. The menu is tailored to kids’ ages and interests.
Where: Private homes or rented spaces; www.mariasdesserts.com.
Cost: $45 to $55 per child, with a minimum of five kids and a maximum of 10.
Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion
What: Pool, gym, indoor playground, dance classes and more.
Where: 5303 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace; 425-776-9173; www.mltrec.com.
Party options: Variety of options for pool, playground, gym or dance parties.
Cost: Wide range of prices. Check website or call for details.
Playdate Cafe
What: Indoor play area with toys, bouncy house, slides, costumes and more.
Where: 4114 198th St. SW, Suite 3, Lynnwood; 425-582-7007; www.playdatecafe.biz.
Party options: All parties include party room, host, setup and cleanup, food and drinks, decorations, playtime in the shared play space.
Cost: 90-minute party during open play for up to 10 kids and 20 adults, $225; two-hour party after hours for up to 10 kids and 10 adults, $300. Extra kids, $15.
Pump It Up
What: Bouncy and inflatable toys.
Where: 18027 Highway 99, Lynnwood, 425-774-2297, www.pumpitupparty.com/wa/ lynnwood/home-p1q147.htm.
Party options: Time to play on the inflatable toys and use of the private party room. Parties include invitations, paper products, setup and cleanup. Some parties include pizza and drinks. Glow parties with lights and special effects and lights-out parties available.
Cost: $170 for a weekday party for 14 to $265 for a weekend party for up to 25.
Snohomish County YMCA
What: Play places, pools, rooms for rent.
Where: Branches in Everett, Marysville, Mill Creek, Monroe and Mukilteo; www.ymca-snoco.org.
Party options: Options vary from branch to branch but include pool parties and play area parties.
Cost: Prices vary. Check websites for details.
Traxx Racing
What: Indoor go-kart course with an extra course for kids 3 to 10 years old. Other attractions include climbing wall, Velcro wall, bouncy house, video games, pool and air hockey.
Where: 4329 Chennault Beach Road, Mukilteo; 425-493-8729; www.traxxracing.com.
Party options: Time on the tracks as well as helmets and race suits, instructions, video games, party room, invitations and more. There are also options for parties that include the business’s other options, such as the bouncy house, but not the track.
Cost: Prices vary. A basic package for eight kids 3 to 10 years old is $175, $18 for each additional child. Prices for older kids are higher. Check website for details.
Vertical World
What: Indoor climbing gym.
Where: 2820 Rucker Ave., Everett; 425-258-3431; everett.verticalworld.com.
Party options: Two hours of climbing time, party room and climbing rental equipment.
Cost: $25 per climber. First instructor is free, additional instructors are $25 each. One instructor recommended for every seven climbers. Non-climbers are free.
Whirlyball
What: A team game similar to lacrosse played on bumper cars.
Where: 23401 Highway 99, Edmonds; 425-672-3332; whirlyballseattle.com.
Party options: An hour or more of play. Catering available. Players must be 8 years old or older and 4 feet, 6 inches tall or taller.
Cost: Parties start at $220. Check website for more details.
Parks rentals
Many county and city parks have outdoor areas available for events. Some have facilities, such as picnic shelters, available to rent. Check these websites to find details:
Snohomish County parks: bit.ly/X8HOWB
Arlington: bit.ly/103FQDB
Brier: ci.brier.wa.us/community/parks.htm
Everett parks: bit.ly/X6p2hB, bit.ly/10e1KEb
Edmonds parks: bit.ly/109pjfO
Lake Stevens: bit.ly/109qWKC
Lynnwood: www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/PlayLynnwood/Parks.htm
Marysville: bit.ly/109rmkb
Mill Creek: bit.ly/103HDbX
Monroe: choosemonroe.com/placecategory/parks
Mountlake Terrace: bit.ly/10e5lBW
Mukilteo: bit.ly/X6psVi
Snohomish: ci.snohomish.wa.us/Parks.htm
Stanwood: bit.ly/14ki77z
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