Party Playground

Archive for September, 2011

House parties have always been popular with kids; perhaps because it means they can get away with drinking alcohol when they would have had no chance of getting served in a pub. However, what used to be a relatively tame gathering of kids and teenagers at a willing parents’ house seems to have transformed into something else altogether.

Invites used to be meticulously drawn up by hand while the guest list was carefully negotiated with parents; but these days a party can get out of hand before it has even begun, with just the click of a mouse. You may have heard of Facebook, Bebo or MySpace parties and wondered if they were some kind of online chat room. Well, if this is the case, you are sadly mistaken. Facebook, Bebo and MySpace parties are a new phenomenon that is haunting parents worldwide.

If you are unacquainted with the social network sites that have taken the world by storm, they are a relatively recent discovery that allows people to keep in touch with other people, post and share photos, write blogs and advertise events.

It is the organising and advertising of events online that has had a particular impact though, as a house party can be broadcast to the world in seconds. The problem with this is that kids often don’t realise the consequences of their actions and before you know it, your home is often crawling with youngsters whose only intention is to trash your house.

Just imagine what this could do to your home insurance! Making a claim can be bad enough if you have damaged something, as not all home insurance providers cover for accidental damage, but what happens when the reason your home and contents has been trashed is nothing to do with you?

Because this is a relatively new occurrence, insurers have yet to set specific guidelines for events such as house parties. Some home insurance policies will have clauses which do not cover damage due to any irresponsible behaviour by yourself or your children, in which case your child could be paying you back for damage done until they retire if you are an unlucky house party victim.

However, if like so many parents, you are an unaware of your child’s online party planning skills and have returned to find your home is unrecognisable and your belongings are missing, you may still be lucky as there are, as yet, no set standards. As a result, home insurance providers are more likely to process your claim if you were unaware that the party was happening.

There is no way of telling if your child will play the wild card and ‘accidentally’ invite the entire neighbourhood to your house, but if they do, make sure you are not involved or aware in any way, so no snooping on their internet accounts!

Music is essential to a successful Luau. It will help get everyone in the mood to party, dance and enjoy themselves.

Some of the most popular Luau music can be found in the album Drew’s Famous Luau Party Music with songs such as such as Surfin’ USA, Don’t Worry Be Happy, Hawaii Five-0 Theme Song, Blue Hawaii and more. Drew’s Famous Island Party Jams with various artists is also a great bet for your party. You should also have the traditional Don Ho Hawaiian Favorites, with songs such as Tiny bubbles and Pearly Shells.

For something interestingly different, try music by Israel ‘IZ’ Kamakawiwo ‘ole. Some other great classic albums for your party could be Blue Hawaii by Elvis, Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters, Best of Hawaii, by various artists, Hawaii’s Greatest Hits by New Hawaiian Band, I am Hawaii by Hawaiian Escape, Taboo music of Hawaii by Arthur Lyman, Little Brown Girl, Hits of Hawaii and Cazimeros Best (all three of their albums). It should be mentioned that the Hawaiian slack key guitar is the sound most often associated with Hawaii and luaus. It is that dreamy sort of wandering melodious string instrument you might have heard in relation to Hawaii before. You might consider actually hiring a live instrumentalist for your luau – perhaps even a slack key guitarist. Now that would most certainly be the icing on the cake!

These tunes will all bring the authentic Hawaiian atmosphere to your Luau feast, which your guests will remember for years to come!

If you are looking for a cool place to host your kid’s birthday party, here are some ideas:

- Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Having a birthday party at the Children’s museum can be so much fun. The museum has a private room for birthday parties, where you and your guests can have lots of fun activities provided by the museum. Also you and your guests can enjoy the entire museum during the whole day.
Location: 212 West 83rd Street, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 721-1234

- Children’s Museum of Brooklyn
The Children’s Museum of Brooklyn is so cool. Your child can celebrate their birthday at this cool location and have lots of fun at their private party room. You and your guests can also continue the fan enjoy the entire museum during the whole day.
Location: 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213
Phone: (718) 735-4400

- New York City Fire Museum
At the Fire Museum kids few as they are a fireman. They will be able to talk to a real fireman; they will receive fireman hats and other fun activities. Kids will love this place!
Location: 278 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013-1405
Phone: (212) 691-1303

- The Hall of Science
The Hall of Science provides 90 minutes of guided entertainment, as per example, exhibit tour, science demonstration, take-home activities, and celebration at the private room. You and your guests can continue the celebration exploring the entire museum throughout the day. The Hall of Science it is an exciting hands on museum, where kids can experiment activities as per example, climb on a giant spider web, mechanical surfboard, car race simulator, real NASA rockets etc.
Location: 47-01 111th Street, Queens, NY 11368
Phone: 718-699-0005

- Bounce-U
Kids will have a blast on this gigantic bounce place… Beside bounce with their friends, the kids will have a private room to complete the celebration with cake, balloons etc.
Location: College Point, NY; Brooklyn, NY; Oceanside, NY; Farmingdale, NY; Paramus, NJ

- Super Soccer Stars
If your kid is a soccer lover, that is the perfect birthday location. The Super Soccer provides 90 minutes party hosted by two soccer coaches, including soccer equipment and activities.
Location: New York City, Hamptons, Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut.
Phone: 212-877-7171

- American Girl
If your girl enjoy dolls, that is the place! With 60 minutes of celebration, American girls have different packages that will make your girl and her guests have fun with American Girl Dolls.
Location: 609 Fifty Avenue at 49th Street, New York, NY 10017
Phone: 877-247-5223

- Imagine That Museum
This museum is really cool for all kids age. This museum provides real scenarios, where kids can play pretend as: driver with the real transportation available, dentist, veterinary, post-office, professional dancer, grocery shopping, reporter, play instruments, craft and painting etc.

The museum has five party rooms, and your guests can play at the museum as long as they want.
Location: 4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Phone: (973) 966-8000

- Home Party
You can host your party at home and have lots of fun…Few entertainments can be added, as per example:
* House Bounce Rental
* Fun Tunnel Rental
* Kids table rental, where they can have their meal and also use for crafting activities
* Hire a DJ and/ or an entertainment person, that creates games and keeps your kids busy and having fun
* Hire a magician, or a clown. Kids love to see the performance.
* Rent a Dance Floor
* Rent cotton candy machine or chocolate fountain
* Rent a Karaoke machine. Kids and adults usually have lots of fun singing together.

We are sure you will have lots of fun on your next child’s birthday celebration.