Reader Question: Where to Hold a Three-Year-Old Boy's Birthday Party in Fairfield County?

Hola. And here I am thinking this blog is old news and no one is reading it anymore and then out of the blue - a reader question! Amy posted a question on the FCC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FairfieldCountyChild about where to hold a 3-year-old boy's birthday party in Fairfield County this summer. Anyone?

I have two girls and no idea what's happening in boyland. Can someone help Amy out?  This is all I've got.... I went to a great party at Great Play in Stamford recently that was very boy-friendly. It's not exactly the best place for a summer party because it's all indoors, but the kids went nuts for the huge playspace and they have this ridiculous Interactive Arena that's sort of like Wii on crack. Hard to explain. All I know is that the kids stayed totally engaged and active and my mom friend (the hostess) was very happy with the staff. You can read all about Great Play's parties at http://greatplay.com/birthday/index.html.

Any other ideas out there? If so please post below. Thanks!

Keep It Simple... Host Your Child's Birthday at The LIttle Gym of Stamford.

Just a reminder from our sponsor, The Little Gym of Stamford....

If you're looking for a place to host your child's next birthday party, The Little Gym of Stamford is an excellent, no hassle option. The Little Gym provides:

• invitations
• thank you notes for you to send to your guests after the party
• qualified instructors to lead the fun
• all set up, instructions, and clean up
• a Little Gym Birthday t-shirt for the birthday child
• pizza for the children
• drinks for the children and adults
• all paper goods
• candles, matches and serving utensils for the cake
• a helium balloon for each child
  

You Provide:

• cake
• party favors or goody bags

Your Private Party Includes:

The first 60 minutes of your party is spent in the gym engaged in age-appropriate instructor led games, activities, obstacles and periods of free play. The final 30 minutes of the celebration is spent in a specially decorated party room enjoying our specially decorated party room enjoying cake and drinks.

For more details, call 203.324.7200 or click here.

The Little Gym of Stamford
305 West Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
www.tlgStamfordct.com
(off exit 6 on I95 North (Harvard Ave)

REMEMBER: MENTION FAIRFIELDCOUNTYCHILD.COM TO RECEIVE A FREE MEMBERSHIP TO THE LITTLE GYM OF STAMFORD (A $40 VALUE).

Have You Been to Sugar & Olives in Norwalk?

Is it possible to fall in love with a restaurant before even tasting the food, let alone even visiting the place? If so, I blame Sugar & Olives' supercool website. I came across it a few weeks ago and I was attracted to their philosophy of serving "Happy Healthy Food". Gotta love a place that serves mostly local, organic food.. Plus, the place just looks pretty....

and it's kid-friendly. They even have cooking classes and birthday parties for kids (and adults too!). So I'm dying to visit and once this bedrest is over, you know where to find me. In the meantime, have you been? If you go, let me know how it is and whether it's worth the trip. Bon appetite!

www.sugarandolives.com

21 1/2 lois street norwalk ct 06851

(203) 454-3663

Hooray for Elephant Steps

I did it. I went and had a blow out birthday party for my 2-year-old. I even dressed her in a sparkly "birthday girl" tshirt. I always swore that I'd keep birthdays simple, but when there are a ton of kids to invite, you live in a smallish space, you hate clean-up and it's December, you find yourself hunting for an indoor facility to host a party.  So much for pizza and cake at home.

I checked out a bunch of places but booked the party at Elephant Steps in Norwalk and I'm so happy I did. The place is clean and bright and childlike without being all primary colors and plasticy. For those of us who care about these things, when you enter, there's this adorable little cafe area with wainscoting and tables and chairs where you can get snacks for kids and coffee/tea for adults. We kept a tab running during the party so all the party guests and their moms and dads could help themselves. The facility is closed to the public during birthday parties so this combined with the cafe creates a really nice homey feeling.

The party itself was extremely well organized. The 11 kids where kept entertained as they moved from room to room in 10-15 minute intervals. They started in the jungle gym area, moved to the water room (just like the one at Stepping Stones, but smaller), danced in the disco music room and ended in the gym where they could go berserk throwing balls, playing basketball and bouncing off the padded walls. The last 30 mins took place in our private party room where we ate pizza and had birthday cake. Elephant Steps provides all the paper goods and juice and water for the kids. We had pizza and salad delivered and brought a cake.

The kids ranged in age from about 1 to age 7 and everyone, including the 20+ adults had a blast. Thanks to Elephant Steps for the memorable, effortless party. 

FYI, book your party waaay in advance. Spots fill up fast. 

Elephant Steps

205 Main Ave, Norwalk

203.956.0354

www.elephantsteps.com

Got a Winter Birthday Party to Plan? Lynn Lewis & Friends Keeps Kids Happy Indoors...

Recently a reader from Wilton emailed me for some birthday party entertainment ideas for her 4-year-old's party and I referred her to Lynn Lewis and Friends. I had never seen Lynn in action  but I had heard great things after she performed at Maclaren a few months ago.

Well, I just heard back from the Wilton mom and apparently Lynn was a hit (whew!).  I'm taking notes because I myself have a winter baby and I hear party planning is tough during colder months. So I just wanted to pass along this note in case you're in the market for a good INDOOR birthday party idea this winter: 

"I just wanted to thank you for this wonderful referral! Lynn came to our house last weekend for our daughter's 4th birthday party. We had about 15 kids in total and she kept them dancing and entertained for almost 2 hours with songs, balloon animals and face painting. Everything was fantastic! Her face painting was amazing. She also left a little goody bag for my daughter with a drum, some shakers, bubbles and a couple of her own CD's - which are so much fun to listen to - we love them. I hope that you will continue to tell others about her - she was really great!"

www.lynnlewisandfriends.com

Special Deal for FCC Readers on Face Painting by Denise Rosa

My daughter's second birthday is approaching so be prepared for lots of party ideas in the coming weeks. I'm in full party planning mode and doing a lot of research. Why didn't I listen when friends told me I need to book everything from the venue to the entertainment way in advance? Things book up fast and I'm scrambling! Anyway, no need to dwell on  that. 

I just wanted to pass some info along about Denise Rosa, an amazing local face painter. I hesitate to even call her that because she is truly an artist. Just look at these photos above and in her online gallery at www.denisefacepaint.com .... amazing right? My friend booked her for a recent birthday party so we met there and she is not only talented, but she's great with the kids and she works with safe FDA approved face paint (more on that on her site) and she's offering a special deal just for FCC readers. 

Thanks to Denise, you can now receive 25% her rates  for weekday parties (Monday to Friday) and 15% for weekend parties between October 2008 to April 2009. Just mention FairfieldCountyChild.com when you call. Thanks Denise!

Face Painting by Denise Rosa

203.837.6942

www.denisefacepaint.com

Planning a BIrthday Party? Enter to Win an Under the Oak Party in a Box (deadline is Wednesday, July 30th).

Ready for another Subscriber Special? Me too. Read on for the rules...

I'm loving Under the Oak Parties for a bunch of reasons. First there's the obvious. These "parties in a box" are not only practical, but they're whimsical and beautiful too - everything a party should be. I also love the story behind this new business. Under the Oak Parties was founded by Megan K., a Stamford nanny to three young girls. In her spare time, she loves to entertain. She turned her passion into a business with Under the Oak and I predict that this is just the beginning for this young entrepreneur. I recently spotted her in the Stamford Advocate and again on Channel 8 News.

So what exactly is a party in a box and how can you get your hands on one? An Under the Oak party in a box consists of almost everything you need to throw the perfect party for your kids (and adults too!). In each box you'll find plates, utensils, cups, paper lanterns and other decorations, favors and even invitations. You pick a theme and all of this arrives at your doorstep for less than $10 per guest. Check out Under the Oak's fun themes for kids' birthday parties, like Way out West, Up in the Sky and Whimsy Butterfly. You really need to visit www.UndertheOakParties.com for the full effect. Everything is beautifully photographed and explained in full detail.

RULES

I'm thrilled to announce that two lucky FairfieldCountyChild.com readers will receive a full Under the Oak party in a box ($95 value each). To win, just email me at fairfieldcountychild@gmail.com with your favorite Under the Oak party theme for kids or adults by Wednesday, July 30th at 5pm. To be considered, you must be a FairfieldCountyChild.com subscriber. If you're not a subscriber already, you can sign up simply by clicking here. It's free and easy and as a subscriber you're automatically eligible for this giveaway and all the others I have planned for down the road! Good luck and thanks to Under the Oak!

www.undertheoakparties.com

You Can't Always Get What You Want, But You CAN Get a Rolling Cones Ice Cream Truck for Your Kid's Next Birthday Party

Jennifer Angerame of Southern Yankee tipped me off to this great company in Norwalk called Rolling Cones. If you're planning a kid's birthday party, you can hire Rolling Cones to come and serve ice cream to the group from one of their ice cream trucks. They serve up Ben & Jerry's, Good Humor, Klondike and Popsicle products and apparently kids love it. Jennifer hired them for an end of the school year party and they're also available for corporate events, fundraisers, family picnics, weddings, block parties, etc... I guess an ice cream truck can make any event more fun, right? Check out their web site at www.rollingcones.com for more information about their sundae bar catering and push cart rentals for your next event.

Rolling Cones, Norwalk

203.642.3072

www.rollingcones.com

photo above courtesy of Rolling Cones

Meet the Goodie Bag Girls!

So I went to a great party last night for a friend's birthday. I left with a nice buzz and a cute little goodie bag filled with delicious cookies that I gobbled up on the car ride way home. Life was good.

This morning as my daughter and I polished off the remaining crumbs, I noticed a sticker on the bag pointing me to The Goodie Bag Girls. It turns out it's a business run by two women from New Canaan who will save you the time and effort of putting together goodie bags for your next party by doing it themselves. 

They do personalized goodie bags for kids' parties, adult parties, corporate events and showers and you can see on the web site that they're all tastefully done with themes to suit any occasion or age.

www.thegoodiebaggirls.com

Kids' Cooking Classes With Aux Delices

I am so NOT a cook so that's why I love Aux Delices. I can stop in their Darien location and grab everything I need to throw together a decent little dinner party. Last week I did just that and noticed a sign on the door about their cooking classes for kids. The classes are held in their Acosta Street location in Stamford on Sunday's from 4-6pm for kids 8 and up. Aux Delices also has retail locations in Greenwich and Riverside where you can pick up delicious prepared foods.

For details on the upcoming kids' cooking classes listed below just go to www.auxdelicesfoods.com/documents/SpringSummer2008.pdf (be sure to scroll to the bottom of the PDF).

Mother’s Day Treats with Brenda - May 4

Teens and Advanced Students' New Orleans Style Cooking- May 18

Make Dad Breakfast in Bed - June 8

BFF Chefs - June 22

For additional information about these classes or to ask about kids' cooking birthday parties with Aux Delices contact:

Lynn Manheim, Cooking School Director

203.326.4540 x108

www.auxdelicesfoods.com

Live Performance of Max & Ruby at Fairfield University's Quick Center Sunday, May 4th

A live musical performance of Max & Ruby will take place on Sunday, May 4th as part of the Young Audience Series at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts. Visit www.quickcenter.com for more details and while you're on the site, be sure to check out their birthday party package too. Purchase 10 or more tickets, take $2 off each ticket, and enjoy a free party available at selected shows! The Quick Center provides the tables and chairs and you provide the rest.

Kids' Cooking Parties With Alison Milwe-Grace

I've been searching for someone who will come to your home and organize a cooking birthday party for kids. Finally I came across Alison Milwe-Grace of Weston, a mom of two. Her parties usually consist of 6-10 kids who are at least 4 years old. She provides the food and props (chef hats, aprons, etc) and you provide the space. She'll brainstorm with you to create the perfect party for your child based on his/her interests and personality. I called her references and they raved about Alison's way with kids, her patience and her creativity.

For more details visit www.amgcatering.com and click here to read a recent New York Times article about Alison and her classes for adults.


Alison Milwe-Grace Catering, LLC
29 Briar Oak Drive, Weston
203.227.5535
www.amgcatering.com

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too With Pineapple Parties!*

Sisters Alexandra Duplex of New York City and Courtenay Brown of New Canaan are the creative minds behind Pineapple Parties – a full-service party planning business. They'll take on events large and small – from kids' birthday parties to weddings and everything in between. Let Pineapple Parties plan every little detail or just those you need help with. So whether you're planning a shower, graduation party, rehearsal dinner, engagement party, anniversary party, birthday party, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah or Christening – let Pineapple Parties do the work so you can enjoy yourself. For more information, call 203.644.3616.

*This is a sponsored recommendation from Pineapple Parties

A Sweet Birthday Party Deal from Sweet Rexie's

Sweet Rexie’s in South Norwalk looks innocent enough with its bright colors, cheerful decor and 200+ varieties of candy, but to a sugar freak like me it’s a very dangerous place. Consider yourself warned when I tell you that one entire wall of the place consists of floor to ceiling candy and that temptation lurks in every corner.

That said, now’s the time to visit this charming shop and party venue and treat yourself (and the kids too, of course!) to some yummy, gummy goodness. Don't worry, I've already done some thinking for you and there are several ways to justify a trip to Sweet Rexie's.

a) It's the middle of the winter in New England. Who couldn't use a pick-me-up? I promise you that after a few minutes in Sweet Rexie's you'll be smiling. More importantly, your cranky kids will be too.

b) Valentine's Day is right around the corner and Sweet Rexie's has the perfect gift for everyone on your list (plus complimentary gift wrapping). You'll find beautifully packaged corporate gifts, new baby gifts, toys, arts and crafts supplies, some adorable clothes for babies and kids and treats for your honey.

c) Sweet Rexie's is generously offering Fairfield County Child readers complimentary favor gifts for all your child's birthday party guests (depending on the number of guests, a value of about $100). So get in there and check out the space and ask about Sweet Rexie's creative party themes (Candy Candy Everywhere! Glamorous Party Princess, Monster Truck and even American Girl, to name a few). Birthday party packages include decorations and balloons, candy, games, crafts, face painting, pizza, drinks and chocolate fondue or make your own sundaes for dessert. Just be sure to mention Fairfield County Child to receive this special deal.

Sweet Rexie's
136 Washington Street, South Norwalk
203.853.2513
www.sweetrexies.com/

SoundWaters Open House this Saturday January 26th

Come to SoundWaters in Stamford this Saturday, January 26th between 10am - 1pm for the free Camp SoundWaters Open House. Kids are invited to enjoy arts and crafts activities, games, light refreshments and a live animal show and the camp director will be on hand to answer your questions about the SoundWaters summer camp.

The mission of SoundWaters is to educate children and adults about the wonders and beauty of Long Island Sound and its watershed. They offer education programs for kids and adults and they even host kids' birthday parties. If you're looking for a fun indoor activity this winter, visit their Coastal Education Center. I took my daughter there recently and she loved peeking in at all the fish and turtles. All the aquariums are low to the ground so all the little ones can easily see in. Visit their website to learn more about the summer camp program and all the great things SoundWaters is doing in our community.

SoundWaters
Cove Island Park, 1281 Cove Road, Stamford
203.323.1978 (ask for Alisha for more information about Saturday's Open House)

http://www.soundwaters.org/

Yoga Classes for Kids in Fairfield County

Sarah Jessica Parker was on Oprah today and she got me thinking about parenthood. Go ahead, laugh! I know. Oprah and parenting wisdom from SJP, it sounds so silly, but hear me out. She pointed out that a child's world is shaped by his/her parent's mood on a day-to-day basis. This is not a ground-breaking observation, but it struck a cord with me and I began my search for a yoga class that would help me be more "ommmmmm" and less "oh $%*#!" when things get a little stressful.

But much like when I'm out shopping for clothes these days, I found several great classes for my daughter, and very little for me. I thought I'd share them here. Please let me know if you have anything to add by hitting COMMENTS below or just email me:

Next Wednesday, January 16th at 1:30 pm, the New Canaan Library is offering Yoga for 4 and 5 year olds. For details visit http://www.newcanaanlibrary.org/ or call 594-5002.

Yogabilitation in Fairfield offers childrens' classses AND mommy and me classes. For more information and schedules, visit http://www.yogabilitation.com/

Finally, if you're looking for private yoga classes for kids or adults, contact Ronnie Oster, a Stamford-based Kripalu trained instructor, at 253-4260. She'll even come to your home to host a yoga-themed birthday party for kids. I've heard wonderful things about her (click here to read more) and when I finally get my act together to sign myself up for a class, she'll be the first person I call.

(Photo above left courtesy of a wonderful book from Henry Holt Publishers entitled Little Yoga: A Toddler's First Book of Yoga by Rebecca Whitford and Martina Selway)

Winter Solstice Concert Tomorrow in Weston

If you're looking to escape the holiday hustle and bustle, head to the Norfield Grange in Weston tomorrow night (Saturday, Dec 15) for the 6th Annual Winter Solstice Concert from Music for the Planet. This musical quartet (drum, cello, flute and piano) will perform classical, jazz and holiday tunes. Because the concert is so casual and organic (no set songs or plan, they sort of just go with the flow and see where the music takes them), it really lends itself to the Norfield Grange, an old rustic building set deep in the woods. If this event is anything like their Summer concert that I attended back in July, you'll leave feeling really invigorated and connected to nature, a feeling that's hard to come by at this time of year when we're so focused on shopping, cocktail parties and keeping warm indoors.

The event is great for kids because at one point in the evening, the audience will be given instruments and asked to participate in the concert. In fact, the concert organizer, Randy Brody of Sound Directions, has gained a lot of experience with kids through his work at children's birthday parties* and schools around the state.

The performance will begin at 7:30 pm and tickets are sold at the door, but its recommended you get there early for a good seat. If you can't make the Winter Solstice concert tomorrow, you can still catch Sound Direction's monthly drum circle on Monday at 7:30 at the same place.

Music for the Planet's Winter Concert

Saturday, December 15 at 7:30

Norfield Grange

12 Good Hill Road, Weston, CT

www.mfplanet.com/events

Tickets: $15 at the door / $10 seniors/under 12.

*For more information about Sound Direction's birthday parties for kids, click here

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk Holiday Schedule

I'm learning that my readers are hungry for things to do with their kids now that the weather is keeping us all inside and Christmas vacation is approaching. So I've been doing my research and I've learned that The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk may be just be the answer to our newfound cabin fever.

Escape the cold for, well, more cold and check out their special holiday showing of The Polar Express movie, starring Tom Hanks. Between now and January 6, you can view this animated classic with 25,000-watt surround-sound audio on the Aquarium's 6 story IMAX theater. From what I hear, it's quite a spectacle, only rivaled perhaps by the Aquarium's Spongebob Square Pants 4-D Adventure ride that you can check out before the movie. This I need to see to really understand and I can't claim that it's really my idea of a good time, but my sources tell me its quite a treat for Sponge Bob fanatics who are at least 36 inches tall and in good health (requirements for boarding the ride). Reservations are required for both the IMAX movie and the ride.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is bustling with activity not only during the holidays, but all year round. While you're there be sure to check out the both the Frog and Adventures Under the Sea exhibits. Both are running for a limited time. And don't forget that the Martime Aquarium is an extraordinary venue for childrens' birthday parties (they even offer a sleepover party package and the kids get to sleep among the fish).

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
10 North Water Street, Norwalk
203.852.0700
http://www.maritimeaquarium.org/

The New Canaan Nature Center

If you click through the menu in the top left corner of this page, you'll find the New Canaan Nature Center in practically each and every category. That's because they offer classes, shopping, both indoor and outdoor activities and they host birthday parties for children. I've concluded that the NCNC is a one-stop-shop for parents when it comes to keeping kids busy and entertained this winter. You wouldn't believe all the activity going on at this unassuming place.

The mission of this non-profit environmental education center and sanctuary is to help people of all ages better understand, appreciate and care for the world of nature. Among their offerings for kids are a nature-focused preschool, after school programs, home-school programs, vacation nature programs (the next one is December 27th and 28th so sign up soon!), the LINKS program (an interdistrict environmental education program involving 100+ elementary school students from seventeen schools in Fairfield County), summer camps and birthday parties with themes ranging from Super Safari to Harry Potter. Keep in mind this is just for the little guys. For the rest of us, they offer horticulture classes, art classes and exhibits, guided hikes and a gift/book shop full of earth-friendly items like organic cotton baby clothes and natural cleaning products.

Check out their informative website for details on all this and more, but also be sure to stop by before the cold weather really hits to see their outdoor Birds of Prey exhibit and 2 miles of hiking trails. I stopped by last week and was sorry I hadn't visited earlier in the season to really enjoy the beautiful grounds. You'll know where to find me come Spring.

The New Canaan Nature Center

144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan

203.966.9577

www.newcanaannature.org

GREAT PLAY, Stamford

The buzz among area preschoolers is that Great Play on the Stamford/Greenwich line is the hot new place for birthday parties. At least that's what I hear from my sources out in the field. My daughter is still too young to be invited to such exciting events so I rely on my mommy friends who are deeply entrenched in the birthday party scene to provide me with this information.

Great Play is actually a gym that offers parent/baby and K-5 classes, basketball clinics and an Interactive Arena, described on their website as a room where "...half a dozen computers control eight projectors, a directional sound system, and over a dozen sensing systems to bring the 3000 sq. ft. space to life." In this room, kids are encouraged to get moving while interacting with the company mascot, Buddy (above left) who apparently is quite popular with the kids.

Great Play's website is full of information about class schedules, birthday parties, membership, the philosophy behind this innovative new concept in fitness and upcoming events, including their Vacation Play Camp (December 26 - 28). Sign up early to secure your child's space!

(Image of Buddy above is used with permission from Great Play)

Great Play
2000 West Main Street, Stamford,
203.978.1333
www.greatplay.com