Party Planner
You don't have to be a domestic goddess to plan a spectacular event. Revisit this page in July to view the latest, cutting edge Party Planner in which you'll find the best in family entertainment, party venues and more.
Party Planner 2010-2012
You don't have to be a domestic goddess to plan a spectacular event. We have all the resources you need right here in our Party Planner! You'll find the best in family entertainment, party destinations and more.
To browse the entire Celebrations section, click San Diego Family July 2010.
Quick Links: AWESOME ENTERTAINMENT | FUN PLACES TO GO | GREAT GIFT IDEAS
RENTALS & PARTY SUPPLIES | MAKING MEMORIES LAST
AWESOME ENTERTAINMENT
April’s Parties Unique
760-481-5747
www.AprilsPartiesUnique.com
Birthday to-go Art Kits
619-260-1593
www.art-for-kids.net
Block Building Party
877-545-3386
www.BlockBuildingParty.com
Gametruck
888-602-4263
www.gametruckparty.com
Joe Gandelman Comic Ventriloquist
619-296-6177
www.familyentertainer.com
Julie’s Party People
619-440-4387
www.myjuliespartypeople.com
Kidz-n-Fun Mobile Birthday Parties
760-917-4800
www.kidz-n-fun.com
Lizard Wizard
760-722-4446
www.LizardWizardofSanDiego.com
Magician Michael E. Johnson
760-747-4627 or 858-483-8632
www.magicbirthdays.com
Miss Toby the Clown
619-276-3523
My Little Carnival
619-571-7654
www.mylittlecarnival.com
Pacific Animal Productions
760-723-7761
www.pacificanimalproductions.com
Party Animals
858-279-2908
www.partyanimals4kids.com
Pop-Up Picture Show
760-44-POPUP
www.popuppictureshowsandiego.com
San Diego Party PlayPals
760-529-9687
www.PartyPlayPals.com
FUN PLACES TO GO
Airtime Inflatable Amusement Park
Spring Valley, 619-660-9357
www.AirtimeParty.com
Aqua Pros Pool Parties
Clairemont, 619-209-2990
www.aquapros.org
AquaSafe Swimming Parties
5 locations Countywide, 619-531-8888
www.AquaSafeSwimming.com
Balboa Park Puppet Theater
Balboa Park, 619-544-9203
www.balboaparkpuppets.com
Belmont Park
Mission Beach, 858-488-1549
www.belmontpark.com
Birch Aquarium
La Jolla, 858-534-FISH
www.aquarium.ucsd.edu
Buca di Beppo
Carlsbad, 760-479-2533
Mira Mesa, 858-536-2822
Downtown, 619-233-7272
www.bucadibeppo.com
California Ballet Parties
Kearny Mesa, 858-560-5676
Pacific Beach, 858-483-8554
La Mesa, 619-667-1300
www.californiaballet.org
Camp Cahito Parties
Balboa Park, 619-291-8985
www.campfiresdi.org
CeramiCafe Art Lounge
Del Mar, 858-259-9958
Grossmont Center, 619-466-4800
www.ceramicafe.com
Chasteco Ranch
Poway, 858-486-4534
www.chasteco.com
Chula Vista Nature Center
Chula Vista, 619-409-5900
www.ChulaVistaNatureCenter.org
Circle T Ranch
Lakeside, 619-312-0544
www.thecircletranch.com
City Ballet
Pacific Beach, 858-274-6058
www.cityballet.org
Concord Equestrian Center
Del Mar, 858-259-1148
www.concordequestriancenter.com
Corvette Diner
Point Loma, 619-542-1476
www.dinersd.com
Elite Gymastics Academy
El Cajon, 619-441-5900
www.EliteGymnastics.com
Emerald City Academy of Rhythmic Gymnastics
Scripps Ranch, 619-437-4161
www.emeraldcityrhythmics.com
Flip Force
Clairemont Mesa, 858-278-3547
www.FlipForceSanDiego.com
Floaties Pool Parties
877-277-SWIM (7946)
www.floatiesswimschool.com
Helen Woodward Animal Center
Rancho Santa Fe, 858-756-4117 x318
www.animalcenter.org
Java Mama Café
Scripps Ranch, 858-566-6011
www.javamama.com
Kitchen Art Studio
Mira Mesa, 858-657-9001
www.kitchenartstudio.net
Knuckleheads Gym
Carlsbad, 760-438-8600
www.knuckleheadsgym.com
Legoland California Resort
Carlsbad, 760-918-5346
www.legoland.com
Martial Arts Professional Schools
Countywide, 619-265-2021
www.MartialArtsProfessionalSchools.com
McDonald’s
www.sdmcdonalds.com
Mega Arte Riding Academy - Pony Party Ranch
Carlsbad/San Elijo, 760-822-4778
www.ridingacademy.biz
Metro Dance Parties
San Diego, 619-299-METRO (6387)
www.MetroDanceSD.com
Mission Bay Sportcenter
Mission Bay, 858-488-1004
www.missionbaysportcenter.com
Monart School of the Arts
Solana Beach, 858-259-7154
www.northsandiegomonart.com
My Kids Clubhouse
Poway, 858-668-2838
Bonita, 619-434-8676
www.mykidsclubhouse.com
Noonan Family Swim School
Linda Vista, Del Mar, 4S Ranch, 858-451-0794
Murrieta, Temecula, 951-813-9500
www.noonanfamilyswimschool.com
North County Gymnastics & Gyminny Kids
Rancho Bernardo, 858-451-0204
www.GyminnyKids.com
Pacific Beach Surf School
Pacific Beach, 858-373-1139
www.PacificBeachSurfSchool.com
Pacific Coast Gymnastics
San Marcos, 760-489-4GYM (4496)
www.pacificcoastgymnastics.com
Padres Game - Scoreboard Surprise
Downtown - Petco Park
619-795-5275
Pigtails & Crewcuts
Chula Vista, 619-656-KIDS (5437)
www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com
Play Town Indoor Playground
El Cajon, 619-447-PLAY (7529)
www.goplaytown.com
Poway Gymnastics
Poway, 858-748-1716
www.powaygymnastics.com
Pump It Up!
Poway, 858-748-4600
Chula Vista, 619-216-9812
San Marcos, 760-510-8000
Sorrento Valley, 858-658-9968
www.pumpitupparty.com
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Balboa Park, 619-238-1233
www.rhfleet.org
Round Table Pizza
Countywide
www.roundtablepizza.com
Salvation Army Kroc Center
San Diego, 619-269-1520
www.kroccenter.org
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Balboa Park, 619-234-8291
www.sandiegoairandspace.org
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
San Diego, 619-243-3432
www.sdhumane.org
San Diego Ice Arena
Mira Mesa, 858-530-1825
www.sdice.com
San Diego Junior Theatre
Balboa Park, Chula Vista, La Jolla
619-239-1311
www.JuniorTheatre.com
San Diego Natural History Museum
Balboa Park, 619-232-3821
www.sdnhm.org
San Diego Surf School
Pacific Beach, 858-205-7683
www.SanDiegoSurfingSchool.com
San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park, 619-718-3000
www.sandiegozoo.org
San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park
Escondido, 619-718-3000
www.wildanimalpark.org
Scripps Performing Arts Academy Parties
Scripps Ranch, 858-586-7834
Carmel Valley, 858-509-2624
www.SuperKidsLive.com
SeaWorld Adventure Park
Mission Bay, 800-25-SHAMU (press 2)
www.SeaWorldSanDiego.com
Sweetwater Horses
Bonita, 619-475-3134
www.SweetWaterHorses.com
Team Touché Fencing Parties
San Diego, 619-278-8114
www.TeamTouche.com
Time 2 Shine
4S Ranch, 858-675-0772
www.wertime2shine.com
UltraStar Cinemas Parties
760-597-5777 x26
www.UltraStarMovies.com
Victory Gymnastics Academy
San Diego, 858-650-FLIP (3547)
www.VictoryGymnasticsAcademy.com
Wavehouse
Mission Beach, 858-228-9300
www.wavehouseathleticclub.com
WOW by Alexa
La Jolla, 858-551-9600
www.wowbyalexa.com
GREAT GIFT IDEAS
Agana Baby
Clairemont Mesa, 858-277-3262
www.aganababy.com
Liberty Station
Point Loma
www.libertystation.com
Lomas Santa Fe Plaza
Solana Beach
www.LomasSantaFePlaza.com
Viejas Outlet Center
Alpine, 619-659-2070
www.ViejasOutletCenter.com
Westfield Plaza Bonita
National City, 619-267-2850
www.westfield.com
RENTALS & PARTY SUPPLIES
Action & Apollo Jumps
858-279-0343
www.action-jumps.com
Always Bouncin’
800-888-8442
www.always-bouncin.net
Bounce Time Jumps
760-716-4290
www.BounceTimeJumps.com
Budget Jumps Party Rentals
619-669-1085
www.budgetjumps.com
G.I.G. Bouncy Houses
858-401-0570
www.GIGbouncyhouses.com
House of Bounce
619-390-1316
www.houseofbounce.com
Jump for Fun
760-827-7799
www.jumpforfun.com
So Cal Bounce
858-427-4843
www.socalbounce.com
Sombrero Mexican Food & Catering
www.sombreromex.com
Top Dog Limo Bus
858-581-3644
www.topdoglimobus.com
MAKING MEMORIES LAST
Mamma Bellies Maternity & Kids Photography
619-589-6494
www.mammabellies.com
Donna Wright Photography
858-453-6777
Plan a Butterfly Birthday Party
Flutterby Butterfly Party
Coffee Filter Butterflies
Materials Needed:
Wooden Clothes Pins
Round Coffee Filters
Black Acrylic Paint
Watercolor Paints
Black Pipe Cleaner
Instructions for Kids:
Paint
your clothespins black first. Fold the pipe cleaners into V shapes the
size you want your antenna to be, cut and glue to the clothes pins at
the flat end.
Take the coffee filters and spray them with water
until they lay flat but aren't drenched (it should only take a few
short sprays, use warm water).
Now, dab the watercolors on the wet
coffee filters. It will run and smear but that's okay. You can also use
markers for this. When you are happy with your design on one, repeat
this process with another coffee filter. Put the wet filters in a safe
place to dry.
When they are dry gather up the coffee filter in the
middle, trying to keep the outside edges flat, and clip it into the
clothespin. Spread the wings out and you are done.
Glue a magnet
strip on the backside of the clothespins. Stick your butterflies to the
fridge; they are strong enough to hold up some notes or drawings.
Butterfly Nectar Punch
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 small package peach Jello
2 cups hot water
1 6-ounce can frozen lemonade
4 lemonade cans water
1 46-ounce can pineapple juice
1 46-ounce can Hi-C peach drink
1 quart peach soda
Directions:
Bring
the sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil. Mix the peach Jello into the 2
cups hot water. Add this to the sugar syrup mix. Remove from heat. Now
add the lemonade mix, 4 cans of water, pineapple juice and peach drink.
Freeze mix for about 12 hours. Let thaw about 6 hours before your
party. Stir the butterfly nectar to mix well. It should be slushy. Add
the peach soda just before serving.
Belinda J. Mooney is a freelance writer.
Plan A Dinosaur Party
If your child is nuts about dinosaurs, you might want to consider throwing a dinosaur theme birthday party this year. The dino theme party is a perfect for boys although you may find girls want in on the fun, too. Planning a caveman and dinosaur birthday party can be easier than you think. It just takes a little ingenuity and some homemade effort to blast back to prehistoric days.
Dino-rific Invitation
To kick off your dinosaur fun, make some invitations. Homemade birthday party invitations are easy and let the kids get involved. You can make your own invitations by using blank cards and adding clip art, stickers or your own drawings to the front. Hand write the information inside the card or type it up on the computer and print it out. Then simply cut and paste to the inside of the card. Another fun idea is to trace a simple dinosaur template and make dinosaur shaped invitation.
Setting the Caveman Scene
A fun way to decorate for your dino birthday party is to create a large mural. Go to your local newspaper office and ask for a roll of newsprint ends. Many times they give these away for free; at the most, it will cost a couple of dollars. Tape a long piece of newsprint along one wall. Draw huge dinosaurs, trees, boulders and anything else you think should be included in your mural. A fun activity for the party would be to set up a background mural and allow the children to create their own dinosaurs, color them, cut them out and the paste to the mural. This also provides a nice keepsake for the birthday boy or girl. Hang fake animal fur on the wall and add some paper maché clubs and boulders.
Dinosaur Party Table Decorations
Purchase animal print material or felt at your local fabric store for a few dollars. This is perfect for tablecloths and making simple napkins. Brown or gray disposable tablecloths and napkins will work just as well. Use wicker baskets or wooden containers to hold spoons, forks and napkin. Scatter green leaves and toy dinosaurs down the middle of the table. Make a large centerpiece of a palm tree and several large plastic or stuffed dinosaurs.
Dino-rific Activities
No party is complete without some fun activities. Consider going on a dinosaur hunt. Similar to a scavenger or treasure hunt, the children will be looking for small toy dinosaurs hidden throughout the house or yard. Supply them with a map or list of clues and get busy hunting dinosaurs! Another fun activity is to have children create their own dinosaur stencil t-shirt. Purchase plain tee shirts, dinosaur stencils, fabric paints and paintbrushes. Set up a table or the children can design and paint their own t-shirt. Other fun activities might include making papier maché dinosaurs or building a volcano. (Visit http://crafts.kaboose.com/erupting-volcano.html for a quick make-it-yourself volcano.)
Dinosaur Party Food
The best part of any party is the food, and dinosaur parties are no exception. Simple foods can become fun party food when you simply rename them or give them a different twist. Green Kool-Aid makes great caveman punch. You can make dinosaur pebble salad by mixing miniature marshmallows, butterscotch chips, walnuts and whip cream. Look in the freezer section of your local supermarket for dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets. Rocky road ice cream or any other ice cream with nuts, chocolate, cherries or candy pieces is perfect for a dinosaur birthday party. You can have the local bakery make a dinosaur shaped cake or make one yourself. Cupcakes are great option, especially for birthday parties for younger children. Decorate cupcakes with tiny plastic dinosaurs or use decorator icing to draw dinosaur footprints on the cupcakes.
Ending the Party
After the party is over, be sure to send the kids home with goody bags made from animal print fabric and decorated with their name. Include rock candy, small plastic dinosaurs, dinosaur bone candy and other fun treats. Later in the week, have your child mail dinosaur thank you cards.
Belinda J. Mooney is a freelance writer.