If the mere mention of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey and candy-filled piñatas makes your children cringe, your plans for a traditional birthday party might fall flatter than a deflated balloon. Don’t fret. That’s where three local companies come in. Their cool party ideas, including Legos, painting and go kart racing, will elevate your shindig from just so-so to super successful and make your kids smile brighter than a set of b-day candles.
For the Artist
The Art Bus–a colorful canvas on wheels– adds a boost to blah birthday bashes, says owner Anita Blew of Sinking Spring. “Kids can be artistic and have a lot of fun, but all of the mess stays on the bus, and that makes parents happy. They don’t have to worry about their home getting dirty,” she says.
Blew, who also owns a daycare, purchased The Art Bus last summer after the former owner decided to sell the business. The vehicle is a small school bus that has been transformed into a traveling art studio. The bus is painted an eye-catching red, and inside, the seats were removed and replaced with a huge table and long benches on each side.
Most birthday parties are held on Saturday and Sunday; however, Blew says The Art Bus is also available on weeknights. Cost is $15 per child, and the bus accommodates up to 20 children. Parents are allowed to bring food, drinks and cake onto the bus, which will be parked outside your home for approximately 90 minutes.
During the party, the children will complete an art project. As a bonus, the birthday kid puts his or her painted handprint on the roof of the bus and receives a T-shirt that reads “I partied on The Art Bus” and is signed by attendees. Children will also decorate and color a personalized birthday banner.
“I have a lot of ideas from working with children daily,” Blew says. “We paint pumpkins at Halloween. We make birdhouses and treasure boxes, or we can make tie-dye T-shirts and pillowcases. For one boy who enjoyed Super Mario, we painted mirrors and then added rub-offs of the character. I will come up with a project based on the child’s interest.”
Ty Wenrich enjoyed celebrating his 8th birthday on The Art Bus so much that his twin sisters, Reagan and Charlotte, requested the same party when they turned 5 in April. At both b-day parties, the kids painted and decorated treasure chests, which are now among their favorite keepsakes, says their mom Kelly Wenrich of Womelsdorf.
“First off, it’s cool just to be on the bus,” Kelly says. “It’s fun. It’s affordable. And it’s convenient to have [The Art Bus] come to your house. Plus, the kids are going home with something nice.”
THE ART BUS theartbus4kids.com | anita.blew@comcast.net | 610.413.5348
A Terrific Trio
The Works at Wyomissing is like a birthday buffet. With the addition of Ballocity, a foam ball play unit, and Slick Willy’s Go Karts and Eats, the kid-approved entertainment complex features booming arcade games, climbing tubes, slides, ball launchers and piles of prizes.
“It’s a really unique party experience. We have so many different facilities and options that are available to everyone,” says Caitlin White, marketing associate. “There isn’t anything like Ballocity around here, and now with the go karts, our birthday parties are really taking off.”
The Works’ 90-minute birthday party package is available for $158.25 on weekdays and $216.95 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The package includes admission to Ballocity for eight children and two adults, a designated party host, a Works arcade game card with 65 credits for each child, a T-shirt for the birthday kid that guests can sign, pizza, soda, paper products and a personalized birthday cake.
“It’s great for parents because they don’t have to do anything. You just show up and celebrate the birthday. You don’t worry about cleaning up,” says White, adding that parents can bring decorations for the party room. “Our staff makes the birthday truly special for the kids. There is a lot of care put into the parties here.”
Slick Willy’s, an indoor go kart facility that opened in November, offers high-speed birthday packages for $179.95 (six children), $209.95 (seven children) and $239.95 (eight children). The packages, best suited for children ages 8-11, include a junior go-kart race, a go-kart license, unlimited helmet stock use and the ability for guests to check their scores online for a year. In addition, guests can receive a Works arcade game card with 65 credits or participate in a second race.
“The kids get really excited, especially with the go karts, since they are new,” White says. “It’s really cute to watch them drive [the junior go karts]. They don’t go as fast, but they’re still getting that experience. They have a blast.”
THE WORKS | BALLOCITY | SLICK WILLY’S GO KARTS & EATS 1109 Bern Rd., Wyomissing | gearedforfun.com | 610.375.2700
Snap To It
Snapology, the newest birthday party spot on the block, has been a hit since opening in early February, thanks to word of mouth and social media.
Just ask 7-year-old Olivia Parshley, whose interest in Snapology continues to build. So far, she’s learned how to use Legos to create objects and then employ stop animation to make them move. “She loves it,” says her mom, Brandi, who lives in Saint Lawrence. “She’s made two spinning birds and a monkey that plays the drums. It’s a great experience, and it’s great for kids at all ages. It makes them think creatively and have fun at the same time.”
Owners Tina and Jack Hatalsky, of Spring Township, were immediately drawn to Snapology’s concept of incorporating Legos and similar building blocks as enrichment tools. The couple, who has two children, Alex, 9, and Carly, 6, says children enjoy playing with Legos while learning about science, architecture, technology, robotics and engineering in an innovative way.
”It’s educational, and it’s a fun hangout place,” Tina says. The family friendly business offers several party options, including a 2-hour event at the Snapology Discovery Center in Wyomissing and a 1-hour party-to-go option, in which a Snapology facilitator will come to your home.
Both party packages include Lego-themed activities, a T-shirt for the birthday child and downloadable invitations and thank you cards. Plus, each child gets to build and keep a Lego Mini-Figure, and parents can select from several party themes, such as Star Wars, super heroes, military, Harry Potter and wizards, ninjas, games and mosaics.
Prices vary, and party slots are currently available on Saturdays, Sundays and Friday evenings. Food is not provided with the packages; however, parents are allowed to bring food, cake and presents to the 3,000-square-foot Discovery Center.
“It’s not a cookie-cutter type of birthday party,” Tina says. “It truly is catered to what the birthday child wants. It’s all about them. It’s something different, something very fresh for the area. Kids just love Legos, and we’re going to work so hard to make sure that the family has a good time.”
SNAPOLOGY 220 N. Park Rd., Park Place Center Building 5 | Wyomissing, snapology.com/reading | Reading@Snapology.com | 610.568.2941
Go Gaga For Gaga Ball
Gaga Ball, a new sport offered at Body Zone Sports and Wellness Complex in Wyomissing, is part of the tot sports program or can be booked as a birthday party, part of a camp, or a special event. The fast-paced relative of dodgeball sees participants play with a large, soft foam ball inside a hexagon-shaped inflatable pit. Unlike dodgeball though, you cannot physically pick up the ball with your hands and throw it at an opponent. Instead, you can hit it with your hands. Oh–and look out–more than one ball can be in play at one time.
Visit bodyzonesports.com or call Donna Lascoskie, events coordinator, at 610.376.2100, ext. 283.
