Parties

Where else in Cleveland can you see a polar bear?

Three thousand animals of (almost) every kind occupy 168 rolling, wooded acres. The RainForest houses 600 animals and 10,000 plants from the jungles of Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Just inside the main gate, veering slightly to the right, visitors enter the Savannah, where we think the giraffes really steal the show.

Of course, there's much more to see. Just down the path a bit, make sure to go inside Wolf Wilderness, where, once your eyes adjust, you can spot wolves and, from inside your nice, dry perch, you can also see beaver swim. Don't rush the experience here as this is one of the best-designed exhibits around, allowing visitors to get a good look into these animals' lives and habits, and also an insider's view of their well-constructed homes.

One of our favorite seasonal exhibits is Butterfly Magic, inside the greenhouse, where a special, large hatching case allows visitors to watch the amazing transformation from chrysalis (cocoon) to butterfly.

Also plan to allow ample time at the RainForest, as its collection of animals include some of the most unusual and interesting (anteaters, fruit bats, and the flashlight fish, just to name a few).

As educational as it is, this zoo is fun, too - as visitors quickly "learn" in Australian Adventure (open from early spring through the end of October). Kids love the (plastic) Yagga tree they can climb up, then after meeting the animatronic croc at the top (don't ask why the croc's up the tree, just enjoy) and slide out. Young visitors can also feed nectar to the parrots at Lorikeet Aviary, and ride the Boomerang Train ($1.50) in Australian Adventure.

Several options for feeding time at the zoo (for human visitors) are available, including "Crocodile Cafe" and the "Roaring Lion," or, for the less-adventurous, a Pizza Hut concession; and yes, you can pack your own picnic and enjoy it on one of the ground's picnic tables (just don't feed the animals!).

Hint: It's a big zoo, so if you (or the kids) aren't up to walking the nearly three miles you'll cover to see all the exhibits, take the shuttle. It's free with zoo admission, and operates every day, weather permitting; it's also heated in the winter.

Two birthday party packages are available: One option includes la reserved party area for 90 minutes, lunch of pizza or hot dogs, customized cake, ice cream, punch or lemonade for all guests, plus all-day zoo and RainForest admission, a birthday surprise and a ride on the Boomerang Train (weather permitting) for each child; plus a T-shirt and ZooKey for the Guest of Honor. This package costs Cleveland Zoo members $145 for up to 10 guests (children and adults); additional guests cost $14 each ($5 additional for children under 2). Non-members pay $185; additional guests cost $18 each.

A cake-only party option includes the party space and other amenities as above, minus lunch, for members, $125 for up to 10 guests (additional Guests, $12 each; children under 2, $4 per guest) and non-members, $165 for up to 10 guests (additional guests: $16 each; children under 2, $4)

Parties are held Tues-Sundays in The RainForest year round, and in various outdoor locations based on season. Parties are scheduled at 11am, 1pm, or 3pm and maximum group size is 25 (adults and children). Call group sales (216.635.3306) to book a party, at least 3 weeks in advance - also ask group sales about booking the zoo for other events (it's a popular spot for after-work social events and fund-raisers).

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers summer day camp options for children ages five through 12. Registration for weekly sessions generally begins early in March.

Guess what's for sale at A Cookie and a Cupcake?

No mystery here! Old favorites and new flavors share space in the locally-owned shop's tempting cases - carrot cake, apple pie (cupcakes), and of course, CHOCOLATE.

Visitors can pick up a cupcake (or a cookie, or other delicious treat) or place special orders in advance for birthdays, parties, or just treat-yourself-to-a-treat events.

One word: yum!

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center (LENSC) provides provides wildlife exhibits and rehabilitations, planetarium, and education programs.

Visitors can study a variety of (live) small mammals, fish, and amphibians; take a nature hike; enjoy a planetarium show; or take a class just about any day of the week. (Nimble visitors can also crawl through a very long, cool, hollowed-out log.)

We recommend planning a visit to catch a program at the Walter R. Schuele Planetarium inside LENSC. The schedule varies but what's constant is this: there's something for all ages, including family-flavored shows every Saturday at 12n, 1pm, 2pm, or 7pm, and Twinkle Tots (for toddlers) on Thursdays at 11:45am and Saturdays at 11am. (NOTE: arrive early - these get CROWDED!)

Star Parties are planned every 1st and 3rd Saturday, when, weather permitting, families can join naturalists and experienced star-gazers in the field with telescopes to examine the seasonal activities of the sky.

After school classes and activities are generally held in six-to-eight-week sessions in the early fall and spring, with programs geared for children in preschool through elementary school, the same age group can enjoy Summer Day Camps, slated each year.For more information about after school programming or camps, call 440.871.2900.

Birthday parties run $120 for members, $160 for non-members, and include a 30-minute program (for Astronomy parties, in the planetarium; for Wildlife parties, with live animals in the nature center) for up to 30 guests, a two-hour rental of one of two rooms, with tables and chairs, use of kitchen's refrigerator/sink/microwave, tablecloths, napkins, spoons, cake plates, and paper cups, plus a decorated "wildlife" or "astronomy" cake, and a t-shirt for the birthday boy/girl.

Children must be supervised at all times and guests are responsible for food and favors (other than those listed above), and all clean up efforts.

Volunteer Opportunities at LENSC come in many varieties - for children and adults. A list of current volunteer opportunities can be found at the website.

A popular entertainer with an educational repertoire, Cap't Willie of Capt'n Willie's Edutainment is available for parties and events throughout Northeast Ohio.

Outback Ray's Amazing Animal Show brings its "wild" shows to day care sites, schools, birthday parties, and other venues and events year 'round, by appointment.

Shows featuring a variety of Outback Ray's captive-born exotic animals can be held indoors or out, and may be tailored to specific circumstances. Most shows last 45 minutes to an hour.

Kids Party Entertainment by Angel Bug provides a variety party entertainment options.

Available services include costumed character appearances, bounce house rental, a high-velocity bubble machine, and face painting.

The Children's Museum of Cleveland focuses on family learning and early childhood development, and is an absolute delight for children from birth through about eight years of age. (Got out-of-town guests with family? Take them!)

A family craft and activity area offers several programs a day most days the museum is open. Programs focus on art, science, music, or movement. (Check the calendar or the museum's website to find out what programs are offered on the day you're going, and at what time.)

The Children's Museum offers birthday parties, special events, and schools-out camps year-round for young children.

The museum itself is small but packed with interactive fun.

The Big Red Barn is a safe room for infants and toddlers filled with animal puppets, fruits and vegetables, mini-wheel barrows and other farm implements, and a slide coming out of the "barn."

Toddlers and pre-schoolers love the scale-model bus in the permanent Bridges to our Community exhibit. It's also hard to tear them away from Splish! Splash!, featuring an expansive water play table and a multi-tiered raindrop maze they can climb, essentially "acting out" the water cycle.

Older kids enjoy appearing on a TV screen while they predict the weather.

We think that for little ones, The Children's Museum is more fun (and more economical) than a trip to the Great Lakes Science Center. We also recommend families take the kids while they are little, because soon after they complete first grade, kids really outgrow this place. (And science-savvy students will want the extra information GLSC provides.)

Membership levels start at $50 per year (one adult/one child) and include unlimited visits for an entire year; two complimentary guest passes; discounts on Museum rentals, including birthday parties; a 10% discount from Elf Corner, the official museum store; discounts for educational classes & programs, and more.

CHABAM (an acronym for Children Have Active Bodies And Minds) is an educational play center offering an extensive curriculum of fun, educational programs for children from birth to twelve years old.

CHABAM programs combine music, art, and movement. All programs are facilitated by degreed educators.

The Creative Curriculum consists of 12-week, progressive weekly classes that bundle music, art and movement.

Ready...Set...Grow...! is a drop in child development program offering an age appropriate curriculum on an hourly basis.

CHABAM's equipment includes three child-sized pottery wheels, an interactive tree house, puppet theater, and an eight-foot-long aquarium filled with South African fish.

CHABAM birthday party options are tailored for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children. Three different party packages are available ($250-$395) for 15 children and include music and activities, led by two educators. Parents are responsible for providing the food, beverage, table settings and utensils.

CHABAM also offers date night out opportunities on select Saturday evenings throughout the year.

Summer camp programs are offered for kids from eighteen months through seven years. Programs range from "mess makers" to sports skills development.

Pump It Up Party Centers are indoor inflatable playgrounds available primarily for parties, however, most centers have open play times, too. Some play sessions have age restrictions, so it's best to call the location you plan to visit before you go.

During playtime, kids must wear socks, and parents must sign a waiver and stay with their children while they play.

Parties for up to 26 children (including birthday child) range from $179 to $249 and include invitations, pizza, designated time in the supervised party arena and in a pre-decorated party room to enjoy snacks (pizza is available at an additional cost; bring your own cake) and gift-time.

Fundraisers and other events can be arranged by calling the center.

Pigtails and Crewcuts - A Creative Kids' Salon is one of a national chain, which, in addition to offering an entertaining place to get a child's hair cut, also offers cuts for adults, as well as finger- and toenail polishing services, and parties for princesses, pirates, and other imaginative types.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center (LENSC) provides provides wildlife exhibits and rehabilitations, planetarium, and education programs.

Visitors can study a variety of (live) small mammals, fish, and amphibians; take a nature hike; enjoy a planetarium show; or take a class just about any day of the week. (Nimble visitors can also crawl through a very long, cool, hollowed-out log.)

We recommend planning a visit to catch a program at the Walter R. Schuele Planetarium inside LENSC. The schedule varies but what's constant is this: there's something for all ages, including family-flavored shows every Saturday at 12n, 1pm, 2pm, or 7pm, and Twinkle Tots (for toddlers) on Thursdays at 11:45am and Saturdays at 11am. (NOTE: arrive early - these get CROWDED!)

Star Parties are planned every 1st and 3rd Saturday, when, weather permitting, families can join naturalists and experienced star-gazers in the field with telescopes to examine the seasonal activities of the sky.

After school classes and activities are generally held in six-to-eight-week sessions in the early fall and spring, with programs geared for children in preschool through elementary school, the same age group can enjoy Summer Day Camps, slated each year.For more information about after school programming or camps, call 440.871.2900.

Birthday parties run $120 for members, $160 for non-members, and include a 30-minute program (for Astronomy parties, in the planetarium; for Wildlife parties, with live animals in the nature center) for up to 30 guests, a two-hour rental of one of two rooms, with tables and chairs, use of kitchen's refrigerator/sink/microwave, tablecloths, napkins, spoons, cake plates, and paper cups, plus a decorated "wildlife" or "astronomy" cake, and a t-shirt for the birthday boy/girl.

Children must be supervised at all times and guests are responsible for food and favors (other than those listed above), and all clean up efforts.

Volunteer Opportunities at LENSC come in many varieties - for children and adults. A list of current volunteer opportunities can be found at the website.

Pump It Up Party Centers are indoor inflatable playgrounds available primarily for parties, however, most centers have open play times, too. Some play sessions have age restrictions, so it's best to call the location you plan to visit before you go.

During playtime, kids must wear socks, and parents must sign a waiver and stay with their children while they play.

Parties for up to 26 children (including birthday child) range from $179 to $249 and include invitations, pizza, designated time in the supervised party arena and in a pre-decorated party room to enjoy snacks (pizza is available at an additional cost; bring your own cake) and gift-time.

Fundraisers and other events can be arranged by calling the center.