Parties

Character Performers provides character-themed entertainment for parties and events. Costumed characters, face painting, cakes, "Character Grams," and inflatable rentals are available for events throughout the Philadelphia region.

Parties should be booked at least four to six weeks in advance, particularly during the spring and summer months. For holiday-themed entertainment, check out Santa's Home Visits.

The Night Kitchen Bakery produces some of the city's best tasting and most gorgeous cakes. Whether you choose mocha-mousse, lemon curd, carrot, or just plain yellow cake with a buttercream icing, a Night Kitchen cake won't disappoint.

The bakery's professional pastry chefs are true artists who work closely with clients to create special confections. Cakes can be decorated to match event invitations, pictures, or other designs.

Ask anyone in the western Main Line area where they got that amazing cake and chances are, they'll tell you it came from Clay's.

Clay's Creative Corner Bakery stocks other sweet bakery staples - donuts, muffins, filled croissants, cinnamon rolls, Danish, éclairs, brownies, and fancy cookies - but its signature item is indisputably cake. If you can dream it, Clay's can create it: character cakes, princess cakes, football-shaped cakes, flower-topped cupcakes, cakes decorated and shaped like beer cans, pairs of cake shoes, wedding cakes, and elaborate, too-gorgeous-to-cut, floral cakes that look as if they're made of fine porcelain. The bakery's decorators apparently know no limits.

While each cake that comes out of this tiny corner shop is more beautiful than the last, customers will reluctantly admit that the consistency of the cake itself is often hit-or-miss. Order pound cake layers to avoid the disappointment of the occasionally dry Clay's cake.

Clay's happily takes large and small advance orders, but does not accept credit cards; pay with cash or check only. If you've forgotten to place an order, the bakery also keeps a selection of nicely decorated chocolate or vanilla cakes in a refrigerated case in the front of the store.

Off-street parking is available in a small lot on Waterloo Avenue, directly across from the bakery.

Makin' Music Rockin' Rhythms offers classes of high quality music taught by caring instructors in a casual setting.

Music classes include maraca and rhythm stick songs, fingerplays, chants, world music, instruments, dance and movement songs, lullabies, and play-alongs. Theatre classes are offered for kids ages four to 12. Whether you were born for the stage or you just want to try something fun and creative, Makin' Music's musical theatre classes offer the opportunity to learn more about the theatre and all that goes into creating a show while building confidence and encouraging teamwork.

Summer camp, for children ages three to seven, is available in the Media location and is based on two alternating week-long curriculums. Campers may participate in either one- or two-week sessions. Campers are grouped according to age. Week-long sessions run from June through August. See website for details and schedules.

Birthday parties can also be arranged through Makin' Music. Performers can come to the host's location or set up a farmhouse party at the quaint Hillwood Farmhouse in Media. Prices range from $175 and up with additional activities.

Makin' Music has many locations in the Philadelphia area including Berks County, Chester County, Delaware County, the Main Line, Montgomery County, New Jersey, and Center City. Visit the website for a complete list of current locations.

The Great Holtzie - named "Best Comedian for Kids" on Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philly 2008" list - routinely performs at birthday parties, schools, camps, and children's events of all kinds. While captivating for kids of all ages, his show is best suited for children ages three to 10.

Described as the "Anti-Mister Rogers," The Great Holtzie offers a high-energy show complete with gross-out gags, self-effacing jokes, cultural references, and more.

Makin' Music Rockin' Rhythms offers classes of high quality music taught by caring instructors in a casual setting.

Music classes include maraca and rhythm stick songs, fingerplays, chants, world music, instruments, dance and movement songs, lullabies, and play-alongs. Theatre classes are offered for kids ages four to 12. Whether you were born for the stage or you just want to try something fun and creative, Makin' Music's musical theatre classes offer the opportunity to learn more about the theatre and all that goes into creating a show while building confidence and encouraging teamwork.

Summer camp, for children ages three to seven, is available in the Media location and is based on two alternating week-long curriculums. Campers may participate in either one- or two-week sessions. Campers are grouped according to age. Week-long sessions run from June through August. See website for details and schedules.

Birthday parties can also be arranged through Makin' Music. Performers can come to the host's location or set up a farmhouse party at the quaint Hillwood Farmhouse in Media. Prices range from $175 and up with additional activities.

Makin' Music has many locations in the Philadelphia area including Berks County, Chester County, Delaware County, the Main Line, Montgomery County, New Jersey, and Center City. Visit the website for a complete list of current locations.

Lora Carr of Lora Carr Photography, LLC specializes in fresh, modern lifestyle portraiture for maternity, newborns, babies, children, models, high school seniors, and families. Sessions are by appointment only.

Photographic prints, gallery-wrapped canvas, birth announcements, invitations, storyboards, and albums are also available.

Kehler's Gymnastics & Kids Fun Factory, one of the oldest family-oriented facilities in the Philadelphia area, has been owned and operated by the Kehler family since 1981.

The Gymnastic Center at Kehler's offers gymnastics instruction in small classes of four to six students, for boys and girls 15 months to 18 years old. Cheer tumbling classes are offered for as little as $10 per class (when registering for 10 weeks) or $12 for walk-ins.

The Fun Factory is an educational, indoor playground designed for children ages one to 11. The 3-floor, 20-foot play structure has tunnels, cargo nets, a ball pit, a giant spiral slide, and a trolley ride. Trained educators are available to supervise and help children, and there is a toddlers-only area with age-appropriate activities. Rock climbing is available by reservation only for children ages five to 14. One hour of climbing costs $10, and one hour of climbing plus Fun Factory admission is $12.

Birthday parties at Kehler's are offered for children up to 14 years of age. Activities include trampolines, moon bounces, ball pits, rock climbing, inflatables, indoor soft play, and more.

Holiday Day Camps and Summer Camp programs are also available. Check the website for details, and be sure to register early to get the discounted price.

Special needs children are welcome at Kehler's classes, the Fun Factory, and birthday parties. Private gymnastics classes, as well as a parent participation class, are offered as well.

Kehler's Gymnastics & Kids Fun Factory, one of the oldest family-oriented facilities in the Philadelphia area, has been owned and operated by the Kehler family since 1981.

The Gymnastic Center at Kehler's offers gymnastics instruction in small classes of four to six students, for boys and girls 15 months to 18 years old. Cheer tumbling classes are offered for as little as $10 per class (when registering for 10 weeks) or $12 for walk-ins.

The Fun Factory is an educational, indoor playground designed for children ages one to 11. The 3-floor, 20-foot play structure has tunnels, cargo nets, a ball pit, a giant spiral slide, and a trolley ride. Trained educators are available to supervise and help children, and there is a toddlers-only area with age-appropriate activities. Rock climbing is available by reservation only for children ages five to 14. One hour of climbing costs $10, and one hour of climbing plus Fun Factory admission is $12.

Birthday parties at Kehler's are offered for children up to 14 years of age. Activities include trampolines, moon bounces, ball pits, rock climbing, inflatables, indoor soft play, and more.

Holiday Day Camps and Summer Camp programs are also available. Check the website for details, and be sure to register early to get the discounted price.

Special needs children are welcome at Kehler's classes, the Fun Factory, and birthday parties. Private gymnastics classes, as well as a parent participation class, are offered as well.