Parties

Cold Stone Creamery offers a huge variety of ice cream, made fresh daily, and tons of mix-in choices. In addition to choosing from standard combinations, visitors can make their own creations with choices like fresh strawberries and other fruit, brownies, sauces, and all sorts of candies.

Children's celebration cakes - with popular cartoon characters as cake toppers - are available in both rounds and rectangles, and can be customized with names and special occasion messages.

Who doesn't love a Blizzard?

Because the majority of Dairy Queen restaurants are individually owned and operated franchises, quality, hours, and offerings vary greatly - you probably know what you like (or don't) about your local store.

What we like is DQ's take on the ubiquitous children's meal concept. In most stores, not only can parents substitute applesauce for French fries (if they're lucky), but the meals come with a coupon for a free treat (small Dilly bar, ice cream sandwich, or $.49 off a Blizzard) so the dessert part of the meal can stay cool, and out of reach, until the "healthy" part of the meal has been consumed.

Of course, the chain's ice cream cakes are practically required equipment for some kids' parties, and some stores offer discounts on birthday parties held on site.

Most Dairy Queen restaurants nationwide participate in annual (and more frequent) fundraisers for Children's Miracle Network. Eat up.

Baskin-Robbins and its 31 flavors have been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like its ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick up any time. Try the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo, or pick your own flavors; BR will decorate a cake on request.

These "mad scientists", decked out in lab coats, come to birthday parties and present a high-energy, interactive science show including effects like laser lights, glow in the dark reactions, chemical magic, and more.

The entertainers do all the set-up, and are able to adapt the presentation to any party's age group and size. The show lasts 45 minutes to an hour, and kids get to make things like Mad Science putty, slime, or super bouncy balls to take home.

The basic party package is $149; add-ons can bring the cost up to $300, depending on the number of guests. Add-ons include bubbling potions, dry-ice demonstrations, and even cotton candy making. The complete party package includes branded Mad Science decorations and party bags. Travel fees apply to counties outside Weber, Davis, and Salt Lake.

Mad Science also offers summer camps at various locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley. The camps run weekly from June through August, and are geared toward ages six to 11. More information and registration details are available on the Mad Science website.

Mad Science visits schools, libraries, and camps to give demonstrations as well. Check the GoCityKids calendar to see if any Mad Science public special event performances are scheduled near you. They are a real blast for kids ages five and up.

If you are interested in bringing a Mad Science assembly or afterschool program to your school or organization, give them a call.

Magician Christopher Fair can frequently be found at local libraries and daycare centers performing his popular show, "Magic with a Flair." He also is an attraction at county fairs, where he performs a strolling magic show, pulling tricks out of his portable bag of magic. He is one of a few favored entertainers that Treehouse Museum chooses for special events, given that he
interacts so well with children.

Christopher's magic shows are enjoyed by children of all ages. Besides magic, the shows have a good dose of humor too, and include appearances by Maggie, the rabbit puppet. Audience participation is highly encouraged.

Birthday party shows can be arranged by phone. Christopher Fair visits your location and puts on a 40 minute show full of fun and magic to entertain the party guests. The birthday child even gets in on the act, serving as the magician's assistant. Parties cost $125, and there is no limit to the number of guests.

To view Christopher Fair's page on the website listed above, select "magicians" from the pull down menu on the left of the screen, then choose Fair, Christopher from the list of magicians.

Magician Doug Roye has a life-long passion for the art of magic, and he loves to mentor young want-to-be magicians. Kids who can't get enough of a good card trick or sleight of hand trick can sign up for one of Doug's Royal Academy of Magic magic classes for kids. In the classes, children ages eight to 14 can learn some tricks of the trade and see if they have what it takes to be a master magician. Classes meet for four weeks, one hour each week, in Midvale. The cost is $45, which includes all materials. Upon completion of the beginning magic class, the children can advance to the intermediate class and perform publicly in magic shows which are held every other month at local libraries. Check the calendar for the young magicians' performances, called "It's Magic." Call or email Doug to find out when the next class begins.

Magic parties are another offering from Doug Roye. At Doug Roye's Magic Parties, parents can choose either a Magic Show or a Magic Class, depending on the age of the birthday child and guests. The Magic Show Party is good for ages four to eight. The birthday child plays an active role in the show, and even gets to do the final trick - pulling a rabbit out of a hat - in full magician attire (cape and top hat). Magic Class Parties are good for children ages nine to 12. The birthday child and guests witness seven magic tricks and then learn how to perform the magic routine themselves.

Sugar Space is a multi-disciplinary art space offering classes for adults and kids. Professional performances, community events, and free events are also held at the space, and the building is available for rental purposes as well.

The 1500 square foot space has a professional sprung dance floor, theater lights, and a professional sound system. Yoga, pilates, hip-hop classes, and junior film critics club are some of the offerings at the center. First Work is a unique program in which professional artists mentor young artists ages seven through 17 who want to create their own performance piece. The First Work participants present their work at Sugar Space during the season.

The center offers a large variety of birthday party packages. Some topics include High School Musical, super heroes, sock hop, princess party, Harry Potter party, bounce and play, movie mania, and fantasy tea party. Prices start at $149 for up to 16 kids. Additional children can be added for $6 each. See the website for details and for information about reservations.

Jungle Jim's Playland features child-sized rides, arcade games, and a jungle play soft playground with tunnels, tubes, slides, and chutes (socks are required in the soft playground.) Rides include a carousel, flying swings, bumper cars, flying jets, spinning tops, a jungle patrol jeep safari ride, and the Amazon roller coaster.

Since everything is indoors, it's a great activity for any day, rain or shine. A family trying to entertain a wide age range of children can find something for everyone, and it won't break the bank. To avoid crowds, go on a weekday; no lines!

Single rides cost $1.29 each, or All-Day Wristbands can be purchased for the prices listed above. Family Fun Passes good for 10 visits are available for $69.90. Adults ride free with children.

Food is available for purchase - nothing terribly healthy on the menu though. Choices include pizza, hot dogs, nachos, buffalo wings, cotton candy, cookies, soft drinks, bottled water, and fruit drinks (no milk). The pizza isn't outstanding by any means, but it's passable by most kids' standards. No outside food or beverages are allowed.

Three birthday party packages are available. Prices start at $58.99 for up to five children; additional children can be added for $9.19 each. The basic party package includes unlimited rides and soft play, five game tokens for each child, a balloon for each child, soft drinks, a birthday cake, a free pass for the birthday child to come back to play, and a reserved table for two hours. Call for more information and to reserve a party.

Fat Cats All Out Fun offers bowling, arcade games that give out prize tickets, video games, and a Kid Zone play structure. Bowling prices vary, depending on time of day and game. Fat Cats in Ogden also has bumper cars and mini golf.

Food is available at all three locations. The Salt Lake location has The Pizza Factory right next door, and there is a concession stand in the bowling alley. The Provo location has Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill as a dining option instead of pizza. The Ogden location offers The Pizza Factory, Costa Vida, and Strikers Grill.

Birthday party packages are available. Inclusions and prices vary by location. Check the website for details.