Parties

Comic Jumps is a bounce house and party jumper company in San Mateo County with a rental inventory that includes bounce houses, slides, and other interactive inflatables.

The inflatables plug into a common 110 volt electrical outlet.

An ice cream store that sells three different kinds of ice cream: Lapperts, Mitchell's, and McConnells. But what it really has going for it is ice cream cake - in all sizes, decorated pretty much any way you want it.

California Kids Jump is an outfit that rents out those big, inflatable jumpers that make up the centerpiece of many little kids' parties. We've been to affairs where one of these plus a cake is all the kids need to think the party's been great.

The rates are reasonable and the choices fairly broad. You can get a small jumper or a big combination one that includes slides. In addition to jumpers, California Kids Jump rents out cotton candy, popcorn, and sno-cone machines with supplies, and kid-sized tables and chairs (blue, red, and yellow).

If you don't have room for one of these in your backyard, and who does, call the San Francisco Recreation & Park Dept and reserve a park for the party.

Dreamstar Parties provides characters (princesses, clowns, wizards, magicians, etc.) who attend parties to entertain guests. Character appearances feature magic shows, puppet shows, balloon animals, face painting, and bubbles.

Dragonfly Designs brings the creativity of beading to a location of the client's choice with age appropriate beading parties for children, teens, and adults.

The company also offers age appropriate after school jewelry making classes in its South San Francisco location for children and teens.

Included in the two-hour party are invitations, beaded jewelry projects, and a party pouch to hold the newly made treasures. Custom theme charms are also available.

ArtKisses is a professional face painting service serving the Bay Area for more than seven years. All of the face painters are college-trained artists, muti-cultured, and working as art teachers and professional artists.

Photographer Kathi O'Leary specializes in creating intimate, beautifully lit portraits of children of any age and their families.

Portraits start at $240 and with digital capture customers have instant review of the shoot and a choice of images in both color and black and white. Parents can take individual classes from Kathi to learn how to capture their children with their own digital cameras.

Summerfoto is a week-long summer digital photography workshop held in Kathi's studio on California Street in the Fillmore. Children between the ages of seven and 15 learn to improve the quality and composition of photos and to appreciate photographs as art. Projects include still-lifes, portraiture, a nature field trip, and a group exhibition. For more information and pricing, please visit the website.

Kathi also teaches after school and on school breaks.

Kathi's birthday parties for kids from ages seven and up include a mini portrait lesson on location. Kids take turns photographing each other using portrait studio equipment and dress-up clothes. They leave with their matted portrait photo.

Stuart Locklear offers years of experience taking dynamic and memorable photos of children and families. He welcomes opportunities of all kinds; call with specific questions.

Daly City Party Playhouse is a private party space in a facility that includes a constructed indoor playground (slides and mazes), a bounce house, electronic rides, a video arcade room, a parents lounge, and a party room. The center also features drop-in weekday open hours when kids can play, eat, and have fun.

Birthday party packages are available. Prices include two XL cheese pizzas and two 2-litre sodas and start at $200 for the Weekday Special and $375 during the weekend.

The Academy offers Classical Ballet instruction for students who wish to pursue ballet as a career as well as for those who simply enjoy the beauty of the dance.

The Academy offers weekly Pre-Ballet classes for children ages three to six. Teachers focus on age-appropriate ballet terminology, exercise, and discipline. Beginning Ballet classes for inexperienced dancers are open to children ages six and older, as well as adults. The Academy also offers jazz classes for ages six and up.

Students with prior experience may audition for Ballet I-V classes. The Academy incorporates French and Russian ballet technique to develop flexibility and coordination, increase memory skills, and promote physical fitness. Tuition rates start at $90/month depending on the number of sessions.

Ballet Birthday Parties, for children ages three and up, can be hosted by professional ballet dancers from bay area ballet companies. The fees start at $250 per event (up to 10 childen), with a cost of $10 each additional child, 15 child maximum. Parties can be held on Saturdays from 3pm-5pm or Sundays from 1pm-3pm, and include Ballet dress up costumes for the guests, party favor bags, decorations, invitations, and craft project materials. Parents provide cake, plates, cups, napkins, and utensils. Call 415.731.2237 for more information.

SadieDey's Cafe, formerly known as Tumble & Tea, is a cafe that also houses an indoor playspace for kids. It features organic salads, grilled paninis, healthy kid food, free WIFI, live music, classes, and birthday parties.

The array of classes for caregivers and children includes baby sign language, sing-alongs, CPR certification classes, and parent support gatherings. Visit the website to view the current schedule.

Birthday party packages start at $275 for 10 kids ($15 for each additional child) and include party set up in a theme room of your choice, a party coordinator, invitations, balloons, cups, plates, decorations, pizza and juice for kids (adult pizza and salad available for an additional fee), a gift bag for each child, a birthday cake, playtime, thank you cards, and a birthday present for birthday child, including a free pass for his/her next visit. Parties run two hours.