Believe it or not, Albertson's grocery store offers a really cool option for birthday cakes, and the cakes are affordable, as well. Bring in a photo and store bakers can reproduce it in frosting.

The bakery asks that you bring in your photo two days before you need the cake.

Art Birthday Parties staff visit clients' homes
to provide party art projects that feature various themes: Birdhouse Fun, Baroque Festival, Tea Party, Cupcakes and Cookie galore, Pool Splash, Dinosaurs, Fairies and trolls, Mermaids, Princesses, Knights, and more. Parties are 90 minutes long and the cost includes activities, nametags, and party favors. Prices vary, depending on size of the group and the theme.

Anna B. Fankhauser has experience as a preschool teacher, a museum educator, and birthday party coordinator. She teaches art classes for preschool and school children throughout the Bay Area.

Astro Events provides bouncers, slides, waterslides, and combos for parties. The company also has rental cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cone makers, as well as Scooby Doo, Dora, Shrek, and other costumed characters.

Baking Arts creates whimsical cakes, cupcakes, and cookies for children of all ages. The bakery specializes in creating cakes and figurines from brightly colored fondant.

Baskin Robbins and its 31 flavors has 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. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. B-R will decorate a cake on request.

The store has franchises everywhere, though recently a number have consolidated, changed hands, or just plain shut down, so you might do well to call ahead.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

A pastry shop that has elevated an appreciation for chocolate to new heights. People swear by its cakes, a fixture on the birthday party circuit. And they're not all chocolate. Our particular favorite is the Lemon Poppyseed Cream Cheese Cake. Also sells pies, cookies, cupcakes, and muffins.

Bakers will need one day notice to prepare the cake of your choice.

Bumblebee Bakeshop creates custom cakes, cupcakes, and other delectable baked goods for birthday parties, showers, or any occasion. The store specializes in kids' birthday cakes and delivers anywhere in San Francisco. Bumblebee Bakeshop uses only the freshest, finest ingredients available and custom makes every homemade dessert from scratch.

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.

Chocolate Mousse Bakery specializes in fresh baked desserts of all varieties. The store has a kid's decorating station where little ones can decorate anything they buy.

The bakery hosts birthday parties. Guests decorate cookies or cupcakes; enjoy arts and crafts, games, and balloons; and share pizza and cake. Ask about their themed 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.

Aside from yummy cake and pastry making, Copenhagen Bakery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also caters events. Their facility is very kid-friendly.

Costco, a discount shopping warehouse, carries more than huge boxes of Cheerios and Tide. It offers a limited selection of seasonal merchandise, like basic camping or beach equipment, at the kind of reasonable prices this mega-store is known for.

It also carries industrial strength sheet cake - the kind you need to handle a crowd of indiscriminate but very hungry young ball players or birthday celebrants. If size is your goal, it may offer the best value in town.

You must be a member to shop here. Call or visit the Costco website for information on joining.

Cyber Jumps provides inflatable jumper rentals for birthday parties, baptisms, and other events. The company offers free delivery and set-up.

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.

An Italian-American bakery that specializes in cakes, but offers a host of delectable sweet treats, including cream puffs, decorated cookies, and tiramisu.

Savvy parents have discovered the advantages of going to a big rental service. Hertz Rental/Big Four is one that not only rents out partyware, but all kinds of kids sporting goods as well: hockey, softball, volleyball, camping equipment. "You name it," said the manager.

One Mom we know outfits her four children in rental ski equipment every year, and claims she saves a bundle.

Find the party paraphernalia you're looking for online at iparty.com. Packages for birthday parties and special occasions could be a life saver when you're pressed for time and ideas.

Halloween costumes in all shapes and sizes are available here, too.

A nationwide company with a strong local presence, Jump for Fun specializes in renting out big, bouncy, inflatable jumpies that can make or break - if you don't follow proper Jumpie etiquette (see below) - a party. You can choose from many styles: The Mermaid, Dalmations, Toy House, Dream House, Magic Castle, Jurrassic Park, and Jungle King, among others.

These are best for day-long events; if you're trying to organize it for a two-hour birthday party you may find yourself babysitting the Jumpie longer than you'd like. The company delivers, sets up, and leaves it for you - all day, if you'd like. But if you don't like that, the minimum is around 4 hours.

Will deliver to parks only if you have proper permit (See San Francisco Parks & Recreation Dept.)

Proper Jumpie Etiquette: Don't mix ages. Toddlers can enjoy these as can preteens. But when you mix big and small kids you'll get the kind of roughhousing that can lead to tears, or worse.

A chain of reliable bakeries that has four in-town locations and can supply small birthday cakes and wedding towers on demand. Will decorate the cake any way you'd like, and do it well enough to elicit ooohs from partiers.

You can mix and match various cakes, fillings, and frostings. We're particularly fond of the carrot cake.

Note: A two-day notice is required.

Just Imagine offers whimsical costume parties for children of all ages. The company carries an extensive line of costumes, invitations, favors, and more.

Kidz Domain's Jumpers are available for immediate setup and delivery at your residence, business, or local park (party giver must make arrangements with local authorities) within a 30 mile radius of San Jose. It can deliver units outside this area with a price increase.

The company accepts all last minute requests. All units have safety hatches located on the top to ensure child
safety. The company is a licensed and insured small business.

A small supplier of party goods that caters mostly to little kids' birthdays. Favors, decorations, and invitations are organized by theme, which tends toward Winnie-the-Pooh, Arthur, and the latest trend dominating the little kid's world. Pokemon comes to mind.

You can order helium balloons here to be picked up the day of the party. Don't pack them into a hot car; they'll explode within a block or two.

Sister store to the Miette Confiserie, Miette Patisserie turns out a scrumptious variety of
birthday cakes, including a "princess" cake and a "tomboy cake," among others.

Mitchell's makes ice cream so good it draws customers from all over the city. Fresh, homemade, and available in every flavor your kids have ever fantasized about, including a virtual bouquet of tropical tastes, Mitchell's ice cream has built up a large and loyal following since it opened in 1953.

Even better than the ice cream may be the way the staff generously packs on the toppings. With your cone, you'll get a cup partly filled with M&Ms, sprinkles, or whatever else you've chosen, so you can refresh your topping as you lick down the ice cream.

The store is located in the southern part of the city. There are just two benches out front, so be prepared to eat your ice cream on the sidewalk with everyone else, or bring lots of napkins for the car trip home.

Party Cakes: Mitchell's is also well-known for its popular ice cream cakes. Ice cream pies (serves 8-10) cost $16.25 and require two day's notice. Small round cakes (serves 8-10) cost $22.50 and require two days' notice. Large round cakes (serves 12-15) cost $28.95 and require two day's notice. Quarter sheet cakes (serves 16-20) cost $37.95 and require two day's notice. Half sheet cakes (serves 30-40) cost $74.95 and require four day's notice. Full sheet cakes (serves 70-80 cost $139.95 and require four day's notice.

The bakers here are artists, too. Let them know what your child loves - trains, animals, ballerinas - and they'll use the imagery to inspire a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that tastes as good as it looks.

You can choose from a combination of cakes, fillings, and frostings. Special order cakes need a 24 hour minimum notice.

We know, we know. It's a chain grocery and there's nothing particularly special about the store. But the bake shop turns out festive, reasonably priced birthday cakes. And the bakers, an enthusiastic lot, take pleasure in putting up the kind of decorations a kid can really appreciate - rainbow colors, trains, balloons, sprinkles, and so on.

In fact, there are 15 decoration options to choose from. The standard price gives you two basic cakes to choose from; chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, or white cake with buttercream. But for a slightly higher price you can specify whatever cake and filling you want, including carrot cake. Order the chocolate with rasberry jam filling, which is moist and rich.

The bake shop needs a 24-hour notice for cake orders.

Check the website for locations near you.

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.

Sarah makes customized, designer cakes of all kinds - from fun to elegant, whimsical to classic.

Sarah Lindsay Cakes also offers cooking classes both savory and pastry menus, and birthday parties, the most popular being the cake decorating class.

The neighborhood is rather sketchy, but the store itself is a gold mine of party favors, decorations, balloons, etc. They also rent helium tanks, cotton candy and slushee machines, popcorn makers, and carnival-type games.

Sibby's Cupcakery specializes in custom cupcakes made
the old-fashioned way. The store's creations are baked from scratch using fresh eggs, sweet cream butter from local dairy farms, Scharffen Berger chocolate, and Nielsen-Massey pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla.