3 Elements Party Planners organizes children's birthday partie, from start to finish. The basic package includes set-up and tear down, decorations, table settings, invitations and thank you cards, a souvenir photo for each guest, a theme-appropriate game or activity, goodie bags, and a personalized cake. Additional options can be added; see the website for details.

ALL-4-FUN specializes in providing entertainers, extreme sports, and state-of-the-art inflatable games for corporate events, company picnics, school functions, bar mitzvahs, special events, conventions, weddings, reunions, birthday parties, and other events.

Bring the kids, or at least the kid in you. Archie McPhee sells toys to kids and hipsters alike.

Pick up some thoroughly unusual birthday party favors here - the slug finger puppets recently graced a seven-year-old's party, to the delight of all assembled - as well as irreverent Catholica, retro space toys, rubber chickens, and any number of other things we don't know quite how to describe. This is the source for shameless kitsch. The inside of the store is fun, too.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

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. BR will decorate a cake on request.

Visit the website for a complete list of locations.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections with funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy. Buy regular cones, waffle cones, pints, or treats like sundaes and smoothies.

You can also pick up a housemade ice cream cake to go, or place an order 24 hours in advance if you have a special request. Cakes are made with homemade brownies or cookies as the "cake," and filled with ice cream, freshly whipped cream, and toppings. The store has premade cakes in the freezer that can be decorated to order within about an hour. Decorations include candy, brownies, and cookies. Cake prices start at $15.95.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections with funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy. Buy regular cones, waffle cones, pints, or treats like sundaes and smoothies.

You can also pick up a housemade ice cream cake to go, or place an order 24 hours in advance if you have a special request. Cakes are made with homemade brownies or cookies as the "cake," and filled with ice cream, freshly whipped cream, and toppings. The store has premade cakes in the freezer that can be decorated to order within about an hour. Decorations include candy, brownies, and cookies. Cake prices start at $15.95.

Better Bouncers rents inflatable moonwalks, bouncers, slides, combos, obstacle courses, and more, all at reasonable prices. DJs, clowns, face painters, balloon artists, magicians, and carnival foods are also available.

Looking for something big yet easy for your next birthday party or child's event? Bouncy House rents cool-looking bouncies - a castle, dinosaur, monster truck, and more - by the hour.

Local delivery, setup, and take down are included in the price, and (a plus in our area) the inflatables can be used rain or shine. See the website for pictures and a price table.

We rented a bouncy house for a party (in 2004), and were impressed with the company's rates, on-time delivery, quick setup, and prompt teardown. The children at the party loved the activity; we wouldn't hesitate to rent again.

Indulge in ice-cream heaven: Cold Stone Creamery, now nationwide, serves up homemade ice cream and yogurt, individually mixed - on an ice cold granite stone, in front of your eyes - with mix-ins of your choice. From warm chocolate-brownies (the national favorite) to gummy bears to fresh strawberries, your kids will find a flavor worth finishing their homework for.

Ice cream cakes serve six-nine and up. Order one custom-made with 24 hours' advance notice, or pick up one from the freezer case.

The Creamery Club Card gets you your 10th ice cream free and the Cake and Pie Club Card makes your sixth cake or pie free.

Cold Stone has numerous locations throughout the area, including downtown, Fremont, Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, and Tukwila. To find the store nearest you - with a map and store hours - go to website and type in your zip code or city and state.

Cookies carries everything you need to bake a batch of everyone's favorite sweet treat from start to finish. Owners Caryn and Betsey have packed the small store with high-quality spices and flavorings; chocolates, dried fruits, and nuts; a well-chosen selection of baking utensils; a wall of cookie cutters; a dazzling selection of colored sugars and sprinkles; and useful sundries like meringue powder and food coloring.

If you have kids at home, you'll find plenty here to please them. The store carries a selection of ginger- and shortbread cookies in seasonal shapes and ready-made royal icing for last-minute cookie decorating sprees. Just grab a couple of small packets of sprinkles and go! Cookie kits, food coloring markers (easy to handle for little hands), children's utensil sets, and tools to make decorating with kids easier (narrow squeeze bottles for icing) are also displayed around the store.

For easy birthday party entertainment, ask about the store's cookie package. Come in and choose a cookie cutter to match your party theme. You'll get back baked cookies, (about three per child), royal icing, and decorating supplies, all packed in a box and ready for decorating.

Cookies also hosts periodic drop-in cookie decorating opportunities for kids (and grownups) during holidays, and seasonal decorating classes - most for adults, but an occasional class for kids - at the store. If you gather up eight or more friends, you can schedule a private decorating class. See our calendar for details, or contact the store.

Nothing kid-friendlier than a coffeehouse that sells cupcakes. You get a superior cup of joe or a latte; the kids (and maybe you) get a swirl of buttercream frosting and sprinkles on a vanilla or chocolate cupcake.

The cake isn't too sweet and has a nice, rather coarse, crumb; it makes a perfect counterpoint to the buttery-sweet frosting. Look for the yellow-frosted "Lemon Drop", the coconut-dusted "Chocolate Bunny" and other retro-looking versions of the basic cake-frosting combination. Kids swoon over the variations, fun cupcake toppings, and pastel-colored frosting. The vanilla cake has a buttery vanilla flavor; the chocolate cake's flavor is rich, with a hint of sour cream.

Cupcake Royale's cupcakes are baked and frosted daily in-house and don't use artificial ingredients. You can buy them by the dozen for birthday or other celebrations; allow 48 hours in advance for a dozen or more. Call to place an order or download an order form online, fill it out, and drop it by the store.

Nothing kid-friendlier than a coffeehouse that sells cupcakes. You get a superior cup of joe or a latte; the kids (and maybe you) get a swirl of buttercream frosting and sprinkles on a vanilla or chocolate cupcake.

The cake isn't too sweet and has a nice, rather coarse, crumb; it makes a perfect counterpoint to the buttery-sweet frosting. Look for the yellow-frosted "Lemon Drop", the coconut-dusted "Chocolate Bunny" and other retro-looking versions of the basic cake-frosting combination. Kids swoon over the variations, fun cupcake toppings, and pastel-colored frosting. The vanilla cake has a buttery vanilla flavor; the chocolate cake's flavor is rich, with a hint of sour cream.

Cupcake Royale's cupcakes are baked and frosted daily in-house and don't use artificial ingredients. You can buy them by the dozen for birthday or other celebrations; allow 48 hours in advance for a dozen or more. Call to place an order or download an order form online, fill it out, and drop it by the store.

Nothing kid-friendlier than a coffeehouse that sells cupcakes. You get a superior cup of joe or a latte; the kids (and maybe you) get a swirl of buttercream frosting and sprinkles on a vanilla or chocolate cupcake.

The cake isn't too sweet and has a nice, rather coarse, crumb; it makes a perfect counterpoint to the buttery-sweet frosting. Look for the yellow-frosted "Lemon Drop", the coconut-dusted "Chocolate Bunny" and other retro-looking versions of the basic cake-frosting combination. Kids swoon over the variations, fun cupcake toppings, and pastel-colored frosting. The vanilla cake has a buttery vanilla flavor; the chocolate cake's flavor is rich, with a hint of sour cream.

Cupcake Royale's cupcakes are baked and frosted daily in-house and don't use artificial ingredients. You can buy them by the dozen for birthday or other celebrations; allow 48 hours in advance for a dozen or more. Call to place an order or download an order form online, fill it out, and drop it by the store.

The people behind the counter seem to know everyone who walks into this small cafe, set among specialty and antique stores on the south end of Greenwood Avenue. Sit by the large window or at one of the tables outside this friendly little place, and watch the leisurely foot traffic go by. The dog and stroller content is high.

The bakery is known for its glistening fruit Danish
- the marionberry is especially appealing - but it also sells cookies and bagels, high-quality sandwiches and soup at lunchtime, coffee and lattes, and rustic housemade bread.

No highchairs are available, and the bathroom is accessed through the kitchen. When our squirmy toddler - affectionately dubbed "Princess Chaos" - accompanies us, we skip the sit-down, take everything to go, and eat it at the nearby Woodland Park Zoo.

Look for cakes in the rotating case by the counter. These festive-looking party cakes feature flavors such as lemon mousse set atop swirls of raspberry jelly roll. They taste as good as they look. To order something specific, give the bakery a few days' notice. Cakes are about $20-$30, depending on size. Fruit pies are $12.95.

The beloved Honey Bear, (formerly in Wallingford/Green Lake) lives on in Lake Forest Park at Third Place Books. The restaurant may not still have the granola charm that made it such a great place to hang out, but we at least can still get our hands on those baked goods.

Come here for scones (Cranberry-Orange), muffins (Raspberry Oat), gooey cinammon rolls sprinkled with almonds, and cookies of all kinds, or for the bakery's famed desserts.

Cakes here look and taste like what we imagine Grandma - or Great-Grandma, by now - turned out in her kitchen; they're multi-layered and not too sweet, moist and dense of crumb, homey-looking, and often filled with seasonal fruits. And the frosting tastes really, really good. When the bakery was located in Green Lake, a Honey Bear cake graced our child's birthday every year. Pies, cheesecakes, and tarts are also tempting. [$3-$3.75]

The bakery serves Sunday brunch from 8am-2pm on the day in question, and breakfast (scrambles, waffles) until 12n weekdays. For lunch, try a salad, or sandwich, a very cheesy mac'n'cheese, or mango chicken with rice. [$5.25]

Enough high chairs for an army of children are stacked next to the seating area, which consists of massive communal tables ringed with chairs. Plenty of room to spread out here.

A couple of generations of Seattleites have fond memories of the 70-year-old Husky Deli. In spite of the deli's extensive stock of imported, domestic, and unusual chocolates and candies, sauces and condiments, cookies, cheeses, Boar's Head meats, and breads, it remains an unretouched sort of place - no trendy colors or art of any kind (except for travel placards hanging from the ceiling) here. This is Seattle before anyone discovered it was on the map.

On warm evenings, the white plastic chairs on the sidewalk are full of people lapping at the famous Husky ice cream cones. We like to order a sandwich on chewy honey wheat bread from the deli ($4.50/whole), pick up a few truffles or a package of cookies, and eat them at the beach or nearby Camp Long.

Besides regular sandwiches, the deli offers specialty sandwiches (albacore tuna, chicken cashew, and others), panini, standard American salads, soup, fresh fruit, and cookies. The deli will package up a picnic brown bag lunch (sandwich, chips, fruit, and cookie, $4.30-$7.95), or you can choose your own picnic by walking around the store and picking out what looks appealing.

Decorated sheet cakes, in chocolate or white with lemon, raspberry, chocolate, or vanilla french cream filling start at $19.25 for a 1/4 sheet (serves 16-24 people).

Faxed orders of $20 or more, received by 11am, can be delivered. Make sure you call the deli if you fax an order; the machine is in the back office.

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.

On any given day, Larsen's Bakery is filled in the afternoon with parents and kids from the nearby Loyal Heights Elementary school. The store doesn't have high chairs, but no one ever seems to mind the strollers wedged between the tables or the kids staring goggle-eyed into the cases full of cookies, donuts, pastries, and cakes. The kids behind the counter - most of them high-schoolers - tend to be sweet and patient with kids in front of the counter.

This is a good place for a cheap treat, old-Ballard-style. Look for fun seasonal cookies (ghosts, Easter eggs, etc.) and good maple bars. The pastries tend to look better than they taste - and they do look irresistible - although the marzipan-wrapped, cream-filled cake slices are good. Cardamom-scented braids, sprinkled with sugar crystals, are a classic here.

Birthday cakes: If you like marzipan, the marzipan-wrapped white cake with whipped cream filling is delicious. Yes, it's so sweet it makes your teeth ache, but it works. Look for a variety of cakes, icings, fillings, and sizes. Buy out of the case - there's always a good selection - or order one decorated your way. The bakery is very accommodating and will work with your ideas.

Website that provides alternatives to latex balloons. Nationwide delivery of balloons, balloon arrangements, party decorations, and helium services.

Moonpaper Tent offers classes, camps, and workshops for children in visual and performing arts. Classes include a parent/child art and dress up classes, storytelling, ballet, fairy forest, secret tree house, and other topics with lots of kid appeal.

Moonpaper Tent is also home to Moonpaper Theatre, which stages several productions for children each year in its 50-seat theatre.

Party packages are available with a wide variety of themes including fairies, dragons, magical forest, rock stars and divas, birds, tea parties, theater and talent shows, animals, superheroes, wizards, cats/kittens, outer space, pirates, mermaids, and more. Parties can include a drama workshop, dress up, face painting, crafts, a treasure hunt, and other activities. Prices range from $225-$500 for up to ten children. Families can also rent a dress up trunk for $100, with free delivery in Seattle.

Moonpaper Tent's Fairy Store sells handmade and vintage party supplies, dress up items, gifts, and custom made party favors.

One Hour Parties specializes in kids' parties. Services are provided at your Seattle or Eastisde location or in the One Hour Parties party room in Lake City.

Party options include sundae making kits and The Whole Kit and Kaboodle, which includes the sundae making kit, juice, snacks, party favors, place settings, delivery, and setup. There is a 12 guest minimum.

One Hour Parties specializes in kids' parties. Services are provided at your Seattle or Eastisde location or in the One Hour Parties party room in Lake City.

Party options include sundae making kits and The Whole Kit and Kaboodle, which includes the sundae making kit, juice, snacks, party favors, place settings, delivery, and setup. There is a 12 guest minimum.