As the mother of two young children, I’ve done my fair share of party planning. Like a lot of parents I usually hem and haw over the details: picking a theme, debating the location and drafting a guest list. A quick look at this list, which primarily contains children whose parties my child has attended over the past year, adds another factor to the equation: finding a theme that hasn’t been done recently. 

Apparently I’m not alone in my quest for something different.  According to input from local party providers, unique party themes seem to be an emerging trend for Long Island parents.  “Most people that contact us are looking for something different and unique—a change from the traditional party,” says Claudio Superville, general manager of in-home party provider Mad Science, which brings science to life for kids.

Nicole Maldonado, owner of Arkidtects, a Lego theme party provider who offers both at-home parties and at her East Northport facility, echoes this sentiment, especially for parents of younger children. “Parents of younger kids tell us they’re choosing our parties because the theme is unique. They’re looking for something different that a child of three or four years of age is capable of doing.”

We know that finding a unique party theme that expresses your child’s interests, while also keeping to a budget, is no easy task.  Read on for helpful tips and information about birthday party trends from both party pros and other local parents who’ve been in your shoes.
 
Trend #1 • Turning a Beloved Hobby into a Party Theme
If your child has a steady hobby, choosing a party theme may be simple. “I’ve definitely noticed that a lot of parties are centered around what the kids already do as an activity,” says Agapi Bell, a mother of three from Huntington. “We see people having parties at places where they already attend classes, like karate and gymnastics.”

For others, the interest may be a favorite at-home activity such as building with Legos, baking, art or science. “The advantage of having a hobby-based party is that the birthday child is exposing his or her friends to something they like to do,” says Lisa Gallo, co-owner of Bricks 4 Kidz Northshore, a Lego theme party provider that offers at-home party entertainment. 

Additionally, hobby-themed parties are often smaller gatherings, according to Gallo. “Parents often tell us that they like the fact that our parties keep the kids engaged and working together rather than running around a large facility without much interaction.”

MaryAnne Impostato, owner of Kids Edible Creations, which provides treat decorating activities for at-home birthday parties, says that parents primarily book her parties because their child has an interest in baking.  “I’ve even booked a few parties for kids who’ve told me that they aspire to be a pastry chef,” adds Impostato. 
 
Mara Esposito, co-owner and education director of Not Just Art in Oyster Bay, says that most parents schedule their art or science parties because their child has a love for the activity.  “We often hear, `My kid loves to paint, or science is her thing,’” says Esposito.  “And with the science parties, the kids don’t just want to watch it, they want to participate and do the experiments themselves.”

If you’re interested in a particular venue, but aren’t sure it offers the theme you’re seeking, some providers are willing to work with you to incorporate a specific hobby into your child’s party. For instance, at the Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City, Maureen Mangan, director of communications and marketing, says that although the museum offers eight party themes, “we also work with families to accommodate the interests of the birthday child. A mother recently booked a party and brought in canvases for each child and we worked with them to create an art-themed party.”

Trend #2 • Educational Party Themes
Educational party themes are growing in popularity as well since parents seem to want more of a take-away value from their child’s party experience.  For instance, Superville says parents seem drawn to the educational value of his science parties, a fact that Andrea Bergin, a mother of three from Carle Place confirms. 

 “While the bouncy places and bowling parties are fun,  one of the reasons I chose Mad Science is that it’s educational,” explains Bergin, “yet also interesting and so much fun that the kids come away with knowledge without even realizing that they’re learning.” 

Mangan also notices the educational party theme trend among parents considering the LICM for their festivities. “They like the fact that the birthday party themes we offer take advantage of popular exhibits or programs, as well as topics the museum explores, such as cultural programs, science and math.” 

Hobby-based party providers are eager to fill this demand by providing an educational component to their activities. For example, Lego parties teach multiple skills including sequencing—when kids follow through model schemes for creating their projects—as well as social and emotional skills like teamwork and the sense of accomplishment that comes from building something together.

“Educational parties are a big part of what we do,” says Esposito, adding that their art and science parties are based upon classes they run at their facility.  “Each party is actually written just like our curriculum lesson plans, with objectives, transitions and suggestions for extensions and adaptations written into the script. Our science parties begin with teachers gauging the knowledge of the attendees. We find out what the kids themselves already know and a lot of times the children end up teaching each other things before we even start the project.”

Trend #3 • Party on a Budget
At home parties are usually more budget-friendly, but get mixed reviews among parents.  Some simply prefer to avoid the added work that comes with a do-it-yourself party, while for others a large guest list may be holding them back.

 “So many friends and relatives have multiple children that you have to invite alongside the child of the same age as the birthday child,” says Nikki Crowley, a mother of three from Huntington.  “I think that a lot of people spend so much money to go out because they don’t want or can’t have 50 people in their house.”

Of course parties outside of your home can be more costly. To help you adhere to a budget for an out-of-home party, Lisa Kothari, author of Dear Peppers and Pollywogs…What Parents Want To Know About Planning Their Kids’ Parties (Peppers and Pollywogs Press, $9.95) recommends holding it on a weekday.   “It reduces the amount of kids you’ll invite or the amount who will attend (due to other activities) and you can usually get good deals on a non-weekend day.”

Bell recommends holding parties where your child already takes classes. “Usually you can get a decent discount on the party if you’re enrolled as a member, so it helps with the cost.” 

On the flip side, some parents enjoy the flexibility that comes with having a home party.  “There’s no time constraint and it often allows for a more intimate environment than a facility,” says Superville. 

Choosing an at-home party can also help you stick to a smaller budget as you have more control over food options and entertainment.  To save on entertainment costs, Kothari suggests hiring a popular babysitter or teenager to run the activities rather than bringing in a professional.  “There are so many unique themes that can be done at-home, on a budget,” says Kothari. (Check out her website www.peppersandpollywogs.com for her Big List of Birthday Party Ideas).

Whether you’re interested in one of the latest trends mentioned here, or you prefer to follow a more traditional route, the most important consideration is to ensure that your child has a say in the party’s theme and its activities - as long as their desires fall within your budget.   Since too many options can be overwhelming for some children, it can be helpful to begin your party planning by considering your child’s interests, and to then explore facilities, themes and costs on your own before offering up just a few viable options.  I’ve learned to trust this method when the birthday issue comes up with my incredibly indecisive daughter.  She’s been expressing an interest in taking gymnastics, so I knew that a gymnastic-themed party would be high on her list. However, she’s also a big fan of uniquely-themed at-home parties.  I looked into activities and pricing at the gymnastics facility where my son is currently enrolled — where I knew I’d be offered a member discount — and then also explored a couple of at-home party themes.  I presented her with a few options and the gymnastics party came out as the winner.
Maureen Heaney has two big birthday bashes to plan this spring. 

Kid-Friendly Party Providers
Below are a few party ideas for you.  There are many more to consider in the following pages as well.
Arkidtects: 631-623-6874; www.arkidtects.com; Info@arkidtects.com
Bricks 4 Kidz: 631-239-8720; www.bricks4kidz.com; lgallo@bricks4kidz.com
Kids Edible Creations: 631-979-0431; maimpost@verizon.net
Long Island Children’s Museum: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City; 516-224-5871; www.licm.org
Mad Science: 516-620-6768; www.madscience.org; Info@MadScienceLi.org
Not Just Art: 183 South St., Oyster Bay; 516-922-8300; www.notjustart.com; create@notjustart.com

Maureen Heaney has designated her 6-year-old daughter as “energy monitor” of their East Northport home.