Ideas for coming TO 7r year old birthday? - Reptiles, Magicians, Clowns? (Austin: rent)

[curious1111]

Would love to hear from anyone that has had success with "entertainers" of various sorts coming to a backyard birthday. In this case for a 7 yr old boy. I see lots of options through online search, etc. but I would love to hear from anyone with direct experience or first hand knowledge through word of mouth. There will be approximately 20 or so kids and lots of room. thanks!

[CarnivalGal]

One of the coolest parties we've been to was a Mad Science party. They come to your house and bring all of the science supplies.

Also Advancing Robots does Lego / Build Your Own Robot parties. I've never been to one, but they also do a camp here in Steiner that everyone I know who has gone has raved about. It is also the first camp to sell out every time.

[achtungpv]

If you want to keep it simple and not necessarily impress other parents just rent a huge bounce house/slide combo for like $150. If it's summer, rent the water slide version. Our last bday party had all the other carnival games but the kids couldn't care less because of the looming gigantic bounce house. It's crack for kids.

[curious1111]

Originally Posted by achtungpv

If you want to keep it simple and not necessarily impress other parents just rent a huge bounce house/slide combo for like $150. If it's summer, rent the water slide version. Our last bday party had all the other carnival games but the kids couldn't care less because of the looming gigantic bounce house. It's crack for kids.

I am certainly not interested in impressing parents, just kids!

We have done many bounce houses previously. We are looking for something a bit different this time.

[G Grasshopper]

I'm sure I am old fashioned, but when my son was that age, the rule of thumb was that the number of kids at a birthday party should be one more than how old the child is - in your case, 8 kids. 20 kids can't really play together - sounds like it would be pretty chaotic. Is that what kids have grown to expect? If you are looking at giving your son a memorable and fun day, I would think about a really special activity for a smaller group.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by curious1111

I am certainly not interested in impressing parents, just kids!

We have done many bounce houses previously. We are looking for something a bit different this time.

the water slide blowup castle is pretty cool. It doesnt bounce, but it is a giant water slide

Our neighborhood recently had a petting zoo which was pretty fun

[Bevogirl]

We hired John Maverick one year and he was terrific. He set up in the living room and the kids gathered around and watched the show.

John Maverick Magic, LLC - Austin, TX

[curious1111]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

I'm sure I am old fashioned, but when my son was that age, the rule of thumb was that the number of kids at a birthday party should be one more than how old the child is - in your case, 8 kids. 20 kids can't really play together - sounds like it would be pretty chaotic. Is that what kids have grown to expect? If you are looking at giving your son a memorable and fun day, I would think about a really special activity for a smaller group.

You really are kidding, right? You arent really taking my post about fun ideas for a kid birthday party and auditing our parenting style, are you?

In total, this is our 12th birthday party thrown for one of our kids. Some have been small and intimate, some large, some medium, all are well intended and lots fun.

Give me a break... yes 20 kids can play together. They do it every day on the playground at recess. We dont like to be exclusive when we invite kids to birthday parties. We have done smaller, family only or neighborhood only. But if we invite one classmate, they all get invites. At 7, our son doesnt "expect" anything...

[curious1111]

Originally Posted by Bevogirl

We hired John Maverick one year and he was terrific. He set up in the living room and the kids gathered around and watched the show.

John Maverick Magic, LLC - Austin, TX

That looks like lots of fun - thank you!