*CHEAP* Place to Have Birthday Party for a 4 Year Old

I have a friend with 2 boys and they have both had parties at Home Depot in St. Louis and it is free. They will have a project like they do on weekend kids workshops and you can bring in food.

Have you ever been to Woody's? It's located in the Life Christian church just west of 270 off of Hwy 30/Gravois. I'm attaching a link.(http://www.lifechristian.net/default.asp?id=136) Click on Woody's and I believe they have info on there about booking an event.

I've had about 3 bday parties there and the kids absolutely love it. You have to put down a deposit, but when you show up, that gets put towards your food purchase. They have an indoor play area/jungle gym thing - it's small, so not as crazy as Chuck-E-cheese. It's a hidden gem. I just took my 2 girls there yesterday so they could burn off some energy due to this yucky weather. Kids love it. The food is decent (pizza, etc) and resonable. Good luck.

We just did my daughter's 3rd birthday at It's Party Time on Watson near Laclede. For $95 we had 10 kids to play on the indoor playground and the HUGE blow up dragon/slide and bounce house. It also included a separate/private party room, balloons, tablecloths, napkins, plates, utensils, cups, chips, and soda/lemonade (plus some extras like a crown, plates and napkins for adults, handprint on the wall, and free snow cones for a year).

We then just ordered pizza from Pizza World and brought cupcakes. The entire party cost us about $130. They were wonderful to work with and the kids LOVED it. Now they all want to have their birthday party there!

I highly recommend it!

whittle shortline railroad has cute and easy parties! last year we did my son's 3rd b'day there. i think it was about $150. the kids all had a blast playing with all their train tables and each party has a party "conductor" assigned to lead the party so it was nice for me too - no stress! we just showed up w/the balloons, cake and goody bags.

If you have a basement, you could setup a couple booths like at a church picnic...baby pool with some ducks and a fishing net; a toss across type game (boys love this); pinata; even legged type races boys love. Good luck. Oriental Trading is an awesome place to find cheap gadgets to use at parties.

Have you checked into free places? The Botanical gardens, Forest Park, the zoo... they would all be awesome! I don't know what the policies are, but it would most likely be okay to bring snacks/food/cake and games, especially at Forest Park. We went out not too long ago and had a blast!
Good luck!

Have you tried the Life Christian cener on Gravois (Hwy 30)near 270in Fenton. I know that you do not have to reserve anything, but they have games, pool, air hockey, bowling and of course the mini-chuck e cheese crawl arounds. They also have a snack bar and you can bring in your own cake.

I would check out your areas McDonalds. Anyone with a play area. Kids love it and it is really inexpensive. Better yet, everything is done for you. I had my oldest sons birthday party there when he was 4 and he had a great time!

I would highly recommend "It's Party Time!" I just had my 6 year old b-day party there and everyone had a blast! We have also been there for a 3, 4 and 5 year old's birthdays as well.
They are similar to Monkey Joe's but way more affordable.
It is owned by a Webster Groves Family. They are located at Edgar Rd. and Watson.
Hope this helps! It gets all their energy out of them too!

I am just like you...I have always had big parties for my boys and loved every minute of them but hate the cost. If you like swimming and feel comfortable with it, Vetta sports complex on Tesson Ferry does parties there at the indoor pool. They provide you with 2 lifeguards I believe and pool toys. They have a room upstairs overlooking the pool where you do cake and presents. You bring all the food. If I remember, to rent the pool with lifeguards was only around $60. Now that was a few years ago, as my boys are 12 now. We actually did that party twice! You can also do a party at the Christian Life Center on Gravois. Free except food I believe and they have soft play, games and a bowling alley. You will want to call to reserve seating. They do pizza and you bring cake.

D.,

I have 3 children, 10 years, 8 years, and 2 years. And, by far, THE BEST parties have been the ones at home. A great idea for a boy can be an obstacle course. Also, little boys are often into a theme such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Spiderman, etc. It is so easy to find things to fit those themes and incorporate games into the fun. Don't out-do yourself or feel like you have to compete with "The Jones'". Kids will remember having fun, not how much money you spent on the party. Enjoy!

Woody's Family Center is reasonable and clean. It is in the Life Christian Center just past 270 on Gravois heading towards Fenton. Their phone # is ###-###-####. It costs $30.00 to reserve a table and you get that back the day of the party. You can purchase different packages including bowling, food, drinks, etc. They don't allow outside food except for cake and ice cream. Or you can go relatively cheap and just reserve tables and have cake and ice cream and the kids can play on the structure, they do have video games that are .50 cents to $1.00 per game which include air hockey, pool, pop a shot, etc.

A.
St. Louis

I'm not sure exactly how much it costs, but try It's Party Time. My good friends own it. It's a really fun place. It's on Watson Rd in Webster (or Marlborough). I don't think it will be $400. Hope this helps.

Give me break! 4 years old? Why not have a small gathering at home with ice cream and cake. 4 year old friends will need to be accompanied by a parent and how many "friends" can a 4 year old have? Save the "big" parties for the years they can remember, because it is costly. Even if your house or apartment is small, just invite family members and/or a few playmates.
Good Luck!
vicki