Plan an inexpensive birthday party in Minnesota.
A group of parents in St. Paul, Minn., created an organization called Birthdays Without Pressure. It addresses the problem that parents feel pressured to spend loads of money on birthday parties--buying expensive gifts, picking impressive venues and inviting masses of guests. Birthdays Without Pressure says that you can hold a birthday party at home, playing traditional games and serving homemade food, that your child will love. There also are venues in Minnesota that are budget-friendly for child and adult birthday parties. Does this Spark an idea?
St. Cloud Garden Party
St. Cloud has two gardens next to one another, both free to the public: Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens. Host a birthday party in either when the gardens are open from spring until the fall, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Use the picnic rest areas as a base from which to serve birthday cake and snacks. Give each child a disposable camera to take pictures of the fountain and the formal, white rose and treillage gardens to take home as party favors. There is a path along the Mississippi River outside the gardens where kids can run and play games. For an adult party, take advantage of the free concerts, garden tours and flower shows.
Munsinger and Clemens Gardens
Kilian Blvd. S.E.
St. Cloud, MN 56304
320-255-7216
munsingerclemens.com
St. Paul Zoo Party
Plan a birthday party for a child or adult at St. Paul's Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Open year-round, admission is free with a suggested donation of $1 per child and $2 per adult, as of 2010. Partygoers will see penguins, polar bears, flamingos, tigers, sea lions, sloths and other animals. There are also garden exhibits, including a butterfly house, bonsai exhibit and sunken garden. For an added expense, guests can ride the carousel, play mini golf or go to the amusement park. You can purchase food at the concession stands or bring your own and picnic at tables or on grassy areas.
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
1225 Eastbrook Drive
St. Paul, MN 55103
651-487-8200
comozooconservatory.org
Minneapolis Sculpture Party
The Minneapolis Sculpture Park is open year round and admission is free. Visit the park ahead of time and plan a scavenger hunt during which adult guests or chaperoned kids can find each sculpture based on clues you have prepared. After the hunt, have a picnic on the grounds. You also can arrange a free tour between May and August.
Minneapolis Sculpture Park
1750 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-375-7609
garden.walkerart.org
Coon Rapids Sports Party
Although admission and participation are not free, the Grand Slam Sports Center in Coon Rapids offers reasonably priced birthday packages. Booking a party for at least five children includes a round of mini golf, a krazy kar ride, four arcade tokens to play video games and pizza and pop for $8.95 per person (as of 2010). There are more expensive packages that range from $12.95 to $15.95 per person that include laser tag and unlimited access to the inflatable play zone. On the invitation ask kids to bring spending money so they can play extra video games. You can bring a birthday cake and your child can open presents at Grand Slam Sports.
Grand Slam Sports
2941 Coon Rapids Blvd. N.W.
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763-427-1959
grandslamcoonrapids.com
Tags: birthday party, Coon Rapids, child adult, Grand Slam, Grand Slam Sports, Minneapolis Sculpture