PARTY! CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS GROW MORE ELABORATE

Birthday celebrations have changed!

Two or three generations ago, children were treated to cake after dinner and perhaps a present from immediate family members.

Moving into the 1950s and 1960s, "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" and "Musical Chairs" were the highlights of parties celebrated at home with a handful of friends.

Now, it's not uncommon for parents to orchestrate elaborate celebrations for their children a visit to "Just Kids World," or "Fun Factory," complete with children's pizza buffet and ice cream, a couple of hours playtime with such games as "laser tag," krazy kars, and interactive video games.

Others plan visits to movie theaters, museums, roller or ice-skating rinks, and other places designed for children's activities and fun.

Other party sites include outdoor activities a few hours at city park shelters, with access to old railroad engines and "tot lot," or a couple of hours at the Capaha Park Lagoon, with cane poles and other fishing equipment.

With the warm weather of summer, some parents may plan a "beach day," with a bucket and shovel, stuffed with beach towel, sunscreen sunglasses, and a certificate to the local ice cream parlor.

Reservations may not be necessary for use of shelters and facilities in city parks, but the city's parks and recreation department will make reservations for small blocks of time.

Working with ceramics attracts the attention of some youngsters, and a couple of ceramic businesses in Cape Girardeau Ceramics Unlimited and Creative Ewe will block out time to host parties during the day.

History

Birthday parties have been around a long time.

The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe. It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect the birthday person from harm, family and friends made arrangements to be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes.

Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to ward off the evil spirits.

At first this practice was for only kings and other people of royalty, who were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration.

As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations. The first children's birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called "Kinderfeste."

Over the years, a number of birthday traditions have emerged. Some of these traditions are similar in many parts of the world Birthday candles which carry wishes up to God, birthday games which gauge how much more a child can do versus last year, and birthday pinches, or loving licks that insure good luck for the coming year.

In the United States, youngsters often receive "loving licks" from parents, one for each year they have been alive and "one to grow on."

In Argentina, South America, the birthday child receives a pull on the earlobe, for each year.

In Israel, the birthday child sits in a chair, while grown-ups raise and lower the chair the number of times corresponding to the child's age, "plus one for good luck."

In Denmark, a flag is flown outside the window to designate someone in the house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child's bed while sleeping, so they will see them when they wake.

Today

Some family traditions have resulted in many of today's birthday activities. Like a family letting the birthday child be "Dictator-For-A-Day." The child and their friends get chauffeured anywhere they want locally for the day, and the family does whatever activity the birth person wants. This has resulted in visits to such places as fun and entertainment centers, movies, parks and other activities.

"We offer magicians and storytellers for children's parties," said Mike Frederick, a manager of Just Kids World, 2136 William in Town Plaza Shopping Center. Just Kids World is one of two giant family entertainment centers in Cape Girardeau.

The most recent center offering kiddie rides, mini-golf, games and indoor playground activities is Fun Factory, 301 S. Broadview which opened late last year.

Both facilities receive heavy use, and offer special party options.

Just Kids World, under new ownership, offers birthday party plans for groups of six or more, with options ranging from pizzas, soft drinks, two hours of playtime and balloons. Other options available include the "Confetti Cannon," ice cream sundaes, loot bags and birthday pictures.

Fun Factory parties included options ranging from a game of mini golf and game laser tag, to birthday cake and ice cream, and pizza, to goody bags, and private party rooms, said Steven Walker, manager for the center.

Birthday party tips

* For 1- and 2-year-olds, keep the party short with cupcakes for each child and choruses of a few well-loved songs. Let's face it, for children at this stage, the party is more for the parents than the children.

* Preschoolers love easy games, grab bags, simple treasure hunts and moving to music. Themes are very popular, and the guests love to come in costume.

* Children 5 to 7 year old can handle slightly more complicated games, relay races and team efforts. They still enjoy themes based on popular movies, books and their imagination.

* Children 7 to 10 years old are slightly more sophisticated. They may ask for slumber parties with two or three friends, more elaborate treasure hunts or parties that revolve around a specific activity like skating or baseball. As kids get older, they are often relieved to be able to celebrate their birthdays with a special event shared with just a few good friends.

* Part of the secret of a well-organized party is a well-organized party area. For presents, decorate a box or basket or set up a card table near the entry door. Have the guests put gifts there as they arrive. Later, when it's time to open the gifts, take them out of the box and place them in front of birthday child.

* Keep the party short; the younger the child, the shorter the party.

* Consider a small, inexpensive gift as a party favor for each child instead of the traditional goody bags of candy.

* Let the guests make name tags as they arrive. This will help keep track of who's who, and it is a great way for children to meet new friends.

PLANNING THE PARTY

Planning that special party can be easy.

Make sure to start panning three to four weeks ahead of time. This way, you stand a good chance of getting the day and hour you want. You have to remember that Saturdays and Sundays are busy days because they are days that almost everybody wants for their party.

Most birthday parties at facilities like Kids World and Fun Factory are deisgned to last about two hours.

The majority of parties follow a simple sequence that works very well.