Calgary Journal Online

Finding something a little different for kids birthday parties

If you have a child who loves the popular children’s show Dora the Explorer you might have had the experience of hosting or attending one too many Dora-themed birthday parties. With this in mind, why not try something a little different for your child’s next birthday party?

Nothing against Dora and the gang but sometimes you need a little variety.

Calgary Reptile Parties

Birthday boy Austin Dewynter, takes in Elvira the boa constrictor at his Calgary Reptile birthday party.

Photo: Allison Chorney/Calgary Journal

Clevett, a self-proclaimed “snake-a-holic,” runs a home party business in which he brings the animals to you. Party guests get a chance to learn about all the animals and touch most of them. Clevett is the president of the Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society and his knowledge on the animals is extensive.

Clevett said the parties aren’t just for the kids and are “something the adults enjoy as well.”

Just ask Jodi Dewynter, who held a Calgary Reptile Party for her son Austin Dewynter’s 11-birthday party.

“That was fantastic,” Jodi said after the party and went on to discuss how she really wanted to get a pet reptile but couldn’t convince her husband Craig Dewynter.

Birthday boy Austin seemed a little nervous about the animals at first and jumped off the floor and onto the couch with his mom when the tarantula came out. But in the end he warmed to the animals and said he “loved it” and “learned a lot.”

Packages for 10 children range from $135 for the basic, to $165 for the VIP package.  Visit calgaryreptileparties.com for more information.

Annabell’s Attic

If the idea of reptiles in your own home makes you nervous, check out Annabell’s Attic, a family-run business with a great story.

Owner Margaret Hubarewich said when she tired of her corporate job, she found inspiration in her childhood memories to find a new career.

Hubarewich used to play dress-up in her grandmother Annabell’s attic, where an old trunk filled with her clothes was kept. When Hubarewich became a mom, her daughter, and Annabell’s Attic co-owner, Jessica Fearey, played there too.

“We purposely chose Annabell [for the name] because of what she represented to us,” Hubarewich said.

The fantasy dress-up parties are for both boys and girls and include many themes such as knights, pirates, princesses and karaoke divas. Stuffing parties are also available and allow party guests to make their own stuffed animal.

Party packages can include table settings, costumes, party favours and invitations or, for the do it yourself types, rental packages are available. Prices range from $150 for a one-hour character visit, to $390 for an eight-child, all-inclusive party. Annabell’s Attic is a Calgary’s Child Parent’s Choice Award winner for Children’s Entertainment. For more information, visit annabellsattic.com.

The Spaceport

Sometimes house parties can be a lot of work for the parents, so for something where everything is taken care of for you, try the Spaceport, located in the Calgary International Airport.

Starting at $14.95 per child, a Spaceport party includes invitations, access to a private party room, goody bags, one ride of their choice for each child, hotdogs, and a cake from Dairy Queen.

Manager Cera Braun said, “You can pay a flat rate based on [the number of] kids and then it’s all taken care of.”

For an extra $5 per child, party goers can partake in a stage show such as “Living in Space,” where they learn what it’s like to live and eat in space or; “Rocket Building,” where the kids get to build and launch a paper rocket.

Remember to budget for parking fees at the airport with this venue and try to take as few cars as you can to cut down on this cost. Visit calgaryspaceport.com for more information.

Kids Martial Arts Party

For something more active, try a Kids Martial Arts Party, a two-hour jiu-jitsu party where the only thing you need to bring is the cake and the kids.

Sempai Sean Grimes, who leads the parties, said the martial arts party gives kids the chance to learn the fundamentals of respect, focus, discipline and some basic stances and strikes. They then get to show off their newly acquired skills and have some fun as they hit the bag. No martial arts experience is required.

Pictures of each child with a samurai sword are taken and then emailed to the child’s parents. Also included in the package is pizza, pop, plates and cutlery. The birthday boy or girl is presented with a white belt that they get to keep and gets to cut the cake with a samurai sword.

At a cost of $197.50 for 15 kids, Grimes says this fairly new party is gaining in popularity. Grimes adds they’ve being doing parties for about a year and a half and are constantly getting calls for bookings.

Jiu-jitsu Calgary is located at 103 - 950 Queensland Dr S.E. and the parties are recommended for children aged three to 12. For more information, visit www.jiu-jitsu-calgary.com.