When to choose to do a birthday party at home versus at a venue

Planning your child’s birthday party can seem overwhelming as there are so many things to consider. Deciding whether to do the party at home or at a party venue and choosing between which venues can leave some parents feeling defeated.

Some people throw parties at home because it seems like the most economical choice, however, this is not always the case. Also, they may not realize that a venue can alleviate so many considerations and responsibilities than when doing it in your home.

When selecting a party location, primary things you should consider are: Safety for both your child and your guests, comfort for your group and of course the opportunity for fun! Let’s highlight the advantages of both home parties and kids party venues:

Choosing between home or venue to host your child’s birthday party?

Many parents choose and enjoy hosting their child’s birthday party in their own home and this is a great option for certain birthday years. There are other birthday years where it can be more enjoyable for both the birthday child and parents to choose an outside venue. A mix of the two is important to keep in mind.

It’s important to not have the misconception that having a party in your home is easier to organize and more comfortable for your guests, because this is not always true.

Pros for home party:

  • If the party gets too overwhelming for your child, they can go to their room or a familiar quiet spot to recalibrate.
  • You do not have to drive anywhere to get to the party.
  • You can host your guests as long as you like and there are no limits on how long they can stay.
  • No need to transport decorations and you can set up your theme decorations however and whenever you choose, day of…or days earlier if you enjoy having everything displayed.
  • You can cook and serve whatever food/drink items you like, including alcohol, with no particular food rules or schedule.

Cons for a home party:

  • There is a lot of cleaning before and after the party, which is time consuming if you do it yourself and expensive if you are able to hire someone to do it.
  • You have to come up with a plan/schedule for the party and some sort of activity to keep the kids entertained.
  • You will most likely need to decorate your space, from scratch, to make a festive birthday party appeal and will not be able to ‘surprise’ your birthday child with the theme since you will need to work ahead of the party to make it ‘just right’.
  • You have to be comfortable with a lot of people, particularly kids, in your home potentially breaking things.
  • You will need to manage your guests to be on their best behavior, unless you are able to hire event staff to assist you.
  • Guests can stay AS LONG as they like…and maybe sometimes longer than you would like.
  • You might get exhausted hosting your child’s birthday party at home, be careful.
  • The costs can add up when you consider everything that goes into it, especially if your guests expect to be served alcohol.

‘If the cons are too much, consider choosing a birthday party venue’

I​t’s important to consider costs and comfort when deciding between different party venues, but there are other things to keep in mind as well. Here are some things to consider:​

  • Venue and party size
  • The event venue that you choose should have ample space for your group. Ideally, the venue will have private room options to allow your group to celebrate together without strangers during both their activity and dining time. If your party child wants to have an active, fun birthday party, then they will need lots of space to ‘spread their wings’.

  • Decorations and themes
  • Choose a venue that makes your life easier by offering a venue theme that is attractive to your birthday child. Doing so will reduce your need to come up with a theme from scratch and even get you off the hook from doing any decorating if you choose. If you have a theme in mind make sure the venue allows you to bring in your own decorations. If you don’t have a theme in mind, be sure to ask if the venue provides any decorating options that you can purchase, such as balloons.

  • The party package and privacy
  • Usually, the party package is restricted to a certain number of guests, be sure to inquire about the costs of inviting additional guests and make sure the venue is large enough to comfortably accommodate your group size. Be sure to ask if your play area is private or if you will be sharing it with other parties or patrons. Ideally, you will be able to choose a venue that keeps all aspects of your party private.

  • Food
  • Be sure to find out in advance if your chosen venue provides food or whether you will need to supply it yourself. The benefit of having the venue do it, is that you don’t need to prep, prepare, clean, or transport the food. Sometimes parents like to do a combination, for example, bring their own veggies and birthday cake but have the venue provide pizza. Again, it is important to ask what your options are.

  • Staff
  • If you’re doing the party at home you are most likely doing a lot of the ‘work’ yourself or hiring someone to do it. If you do it at a venue be sure to inquire if there will be a dedicated staff member helping you.

Decision time:

Whatever you decide, make sure your child is excited about it. A birthday party is a special occasion and marks an important transition in your child’s life. We at Scooter’s Jungle believe it may be helpful to visit the venue ahead of time to see it and get a feel before you invite guests. Not all venues offer 100% private parties. Many venues do not offer any private options or only offer the dining portion as private. Learn more about which venues offer 100% private birthday parties that are kid friendly and alcohol free, such as Scooter’s Jungle.

If you do the party at home make sure any activities or entertainment you have are age appropriate and something your child will enjoy. When choosing from countless places to have a kid’s party, consider the options available and don’t restrict yourself to home only.

Spooktacular Happenings In The Jungle | Halloween 2019 Events

Join us for a Spooktacular Halloween party where costumes are encouraged!

Scooter’s Jungle has created the spookiest night at the jungle where costumes meet bounce house! Our locations in Valencia, Placentia and South Bay will be hosting a family fun Halloween event and appropriate for all ages. See below for location specific details.

Bring your socks and family friendly costumes. These Halloween Events may sell out, so get your tickets Today!

Valencia
Monday, October 28 | 5:00 pm to 8:00pm
Call today to purchase tickets | 661-877-4400

Valencia’s 3 Hour Halloween Trick or Treat Open Play will have vendors and candy trick or treating. Face Painters, Cupcake Vendors, Balloon Artists and more. This is one of the biggest events at Scooter’s Jungle- you don’t want to miss it. These Halloween Events may sell out, so get your tickets Today! Take Advantage of The Early Bird Presale Price of $15 each child or $20 at the door, includes 1 adult, extra adults=$3/each. Additional siblings under the age of 1 are FREE when accompanied with a paid child entry. Limited space available. No outside food, gifts, or party items – please.

Pizza is available at $3/slice or 2 for $5.

Placentia
Wednesday, October 30 | 5:30 pm to 8:00pm
Call today to purchase tickets | 714-223-5730

Placentia’s Spooktacular Party will have Tricks, Treats, and TONS of Family Fun! Halloween Costume Prizes! This is one of the biggest events at Scooter’s Jungle- you don’t want to miss it. These Halloween Events may sell out, so get your tickets Today! Take Advantage of The Early Bird Presale Price of $8 each child (deadline 10/29) or $10 at the door, includes 1 adult, extra adults=$5/each. Additional siblings under the age of 1 are FREE when accompanied with a paid child entry. Limited space available. THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT. AT THE DOOR TICKETS WILL BE LIMITED. PRE-SALE TICKETS ARE THE ONLY WAY TO GUARANTEE ENTRY.

Pizza is available at $2/slice, $16.55/Whole

***Memberships not included in special events however will include discount at the door.***

South Bay
Wednesday, October 30 | 5:00 pm to 8:00pm
Call today to purchase tickets | 310-848-1380

El Segundo’s 2nd Annual Halloween Party will have Tricks, Treats, and TONS of Family Fun! Halloween Costume Prizes! This is one of the biggest events at Scooter’s Jungle- you don’t want to miss it. These Halloween Events may sell out, so get your tickets Today! Take Advantage of The Early Bird Presale Price of $20 each child (deadline 10/29) or $25 at the door, includes 1 adult, extra adults=$5/each. Additional siblings under the age of 1 are FREE when accompanied with a paid child entry. Limited space available. THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT. AT THE DOOR TICKETS WILL BE LIMITED. PRE-SALE TICKETS ARE THE ONLY WAY TO GUARANTEE ENTRY.

Pizza is available at $2.50/slice, $15.99/Whole

Why Scooter’s Jungle is The Best Indoor Playground

If Scooter’s Jungle isn’t already your favorite place to go to party it up in Southern California, we’d like to take the time to tell you why it should be.

In addition to being the number one indoor playground in the Southland, it’s also tops with the kids, meaning that, if you asked them who’s the best, the answer would be pretty clear: it’s Scooter’s Jungle all the way – and parents love us too! Here’s why:

1. More time in the playground!
Most other indoor playgrounds only give you two hours for your private party. That time includes arriving and orientation. Before you know it, it’s time to go! We allow a full two-and-a-half hours for Village and Ultimate private parties, leaving ample time to get settled and plenty of time to play. We start your party out right with a Meet and Greet time for your whole group to welcome in the birthday child. We’re like one big family!

2. Events are always private!
At Scooter’s Jungle, your private party time is just for you – meaning you don’t have to share the jungle with any other parties at all! Other places may promise private parties, but often there will be several parties going on at once, meaning it’s that much harder to keep an eye on your kids.

3. Largest inflatable structures anywhere!
Sure, the competition promises big, but we deliver! Our inflatables are custom-made, just for us and all of them are permanent attractions built for both adults and kids to enjoy. We are home to the largest inflatable slides anywhere, so don’t be disappointed by pretenders – come and see for yourself!

4. Pick your arena and stay there through the whole party!
Many other indoor playgrounds require their groups to rotate through different arenas during the party, but when you book a specific playground at Scooter’s Jungle, it’s yours for the duration. Our arenas are so huge and our amazing staff members are highly trained to keep the party going with active games throughout your private arena event time!

5. Fresh food, always made in-house
We only serve fresh food that’s been made right here in our kitchens. Our pizzas are made fresh and hot in our own pizza ovens, and other items on the menu are fresh, nutritious, and always delicious! (note: excludes our Placentia location whom is fully certified to handle all food items brought in from our vendor.)

6. You can bring in your own food
Parents of kids with food allergies know how hard it is to protect them at the best of times. Kid’s parties at a public place are even more challenging! We encourage you to bring your own snacks, especially fruits and veggies, so you can relax and let your kids be kids. Some restrictions apply, but talk to us in advance, and we will be happy to accommodate!

7. Best pricing guaranteed!
We offer a range of event pricing tiers to suit every need. Our packages include everything you need to have an awesome time, but we also have plenty of add-ons to take your party over-the-top. You won’t find a better deal anywhere, and we know this to be true. For a quality time that your kids will always remember, Scooter’s Jungle is the winner!

Book your party today or call us to learn more about what we do and how we do it.

3 New Year’s Resolutions for family

All in the family
How Your Family Can Spend More Time Together in the New Year

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to spend more time together as a family, you’re in the right place. With everyone’s hectic schedules, carving out some family time isn’t always that easy. Coming up with a special activity or a day trip helps everyone get on the same page. After all, your kids won’t be young forever. You don’t want to look back and wish that you’d spent more time together. Use these resolutions for families to start the New Year off on the right foot.

1. Cut Out Technology – At Least One Day a Week

Everyone is guilty of staring at their smartphone these days, kids included. Even if your child doesn’t have a cell phone, chances are they love to play video games, watch cartoons, or play a fun game while they borrow your phone. All this screen time can take the fun out of spending time together as a family. Make it a habit of putting down those screens at least one day a week. You can plan a weekend adventure as a family or spend some time playing outside. As much as your kids might groan over their lack of screen time, they could use the break!

2. Help Save the Environment

Kids are never too young to start learning about the environment. In the New Year, help your kids appreciate nature by taking them to a local park, planting some trees in your backyard, or spending a night under the stars. If you live near a beach or wildlife reserve, cleaning up trash can become a game, and it’s something anyone can do. The more time a child spends in nature, the more they’ll appreciate the environment later in life. Plus, a little peace and quiet will do everyone some good.

3. Play More as a Family

Parents, you could use a little more playtime in your lives. Instead of just watching the kids do their thing on the playground, it’s time to jump in the game and have some fun! Spend some quality time together as a family and plan a trip to an indoor playground like one of our five Scooter’s Jungle locations across Southern California. Our massive indoor areas are filled with equipment designed for kids and their parents. Whether it’s a heated game of tag, hide and seek, or just rolling down the slides, enjoy a fun-filled day out with your kids that they won’t soon forget.

Plan a trip to Scooter’s Jungle and experience the joys of playing together as a family! Click on a location to learn more: our Calendar lists open play events that are open to the public, or you can make a reservation for birthdays, team get-togethers, scout parties, and more!

El Segundo

Placentia

Simi Valley

Valencia