Video Arcade Party

Transform any venue into a Video Game Party

Recently, we at Celebrity Party Planner transformed an entire restaurant into a Arcade Game Room, for a Video Arcade Party Theme for a birthday party for a 10 year old boy. We helped the family find the perfect party venue in the San Fernando Valley and gave him the video game birthday party he had dreamed of.

We know all the birthday party places in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley and can help you find the ideal venue for any occasion. And, if the venue is lacking all the elements you want for your party (for example, it has all the space and your favorite food, but not enough video games), we can arrange for all the other details to put together the party experience you want.

If you are interested in creating a video arcade party theme or need help finding the perfect party venue for a kids birthday party, give us a call at 818-980-0032 in the San Fernando Valley, 310-282-0818 in Los Angeles, and 714-671-1230 in Orange County, or contact us online at www.celebritypartyplanner.com.

Plan your 4th of July Celebration with www.celebritypartyplanner.com

The 4th of July, which falls on a Monday in 2011, is all about celebrating America’s independence, spending time with family and friends and enjoying good food and the outdoors. Celebrity Party Planner can help you create a memorable, fun and patriotic 4th of July celebration. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Red, White & Blue – Decorate with American flags, red, white & blue balloons, streamers, table cloths, napkins, cups, etc. We can help you decorate with American flags of all sizes and get flags for all your guests to wave.
• All-American food – Grill up some burgers & dogs and corn-on-the-cob. Serve baked beans, macaroni salad, potato salad, and more. Fresh summer blueberries and raspberries with whipped cream for dessert look patriotic and taste great!
• Get it catered – Celebrity Party Planner can help you arrange a outdoor catering of just about any cuisine you can think of.
• Bring on the fun – Especially if you’ll have kids at your celebration, bring in the whimsy and fun entertainment. Bounce houses, popcorn machines, face painting, Uncle Sam on stilts, bubble machines, inflatable water slides to keep cool…..the possibilities are endless!
• Keep it cool – Have plenty of cool drinks and find some shade. Or make shade by renting some simple tents, umbrellas or overhangs.
• Lighting – Create some dramatic lighting to keep the party going at night.
• Fun & Games – have a game of soft-ball or baseball, soccer, Frisbee, volleyball, badminton, croquet, or even fly some kites

Celebrity Party Planner can help you plan the perfect 4th of July party.  Everything from balloons-decorations and lighting, to party inflatables & bubble machines.  We also rent tables, chairs, and tents to block out the heat.  Why not enjoy the festivities this year, and let Celebrity Party Planner take care of the catering, the entertainment and more… we’ll help you turn your Memorial Day “family time together,” into the best party of the summer!  For more scheduling information contact one of our “party specialists” at celebritypartyplanner.com

Fancy Nancy Birthday Party Ideas

Celebrity Party Planner can help you book this "Fancy" entertainer for your party!

Does your birthday girl want a “posh soiree” (that’s fancy for fancy party) for her birthday party? Does it seem like she owns every Fancy Nancy book there is? Then here are some ideas for the swankiest shin dig around!

Fancy Nancy Birthday Invitations:

Oh-la-la! Invite everyone to don their fanciest ensembles and dress up for this extravagant fete. Greet guests with an enthusiastic “Bonjour!” and say “Enchente” to everyone you meet for the first time.

Fancy Nancy Birthday Decor

For a Fancy Nancy bash, there is no end to the amount of decorations you can put up. Make a large, ornate welcome sign saying “Bienvenue à la Partie” which is “Welcome to the Party” in French, the fanciest of all languages.

Have plenty of decorations in pink and fuchsia (a fancy word for purple, Nancy’s favorite color). Tie tulle to all chairs, wrap around poles, use as bunting in doorways, etc. Put out bouquets of pink and purple helium balloons and table cloths (Celebrity Party Planner can blow up the balloons for you). Drape bunches of mardi gras style beaded necklaces every where and pile on table surfaces. Kids can put them on as dress up during the party and collected as party favors as well.

Fancy Nancy Birthday Games and Activities

An important and fun activity is, of course, dress up! Anything is fancy with a pile of accessories – tiaras, boas, over the top hats, scarves, beaded and other costume jewelry, hair clips and bows, lip gloss, and more.

Guests can also make their own fancy necklaces and bracelets with shiny and blinged-out beads and string from the craft store.

Fabulous games can include “pin the bow on Frenchy the Poodle.” Find and print out a large picture of Fancy Nancy’s poodle Frenchy, get a glamorous bow to pin into her head.

Play “What’s The Fancy Word For…” You can have a list of not-so-fancy words and the guests can come up with as many fancy words as they can. The winner is the one who created the most words. For younger parties, you can reverse the game – have a list fancy words and the guests can guess the non-fancy word.

Celebrity Party Planner can help you hire a “Fancy” party entertainer character who can help glam up the guests with face painting and more.

Fancy Nancy Birthday Food

For the meal, serve “brunch” or “supper” instead of plain lunch or dinner. Even though kids don’t always like fancy food, you can fancy up even kid food. Make simple sandwiches and use heart and flower shaped cookie cutters to make them look exquisite (a fancy word for beautiful). Put a fancy cocktail toothpick in each because as Nancy says, sandwiches DO taste better with a frilly toothpick.

For dessert, serve “parfaits” (that’s a fancy word for ice cream sundaes) and/or cupcakes with PLENTY of sprinkles and candy on top – to make them fancy of course. You can even have the children do their own sprinkling as a fun (and messy!) activity.

Below are some links to Fancy Nancy printables, invitations, games and more.

Contact Happy Parties online to book a Fancy character in Studio City, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Valley Village, North Hollywood, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Chatsworth, Calabasas, Northridge, or anywhere in LA, get directions to our store, or call us at  818-980-0032 or 310-282-0818 or 714-671-1230 to help plan your most extravagant affair!

Fancy Nancy Printables

Fancy Nancy Party Kit including printable invitations

Fancy Nancy Printable Paper Dolls

Fancy Nancy Printable Stickers

Fancy Nancy Printable Coloring Pages

Kids Birthday Party Checklist

Planning a children’s birthday party can be a lot of work. There are a lot of things to do, book and hire and get ready, even for the simplest get together. Celebrity Party Planner can help make your job easier by doing most of the party planning work for you so all you have to do is show up and have fun. But here is a handy check list to help make you make sure you have set up and arranged everything you need to pull off a great birthday party for that important kid in your life. Here is the list and there is a link to a printable birthday party checklist at the end.

• Location (your house or backyard, a park, an indoor playground, a restaurant, bowling alley, mini-golf, amusement park, roller rink, ice skating rink, movie theater, baseball game, bakery, ice cream parlor, etc.)
• Invitations – be sure to include:
  • All the details of address, date, time (include an end time to give parents an expectation of how long the party will be)
  • RSVP info. Most people like having the option of phone AND email even if you’re doing an online invitation
  • Any special instructions or info
    • If at a park or other large public area, details as to where your party will be
    • Decide if they will say “No siblings please”
    • Gift registry or request for no gifts or donations
• Decorations
  • Kids Birthday Party Decoration Ideas: Balloons, Streamers, Confetti, Photographs of the birthday girl or birthday boy, Wall decorations, Table cloths
• Pick a theme
  • Kids Birthday Party Theme Ideas: Princess (Rapunzel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Snow White, Tiana, etc.), Super Hero (Spiderman, Batman, Transformers, Iron Man, etc.), Magic, Tea Party, Construction, Cars & Trucks (Disney’s Cars), Trains (Thomas the Tank Engine), Farm or zoo, Favorite TV Show or Movie (Dora the Explorer, Star Wars, Yo Gabba Gabba, Toy Story, Sponge Bob, Sesame Street, Bob the Builder, Harry Potter, Glee, etc.) Science party, 50’s party, 60’s hippy party, 70’s Disco party, 80’s party, Hawaiian luau
• Games and activities
  • Kids Birthday Party Games and Activities Ideas: Pinatas, Carnival games, Contests, Face painting, Balloon animals, Karaoke machine, Bubble machine, Arts & Crafts, Music, Pony rides, Petting zoo, Puppet show
• Bounce houses/jumpers/moonbounce
• Costumed character or entertainer
  • Princess, clown, magicians, puppet show, super hero, TV or movie character
• Party food for kids and adults
• Beverages for kids and adults
• Plates, napkins, cutlery, and cups in colors that match the decorations and/or theme
• Set up tables and chairs. Rent additional if needed
• Guest book
• Cake and/or cupcakes
• Gift bags and party favors

You can download and print out this kids birthday party checklist and get started on creating a well organized and super fun birthday party for that special kid!

Halloween Trick or Treat Safety Tips

Every child is eager to hit the pavement running to visit as many houses as possible in their quest to collect the most treats. Before you embark on your journey, be mindful that your little one might be unaware or too distracted to follow the necessary safety precautions. Be sure that a responsible adult is always present to regulate the situation and to ensure a safe and fun night.

Here are some important safety tips to remember as you make your neighborhood rounds:

Be Visible: Even if you plan to keep your little one in hand on Halloween night, reflector tape is a good idea if you’ll be out after dark. Decorating or trimming costumes with strips of tape could prevent tripping, and a flashlight will come in handy for negotiating long walkways or dimly lit doorways.

Remain on Well-lit Streets: And, do not assume motorists can see you. It is difficult to see little ones scurrying across the street… and just because one car stops, it doesn’t mean others will. Be sure to follow all traffic and pedestrian regulations. Only go to homes with a porch light on, and never enter a stranger’s home for a treat.

Go with a Group of Friends: It’s more fun and safer too! Have your kids go with a group, keep an eye on each other and have 2-3 parents as back-up. Depending on the size of the group, the old buddy-system works like a charm. Pair up Batman and the Joker, Snow White and Cinderella, Foofa and Brobee or mix it up.

Careful with the Candy: The CPSC recommends that parents scrutinize treats for evidence of tampering before letting children eat them. Carefully examine each wrapper to make sure there’s no sign of its having been opened. Accept homemade treats only from neighbors you know, and cut up fruit before serving it. Keep in mind, too, that many treats are not appropriate for babies or toddlers.

Host a Chaperoned Party: Keeping your kids and their friends indoors under supervision is a fun and safe way to enjoy the holiday. Have a costume party with Halloween games, sweet treats, spooky music and more. Celebrity Party Planner can help you make it the Halloween party of the year with scary Halloween characters such as Beetle Juice, Casper, Dracula, Frankenstein, Freddy Krueger, Witches, Vampires and more. Or keep it more lighthearted with action heroes, princesses or cartoon character/entertainers. Our entertainers and costumed characters can do face-painting, magic, storytelling, balloon animals and more.

Now that you know the essentials for Trick or Treating safety… make your child’s evening extra special with the perfect costume. Celebrity Party Planner in Studio City has exquisite Halloween costumes that are a step above the typical generic party store outfit. Whether your child wants to be Snow White, Tinkerbell or a Fairy Princess or an Astronaut, Fireman, or Pilot you are sure to find what you are looking for from our unique dress-up selection.

Contact us online to get directions to our store, or call Celebrity Party Planner at  818-980-0032 or 310-282-0818 or 714-671-1230.

Bring the Farm to your Barnyard Party, Harvest Festival, Halloween Celebration

What’s cuter than seeing young children surrounded by sweet baby animals… and propping your little one atop their first pony is bound to make a lasting impression. October and November call for harvest festivals, fall celebrations, Halloween parties, and more. Whether you are hosting a private barnyard birthday party in your backyard or planning a Harvest Festival at your school, Celebrity Party Planner in Studio City can deliver!

In addition to providing the “live” entertainment… Celebrity Party Planner can turn your  space into the picture-perfect setting complete with bushels of hay, pumpkin patches, tractors and even hale bale rides (space permitting of course).

Here are a couple of great activities for making your event memorable:

Potato Sack Racing:

1. Give each player a large burlap bag or pillow case
2. Mark a starting line and a finish line at least 20 feet apart – farther for older players.
3. Line players up at the starting line.
4. Have each player step inside a bag and hold on to the top of it.
5. Instruct the players that they must remain in the bags at all times and hop to the finish line while keeping their feet and legs in the bags.
6. Call out, “Get ready. Get set. Go!”
7. Watch the players hop along – some tripping and some falling.
8. Declare the first person across the finish line the winner!

Prizes can be Halloween candy, trick-or-treat buckets, farm animal stickers or stamps or plastic toys, a cowboy/cowgirl hat, stuffed horse, or anything else going along with the theme – even a giant pumpkin!

Decorating (and EATING) your own Caramel Apple: After an adult has prepared the caramel apples according to any number of delicious easy-to-find recipes… let the caramel cool to a safe temperature then give each child their own. Provide a variety of sticky topping options in which to dip and roll their apples. Some yummy variations include: mini chocolate chips, multicolored sprinkles, crushed-up graham crackers or oreo cookies, mini marshmallows, and, of course, chopped nuts (but ONLY if there are no nut allergies!). The squeals of delight are worth the gooey mess!

For more ideas on planning your Barnyard Party or Harvest Festival, contact our party experts at 818-980-0032 or 310-282-0818 or 714-671-1230 or contact us online .

Planning the Perfect Halloween Party for your Child

Celebrity Party Planner in the San Fernando Valley has everything you need to create the perfect ambiance for your event. From a grand Halloween carnival, to a small spooky party at home, Celebrity Party Planner is your one-stop shop for individual costumes and party accessories to carnival/game booths, magicians, inflatables (bounce houses, slides, etc.), carnival rides, petting zoos, pony rides, monster characters, balloon sculptures, face painting, dunk tanks, ball pits, inflatable rock climbers, popcorn machines, train rides,
and more!

Here are some great Ideas and tips for creating a memorable Halloween party at your home:

Face Painting : Face painting is a perfect activity for a Halloween-themed party that is always a hit! The Celebrity Party Planner toy store in Studio City has a great starter kit that is easy to use… and you don’t have to be Picasso! Most kids like current movie characters or the latest toy or cartoon icons. All of these can be your inspiration. It is a good idea to practice on one of your own kids or on a model before the party.

Bobbing for Apples: (1) Find a large, deep trash container or tub that at least two people can get their heads into at the same time. (2) Set the container on ground, or place tub on a table or cart strong enough to hold it when it is full of water. The top of the trash container or tub should be about waist-high to participants in the game. (3) Fill tub with water, leaving 4 to 6 inches of space at the top so that water doesn’t slosh out. (4) Float several apples in water. (5) Place some towels at base of the tub so that the floor won’t get wet, if playing inside. (6) Select first two or three players and have them put their hands behind their backs.
(7)  Say, “Go,” and have players try to grab an apple with their teeth, all at the same time.  The first to bring an apple up wins. (8) Provide towels for all players. Even losers will be wet.

Pin the Tail on the Black Cat : This is a great variation on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Place a cut-out of a life-sized black cat, without the tail, on the wall… have each child take turns putting on a blindfold as they attempt to pin the tail on the cat. The winner is the one who is closest to putting the tail on the black cat’s behind. Other variations include “pin the wart on the witch”, “pin the nose on the Jack-o’-lantern” and “pin the smile on the ghost.”

For more ideas on planning your perfect Halloween event, contact our Halloween experts at 818-980-0032 or  310-282-0818 or 714-671-1230 or contact us online .

Your Son Wants a SECRET AGENT or SPY party!

With so many popular movies and cartoons revolving around Spies and Secret Agents it’s no wonder your little boy wants to stealthily lurk about solving crimes. Happy Parties in Studio City has complete Spy Kits containing everything you need to host the perfect Spy or Secret Agent party. These unique kits provide hours of fun and certainly spark the imagination.

To make the party even more eventful – hire a Spy character from Happy Parties to lead the children on elaborate scavenger hunts and spy training exercises. You can even give the kids costumes complete with pretend moustaches and glasses to create the perfect disguise.

Give us a call at 818-980-0032 or 310-282-0818 or 714-671-1230 or contact us online to find out about our Spy or Secret Agent party gifts and characters.

Happy Parties plans parties and events all over the entire L.A. area – The Valley, Beverly Hills, the Westside, the Southbay, Glendale and Pasadena, Calabasas, Porter Ranch, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Culver City and more.

The Perfect Gift for a Tea Party Birthday

Most mommies with little girls have attended at least one Tea Party birthday. Happy Parties in Studio City has many wonderful tea party sets that would make perfect gifts for the birthday girl. We also sell adorable “girlie” costumes and other accessories that will send your daughter to these parties in style!

And if you are the lucky parent planning a Tea Party birthday, here are some helpful tips:

Age Appropriate Table Settings: if the children are very young, it is best to provide paper and plastic ware for the cups, saucers and plates. The older girls will enjoy a more grown-up table setting. Consider decorating the table with fancy name place cards (that are easy to find in most stationery stores.) Simple flower centerpieces, either real or imitation bouquets, add a special authenticity to the event.

Tea Party Menu and Treats: A traditional tea party menu is usually not so appealing for the little ones… you can adapt your snacks for your young guests buy using cookie cutters to shape mini sandwiches (flowers and hearts are always a hit). And serving warm hot chocolate (instead of tea) gives the impression of sipping hot tea.

Book a Tea Party with the birthday girl’s favorite character: We can help you create the perfect little girl tea party with 15-20 tea cups and saucers with tea pot. This party includes a professional costumed character of your choice, face painting, magic, ball dancing and imaginative games! A girl’s dream party.

For more ideas for Tea Party gifts, party planning, party rentals, party ideas, favors and supplies, Give us a call at 818-980-0032 or 310-282-0818 or 714-671-1230 or contact us online.

Butterfly Birthday Party Favor for a Girl’s Garden Party

For all the little girls out there crazy about butterflies… here is a perfect party favor for their next birthday party. These unique butterfly (and frog and toad) kaleidoscopes are just one of the many precious party favors found at Happy Parties in Studio City.

Examples of fun games to play at your butterfly party are:

Cocoon toilet paper wrap: Divide the group into teams of 3 or 4 (choose one girl to be the cocoon). Give them each a few rolls of inexpensive toilet paper, and instruct them to quickly wrap up the cocoon as fast as they can. The first team to use all their toilet paper wins!

Butterfly and Bug Scavenger Hunt: Give each girl a butterfly net, then give them a time limit of 5 minutes to find as many pretend butterflies and bugs (that you have previously scattered throughout the yard or park) to put into their nets. At the end of the time limit, the girl who has collected the most in her net WINS! You can either make your own butterflies and bugs out of construction paper, colorful pipe cleaners and googly stick-on eyes, or buy butterfly or bug toys such as the one pictured on the right available at Happy Parties. It’s a party game and party favor in one.

To create an entire garden-themed party, give us a call at 818-980-0032 or 310-282-0818 or 714-671-1230 or contact us online and we’ll get started on creating your special event.