Cakes, Cupcakes & Confections
Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are loaded with bakeries that sell specialty cakes and party desserts. Here are some of our faves that let you host the party right in the store!
Cupcake Crazy in Cincinnati
7458 Montgomery Road
513-984-1100
cupcakecrazyincincinnati.com
Choose from a smattering of themes and host your party right inside this cupcake spot. Kids learn decorating tips and decorate two cupcakes — one to eat, and one to take home.
Gigi’s Cupcakes
7940 Hosbrook Road, Kenwood
513-985-4440
gigiscupcakesusa.com/cincinnatioh
Cupcake decorating parties can accommodate up to 12 children. Each child creates a masterpiece out of a Gigi’s cupcake after learning about fondant and basic decorating. Call for pricing and details about add-ons, like crafts and goody bags.
Inspiring Kind Boutique Bakery
7757 Five Mile Road
513-321-1705
inspiringkind.com
Kids can experience a hands-on baking party, or younger kids can decorate a cake or a cookie. Parties for at least six children include all supplies, including goody bags, as well as activities and games, a snack and of course, cupcakes or a themed cake. Call well in advance of your planned party date.
Tres Belle Cakes and Coffee Shop
400 W. Benson St.
513-260-9883
tresbellecakes.com
Parties for up to 10 kids start at $200 ($15 for each additional person). Kids get four cupcakes to decorate with a variety of candies, sprinkles and more. Add-ons like a hot chocolate bar, a yogurt parfait bar or a keepsake canvas child’s apron are available for an additional fee.
Party in the Great Outdoors!
Head to the park for a great sunny-day party!
Great Parks of Hamilton County (greatparks.org) offers a variety of park settings for your party. Picnic shelters with amenities like ball fields, playgrounds and volleyball posts and nets are offered at Embshoff Woods, Lake Isabella, Miami Whitewater Forest, Sharon Woods, Shawnee Lookout, Winton Woods and Woodland Mound. They can accommodate 90 – 360 people. Day use lodges with amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms and two of the three with air conditioning allow you to plan an event that lasts the entire day, and well into the night. Bring in your own home cooking or your favorite caterer. The lodges are located at Sharon Woods, Lake Isabella and Fernbank Park. To make a reservation, call Guest Services at 513-521-7275 Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cincinnati Parks (cincinnatiparks.com) hosts birthday parties for ages 5 – 12 in five nature centers (Avon Woods, Caldwell Preserve, California Woods, LaBoiteaux Woods, and Trailside/Burnet Woods) during most weekends in mid-August through mid-April. A party for up to 10 children includes themes like Creepy Crawly, Forest Friends, Winged Wonders or Fantastic Fossils (parents bring the cake and party favors). Cost is $125 for up to 10 children ($10 for each additional child). Shelter reservations are also available at French, Drake, Jackson Hill, Mt. Echo, and Rapid Run parks, as well as Mt. Airy Forest, and can hold up to 75 people. Cost is $50 Mon – Thu, $100 for Fri – Sun. Group picnic areas can also be reserved for larger parties and range in price from $135 to $160. Just call 513-321-6070 at least three weeks in advance to reserve.
Clermont County Parks (parks.clermontcountyohio.gov/shelters.aspx) offers shelters to rent for your party. Sycamore Park (4082 State Route 132, Batavia) has two shelters available for rent from 10 a.m. – dark. The small shelter holds 50 people and rents for $75, while the large shelter holds 150 people and rents for $100. Chilo Lock 34 Park (521 County Park Road, Chilo) has one shelter holding 50 people available for rent for $75. Pattison Park (2228 US Highway 50, Batavia) has one shelter available to hold up to 150 people, and costs $100. Pattison Park also has a Lodge (250 people, $200 Mon – Thu, $550 Sun, $650 Sat) and Gazebo available for rent. Hartman Log Cabin (5272 Aber Road, Williamsburg) is a historic log house, built in 1838, that’s available for small parties. The capacity is 49 people. An outdoor picnic shelter is on site, and is included in the rental during the summer months ($125 – $175).
Boone County Parks & Recreation has shelters that can be reserved April through October for $35 and holds anywhere from 25 to 80 people, depending on which park you choose (Boone Woods, England-Idlewild, Walton, Central, Lincoln Woods, Giles Conrad or Gunpowder Creek at Sperti Woods). Shelter reservations must be paid 10 days in advance; call 859-334-2117 to reserve a shelter, and visit boonecountyky.org for details about the parks’ amenities.
Kenton County Parks & Recreation offers shelters for $65 – $80, depending on the location, size and amenities of each shelter (most shelters can accommodate up to 100 guests). You can reserve a shelter online at kentoncounty.org or call 859-525-PLAY (7529).
Cool Places
Looking for something different? Check out these spots for a twist on the big day’s celebration!
Crafts and Construction
Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics both offer birthday packages that include a guided craft activity, while parents bring along refreshments and decorations for the party room. Home Depot offers regular kids’ workshop — try calling your local store to see about bringing a group to the class.
Take Your Pick at the Y
Most of the branches of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati offer birthday party packages where kids can swim, play games, learn a new sport and more. Call 513-362-YMCA or visit myy.org to locate your nearest branch.
For a Family Feel
The Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center (4244 Hamilton Ave.) offers $200 birthday parties with classic themes like a Teddy Bear Tea Party, All Aboard the Birthday Train, Jammin’ in the Jungle, Sports of All Sorts and more. Parties take place in a Victorian home, with access to a fenced front yard, a gated back deck, a covered porch and the entire first floor to spread out. A Children’s Event Coordinator handles all the details, including cake or cookie design, so all you have to do is arrive and enjoy. Call 513-591-2332 or visit theplaceforfamilies.com.
Birthdays on the Farm
Save this info for the fall! Head to Bonnybrook Farms (3779 State Route 132, Clarksville; bonnybrookfarms.com) for parties between Sept. 20 – Oct. 26. Reserve a picnic table to hold your brought-in cake and make a food order from the Farm Kitchen Café. Then let the kids go wild with pumpkins, ponies, wagon rides and more. Hidden Valley Fruit Farm (5474 North State Route 48, Lebanon; hiddenvalleyfruitfarm.com) offers bonfire parties, ultimate hayride parties and a barnyard party that’s perfect for kids. RSVP and get a quote for the party and the tasty spread the staff can create for you.
Get Active!
Kids who just can’t sit still will have a blast at the UC Rec Center (2820 Bearcat Way; uc.edu/campusrec.html). Choose from several party packages like the Climbing Wall that lets kids climb laterally as well as vertically on the bouldering wall; the Gymnasium that includes exclusive use of two basketball courts; and the Leisure Pool which boasts a zero-depth entry and is great for kids and their grownups. Or combine activities to totally wear out the party guests. All parties include use of the Wet Room to store towels, gym bags and cake and drinks. Party packages range in price from $110 – $260, call 513-556-0671 or e-mail Robert.weeks@uc.edu.
For Story Lovers
Have a birthday “partee” at blue manatee children’s bookstore & decafe (3054 Madison Road; 513-731-2665; bluemanateebooks.com) for kids turning 3 and older. The party room can hold up to 12 children (six, for kids turning 3). Kids will play games, enjoy book readings and have fun with an Art Educator, while parents can rest easy knowing that details like snacks, paper products and even a list of gifts for thank you notes are all handled. Parties are $190 for up to six children, and an additional $15 per child up to 12 kids; available between 1 – 4 p.m. Sat – Sun; e-mail parties@bluemanateebooks.com.
Get Your Art On
Artistic kids can experiment with a fused glass activity at Brazee Street School of Glass (4426 Brazee St.; brazeestreetstudios.com). Kids can work individually or on a group project for the guest of honor at a party for up to 16 guests that includes glass preparation and instruction and kiln firing (pieces can be picked up a week later). Parents bring along snacks and treats, along with an iPod for your own party music. Parties start at $300, and add-ons are available, including glass bead making for ages 11 and older (additional fees involved). Call 513-321-0206 or e-mail info@brazeestreetstudios.com.
Pizza Delight
A party at Whole Foods includes all kinds of fun, including crafts, make-your-own pizza from scratch, a tour of the store (including samples), all followed by cake, presents, and a goody bag for each child! Cost is $225 for ten children, with additional fees for extra kids. Whole Foods can accommodate children with allergies, but parents should note that it is not a peanut free facility. Call 513-398-9358 or visit wholefoodsmarket.com/mason
Top Party Ideas on Pinterest
Use your imagination in creating a unique party based on your child’s interests! Simply search Pinterest for the party
idea that interests you!
1.
Rainbows
A rainbow themed party works well and it’s easy to implement. Make decorations out of different colored streamers, have a rainbow cake, make a rainbow platter of fruit (strawberries, oranges, pineapple, green grapes, blueberries), play “Twister,” make a rainbow craft.
2.
Superheroes
Whether it’s Spiderman, Batman or Iron Man, superhero parties are a hit. Tell guests to come in costume. Do a make-your-own superhero mask, use toothpicks to decorate food with print outs like “Wham!”, “Pow!” and “Boom!” Have the superheroes play Tug of war, or make a Superhero obstacle course.
3.
Artsy
Kids are incredibly creative, so why not turn them loose onto some blank paper or a canvas with paints, crayons and other tools? They can each create their own masterpiece, or work together on a group project for the birthday child.
4.
Legos
Another easy theme when it comes to decorating — just aim for primary colors, and you’re good. Set yourself up with a massive pile of Legos for the kids to dive into, and you’ll have party activities all wrapped up as well.