Trends: It’s My Party

There’s no reason to rent out a pricey My Super Sweet 16-style venue for your kid’s next b-day. And with these creative crews, you won’t have to settle for Bozo, either

By Julie Rapp

: ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXIS ROM

1. Moving Arts of Mount Airy
This Mount Airy dance studio, nicknamed MaMa, waltzes into your home and turns it into a full-fledged action-packed par-tay. Performance-loving owner Pamela Rogow and her team provide an hour’s worth of fun for active kids, schooling them in everything from ballet and yoga to break dancing and fencing. Ages three and up; prices start at $125. 215-842-1040.

2. The Playful Chef
Philadelphia-based chef Alisa Tammaro teaches kids how to make everything from fruit pizza to baked ziti. Bonus: Her fee includes personalized invitations, food, toques, aprons, crafts, party favors, paper products, set-up, clean-up, and even a gift for the birthday child. Ages four and up; $27 per child. 267-242-8478, theplayfulchef.com

3. Mad Science Birthday Parties
Mad Science educates and entertains with specialized parties tailored to the ages of the guests (those four to five make frozen bubbles; ages eight to 12 create electricity). Inexpensive add-ons like a rocket launch result in a birthday party that would make even Bill Nye jealous. Prices start at $210. 800-281-9709, madsciencepa.com

4. Snakes-N-Scales and Turtle Tales
Bringing this live-action show into your living room will make you cooler than the cold-blooded performers. Owner Bill Boesenberg has plenty of snakes, spiders and lizards (oh, my) to guarantee the birthday child and guests the creepy-crawliest of birthdays. Not convinced? He’s done his slimy shtick for Bruce Springsteen, twice. All ages; prices start at $250. 973-248-9964, snakes-n-scales.com

5. Family Faux Body Tattoo
Partiers (and parents) select from hundreds of henna, airbrush and glitter tattoo and body-art designs. There’s face-painting, too. Leaving the party looking like Tommy Lee, optional. All ages; prices from $130. 267-252-9530, familyfauxbodytattoo.com