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Modesto daycations > fun alternatives to expensive vacations > kids activities
Your daycation community pick:
John’s Incredible Pizza Co.
2225 Plaza Parkway
Modesto, CA 95350
p. (209) 523-0000
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A friend of mine just forwarded an article to me she came across on MSN called 91 Ways to Save: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/91WaysToSaveOnAlmostAnything.aspx. Most everyone is feeling the effects of the current economic situation and can benefit from these money saving ideas. We are definitely doing what we can to reduce our spending and be more efficient in the way we run our household. That includes taking advantage of many of the free activities offered by the city of Modesto during the summer months and staying in town.
One section of the article focuses on saving money on vacations, something that many families have to forego this year even though it is such a wonderful way to spend quality time with one another and make lasting memories. The advice was to stay close to home and find inexpensive entertainment. Along the same lines is the concept of a daycation, which just means planning a fun day out close to home. In a nutshell, don’t give up the special time with the kids - plan an outing that will be fun for the entire family without causing additional strain on your finances.
There are many places in Modesto and the surrounding area to create this type of daycation. You can go outdoors, or take refuge from the summer heat and find a venue indoors. We have a favorite fun spot we like to go - John’s Incredible Pizza Co. Everything we need for a fun day out with the kids, from food and beverages (including beer and wine for the adults) to games and rides is located within this large air-conditioned facility. John’s is known for their variety of unusual and classic pizza offerings - like macaroni and cheese pizza - but they also carry a fresh salad bar, different pastas and sauces. Fill up with the beverage of your choice and find one of the many themed rooms that suits your mood and enjoy a tasty and inexpensive meal. Our kids like the cartoon room (Toon Time Theater), but sometimes we sit and watch music videos in the Retreat room, or find some quiet time in the Cabin Fever room.
If your kids are like ours, they won’t want to sit and eat for long. Fortunately, you can come back anytime and as often as you want for food, including a yummy dessert section that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
The rides and games section of John’s Pizza is just as incredible as the food. Our older two kids are quite daring and love the spinning Twister ride. Thankfully, they go on that ride with Dad, and I stay with the baby and watch them fly by. Another favorite is the bumper cars. There is a height requirement for this one. If your kids aren’t quite ready for these types of rides, John’s has a section especially for the younger ones and even a baby and toddler section. The last time we visited John’s we tried out Glow Golf. This is an indoor miniature golf course with an under the sea theme all in Day-Glo paint, blacklighting and high energy music. We had a blast and stayed cool, too.
John’s Pizza is also offering a free gas promotion on their website through the month of July. Take the virtual tour and enter the sweepstakes to win free stuff! http://www.johnspizza.com/virtual_tour/sweepstakes.aspx
Here are a few of the things we really like about John’s and why it’s a great option for your daycation:
-The all-you-can-eat buffet of pizza, pasta, salad, dessert and drinks
-Indoor rides fun for any age
-Themed rooms to suit any mood
-Cost that is completely reasonable particularly when compared to a standard vacation or trip to Disneyland
John’s Incredible Pizza Co. has 8 locations: Bakersfield, Buena Park (coming soon 2009), Fresno, Modesto, Montclair, Riverside, Roseville and Stockton. Maps are available for each of them here.
Your daycation community pick:
John’s Incredible Pizza Co.
2225 Plaza Parkway
Modesto, CA 95350
p. (209) 523-0000
Sign up for email club promotions
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Kids birthday adventures > Parties and Party ideas > Modesto CA
Modesto, Ca Citizen Pick Children’s Birthday Venue:
2225 Plaza Parkway
Modesto, CA 95350
p. (209) 523-0000
Kid’s birthday parties are an adventure regardless of the choice of venue.
The adventure starts with the theme. If you’re new to setting up birthday parties for kids you’ll quickly learn that they absolutely must have a theme.
A theme as it relates to children’s birthday parties will essentially be how the cake is designed, typically the decorations will follow suit and last but not least the parting gifts commonly known as loot bags, treat bags and goodie bags will also be part of the theme. ALWAYS make sure you have enough of these little gems and be sure that there are options for both boys and girls. Even if you invite all girls or all boys a sibling is bound to show up and want a loot bag so be prepared!
After you’ve figured out the theme hit your local birthday party supply store and load up on all of the essentials. If you decide on a kid’s birthday party venue it is likely they’ll either provide the decorations for you or at least help to arrange them in the party room.
Next, pick a date. Make sure there are no conflicts with holidays and remember you can’t please everyone so don’t expect everyone to be able to make it.
Invitations aren’t quite like they used to be. Many creative Mom’s take the time to make handmade birthday invitations for their kid’s birthday parties. Much of this has stemmed from the ever-popular scrapbooking activity.
The nice part about creating a custom invitation is that you can save one and add it to your photo album or children’s birthday scrapbook. It really does make for a nice presentation.
After the invitations are out check for the RSVP’s and try to get a good idea of how many people will be coming to your party. If you’re having the party at home you’re going to need to go overboard on the food. It’s always best to have too much food than not enough. Also remember to have some options for the parents so they’re comfortable during the party. If the parents are comfortable they’ll likely stay longer and that will make for a better party for your children.
Remember that the weather in California is unpredictable. We have wind, rain, June gloom and Summer heat that can make an outdoor party unbearable. Many parents now opt for organized indoor kids parties.
We’ve been to quite a few of these from Chuck E Cheese to Build a Bear. They all have unique offerings for your kids so be sure to give them a look.
Our favorite indoor kids party idea has been John’s Incredible Pizza Company. This is not only based on what they have to offer but also what you get for your money.
On average, children’s indoor birthday parties will run about $300. This is obviously dependent upon how many kids you invite and the venue you select. If you’re considering staying at home and either renting a bounce structure or some other special activity it will likely cost about the same by the time you add it all up.
John’s Pizza works out really nice for birthday parties for a few reasons. First, they provide an all you can eat buffet that includes your favorite pizzas (and some specialty ones), as well as a pasta and salad bar. We mustn’t forget the dessert bar either with soft serve ice cream and other goodies.
Second, there are enough fun rides, games and other activities to keep the kids busy. In fact, John’s easily has sufficient offerings to consume half of a day or more, kind of like an indoor Disneyland with unlimited food.
Third, they provide private party rooms, which is a nice escape from the action to open presents, cut the cake and have that special time for pictures and video.
Last, they take care of the cleanup. All you’ll have to do is pack up the car with gifts and head home.
John’s Pizza facilities are huge, big enough to handle indoor rides like a mini roller coaster and the ever-popular bumper cars.
Modesto, Ca Citizen Pick Children’s Birthday Venue:
2225 Plaza Parkway
Modesto, CA 95350
p. (209) 523-0000
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