Planning a kids birthday in Philly...what's a mom to do.

I've got a problem. There are too many options for planning and hosting a birthday party in Philadelphia.  I think I'm set on NOT having it at home...the thought of having 12 plus tots running around my home is just not appealing at the moment.  Philadelphia has a plethora of out-of-home kid birthday options that are really enticing; but making the decision is rough.  Questions keep racing through my already spinning head.

Is this one too expensive?
Is this one too far for pre-school friends and parents to get to?
This place was already used for another pre-school friends birthday party.
Will there be enough food from the list of what is included?
Will this place be fun enough for a large group of three and four year olds?

I think I may not worry so much if big birthday bashes were an annual thing for Elebelly, but the reality is we have not thrown her a full-blown birthday party since her first birthday.  We did take her to Storybook Land last year which was so fun!  But this year I would love to give her the opportunity to celebrate with her friends from school.  I think at four kids really start understanding what birthdays and holidays mean and really like being the center of attention. 

Places like the Elmwood Park Zoo or the The Little Treehouse, LLC  seem perfect but with a gazillion other options it's hard to decide.  It's great to have so many options but also a curse to have so much to choose from.  What's a mom to do?

Another thing I'd like to incorporate somehow is a donation to a charitable organization, so that is another thing I'm researching...on top of keeping up with my day-to-day commitments.  All I know is whatever we do decide to do it will be fun...and a lot less work than having it at home!

This is an original Philly Moms Blog post.  Teresa also blogs about marketing, PR and entrepreneurship and is a soon-to-be published author.