THOUSAND OAKS : City to Start Giving Parties for Children

Thousand Oaks recreation officials have offered, for a price, to help parents throw children’s birthday parties.

The Conejo Recreation and Park District will do everything from send out invitations to provide entertainment at birthday parties at the Thousand Oaks Community Center, recreation leader Pete Martinez said.

Prices for the service, which includes a birthday cake and decorations, range from about $50 to more than $125.

The district decided to help arrange children’s birthday parties as a community service, not to make money, Martinez said. The charges will just cover the costs, he said.

“The party is not really something exactly new to us,” Martinez said. Recreation staff workers “already run games and activities for the kids.”

When parents rent community center rooms for children’s birthday parties, “we see they sometimes get frustrated,” Martinez said. “A lot of them are not used to handling that large a group.”

Recreation officials will throw parties for children ages 3 to 12, he said. Two staff members will attend each party, leading the children in games and entertainment, he said.

Parents of the birthday child are also asked to attend, he said.

The least expensive party, which costs $41 plus $1 for each child invited, will include decorations, cake, games and party favors, he said. The most elaborate parties, which cost $128 plus $1 for each child invited, will be theme parties. Possible themes include Mickey Mouse for youngsters and MTV for older children, he said.

For information, call 492-2461.