Birthday Party Ideas Under $200

• Earth Fare in Ballantyne offers birthday parties and cooking classes catered to your little chefs. Children prepare and then devour their own food. Prices vary; 704-926-1201.
• Latta Park Sprayground, 601 East Park Ave., Charlotte, in Dilworth; and Veterans’ Park Sprayground,, 2136 Central Ave., Charlotte. Kids can run around in fenced-in water-spray areas. The picnic shelters have grills and can be reserved for $100 by calling 704353-1238.
• Celebrate with Homer and the Charlotte Knights at Knights Stadium, 2280 Deerfield Drive, Fort Mill, S.C. $195 provides reserved seats for 10 kids and two adults, special recognition atop the dugout with Homer, and an hour at a birthday table, where a personalized cake and soda are provided. Guests get a Knights souvenir. Call Rebekah Leveille at 704-357-8071, ext. 2168.
• AirPlay Kids, 3700 Avenue of the Carolinas, Fort Mill, S.C., is becoming popular with south Charlotte and Fort Mill moms. Located next to Carowinds in The Crossroads Mall, “The Inflatable Play Zone” has open play hours all year and can be rented for private parties. Unlike other inflatable play places, AirPlay Kids closes to the public during party times. Prices range from $155 to $285; 803-802-7050.

NOTE: Information provided by Janet Cooper Haas to The Charlotte Observer in July 2007. Send changes and additional ideas to michelle@momscharlotte.com and put “party ideas under $200″ in the subject line.