Host a child's summer birthday party without breaking the bank

In 11 years of summer birthday parties for my son, I've tried it all. I've hosted June swim parties at Angelfish Swimming in Kirkland, and we've gone to a Mariners' game at Safeco Field, complete with birthday wishes on the scoreboard.

But the best parties we had were when he was 4 through 6. We brought a group of friends to Phyllis Needy Park in Kirkland -- a good choice because it's completely fenced -- with about four pizzas and a cake. The kids played. The kids ate pizza. We opened presents. We ate cake. Everyone had fun, and it didn't cost a fortune.

In our region, there are numerous parks, beaches, pools and stadiums where you can create a memorable experience for your child without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas that are great for summer.

Go to an outdoor movie
Seattle's various outdoor cinema series usually offer one or more kids' movies during the season. Bring a cake and movie goodies, blankets and bean bags to sit on. Unlike an indoor movie theater, no one will care if the kids talk during the show.

Fremont Outdoor Movies are shown in the parking lot across from the old Redhook Trolleyman Pub at N. 35th and Phinney Avenue. The kid-friendly movies on the summer lineup are "Ghostbusters" July 19, "The Iron Giant" Aug. 16 and "Hairspray" Aug. 23. The movies start at dusk, and are free with a suggested donation of $5 per person.

Movies at the Mural are shown under the Space Needle at Seattle Center's Mural Amphitheatre. Celebrate your child's birthday on the lawn and take in "The Princess Bride" Aug. 1 or "The Goonies" Aug. 8. The screenings are free and begin at dusk.

In Kirkland, outdoor movies are shown at Juanita Beach Park and Carillon Point. The suggested donation at Juanita Beach is $5 per family. Kid-friendly screenings include "Hairspray" July 18, "Bee Movie" Aug. 22 and "Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep" Sept. 5.

At Carillon Point, a $5 per person donation benefits Hopelink, and the entire summer lineup is family friendly. See "Hairspray" July 19, "Wallace & Gromit" July 26, "Transformers" Aug. 2, "Flushed Away" Aug. 9, "Goonies" Aug. 16 and "Back to the Future" Aug. 23.

Movies @ Marymoor are shown on a 50-foot screen in a grassy field at Redmond's Marymoor Park. The suggested donation is $5 and parking in the closest lot costs $1. Even the family dog is welcome, if he's on leash and under control. Celebrate your child's birthday with "Anchorman" July 16, "Singing in the Rain" Aug. 6 or "The Muppet Movie" Aug. 20.

Go camping in the city
Camp Long, a 68-acre park in West Seattle, offers rustic rental cabins that sleep 12 in six double beds. The cost is $40 per night per cabin, plus a refundable $50 damage deposit. For $25, you can also rent the fire circle and have at it with hot dogs and marshmallows. (Firewood is also for sale for $6 per wheelbarrow load.) For more information, visit the Seattle Parks & Recreation Web site. To arrange a rental, call 206-684-7434.

Go to a farm
Kelsey Creek Park is a working farm in Bellevue that features a picnic shelter for up to 50 people, three barbecues, a children's playground and live animals. (Youngsters will have a blast chasing the chickens.) If the shelter isn't available on your chosen date, there are other tables available that aren't under cover. For more information, visit the City of Bellevue Web site.

Go swimming
Both outdoor Seattle pools offer pool parties: Lowery C. "Pop" Mounger Pool in Magnolia and Colman Pool in West Seattle. At Mounger Pool, rental fees start at $214 for up to 12 people for one hour. At Colman Pool, rental fees start at $207 for up to 30 people for one hour. Fees at both pools include lifeguards.

Go to a game
Although the Mariners are the obvious choice during the summer, you can also cheer the Seattle Storm, the Seattle Sounders or one of the minor league baseball teams -- the Everett AquaSox or the Tacoma Rainiers.

The latter two are reasonably-enough priced that the trip out of town is worth it, even with high gas prices. AquaSox tickets start at $7 each, and tickets for the Diamond Club, which offers the best seats in the house, are only $15. Reduced group rates are available for 20 or more people.

The Rainiers are even cheaper, with tickets starting at $6 and running up to $15 per child or $16 per adult. Birthday party packages are available for $250 for 10 people and include food, hats, a birthday present for the honoree and a scoreboard message. In both minor league parks, the action is close and there are no bad seats.

Although my son's 11th birthday is fast approaching, he has yet to decide what he wants to do. I miss the days when going to a park and chowing down on pizza and cake was enough. This year, it's likely to be another trip to the ballpark. Which one is up to me.

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