Toddlers

• Head to the local zoo for your toddler's birthday party.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  To keep the young ones entertained, host a birthday party at the local zoo. Call ahead and have a tour guide take the kiddies on an expedition through the zoo. Designate a specific area to hold the party. You can coordinate the food with local vendors or grill some kid-friendly foods like hot dogs and hamburgers.
  
  For budget-conscious parents, hold a party for your toddler at the local park. Kids love the outdoors, and a park will give them open space to run and play. Most parks contain a grill, so you can either grill up some chicken or pack a picnic lunch of subs and chips for the kids.
  
  

Preteens

• Gather party goers and head to a local pool.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  It can become a little tricky when considering a party venue for preteens. Preteens are not yet ready to have an unsupervised party, but at the same time do not want mom and dad hovering over them. Hold a pool party in your backyard. This way the kids can be supervised without having the parents watch their every move. If you don't have a private pool, hold the party at the community pool. Call ahead to reserve a location to serve food and other refreshments.
  
  If you have an active bunch of preteens, hold your party at a water park. Kids can busy themselves all day while you prepare for the party in a designated area. Water parks include a lifeguard, as well as swimming paraphernalia, like life jackets and goggles. Kids have a choice of several water activities, such as surfing, swimming or water sliding.
  
  

Teens

• Host a slumber party for your teen.Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  If you live near a beach, head to the salt water and sand for a teen birthday party. Invite a few parents along to keep a distant watch out for the party goers. Older teens may prefer having a party at a local dance club that caters to teens. You may feel more comfortable having a backyard barbecue at home. This way you can allow the teens to party while parents are in the near vicinity.
  
  Younger teen girls may prefer a slumber party. Allow the birthday girl to decorate her room as she pleases and invite a few of her best girlfriends over for a night of boy talking and nail painting. As the parent, you should only be available when the girls run out of chips or need a soda refill.
  
  

Other Ideas

• Take toddlers out to an apple orchard. The kids will be able to see how apple cider and apple juice are made and may even walk away with a wholesome goody bag to take home. Preteens may prefer relaxing at a local pizza parlor where they can fill up on pepperoni pizza all evening. For teens, rent out a community center for an evening of birthday fun.