Entertainment

If you're walking a parenting tightrope while your kids are in the preteen zone, chances are that even the cheery subject of birthday parties could be a challenge. How many times have you responded to a plaintive "But why not? That would be so cool!" with the conversation-ending "It's not appropriate"?

So, what's a party-planning parent to do? To help answer that question, we've gathered a few fun ideas suitable for tweens. A word of caution: Some parties might have additional requirements for the number of chaperones. Call each location for more information.

FORT WORTH ZOO
1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth. Call the education center for package requirements. 817-759-7200. www.fortworthzoo.org.

Animal aficionados should consider two packages offered by the Fort Worth Zoo Education Center.

Birthday Package: The two-hour Fort Worth Zoo Birthday Package, geared to children ages 4 to 12, might get younger tweens excited with a program that includes a live animal presentation, all-day zoo admission and games. Consider making the day extra special by encouraging your child to adopt an animal. Book an adoption package (includes a plush toy, adoption certificate and tote) available with the birthday outing, and the money will go toward caring for a zoo animal.
• Fort Worth Zoo Birthday Package: Generally available Saturdays year-round at 1 and 2 p.m. for up to 30 participants. No group minimum. Reservations are recommended at least 30 days prior to the party. $250 flat rate for up to 30 participants; one adoption package costs an additional $50.

Safari Overnight: Older kids with a growing sense of independence might enjoy overnight stays for ages 6 and older. The Safari Overnight takes kids on a journey through Australia, Africa and Asia with opportunities to view select animals native to those continents. The Texas Wild highlights the Hill Country, the Gulf Coast and other regions in the state with trips to exhibits themed on those regions. Both programs include an overnight stay in the air-conditioned Fort Worth Zoo Education Center, an evening scavenger hunt, crafts, pizza, a morning tour and all-day admission on the day following the overnight stay.
• Safari Overnight and Texas Wild overnight packages: Generally available Fridays and Saturdays year-round from 6:30 p.m. to 10 a.m. for a minimum of 15 participants. Reservations must be made at least two weeks prior to party. $45 per participant.

GREAT WOLF LODGE
100 Great Wolf Drive, Grapevine. Accommodations subject to availability. Visit the Web site for promotions. 1-800-693-9653. www.greatwolf.com.

Billed as a family destination resort, Grapevine's Great Wolf Lodge includes the 80,000-square-foot Bear Track Landing indoor water park (with 11 water slides, such as the Howlin' Tornado funnel slide, and seven pools). Another element of Bear Track Landing is Fort Mackenzie, a four-story structure designed like a treehouse, with bridges, nets and water features. The outdoor Raccoon Lagoon water park includes spray features and opportunities to play water basketball. Both parks, which would probably help your tween impress friends, are accessible only with overnight accommodations at the Lodge. Consider kid-themed suites (ideal for a small group of friends) such as the KidCabin Suite, featuring an in-room fortlike sleeping area for children and a sleeping area for adults. The suite includes up to six water park passes at no additional charge (call for info on fees for a seventh guest). If you're looking for a celebration that doesn't require overnight accommodations, check out Scooops Kid Spa, for the 12-and-younger set. Services such as the Chocolate Brownie Manicure (includes a chocolate scrub) should give the girls plenty to giggle about. Summer rates for kid-themed suites generally start at $319 (KidCabin Suites start at $369). Prices for spa services vary.

KIDS COOKING COMPANY
6025 Royal Lane. Parties are for 12 to 30 participants. Reservations are required. 214-265-9949. www.kidscookingcompany.com.

If you have a budding chef with like-minded friends who like to putter about with food and tools, consider letting Kids Cooking Company whip up a party. Various themes are available. Parties provide a 90-minute hands-on culinary experience and include a choice of three recipes and one drink. The Imagine the "Pasta"bilities party (for ages 7 and older) teaches participants how to make selections such as fettuccine, meatballs, and marinara or Alfredo sauce. The Mexican Fiesta (for ages 6 and older) dishes up selections such as chicken enchiladas, beef tacos, tostadas and quesadillas. The party drink is a kiddie sangria. The Sweet Shop theme (for ages 6 and older) might appeal to the sweet tooth in every kid with choices such as chocolate or vanilla cupcakes, chocolate truffles and berry muffins. Parties include a company apron for the birthday child, a chef's hat for each participant, cooking and party supplies and take-home recipe cards.
• Pasta party: $420 for 12 participants, $35 for each additional participant.
• Mexican Fiesta: $432 for 12 participants, $36 for each additional participant.
• Sweet Shop party: $480 for 12 participants, $40 for each additional participant.

LEGENDS OF THE GAME BASEBALL MUSEUM
1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington. The package is available on select weekends (beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. and ending Saturday at 9 a.m.) for groups of five or more. A group of fewer than 20 might be combined with a similar group. 817-273-5087. museum.texasrangers.com. $40 per participant.

If your tween has a predilection for baseball, treat him and his friends to an overnight party at Legends of the Game Baseball Museum at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The museum's Ballpark After Dark Sleepover package includes hitting and pitching in the same cages used by the Rangers; a baseball-themed craft; opportunities to learn about teamwork, stretching techniques and sportsmanship; a late-night snack (make sure your party has been fed, since dinner will not be served); a baseball-themed movie; and breakfast and a morning tour of the ballpark.

SWEET & SASSY
Locations in Frisco, Plano, Southlake, Hurst, Fort Worth and Highland Village. Reservations are recommended at least one week prior to the party. sweetandsassy.com.

If your girlie girl wants to glam it up with her friends, consider packages such as the 21/2-hour late-night Sleepover at the Spa, which includes mini-facials, party up-dos, karaoke and games. Participants will also get to make and bottle lotion keepsakes and decorate take-home flip-flops with strips of tulle and ribbon. The Polynesian Paradise Party, available only in summer, includes grass skirts and tank tops (costumes must be returned after the party), makeup application, nail polish service, an up-do (with a hibiscus hair ornament) and a keepsake lei.
• Sleepover at the Spa: $450 flat rate for up to 20 participants, $14.95 for each additional participant. Suitable for ages 8 to 12. From 8 to 10:30 p.m.
• Polynesian Paradise Party: $269 flat rate for eight participants, $29.99 for each additional participant. Maximum is 24 participants. Suitable for ages 6 to 12. Available in the area in Frisco, Southlake, Highland Village and Hurst.