VIDEO GAMES
What You Get: The game truck pulls up and everyone piles in. There are four flat-screen HDTVs, dozens of video games, an Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and a certified game coach to help you score as many points and pass as many levels as possible.
Company: Game Truck 475-5933 gametruckparty.com
Based In: Spokane and Coeur d'Alene
Cost: $195 for 2 hours on weekdays; $225 for 2 hours on the weekend
OUTDOOR MOVIE SCREENS
What You Get: Whether you're throwing a birthday party or a block party, hosting five or 5,000 guests, FunFlicks has five inflatable sizes, from 6-foot indoor screens to giant drive-in screens. It comes with a projection system, sound system, crew to set it all up and a popcorn machine add-on option.
Company: FunFlicks 477-9747 funflicks.com
Based In: Spokane and Coeur d'Alene
Cost: $299-$1,199
LASER TAG
What You Get: It doesn't matter if it's light, dark, raining, snowing or perfect outside; you can play laser tag in your yard, at the park or inside your house. You play on your terms, meaning you choose the game and the rules.
Company: Palouse Play 208-907-0109 palouseplay.com
Based In: Moscow
Cost: $10/tagger per hour for first 10 taggers; $5/hour for additional taggers
INFLATABLES, CONCESSIONS & GAMES
What You Get: The list of party choices is seemingly endless: bouncy castles, sumo suits, slides, bungee runs, gyros, obstacle courses, gladiator jousting arenas and dunk tanks. For food, there are nacho, cotton candy, sno-cone and popcorn machines.
Company Northwest Party Pros 464-6196 nwbounce.com
Based In: Post Falls
Bouncy castle: about $129 for the day; interactive games like the sumo suits: Cost: $250-$280 for the day
CARNIVAL ACTIVITIES & INFLATABLES
What You Get: Of course there's all the inflatable bouncy stuff, but if you're looking for other carnival elements to add to your party, there's plenty to choose from. Face painting, balloon twisting, photo booths and mechanical bulls are just scratching the surface.
Company: All-Star Jump 326-1725 all-starjump.com
Based In: Spokane
Cost: Face painting or balloon twisting: $75/hour; Mechanical bull: $795 for four hours
ICE CREAM
What You Get: The party planner can choose beforehand what ice cream (and what price range) will be on the truck — everything from SpongeBob to drumsticks to mini-cheesecake. Then the truck drives up to your place while playing your favorite music or a ragtime tune.
Company: Sweet and Savory 939-8839 facebook.com/sweetandsavoryspokane
Based In: Spokane
Cost: Varies
PONIES
What You Get: The ponies come decked out for your party occasion, dressed up in bows and braided hair. If it's a birthday party, the birthday kid gets a cowboy hat, so they can feel like a bona fide, wild Western rider.
Company: Pony Express 951-6977 ponyexpress-partyponies.com
Based In: Spokane
Cost: $175 for two ponies plus fuel charge; $500-$600 for merry-go-round
Five-year-old Cole battles his dad in an All-Star Jump arena.