Above & Beyond Celebrations offers party-decorating packages that include creative decorations, party favors, set up, and clean up. Themed kids' packages are available.

Afford-a-Bounce offers many themed bounce houses for party rentals, plus combos with slides, water slides, sumo suits, rock n' roll joust, velcro sticky wall, dunk tank, obstacle courses, concession machines, and more.

Reservations can be made online or by phone. One-day rentals may be picked up by the customers; eight-hour rentals can be delivered to your home. Afford-a-Bounce delivers in the general Fort Worth area; some surrounding areas may be subject to an additional delivery fee.

Astro Events provides giant inflatables, slides, moonwalks, and combos for a portable party at almost any location. Notable inflatables include characters such as Sponge Bob, Dora, Superman, Princess, and Noah. Other party add-ons include cotton candy, snow cone, and popcorn machines.

Baskin Robbins and its 31 flavors have been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like the ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick up any time. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. B-R can decorate a cake on request.

The store has franchises all over the Metroplex. We've listed a few here; visit the website to find a location near you.

Baskin Robbins and its 31 flavors have been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like the ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick up any time. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. B-R can decorate a cake on request.

The store has franchises all over the Metroplex. We've listed a few here; visit the website to find a location near you.

Baskin Robbins and its 31 flavors have been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like the ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick up any time. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. B-R can decorate a cake on request.

The store has franchises all over the Metroplex. We've listed a few here; visit the website to find a location near you.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Cherry Garcia, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

You can also pick up an ice cream cake (or order 24 hours in advance, if you have something special in mind), or try the sundaes, shakes, and fruit smoothies.

Butterfly Sweets bakes custom cakes, cookies, and other sweets, specializing in birthday parties, baby and wedding showers, and wedding cakes. The website features a lot of pictures showing some of the creations.

Items can be ordered via email or phone, and are delivered to your home or party location. Delivery is $1 per mile, with a minimum order of $25 required.

Cakes by Sandy offers delicious and creative cakes for birthday parties, bridal showers, or baby showers.

Given that Carvel’s mascot, Fudgie the Whale, has his own MySpace page, it’s clear that even after 70 years, the pioneering ice cream company wants to stay cool. So when kids scream for ice cream, the nearest franchise is a good bet.

Carvel stores churn out hand-dipped and soft serve ice cream in classic cups, cones, sundaes, novelties, and shakes, but the company may be best known for its dependably good ice cream cakes, which can made to order or plucked, ready to go, from freezer cases filled with take-home treats. Carvel uses only kosher ingredients in its products.

Use the store locator to find the Carvel nearest you.

Given that Carvel’s mascot, Fudgie the Whale, has his own MySpace page, it’s clear that even after 70 years, the pioneering ice cream company wants to stay cool. So when kids scream for ice cream, the nearest franchise is a good bet.

Carvel stores churn out hand-dipped and soft serve ice cream in classic cups, cones, sundaes, novelties, and shakes, but the company may be best known for its dependably good ice cream cakes, which can made to order or plucked, ready to go, from freezer cases filled with take-home treats. Carvel uses only kosher ingredients in its products.

Use the store locator to find the Carvel nearest you.

Indulge in ice-cream heaven: Cold Stone Creamery, now nationwide, serves up homemade ice cream and yogurt, individully mixed - on an ice cold granite stone, in front of your eyes - with mix-ins of your choice, from warm chocolate-brownies (the national favorite) to gummy bears to fresh strawberries.

Ice cream cakes start at $16.95 and serve six-nine and up. Order one custom-made with 24 hours' advance notice, or pick up one from the freezer case. Choose a cartoon character decoration for an extra $4.99.

The Creamery Club Card gets you your 10th ice cream free and the Cake and Pie Club Card makes your sixth cake or pie free.

Each location is a franchise so you may occasionally find different prices, hours, or services available. Visit the website to find a location in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

Who doesn't love a Blizzard?

Because the majority of Dairy Queen restaurants are individually owned and operated franchises, quality, hours, and offerings vary greatly - you probably know what you like (or don't) about your local store. Visit the website for the nearest location.

What we like is DQ's take on the ubiquitous children's meal concept. In most stores, not only can parents substitute applesauce for French fries (if they're lucky), but the meals come with a coupon for a free treat (small Dilly bar, ice cream sandwich, or $.49 off a Blizzard) so the dessert part of the meal can stay cool, and out of reach, until the "healthy" part of the meal has been consumed.

Of course, the chain's ice cream cakes are practically required equipment for some kids' parties, and some stores offer discounts on birthday parties held on site.

Most Dairy Queen restaurants nationwide participate in annual (and more frequent) fundraisers for Children's Miracle Network. Eat up.

Find the party paraphernalia you're looking for online at iparty.com. Packages for birthday parties and special occasions could be a life saver when you're pressed for time and ideas.

Halloween costumes in all shapes and sizes are available here, too.

Whether decorating for the holidays or in a jam for a last minute "on the way to the party" present, you can something in the space-challenged It's a Party! in Coppell. Filled to the gills with favors, invitations, and presents, owner Betty Tapella's one-stop party shop is a whimsical wonderland. The bonus is that every "little" shopper receives a complimentary lollipop!

Need some creative ideas for a themed party? How about some festive ways to spice up your table for the holiday? The attentive clerks are glad to help with whatever you are trying to find.

At Marble Slab Creamery, freshly made ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors are combined with your choice of a zillion mix-ins to bring those ice cream fantasies to life.

Homemade waffle cones, ice cream cakes, and ice cream pies are made daily; some locations also offer specialty baked goods and gourmet coffees.

Check the website to find a location near you.

The fine art of personal letter-writing hasn't gone away as far as P.S. The Letter is concerned. This upper crust stationary, invitation, announcement, and personal gift shop takes pride in supplying only the best for its customers.

The store carries unique birth announcements, party invitations, and bat and bar mitzvah sets, plus a variety of high-end baby gifts.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

Most anything you might need to throw a party can be found at Party City, with the exception of the cake, pizza, and birthday child. Full themed sets (cups, plates, tablecloths, etc.) with your child's favorite characters are available here.

Party City also has a collection of Halloween costumes if you find yourself in a next-to-the-last minute bind.

For the connoisseur of delightful delectables, Society Bakery conjures up top-notch cakes, cookies, and treats by using only high quality ingredients. Unique offerings include breakfast pizza, a Ding Dong cake, and various cupcakes.

Sprinkles Cupcakes doesn't waste its time dallying in anything but cupcakes. The shop creates over 20 varieties and sells the delicious little works of art individually and by the dozen. Party towers and "Happy Birthday" candles are available for parents looking for an alternative to traditional birthday cakes.

The Pastry Connection offers custom cakes and cookies for special occasions including unique children's designs.

US Toy is a pinata filler's dream, with multiple aisles of inexpensive novelty and carnival items to suit any theme and fill any goodie bag. The large selection of educational supplies and toys includes bristle blocks, dolls, play food, workbooks, and art supplies, making it a handy stop for parents and teachers.