The birthday child gets an extra tile to paint that will be mounted in the wall or the counter at the pottery studio. The birthday child gets a free dinner plate to decorate and have guests sign. Another studio for painting unfinished ceramics offers a variety of party packages. Children get a crash course in clay and make their own mask, pot or other sculpture. The Pirate's Ransom, Clearwater Beach, 446-2587.
Kids get their faces painted like pirates as well as beads, gold coins and a souvenir pirate hat.
The crew, which leads the party in games, songs and stories, are all dressed like pirates. Soft drinks and lemonade are included. Price rises with the number. Whenever they have their sea legs and are pirate-safe. Children get to be a cheerleader for a day, or actually more like two hours.