Throwing a birthday celebration for your child starts with choosing a fun and age-appropriate theme. Does your son love soccer? Does your daughter love to dance? Our city is full of venues that offer interactive and entertaining parties for every kind of kid. To help you get started, we’ve asked some local spots to recommend their popular parties.
The most popular party theme at 74th St. MAGIC is “gymtastic”! Children ages 2-6 years spend an hour in MAGIC’s bright and colorful gym on the trampoline, bars, beam, and zip-line, then move to a cheerful party room for food and cake. The outdoor rooftop playground is also available. 74magic.com
The GymMaze Craze Gymnastics Party is 92Y’s most popular birthday party. Children ages 2-8 years old can play in the GymMaze, which features a spiral slide, ball pool, air bounce, spider net, and more. During the two-hour party, activities include circle time with songs, parachute play, and gymnastics instruction. 92y.org
Host a food fest for your kid at the American Museum of Natural History with an Adventures Through the Global Kitchen party! For ages 6-12, this birthday bash takes partygoers on a culinary crusade where they will discover some of the mysteries of various foods throughout the world. Available through August 2013. amnh.org
Whether in one of their beautiful spaces or in your own home, Applause has some amazing birthday party packages for children ages 1-13. Throw ya hands up in the air and show off ya hip-hop flair with their Hip-Hop Party for ages 4-12. Partygoers are styled in the hottest accessories and dance to the birthday child’s favorite hits. applauseny.com
The princesses and pirates costume party at apple seeds is their most celebrated fete! Little ones ages 3-6 years try on ball gowns or pirate suits and decorate wands or swords. Fantasy games include walking the plank. Parties are 90 minutes and include equal time exploring the sports gym, enjoying themed activities in the party room, and having food and cake. appleseedsplay.com
Children truly go “on the farm” during birthday celebrations at The Art Farm in the City. A birthday child and up to ten guests take part in a two-hour party which includes an art project, music time, and farm time! Balloons, invitations, and party favors are included, in addition to juice and pizza or nuggets. All set-up and clean-up is taken care of and the birthday boy or girl goes home with a special t-shirt. theartfarms.org
Asphalt Green offers many options to customize the perfect birthday party. From gymnastics and martial arts to flag football and dodge ball, active entertainment provides the ultimate birthday experience for children of all ages. Parties include one hour of sports and 30 minutes of eating and celebrating in a decorated space. asphaltgreen.org
Kids’ birthday parties really get rolling at Bowlmor Lanes. Party packages include unlimited bowling, shoe rental, kid-friendly cuisine, juice and soda, a custom cake or cupcakes, gift bags, and a signable bowling pin for the birthday boy or girl. Strike! bowlmor.com
Host a one-of-a-kind party at Broadway Birthday Bashes at the PIT. The venue rolls out the red carpet at this legendary off-Broadway theater where kids enjoy an original musical all about the birthday boy or girl. VIP options for the two-hour party include pre-show performers, face painting, balloon art, cotton candy, and a three-tier chocolate fountain! broadwaybirthdaybashes.com
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers has two full-sized indoor ice skating rinks open for children’s birthday parties of at least 12 participants. Kids can choose between a skating or hockey party, with packages that include admission & skate rentals, pizza and beverages, birthday cake, invitations, paper goods, balloons, and party favors. chelseapiers.com
The Adventures with Dora and Diego party at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is great for kids ages 2-6. Guests join Diego on a series of animal rescue missions and help Dora and her friends get ready for a fiesta. The 90-minute party includes live guitar music, an art project, a personalized Magnolia Bakery cake, pizza, juice, and party favors. cmom.org
Zebras, tigers, snakes, oh my! Kids have a blast at the Jungle Safari party at Citibabes SoHo. Children ages 1-6 can make masks and enjoy a petting zoo with tortoises, guinea pigs, and a baby kangaroo. The Signature Party Package includes a 90-minute celebration with catered food, cake, favors, arts and crafts projects, balloons, and playground time. citibabes.com
Celebrate with gymnastics fun at Columbus Gym’s expansive, fully equipped facility. Kids ages 1-12 will enjoy a full hour on the bars, beam, rings, and trampoline while playing games supervised by U.S.G.F. certified staff. The last half hour is for food, drinks, and the birthday cake. columbusgymnyc.com
Cozy’s Cuts for Kids offers a wide range of parties perfect for pampering birthday guests. The BFF Beauty Day includes hair styling, makeup, and manicures for the birthday girl and her best friend. Both girls receive a free glam bag filled with fabulous treats from the salon’s unparalleled toy selection. cozycuts.com
One of the most popular parties at The Craft Studio is Skateboard Custom Shop. Great for kids 6 and older, the celebration lets children customize their own ride by designing and decorating a skateboard! Parties last 90 minutes and include face painting, balloons, customized music, ice cream cake, and dancing or games. thecraftstudio.com
Based on their popular gymnastics classes, Discovery Programs provides a birthday extravaganza complete with games and surprises. The Gym for Tots Party, for little ones walking to 36 months, is their most popular. Parties are 90 minutes, take place on Sundays, and can accommodate up to twelve children. Activities can be adjusted for toddlers through 10-year-olds. discoveryprograms.com
The most popular party for girls 5 and older at East Side Yoga is their Yoga/Jewelry Making Party. Kids enjoy an age-appropriate yoga class followed by necklace and bracelet making. The celebration is topped off with cupcakes from Buttercup Bake Shop. eastsideyoganyc.com
Blast off with two hours of non-stop fun at an ExerBlast Birthday Blast! Children ages 4-15 participate in a fitness party that blends play and gaming through a creative team-based adventure. Each guest is outfitted with an iPod utility belt that tracks their movement and gives them a point for every move. Participants get to use a private room where they enjoy a kid-friendly, healthy catering menu and cake. exerblast.com
Classic birthday parties at FAO Schwarz include traditional games like limbo and the hokey pokey, plus a Toy Solider host and private time on the legendary Big Piano. Kids pick their own theme so they can be anything from royal princesses to safari explorers. fao.com
Book a birthday bash at The Gaga Center and get the entire space exclusively for your party for 90 minutes, with tons of gaga time, great music, awesome coaches, and a pizza party. Add-ons include decorations, party favors, a DJ, and more! gagacenter.com
During a “Hoop It Up” birthday party at Gymboree Play & Music, kids will explore the gym with fun and original activities led by a trained Gymboree teacher, followed by dessert in the party room. Gymboree also offers “On The Go” parties in your home! Parties are for ages 6 months to 5 years. gymboreeclasses.com
What time is it? Time for a Gymtime Rhythm & Glues party! Featuring exciting party themes and activities like Tae Kwon Do, guests are sure to get a kick out your birthday boy or girl’s special day. Parties are 90 minutes and include set-up, clean-up, and tons of gym fun. gymtime.net
The Great Book Party at HiArt! is 90 minutes and perfect for kids ages 3 and older. The venue’s 2,500-square-foot studio is a true art book heaven. Children enjoy hanging books, wooden books, instabooks, found books, comic books, and more during tons of hands-on art. hiartkids.com
What’s cooking in Greenwich Village and Chelsea? Your kid’s next birthday party with Home Cooking New York! Rent a fully equipped culinary studio or cook up a storm in your own kitchen. Partygoers will take part in a risotto, sushi, or macaroni and cheese cooking competition and finish things off with homemade dessert. homecookingny.com
Make it a slam dunk party! Sports parties with Coach Darren are the most popular celebrations at the JCC in Manhattan. For children ages 2-12, birthday bashes include learning the fundamentals of basketball—dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive footwork—in the gym space. In the festively decorated party room, kids dive into birthday cake and goodie bags. jccmanhattan.org
For over 30 years, Jodi’s Gym has hosted action-packed, fun-filled birthday parties where kids can run, jump, climb, swing, and tumble to their hearts’ delight! The enthusiastic and well-trained staff takes care of set-up, serving, and clean-up while the guests enjoy the entire venue. Parties are 90 minutes and great for children ages 1-12. jodisgym.com
Kids will bend over backwards for a CircusYoga Party at Karma Kids Yoga! Birthday celebrations for children ages 7 and older include two hours of CircusYoga props and music for up to ten participants. Party revelers can enjoy group games, flying partner yoga, partner acrobatics, and circus skills such as juggling and spinning plates. Pizza and juice are included, as well as set-up and clean-up. karmakidsyoga.com
Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy tees up terrific golf parties for kids ages 4-8. Using UGA equipment and materials, the academy hosts one hour of golf fun with birthday-themed putting, target games, and prizes. Parties can be held indoors or outdoors. While UGA offers one instructor for every five children, venue and space are not provided. ktuga.com
Arty Parties at Kids At Art start with children painting a mural and/or a creative art project. A karaoke party, best for ages 5 and older, also includes singing and dancing with music provided by a professional DJ. Once their vocal chords are exhausted, children then work on a project that the birthday child chooses ahead of time. Parties run 1.5-2 hours. kidsatartnyc.com
Great for children ages 1-5, the Super Saver Tear-Free Toddler Party at Kids At Work is a 90-minute party in a 1,000-square-foot space in Chelsea. Activities consist of messy and sensory-based art stations designed for active, curious toddlers. The celebration includes pizza and juice, two early childhood professionals who run the party, and balloons for all children. kidsatworknyc.com
Birthday parties at Kids In Sports feature any sport(s) of the child’s choosing. Children ages 2-10 spend an hour engaged in skill development and game play such as tug of war and relay races. All parties are tailored to fit the age and skill level of the birthday boy or girl and guests. The remaining half hour of the celebration is spent enjoying food and cake. kisnyc.com
Every guest is crowned royalty at Kidville’s Royal Princess and Knight Party. Little ones dress up before party leaders take them on a Royal Adventure to the Magical Ball! Children get to decorate their own crowns and enjoy 90 minutes in the Private Party Zone. The celebration includes invitations, juice and pizza, cake, and premium party favors. kidville.com
Let’s Dress Up! offers five party choices on the Upper East Side, such as a Red Carpet Party, A Cupcake Party, and, of course, A Princess Party. Costumes, favors, and birthday banners delight children. letsdressupct.com
The team at The Little Gym leads partygoers through a gymnastics obstacle course, games, parachute, air track, and more! Kids enjoy 90 minutes of active entertainment as the venue takes care of set-up, clean-up, and everything in between. Guests receive a balloon at the end of the celebration. thelittlegymofny.com
Six to 12 weavers can take designs home after a Loop of the Loom birthday on the Upper East Side. Suggested for ages 6 and up, children make homemade weaves or felt creations under instructor guidance. loopoftheloom.com
Fun science parties at Mad Science involve all sorts of hands–on experiments, including tornado tubes, electricity experiments, chemical reactions, air pressure activities, indoor fireworks, and other demos. All parties end with a Mad Science chemistry take-home for every child. manhattan.madscience.org
Celebrate creativity at Make Meaning with a party focused on making glassware and ceramics, decorating cakes, and more. The private events space features a main event and a side show of the birthday boy or girl’s choice. With a custom cake, decorations, and VIP passes to return for all, it will be a birthday to remember. makemeaning.com
Kids won’t spend their birthdays stuffing their faces with cake if you take them to Mo’ Motion; they’ll be working on their basketball skills with trained coaches and refueling with pizza! This is a great option for kids ages 7-14. momotion.org
A birthday party at My Gym UWS is all about movement. Children enjoy age-appropriate games, gymnastics, songs, puppets, and much more. Families can choose from three packages, the most popular being the Grand Party Package, which includes exclusive use of the entire facility for 90 minutes, customized online invites, balloons, cake cutting, and a special gift for the birthday child. my-gym.com/nyc
Mystery & Mayhem offers incredible improvisational and age-appropriate dress up mystery parties where guests ages 7-18 become suspects in a horrendous crime! “Like Clue, but better!” is the way one youngster described the event, with five mysterious, riveting, and hilarious dramas to choose from. Guests receive gifts of crystals or semi-precious stones in pouches. mysteryandmayhem.com
The Bubble Trouble Birthday at the New York Hall of Science is great for little ones ages 3 and older. Mini scientists explore the wonder of bubbles and make their very own bubble blowing tools. Every party includes exhibit tours, interactive activities, and demonstrations. nysci.org
Celebrate your child’s next birthday party at the New York Transit Museum! Over 100 years of transit lore are brought to life for children 3 and older through a guided tour exploring a vintage subway fleet and a hands-on workshop, such as making a mosaic. mta.info/mta/museum
The Jump N Jive Party for children ages 1-12 years at NY Kids Club is 90 minutes of fun in a state-of-the-art gymnastics facility. The celebration includes age-appropriate obstacle courses, bouncing on a trampoline, swinging, singing, dancing, and more! Party guests enjoy exclusive use of the entire facility while a talented team of performers entertain children with creative physical and theatrical activities. nykidsclub.com
Celebrate at Playgarden with an all-inclusive Blowout Playground Party! The two-hour celebration includes private use of two indoor playgrounds, games, sports, obstacle courses, zip-line rides, roller coaster rides, dancing, and puppet shows. Ideal for children turning 1-6, the party includes music and structured activities customized to the birthday child. playgardennyc.com
The kids may be little, but the party is always BIG with Clifford the Big Red Dog. Children enjoy a special story time and working together on a Big Red craft at this Scholastic Store birthday bash for ages 2-5. The basic party includes admission for up to 10 kids, two party hosts, music, games, cupcakes, and juice. Plus, Clifford stops by for dancing, cupcakes, and cuddling! scholastic.com/sohostore
For sports fans ages 3-13, Simply Sports offers age-appropriate parties that revolve around activities including baseball, basketball, flag football, and soccer. The fun can take place indoors or outdoors. simplysports.net
The best kind of party is one that ensures that kids come home exhausted! Coach Fher makes this happen at his one- and two-hour soccer parties. Providing a coach for every six children, Soccer by Coach Fher takes care of all the details. The party ends with a family or children’s game. coachfher.com
Kids’ ping pong parties at SPiN take place in a private room with a SPiN pro running an interactive tournament, doing demos, and offering tips. Children 6-16 will dig into finger foods like mini grilled cheese and pigs in a blanket while playing the timeless paddle sport. The private room is equipped with a disco ball and a DJ booth. newyork.spingalactic.com
Super Soccer Stars will turn any child’s special day into a memorable soccer extravaganza! Parties are 90 minutes of soccer activities, food, and cake, perfect for children 2-12. Parties can take place at any of their six locations throughout the city or at the venue of your choice—indoor or outdoor. supersoccerstars.com
Whip up a tasty party at Taste Buds Kitchen. Kids ages 2-13 will chop, mix, swirl, and bake their way through a birthday to remember. In their new Cupcake Wars party, little bakers make a batch of cupcakes and choose from mix-ins such as chocolate chips, sprinkles, and apples, to design their very own cake-frosting-decor combo before presenting their creation before a panel. tastebudskitchen.com
At Tie Dye Town’s World’s Greatest Tie Dye Party, kids ages 4 and older have a blast rotating through different arts and crafts stations where they tie-dye t-shirts, paint a mural, create messy foam paint pictures, make colorful spin art, and dress up in ‘70s costumes. The 90-minute party includes all art materials, goody bags, invitations, and dress up! tiedyetown.com
Kids ages 1-6 years can enjoy a Rock and Play Party at TLB Music complete with hits from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Little ones are introduced to instruments like the saxophone, double bass, and electric guitar before heading to the Playroom for climbing, dress up, and more. Parties include 30 minutes of music and 90 minutes of Playroom time. tlbmusic.com
Kids will kick back and relax at Yogi Beans’ “SPA-tacular” birthday party. The two-hour extravaganza begins with 45 minutes of age-specific yoga before moving on to deep relaxation, foot massages, and aromatherapy. After the class, children unwind with a manicure or pedicure, followed by a henna tattoo, cucumber eye mask, and a yoga lounge experience. Parties include tie-dye decorations, pizza, and organic juice, and are ideal for ages 5 and older. yogibeans.com
To learn about a birthday charity for children in need, click here.
