Birthday Party Venues for Kids

Many families opt to host birthday parties at outside facilities, either because they don’t have enough space at home, or because they like the ease of putting the party entertainment in the hands of a professional.

Most communities have at least a few basic birthday venues for kids' parties, whether your child wants to go bowling, eat pizza, bounce in an inflatable castle, or compete with friends in a game of laser tag.

Below, you’ll find ideas for those tried-and-true birthday party places, as well as some party locations you might not have ever considered. You might even build your party theme around the venue if you find a spot that sparks you and your child's imagination.

Tried-and-True Birthday Party Venues

Almost every community has at least a few of these places available for kids’ birthday parties.

• Inflatable play facilities (also known as bounce houses or trampoline parks)
• Pizza parlors
• Bowling alleys
• Ice-skating rinks
• Roller-skating rinks
• Miniature golf courses (indoor and outdoor)
• Laser-tag facilities
• Paintball facilities
• Arcades
• Amusement parks
• Zoos
• Ice cream parlors
• Build-A-Bear
• Soft play gyms (such as My Gym or Gymboree)
• Paint-your-own pottery facilities
• Art studios
• Fire stations

Budget Birthday Venues

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money–or any money at all–to book a space, consider these budget-friendly party places.

• Public parks
• Beaches
• Forests (perfect for a Robin Hood, fairy, or woodland theme)
• Campgrounds
• Public gardens (host a garden, bug, or fairy party)
• School gyms or classrooms (for a sports- or school-themed party)
• School tracks
• Community centers
• Church recreation halls
• Libraries

Back to Nature

Get in touch with Mother Earth with a party that celebrates the outdoors. These party places make it easy for kids to connect with nature.

• Parks
• Forests
• Campgrounds
• Zoos
• Farms
• Horse ranches that offer riding lessons
• Public gardens

For Creative Minds

Some birthday parties offer kids an opportunity to try a new skill or learn about the world around them. These are great venues for families that like to think outside the box.

• Children’s museums
• Science centers
• Art galleries or museums
• Nature and history museums
• Aquariums
• Painting studios
• Craft stores (many offer private classes for specific crafts)
• Bakeries or restaurants (learn cake decorating or tour a professional kitchen)
• Kids’ cooking class venues
• Candy or chocolate shops
• Ballet studios
• Music studio or classroom
• Tea houses that host tea parties
• Bead or jewelry-making stores
• Civic theaters
• Paint-your-own pottery facilities
• Educational farms (also called farm schools)

For Active Kids

Have a kid who wants to get everyone moving on his or her birthday? Choose a birthday party place that encourages physical fitness.

• Ballet and dance studios
• Gymnastics centers
• Karate facilities
• Taekwondo facilities
• Tennis courts
• Indoor soccer fields
• Swimming pools
• Ice skating rinks
• Rollerskating rinks
• Hockey rink
• Public-school gym or sports field (perhaps where teenage cheerleaders, football players, or other athletes could teach skills to younger kids.)
• Yoga studios
• Go-kart facilities
• Fun buses or other transportable gyms
• Golf courses
• Skateboarding parks
• Batting cages
• Rock climbing gyms

Seasonal Party Venues

Depending on the time of year when your child’s birthday falls, you might consider a birthday party venue that celebrates the season.

• Beaches
• Swimming pools
• Waterslide parks
• Parks
• Lakes
• Gardens
• Farms
• Pumpkin patches or corn mazes
• Amusement parks
• Ice skating rinks
• Sledding hills
• Ski resorts or lodges

Party Places for Older Kids

Bounce houses are a blast for younger children, but teens and tweens might be looking for something more sophisticated. Oftentimes, they opt for an outing with a few close friends rather than a full-blown birthday party.

Whether your older kid wants a small affair or a big bash, consider these birthday party venue ideas.

• Day spas/beauty salons
• Restaurants
• Movie theaters
• Malls
• Professional or semi-pro sporting events
• Concerts
• Coffee houses
• Karaoke facilities
• All-ages dance clubs
• Art studios
• Cooking class facilities

Over-the-Top Fun

If money’s no object, host a party at one of these upscale locations.

• Mansions
• Historic homes
• Destination cities or attractions, such as Disneyland or New York City
• Boats that offer day cruises
• Hotels
• Dance clubs

Your community might have businesses who have developed their own party packages, such as a pet store that throws puppy parties, where kids can pet and care for dogs, for example.

You might also find professionals who don’t normally host parties but are willing to organize something for you on the side, such as school art teachers, crafting experts, ballet instructors, or college athletes.

Start by talking with your birthday boy or girl about their interests, and brainstorm the party venue possibilities from there.