It goes without being said that there’s so many incredible things to do with kids in NYC, and if it’s a birthday occasion there’s EVEN MORE! With tons of venues and children’s experiences at your disposal, there’s so many great options to host a special kid’s birthday celebration. In this guide, we’re going to take the fuss out of the party planning and clue you parents into the best spots to host. From creative art studios to NYC’s incredible jungle gyms, here’s a conclusive list.
1. Enjoy an enchanting dance spectacle at ‘Ballet of Lights’
Inspire wonder with Ballet of Lights, a dazzling fusion of classic fairy tales and modern dance. Kids are treated to performances like Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, where dancers glide in illuminated costumes, painting the stage with color and movement. The vibrant choreography and visual effects keep everyone engaged, transforming the celebration into an enchanting spectacle.
2. Horizon of Khufu: An Immersive VR Expedition to Ancient Egypt , Upper West Side
An educational and fun experience, Horizon of Khufu is a virtual escape to Ancient Egypt! Take the whole family on a journey back in time 4,500 years ago to the reign of King Khufu and unravel the mysteries of this time period. With cutting-edge VR technology enter forbidden corridors, unravel the mysteries of the Queen’s Chamber, and decipher hieroglyphs! Find details and tickets here.
Where: Eclipso NYC, 555 West 57th Street.
3. Tonight With The Impressionists, 1874
If you want your time travel to have a Parisian flair then Tonight with the Impressionist will be another completely different era to explore. Allow your kids to dive deep into the imagination of the start of impressionism and even meet Monet himself through this stunning virtual experience. For tickets and details, go here to unleash your creativity!
Where: Eclipso NYC, 555 West 57th Street.
4. The Banksy Museum, Lower Manhattan
More contemporary, The Banksy Museum will be a sight for your mini activists. It’s an outlet for deeper conversations. Throughout the month there will be free film screenings on select days included with your ticket. Take the whole family for a though-provoking outing, more details here!
Where: 277 Canal Street.
5. Candlelight Concerts, Multiple Locations
Candlelight concerts are simply majestic. It covers all varieties of genres and it can show younger generations songs they know and love in a completely different way. Shows feature hits like Bad Bunny, Drake and even video game theme songs! Go here to find out about all of these shows and more.
6. Book Nook, Multiple Locations
If you’re kids a bookworm, you’ve got to treat them to a birthday party at Book Nook, where a group can partake in crafting sessions, book readings, and so much more. Their party packages are pretty affordable at just $25 per child (with the birthday kid being free), and the time slots run on weekends starting at 11 am. It’s the best chance for your kid to become their favorite fairytale character, discover their new book series, and flex their crafting muscles. Learn more about all of Book Nook’s birthday party options here!
Where:
West End – 555 W 59th St
Tribeca – 23 Warren St
Park Slope – 58 Garfield Pl, Brooklyn
7. The Craft Studio
As the name suggests, The Craft Studio is all about the arts, and kids can take over the whole studio and get their hands on a unique crafting experience. Each party space is 1.5 hours of fun, and comes with on-site staff to teach, 1 craft per kid, choice of face painting or temporary tattoos, balloons, music, dancing, games, ice cream cake, and so much more. Their sessions start with a $350 deposit for their backroom (which fits about 35 kids and their accompanying adults) or you can rent their entire store out for another $1,000 (fits 50 kids and their accompany adults).
The Craft Studio’s multiple locations makes it the perfect kids birthday venue for the creative kid in your life.
Where:
Upper East Side – 1657 Third Ave
Tribeca – 176 Duane St
Brooklyn – 295 Atlantic Ave
8. Chelsea Piers
For the sporty kids, look to Chelsea Piers for a fun afternoon/night of a birthday party. Chelsea’s premier fitness and sport center is an amazing way to get the little ones exercising, with loads of customizable party packages and activities just waiting to be planned. There are truly options for every kind of kid, ranging from bowling parties to gymnastic parties to even American Ninja Warrior parties.
Prices start at $1,075 for a gold package, which includes 2-hours (75 minutes of activity 45 minutes in party space for up to 10 participants); or the platinum package for $1,275 which includes all that plus cake and party favors. You can view the bountiful sport party options at Chelsea Piers’ website here.
Where: 1 Old, Dock St, Brooklyn
9. Jane’s Carousel
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s famous Jane’s Carousel is always a great Brooklyn spot to host, where you can rent 1.5 hour time slots of up to 45 guests. Kids can ride the carousel an unlimited amount of times during the session and even walk away with a commemorative keepsake ticket too. The reservation will cost you $350 on weekdays and $450 on weekends, with each reservation also coming with reserved seating in the picnic grove or inside the Pavilion on rainy days. Learn more about how to plan a kids birthday here!
Where: 1 Old, Dock St, Brooklyn
10. Area 53
This 40,000-square-foot indoor adventure park is a kid’s wildest fantasy, and you can host one of the most memorable kid’s parties here for sure. Area 53’s attractions include rock climbing, ropes courses, ball pits, laser tag, bowling, paintball, and so much more! They offer 3 hour private room options for parties, where you can have cake and presents in between roller skating and dueling on the battle beam. Learn more about Area 53 here, and see their full party options here!
Where: 616 Scholes St, Brooklyn
11. The Art Farm
The Art Farm’s classes and kids birthday parties are focused predominately on art, animals, nature, seasonal cooking, and more…making it a great option for the little ones. Their mission is to let kids “engage in the natural world” through indoor petting zoos, arts and crafts, plus other activities. Their themed birthday parties make them an optimal venue, where kids can choose from a variety of themes like an “Exotic Animal Party” to a “Princess & Knights Party.” It’s great for kids ages 3-10 who want to bake chocolate cookies, pet snakes, and everything in between. See The Art Farm’s themed birthday party options here.
Where: 431 E 91st St, 2nd floor
12. The Painted Pot
Let the kids’ creativity run wild at Painted Pot, a pottery spot who just recently moved into the Park Slope neighborhood in Brooklyn! Little ones can be the artists of their dreams here, thanks to the various hands-on art experiences they offer. They offer 3 different kinds of art parties, including a classic pottery painting session (labeled the “Van Gogh Party”), a canvas painting party, and clay hand-building party where kids actually craft it themself. Prices usually hover around $100 per kid and you can learn more about Painted Pot’s options here.
Where: 188 5th Ave, Brooklyn
13. Prospect Park Carousel
Prospect Park’s iconic carousel has wow-ed many children in Brooklyn since 1912, and it’s available for children’s birthday parties on 2 hour time slots. Party planners can book the carousel and get unlimited rides during the time period, as well as access two 6-foot tables, 10 chairs, two child-sized tables and twelve child-sized chairs in a dedicated space under an awning. Guests are encouraged to supply their own food, but there is a nearby concession stand for snacks too. Learn more about to book a kids birthday party here!
Where: 452 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn
14. Genius Gems
This STEM-focused kids birthday party idea combines “creativity, interacting with peers, critical thinking, and having fun.” The play space is most well known for their over 100,000 magnetic tiles, robots, slime, 3D printers & more. Kids can play in their STEM-focused rooms and exhibits, as well as getting a private room for the party for a few hours. Genius Gems offers different birthday packages which start at $799 + tax for 12 kids and 2 adults. You can of course add more kids and activities. Learn more about Genius Gems’ options here.
Where: 555 6th Ave
15. Queens County Farm Museum
This farm birthday experience is perfect for the little ones (ages 12 and under), and there’s plenty of farm-focused fun to be had! Think hayrides, farmyard tours and animal feedings, food and snacks, plus a whole lot more! Queens County Farm Museum hosts recommends reserving a birthday party slot at least four months in advance, on Saturdays & Sundays from April – October. The reservation times are 10:30am – 1:00pm (Apr – Oct) and 2:30pm – 5:00pm (Apr – Sep). Learn more about how to book your kid’s birthday party at Queens County Farm Museum here!
Where: 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens
16. Industry City Game Room
Brooklyn’s lovely Industry City complex is a great spot to host a kid’s birthday party, which can hold up to 100 people! Their event space offers free-to-play vintage arcade games, ping pong, giant Jenga, table top gaming, and so much more. It’s able to be rented on Saturdays and Sundays, with two different sessions (12 – 2:30 pm or 3 – 5:30pm). Learn more about how to book your kid’s birthday party at Industry City’s Game Room here!
Where: 51 35th St, Brooklyn