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Finding the perfect birthday venue for your kid can be a tough job. These East Bay spots for kid birthday parties know how to hit it out of the park with the minimum amount of parental stress. Scroll down to discover unique venues that will delight your birthday boy or girl, as well as their whole crew and leave the planning to the experts!
Fairyland, Oakland
Imagine having cake and ice cream right next to Cinderella's glass slipper! Aimed at the six and under set, Fairyland is one of the most budget-friendly options to boot plus you can grab a few picnic tables in the Teddy Bear Grove on a first come-first served basis. Looking to just show up and have everything taken care of? Opt for the catered party option for full service!
Cost: Picnic tables in Teddy Bear Grove included with admission, or book a party package starting at $350 for 10 kids
Ages: Ideal for kids under 7
Online: fairyland.org
Oakland Zoo, Oakland
What better place for a bunch of party animals, than the zoo? The Oakland Zoo is a popular spot for East Bay birthdays and it's easy to see why. Options can include special, close-up interactions with animals and staff demonstrations. The zoo offers tons of add-ons, so your party can stand out from the pack!
Cost: Start at $225/members, $250/non members for up to 40 guests; guests pay discounted group rate admission
Ages: All ages
Online: oaklandzoo.org
StemChef
StemChef is currently booking virtual online escape rooms for birthday options. Kids are given a series of clues to move virtually through several rooms which culminates with using the science they learned to create a tasty treat!
Cost: $25/participant
Ages: 8 and up
Online: stemchef.com
East Bay SPCA, Oakland
Meet some shelter animals and learn about this fantastic organization when you plan a birthday party here. You get the party space for two hours, a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and meet and greet with a dog and a cat (if appropriate shelter animals are present). The birthday child goes home with a stuffed dog.
Cost: $300 for up to 16 kids
Ages: 6 and up
Online: eastbayspca.org
Oakland Ice, Oakland
Your child will be the coolest around, no matter the time of year, with an ice skating party here. Each party gets a designated Party Captain who will give guests skating lessons, lead games and make sure the birthday boy or girl is happy. Packages include two hours of skating, skate rental and an hour in the party room with pizza and drinks. You can add on cakes or cupcakes—or bring your own (must be commercially prepared).
Cost: Starts at $310 for up to 10 guests
Ages: All ages
Online: Oaklandice.com
Color Me Mine, Various Locations
This spot takes the cake for best favors. Guests can take home the creations they'll make at this paint-your-own pottery and canvas studio. The fee includes set up and take down, as well as invitations. Hosts can bring in their own food and refreshments.
Cost: $100 for two hours, cost of pottery extra
Ages: Best for 6 & up
Online: colormemine.com
Kids Plays Zone
For children ten and under, this huge indoor play structure plus imagination play areas will be a hit! Kids can run free while adults mingle and catch up while KPZ does all the work—that's winning in our books!
Cost: $595 for two hours of exclusive use of the play zone for 12 kids
Ages: Under 10
Online: kidsplayzoneoakland.com
Bladium, Alameda
Staff at this super sports club and fitness center will keep the kids moving, while you sit back and relax. You can choose from a variety of party options: inflatables, rock climbing, flag football and soccer games, just to name a few. Prices vary depending on the activity, but each two-hour party includes pizza and drinks.
Cost: Starts at $399 for two hours, for up to 15 children
Ages: All ages, depending on activity booked
Online: bladiumalameda.com
Pacific Pinball Museum, Alameda
**TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO PARTIES***
Get some retro birthday fun at this Alameda spot that's ready to host your crew of kids. Rent a party room for up to three hours and bring in your own food or order pizza delivery. Guests will enjoy unlimited play on over 90 vintage pinball machines.
Cost: $150 plus $15/person admission for up to 40 people.
Ages: All ages
Online: bookings.pacificpinball.org
Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland
**TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO PARTIES***
Birthday parties are out-of-this-world up at the Chabot Space & Science Center. The cost includes admission for up to 30 guests and a planetarium show (complete with a special birthday message). You can even customize other activities to best suit the ages of your guests.
Cost: Starts at $500/members, $550/non-members
Ages: 3 and up
Online: chabotspace.org
Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley
**TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO PARTIES***
Choose your own adventure at this awesome science museum: biology, chemistry, space science, animal encounters or engineering. Each type of party includes hands-on experiments and workshops. They'll also reserve a private room for you, or a section in their revamped cafe if you choose to have them provide the refreshments.
Cost: $265/members, $300/non-members
Ages: 4-11
Online: lawrencehallofscience.org
Habitot, Berkeley
***TEMPORARILY CLOSED***
Here's an experience your child will never forget: partygoers could have the museum all to themselves, if you book a party here during their usual off-hours. Habitot is an awesome spot for the toddler crowd, with tons of opportunities for imaginative play and learning. You can add on catering and special goodie bags, too. They also offer party rooms for functions during regular museum hours.
Cost: Starts at $250 for 90 minutes and up to eight children
Ages: All ages
Online: habitot.org
Junior Center for Arts and Science, Oakland
Hosting a party isn't rocket science, but it can be if you want it to! One of the party packages here offers guests the chance to make and launch their own model rockets. Other options include animal encounters and art instruction. They provide the materials and the know-how, you provide the refreshments and cake.
Cost: Starts at $350-$375 for up to 14 guests
Ages: All ages
Online: juniorcenter.org
MOCHA, Oakland
You and your guests can get creative with a party of the Museum of Children's Arts. They provide all the materials and an art teacher to guide guests through the project at hand. MOCHA offers a bunch of cool themes, too—like "Sci-Fi" where kids can use recycled materials! Projects can be adjusted for a variety of age ranges.
Cost: Starts at $375 for two hours for 10 kids, 15 adults and 1 teaching assistant
Ages: All ages
Online: mocha.org
Aquatech, Alameda
Make a splash with a swim party, no matter what time of year. This indoor aquatic center, with two East Bay locations, hosts pool parties all year 'round. The two-hour rental includes one hour of free swim time and one hour use of the party room. You can add on a bunch of different extras and parents are welcomed (and encouraged) to get in the water, too!
Cost: $475 for two hours, up to 20 child swimmers
Ages: All ages, though those who can't swim independently *must* be accompanied by an adult in the water
Phone: 866-633-4147
Online: aquatechswim.com
TuTu School, Various Locations
What goes better with cupcakes than tutus? This chain of dance studios offers packages that truly are all-inclusive. Parties include a short dance class, cupcakes, dress-ups (tutus and capes) and crafty favors. Your tiny dancers will also be treated to a special, birthday story time.
Cost: Start at $495 for 90 minutes and up to 10 children
Ages: All ages
Phone: 925-357-5350
Online: tutuschool.com
Pump It Up, Concord, Oakland, Pleasanton
Your guests will be ready for a nap after a party here, guaranteed. Packages can be customized tons of ways, but all include a healthy dose of bounce time on their giant inflatables. They've also made booking super easy with an all-online system. Make sure you tell your guests to bring their socks!
Cost: Starts at $349 for up to 10 guests
Ages: All ages but kids under 34 inches are not allowed on the inflatables
Phone: 925-681-1060
Online: pumpitupparty.com
Golden Skate, San Ramon
Let the good times roll with a good ol' fashioned roller skating party. This is one of the East Bay's most beloved rinks and it's easy to see why. Parties include admission and skate rental for your guests as well as invitations and service items for food and cake. The birthday kid also gets all kind of perks—he or she can even put in song requests.
Cost: Starts at $299.50 for up to 10 guests
Ages: 4 and up
Phone: 925-820-2525
Online: thegoldenskate.com
#bouncefarm, Martinez
Your guests will be bouncing off the walls—literally—no matter how much cake they eat! #bouncefarm is an all-indoor facility of jump houses. From giant slides to obstacle courses, they have it all. Parties include pizza and cupcakes and an hour of bounce time for the kids to work up their appetites.
Cost: Starts at $425 for 2 hours 15 minutes, up to 15 kids
Ages: All ages
Phone: 925-228-2028
Online: bouncefarmfun.com
Lindsay Wildlife Experience, Walnut Creek
Guests will get up close and personal with some of the majestic animals they care for at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience. Experts will be on hand to talk about the animals and help guide you through the museum. The birthday kid even gets his or her very own t-shirt as part of the package!
Cost: $450/members, $500/non-members for up to 15 kids and 15 adults
Ages: Ages 1-12 recommended
Phone: 925-935-1978
Online: lindsaywildlife.org
Silliman Aquatic Center, Newark
This giant, aquatic playground is the perfect venue for a birthday guy or gal who loves to splash. The pool area features a giant play structure, a lazy river and a super fast slide. The center has customizable packages for all age groups, even teens will like the offerings!
Cost: Starts at $400 for non-residents, for two hours and up to 15 guests
Ages: All ages
Phone: 510-578-4620
Online: newark.org
SensationAll, Concord
This inclusive play space offers a variety of activities to get the kids moving. The indoor playground swings and trampolines and a zip-line is in the works. Party-goers also have access to the sensory room and creativity center.
Cost: Starts at $400 for up to 20 guests
Ages: All ages
Phone: 925-798-1888
Online: sensationallkidsgym.com
Bricks and Minifigs, Concord
Let the kids go wild with LEGO bricks and don't worry about the clean up. Parties start with building and racing LEGO race cars and then move onto Minifig building. Each guest even gets to take a Minifig home (two for the birthday kid). You can bring all of your own food, but they'll supply to plates, napkins and utensils.
Cost: Starts at $160 for up to 12 guests
Ages: 5 and up
Phone: 925-825-1954
Online: bricksandminifigs.com
—Melissa Bouse
Featured photo: iStock
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