Party Time! Best Birthday Bash Spots in the East Bay

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