Happy Birthday to you, you live in a zoo … oh wait, we’re adults here; we plan birthday parties instead of acting like monkeys at them. And, like many adult responsibilities, birthday party planning can be a bit stressful (especially with Aunt Betty on the RSVP list), but it’s much less so if you secure a stellar venue.
To make that first step a breeze for you, we asked Red Tri readers to send us tips on where they’ve had winning parties.We then hand picked the top options encompassing different age groups and price points (see the listed web sites for specific details). Start with these and let the madness, er, fun begin:
- Mountlake Terrace Swimming Pool Mountlake Terrace
5303 228th St. SW
425.776.9173
Twelve miles north of downtown Seattle off of 1-5. Playing in the pool is a blast for kids–hopefully they’ll burn up plenty of energy, too. You can rent this entire indoor pool, complete with a Lazy River. Rafts, noodles, life jackets and floating toys available. There’s also different rooms you can rent for the celebration itself. - Remlinger Farms Carnation
32610 Northeast 32nd Street
425.333.4135
About forty-five minutes east of Seattle. Worth the drive so that kids can experience the Country Fair Family Fun Park with its animal barnyard, mini roller coaster, ferris wheel, pony riding area, steam train and much more. The farm serves a lunch of pizza, salad and birthday cake in a special birthday party corral area. - Creation Station Lynnwood
19511 64th Ave W
425.775.7959
Kids with an artsy streak will dig this place–imaginations can run wild with all the fun, recycled arts and crafts supplies provided. (Think paper, beads, fabric, buttons, feathers, rhinestones. etc.) You bring your own cake, ice cream and drinks. Creation Station provides supplies for projects and then kids take home a goody bag of creative stuff from the store’s bulk bins at the end of the party.
Other great party sites:
- Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio Seattle. Can accommodate two-hour birthday parties for eight kids, centered around age-appropriate art projects
- Green Lake Community Center Seattle. A very budget-friendly option–you get a big play space with plenty o’ toys, plus a separate space for cake and ice cream time.
- The Children’s Museum Seattle. Rent the entire museum after hours or get a party room (includes museum admission for 15 children and all accompanying adults).
- Pump it Up Kirkland. Appropriately dubbed the “The Inflatable Party Zone.” Kids over two bounce in and interact with colorful, inflatable shapes in this indoor play space.
- Kelsey Creek Community Park Bellevue. Home to a barn with farm animals including pigs, goats, sheep and the ever-popular ponies.
- Woodland Park Zoo Seattle. Catered, wild-animal-themed b-day parties in the Rain Forest Food Pavilion take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Tips from readers via email:
From Amy P.: we love gatherings at the UW arboretum. spring and summer time birthdays with picnic foods, balls, strolls in the park and looking at all the plants and ducks. especially walking over the water overy by the university bridge. cupcakes are perfect for the birthday outdoorfest!
From Meritan L: My son really loves Kidzbounce in Issaquah. No worries about the weather in April and they can get their bounce on – not as crowded as Pump it up and less expensive, too!
From Abbysmom: I took my daughter to the Queen Mary Tea Room in NE Seattle for her third birthday with two of her friends. They serve a very special Princess Tea that they just loved! The three girls were treated like princesses with their own tiaras, real china tea cups, and a special afternoon tea made just for kids. The staff there was wonderfully accommodating to children. My daughter had a great day, and it was fun for us moms too, to relax with tea and scones while the girls had their tea party.
From vburnaby: We had a great party at Farrell-McWhirter Park in Redmond for my son. They have a great area full of animals (pigs, turkey’s, chickens, goats, sheep, bunnies, horses) that the kids can explore and do pony rides for the party kids. You can either get their cottage for the party or a picnic shelter. Lots of wide open grass space for running and games, play area but really nothing beats the pony rides!
From sarahhp: My son loved GREAT PLAY in Redmond. He had a ton of friends running through obstacles courses, having the speed of their baseball throws timed, playing basketball, etc. The perfect venue for my high energy boy!
From aupres: My kids love Little Gym and Gymboree parties. They are good choices for preschoolers.
From MamaJess: We love ROARING MOUSE! The staff there is really amazing and really know how to get the kids to bring out their inner creative! 5 stars for the ROARING MOUSE!
From Epiphius: My kids have summer birthdays, so we like the shelter area at Crossroads splash park!Kindermusik also does birthday parties and we’re thinking about that for next year!
From annabanana: We heard about this amazing birthday place called “Fox Hollow” in Issaquah. I booked a “Where the Wild Things Are” Party ….the kids bounced on huge inflatables and rode horses… plus enjoyed an amazing array of little critters to hold and play with….all in this gorgeous setting tucked in the mountains of Issaquah. Soooo cool!
Other Seattle Birthday Party Stories:
Seattle Girls Birthday Parties
Beyond the Bouncy House: Active Birthday Parties
Seattle Artsy Birthday Parties
Best Seattle & Eastside Parks for Birthdays
Best Bakeries for Birthday Cakes in Seattle & Eastside
Click Here for Dozens More Birthday Ideas, Gifts, Favors and Resources on our Birthday Party Pages
