Awesome Kids Birthday Party Venues in San Diego

The New Children's Museum

Spend your birthday boy or girl's special day at the coolest museum for kids downtown. Guests of your party get museum entry and two hours in the special party room. Party activities can be added-on for a flat-rate of $50 and goody bags can be purchased for $3/bag. Your kiddo's crew will love all of the Museum's exhibits––especially hanging out in their super cool art installation: Whammock!––a giant rainbow hammock they can swing and walk across,

Age: 1-12
Cost: $300-$350 for up to 25 guests

200 W. Island Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-233-8792
Online: thinkplaycreate.org

Besties Cool Treats

What could be better than having a birthday party in a land of sweet treats? Besties Cool Treats lets your sweetie enjoy a super fun environment while devouring treats with their besties. Kids will love the retro vibe of this Liberty Station locale. Big kids will enjoy the old-school mini arcade and little ones will relish the chance to play in the kid-sized retro camper. Parties range from a one-hour party for 10 guests with ice cream or froyo to one and a half hour parties for 15-25 guests that include a party hostess, games, activities and treats. Hot cocoa bar and waffle bar parties are also available in the fall and winter months. 

Age: All ages
Cost: $99-$475

2751 Roosevelt Rd #103
San Diego, CA 92106
619-269-0699
Online: bestiescooltreats.com

San Diego Zoo

Let your party animal go wild with a birthday party at the world famous San Diego Zoo. The Zoo is offering an awesome Aussie Outback Birthday Bash that includes all-day zoo admission, lunch and a birthday cake. This Australian adventure features close-up animal presentations and entertainment by the Zoo's beloved Dr. Zoolittle. Partygoers will get to gobble up a cheese pizza lunch in the Aussie Outback party room which is outfitted with Zoo decorations, followed by birthday cake and Zoo-themed birthday activities. For reservations and more info call 619-685-3259 or email events@sandiegozoo.org.

Age: 10 and younger
Cost: $79/person for ages 3 and older; Birthday child and kids 2 and younger are free with an accompanying paid adult.

The San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park
2920 Zoo Dr.
San Diego, CA
619-231-1515
Online: sandiegozoo.org

San Diego Children's Discovery Museum

Calling all young explorers! The San Diego Children's Discovery Museum is the perfect party spot for little tykes and it's easy to plan for the big day. They offer themed parties like dinosaur discovery or dance around the world. You also get a party assistant and your own parking spot on that special day. Also good to note, the Museum offers mobile birthday parties, which include some of their traveling exhibits and workshops.

Click here for more info and details on setting up a grand birthday party!

Age: Kids one to ten years-old
Cost: $220 for 15 guests; $470 for 40 guests

320 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA
760-233-7755
Online: sdcdm.org

Poway ICE - The Rinks

Does your little one want to build a snowman? Well, in San Diego that's a tall order, but the next best thing is a truly 'frozen' birthday party filled with ice skating and fun. Glide on over to The Rinks for a chill birthday party. Party packages include a party host, party room, photos on the Jumbotron and additional amenities as you increase in price, including pizzas, on and off the ice lessons, party decorations and more. Book your party two weeks in advance by contacting The Rinks here.

Age: All
Cost: Parties cost $400 for your birthday boy or girl and up to ten guests.

Poway ICE- The Rinks
12455 Kerran St.
Poway, CA
858-956-0045
Online: powayice.therinks.com

San Diego Air and Space Museum

Shoot for the moon at this birthday spot that budding astronauts will love. Each party blasts off with a super scientific activity like sled kites, Alka-Seltzer rockets or foam flyers. Then, guests get a personalized museum tour with lots of good facts about the airplanes and rockets. You supply the food (and presents, of course). However, kids will leave with a goody bag perfect for the whole flight crew.

Ages: Kids five years and older
Cost: $300-$375 for 15 kids and 15 adults

2001 Pan American Plaza
San Diego, CA
619-234-8291
Online: sandiegoairandspace.org

Helen Woodward Animal Center

Hands down the best place to have an animal birthday paw-ty. This nonprofit expertly pairs education with the festivities. Further, they include themed party decorations, set-up, hosting and clean up. Plus, you'll get an animal encounter, face painting and private back tour. We love the Bow-Wow Party for little ones and the Jammin' Jungle theme for bigger kids who crave a reptile encounter.

Ages: All ages
Cost: $235-plus with 20-plus guests

6461 El Apajo Rd.
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
858-756-4117
Online: animalcenter.org

CeramiCafe

Party-goers get to have their cake and eat it too at CeramiCafe. The best part about this venue is that you don't have to be an artist, yet you get to make a great piece of pottery. If you decide on the cupcake party (which by the way is very popular), then each guest gets a cupcake with fruit punch on the side. Also, they host and clean up. But mostly, the birthday artist enjoys creative time with friends.

Ages: Best for kids five years and older
Cost: $55 party fee, plus $16 per person

3425 Del Mar Heights Rd.
San Diego, CA
858-259-9958
Online: ceramicafe.com

Kid Ventures

Capture the imagination at this birthday hot spot. With creative dress-up from princess to fire person and great attention to detail, party planning is easy and fun. So, bring your ideas and let them get to it. Even more, kids love to slide down the castle, climb the pirate ship and ride the bright red fire truck. Plus, at party time, bubbles and a giant parachute keep the kiddos entertained.

Ages: Kids one year and older
Cost: $295 for 12 guests 

Locations at Liberty Station, 4S Ranch, and Eastlake

Online: indoorplaysandiego.com

Pump It Up

San Diego Botanic Garden

This oasis hosts a blooming marvelous birthday fete for the littles. Set-up in a private picnic spot and explore the Seeds of Wonder garden. Budding green thumbs can pot plants, easel paint, create bubbles and paint rocks. Plus, there's also train mountain, dino dig and an epic treehouse to play in. Here you'll find that nature is nurture.

Note: Older kids' parties are on hold due to construction.

Ages: Kids one to five years-old
Cost: $495 for 20 kids and 20 adults

230 Quail Gardens Dr.
Encinitas, CA
760-436-3036
Online: sdbgarden.org

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate party for me! All aboard the Star of India for a three-hour pirate party. Ye little mateys learn Swashbuckling 101 including the secrets of ship plundering. Even more, they raise the sail and lower the anchor. And finally, divide the gold amongst the crew. Also, you bring the cake and goody bags (which little pirates find on the treasure hunt).

Ages: Kids five years and older
Cost: $499 for 20 kids

1492 North Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA
619-234-9153
Online: sdmaritime.org

Kidville

High-energy for your little one and easy for you to put on. This padded open gym is perfect for bouncing, swinging and run-around play. Moreover, they're known for their hassle-free parties and well-trained staff. Other parents will thank you for letting them take a breather.

Ages: Kids one to seven years-old
Cost: $350 for 12 kids; $450 for 16 kids

2375 Marron Rd.
Carlsbad, CA
760-730-9022
Online: kidsvilleplaygym.com