If your child’s birthday is around the corner, it may be time to find a great place to celebrate.
As a kid, I always wanted a pool party in my backyard, but that may not be an option for every birthday celebration.
The type of party and who is invited can play a significant role in where you want to hold the party for the birthday child.
My children are still young, so I must make the final decision on where we hold the parties.
My son will be turning 3 soon, so my birthday boy will most likely have a party held at our home with only family invited.
Since my daughter will be turning 6, her guest list will have her friends from school and dance as well. That will play a large role in the event space we have the party.
If you are looking for a way to give your child an awesome birthday party, check out our list of the best birthday party venues.
Should I do an Indoor or Outdoor Party?
I come across this problem every year because of when my children’s birthdays fall. My son was born the day after my daughter’s 3rd birthday, so it can be very difficult to come up with a plan that works for everyone and still gives my children each an awesome birthday bash.
If you live in a rainy area or there is a possibility of snow, you may opt for an indoor party, so you don’t have to worry about the weather the day of the party.
You could also have it at home or at a location that gives guests the option of going inside or staying outside.
If you do go with an outdoor party, be sure to put up multiple tents with tables and chairs. Your guests would prefer not to stand outside in the sun or rain for hours.
Where are Some Places to Hold Their Party?
1. At Home
One of the best places and the easiest option is to have your child’s birthday party in your own backyard.
Pros:
As the party host, you will save on renting a space and you won’t have to pack your car up to take everything somewhere.
If you decide to do the party at your home, you could make the party epic with some of these ideas. You could use a pool if you have one, rent a bouncy house, set up water games, face painting, set up obstacle courses, or even do a slumber party. There are so many ways to utilize the outdoor spaces.
Cons:
You would need to put up tents and have tables and chairs. This could be an added cost if you don’t have any you own or could borrow.
If you don’t have a large home, space could be an issue.
You should also consider weather since it’s probably not a good idea to go swimming in a snowstorm.
Guests will need to go inside to use the restroom even if it’s an outdoor party.
2. A Family Member’s Home
If your parents or close relatives have the space, you could use their house for the party.
Pros:
This could be great if they have a pool or another fun activity to do at their home.
The cost will be low because you will save on paying for a venue.
You still have the option of renting a bounce house or other outdoor equipment.
Cons:
You’ll still need tents, tables, and chairs for your guests.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
You will have to rely on the owner of the home to clean their home and prep their yard so you can use it.
Guests will need to use the owner’s bathroom.
3. Venues / Community Centers
Renting a venue can be a great option if you are unable to use your home and you still want a private party room.
Pros:
You will have plenty of indoor space in the private room to set up the party decorations.
Weather would not be an issue if it’s an indoor venue.
Many venues have a kitchen accessible to parties, which could include a refrigerator for cake, ice cream, and other cold foods.
On-site bathrooms for all guests.
Cons:
Venues can be expensive depending on the size, number of guests, and type of venue.
A wedding venue can cost thousands for a private event, but a legion or lodge could be free if you or a family member are a member.
You will have to follow decorating rules set by the venue.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
4. Bowling Alley
If your child likes bowling, a bowling party could be a lot of fun and one of the best birthday party places.
Pros:
A bowling party will keep the guests entertained the whole party.
There are typically party packages that cover the cost of games and shoes for each guest playing.
Some bowling alleys have food on-site that can be ordered for the party guests.
On-site bathrooms for all guests.
Cons:
The cost could be expensive if you have a large group of people you are inviting.
There are not many options for decorating.
Bowling parties are not private because there will be bowlers in lanes around your lanes.
There is not much room for having cake and opening presents except the small tables for each lane.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
5. Children’s Museum
Do you have a budding scientist? A children’s museum could be the perfect party location for your kid's next birthday party.
Pros:
The kids have plenty of activities to do during the party.
Most museums have a party room you can use.
Party packages are normally offered depending on what you would like for the party.
All clean-up is done for you.
On-site bathrooms for all guests.
Cons:
Parents will have to follow their children around the museum and watch them closely since there are typically not structured activities.
The museum is usually still open to the public and there could be more than one party at a time.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
6. Trampoline Park
Trampoline Parks are becoming more and more popular among kids.
Pros:
Kids will be able to jump for a large portion of the party.
Party rooms available for cake and presents.
Party package options available and can include food, cake, and bounce time.
All clean-up is done for you.
On-site bathroom for all guests.
Cons:
Parents will have to follow their children around the trampoline park and watch them closely since risk of injury is high.
The trampoline park will still be open to the public and there could be multiple parties going on at once.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
7. Dance Studio
Tap into your child’s interests if you have a dancer by holding their party at their dance studio for a fun dance party.
Pros:
It’s a place your child loves, and they will be proud to show it off to their friends.
It would be a unique venue to use and themed party.
The dancer teacher will entertain the children with instructor-led games and dances.
The studio space can be used as a private party space, so you won’t have strangers there.
On-site bathroom for all guests.
Cons:
You will need to supply the food if you want to feed your guests food beyond cake and ice cream.
You will be limited on party days and times based on the studio’s schedule.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
8. Local YMCA
Most cities have their own YMCA, some of which allow indoor birthday parties for kids.
Pros:
Party packages are offered for each location.
Fun activities coordinated by a staff member.
Party room available for cake and presents.
On-Site bathrooms available for guests.
Cons:
Activities available for the party inside the YMCA depend on your local venue.
Not all YMCA locations offer Party packages or the same options.
You must provide all decorations, food, cake, and anything party related.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
9. Tea Room
A Tea Party at a tearoom is the perfect party for a child who loves tea parties.
Pros:
Tea and desserts or pastries are provided.
Party packages included which can include party princesses.
Coordinator and staff to organize tea party.
The tea party would be a private party, so you won’t have strangers there.
On-site bathrooms available for guests.
Cons:
You may need to provide all decorations, food, cake, and anything party related beyond the tea.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
10. Movie Theater
If you have a child who loves movies, many movie theaters offer birthday party packages.
Pros:
Movie packages available to cover each child’s ticket, use of party room, and more depending on the venue.
The children are all entertained by the movie.
Party rooms available for after the movie for cake and presents.
Movie theater food available for purchase.
On-site bathrooms available for guests.
Cons:
There’s a chance not all the children will be interested in the same movie.
The movie theater may still be open to the public and there could be multiple parties going on at once.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
11. Water Park
If you live near a water park, it just may just be one of the best kids birthday party venues.
Pros:
Children will have access to the water park and other activities within the park depending on the party packages.
A pavilion or party area will be reserved for the party.
On-site bathrooms available for guests.
Cons:
The water park will still be open to the public and there could be multiple parties going on at once.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule at the pavilion.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue. Will also need to get everything into the park.
12. State Park
Are you looking for an outdoor party location, but you don’t want to have the party at home? A state park could be the perfect place to have your kids birthday parties.
Pros:
A pavilion or party area will be reserved for the party.
You will not have to provide tents, tables, or seating.
You can decorate the pavilion and all rented areas.
Typically, inexpensive to rent.
Some state parks have beaches, hiking trails, playgrounds, and swimming area.
Plenty of space for the party.
Cons:
You must provide all decorations, food, cake, and anything party related.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule at the pavilion.
May not have a bathroom available to guests.
You will need to supply the activities for the children.
There are no inside options if the weather is bad.
13. Playground / Pavilion
Many local playgrounds have pavilions you can rent for a few hours for the coolest outdoor party.
Pros:
A pavilion or party area will be reserved for the party.
You will not have to provide tents, tables, or seating.
You can decorate the pavilion and all rented areas.
Typically, inexpensive or free to rent.
Cons:
You must provide all decorations, food, cake, and anything party related.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule at the pavilion.
The playground will not be reserved so it will still be open to the public.
May not have a bathroom available to guests.
There are no inside options if the weather is bad.
14. Ice Skating Rink
You don’t need to wait until winter to go ice skating with this awesome indoor ice-skating birthday party.
Pros:
An ice-skating party will keep the guests entertained the whole party.
There are typically party packages that cover the use of the rink and skates for each guest skating.
Some ice rinks have food on-site that can be ordered for the party guests.
On-site bathrooms for all guests.
Cons:
The cost could be expensive if you have a large group of people you are inviting.
There are not many options for decorating unless there is a party room available.
Ice skating parties are not private because there will be other skaters using the rink.
There is a possibility all children cannot participate depending on who is invited.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
15. Build a Bear
Some children love stuffed animals, which would make this Build a Bear party special for them.
Pros:
Party packages available to cover each child’s bear cost and any additional add-ons you would like to include.
A party leader will help the children build their bears and stay on track.
Children will get to keep their bears after if you don’t choose the donate bears birthday package.
Cons:
The cost could be expensive if you have a large group of people you are inviting.
There is nowhere to decorate for the party or have cake and ice cream, so you will need to plan for a place to go after.
Build a Bear parties are not private because there will be other shoppers there making and purchasing bears.
Guests will have to go into the mall or leave to use the bathroom depending on the location.
16. Hotel Pool
Looking to throw an indoor pool party, a hotel pool party would be a great option.
Pros:
A hotel pool party will keep the guests entertained the whole party.
There are typically party packages that cover the use of the pool.
The kids will all be in one area.
On-site bathrooms for all guests.
Cons:
You must provide all decorations, food, cake, and anything party related.
There may not be lifeguards to watch the swimmers.
You are required to keep your party within a certain time schedule.
You may not be able to fully reserve the pool to only your party, so it may still be open to hotel guests.
You will have to transport everything to and from the venue.
Planning your child’s birthday can be so much fun, but it can also be stressful to plan all the details especially if you're trying to find the best kids birthday party place.
It seems that parties have become so elaborate and over-the-top. Parents want to give their kids the best birthday ever.
Some of these locations could be great options to have your child’s birthday depending on their interests and what would be best for you.
Try not to make more work for yourself and remember to enjoy the parties you throw for your children.
What types of venues have you thrown your children’s birthday parties at?
Are there any venues you would add to our list?
Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
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