The Best Kids Birthday Party Places and Ideas
A great birthday party can create memories that last a lifetime – but they can be so hard to put together. Hosting a birthday party at home is tempting, however, you’re looking at a lot of work and setup, not to mention the near-certainty of something in your home getting broken or stained.
It’s little wonder that parents are increasingly looking for events outside the home when putting together parties. You’re using facilities that are someone else’s problem, and simply paying for access. Plus, kids will almost always remember parties at a cool event location over parties held at home. (And the other adults will probably enjoy them too!)
So, let’s look into some of the best places for kids’ birthday parties, including some of our personal favorites.
Great Places To Host a Kids’ Birthday Party
1 – Zoos and Animal Parks
Who doesn’t love animals? Zoos are absolutely perfect for a kid’s birthday party because they offer so many attractions, and opportunities to interact with the animals. Plus, they’re actually educational – but so interesting that most kids won’t even notice they’re learning. Make sure to choose one with a petting zoo included, if at all possible.
Typically, you don’t even need to fully reserve the park (although that’s often an option) and can simply visit on a group package, while holding the present-opening part in one of the park’s restaurants.
2 – Minigolf
Minigolf is a great choice when you have kids who want to get active, but without doing anything too strenuous. Kids as young as 5-6 can start learning the game, while also providing plenty of entertainment to the adults in the group as well. Some minigolf courses also include other amusements, like typically including an arcade and a restaurant.
The only thing to watch out for is hyper-competitive kids who might ruin the fun for younger or less experienced players. Adults need to help ensure everyone has a good time, without taking their game too seriously.
3 – Arts and Crafts Studios
A newer idea for kids’ birthday party locations, we’ve seen a number of arts and craft studios pop up. These provide highly creative spaces full of art supplies, which allow everyone at the party to have a great time making art. Even better, the pieces created at the party can then become part of the gifts, ensuring the child has keepsakes that they can treasure for a long time to come.
If you’re bringing smaller kids, be sure to advise all the parents to bring an extra change of clothes. Art can be messy, especially when young children are involved. Likewise, adults probably want to dress in ‘disposable’ clothes, in case a paint-related accident occurs.
4 – Laser Tag
Do you have an older middle/high-school child and you’re having a hard time finding a venue that they’d still enjoy? Try laser tag! This 80s classic lives on to this day, in a competitive experience which is like an even better version of the first-person shooting games they like to play on their phones. Plus, your adult friends might want to get in a round themselves, when the opportunity arises.
Laser tag does require a certain amount of physical exertion and mobility, so be sure all the guests will be fit for it. Don’t leave a kid on the sidelines, if they wouldn’t be able to participate.
5 – Bowling Alley
Bowling is another all-time classic that people of all ages still enjoy. There’s nothing quite like the pure satisfaction of seeing a heavy ball knock pins everywhere, and it’s a game that can be picked up quickly by newcomers. Bowling alleys also typically have food and drink available, and if you’re looking to fully rent out a venue, they’re one of the cheaper options if you want to reserve the alley for an evening.
However, like laser tag, be sure everyone at the party will be physically fit and able to participate. This is also a better activity for kids 8+, rather than young ones, due to the heavy and slightly dangerous balls.
6 – Sporting Events
This can be a little tricky to schedule, but if the dates happen to line up, the result can be magical for kids who are really into a particular sport. This is a rare situation where it might even be OK to hold the party on a different day, for the experience of seeing a live sporting event.
Also, don’t feel like you have to hold out for a major-league-level game. For kids, seeing the local minor league team play would be just as fun as a trip to a mega-stadium. It might even be more fun for them, since they’ll typically be a lot closer to the action, and can probably go meet the players afterwards.
7 – Trampoline Parks
Perhaps the ultimate option, if you have kids who are full of energy, trampoline parks and other “bouncy house” locations, are a great way to ensure they can be as crazy as they want to. Modern trampoline parks are designed to be as safe as possible, with plenty of guardrails and other safety features, so they’re suitable for any physically fit children.
These parks very often have other physical activities as well, such as possibly including rock climbing or rope climbing. The other parents will appreciate seeing the kids burn off all their energy before the drive home!
Or Bring it ALL Together at Boondocks!
With four locations across Colorado and Utah, Boondocks is becoming one of the most popular birthday party destinations in the Midwest! Our locations are filled to the brim with activities. You can get mini golf, bowling, laser tag, bumper cars or boats, go-karts, arcade games, and more, all in one place! We’re also downright proud of our restaurant, which goes far beyond the usual “pizza and hot dogs” fare you find at most other kids’ birthday party locations. Adults will love our food too, not to mention our selection of adult beverages.
To get started, just contact us to inquire about reservations at any of our locations.