I, personally, love hosting parties at home. Home is always cozier, more intimate and, the best part, free! But I can certainly recognize the downside of that as well: having to clean before and after, preparing everything, plus, running the risk of having things broken. So, depending on the length of your guest list, it might be a good idea to consider doing it at a venue. Especially when it’s for kids. The chance of mayhem is usually higher.
Last year I hosted my daughter’s birthday at home but got too carried away and ended up inviting more guests than I should have. That ended up making both me and my daughter feeling a little overwhelmed so this year, I am strongly considering a venue. Since I like to start planning early I decided to do an initial research right at the beginning of the year so that I have enough time to evaluate the possibilities.
Unfortunately, traditional options like Seattle Children’s Museum and Woodland Zoo are temporarily unavailable due to COVID. So, be mindful that some venues often change party rules so make sure you double check with them directly to make sure they are still holding parties and what are the requirements for it to be COVID safe.
I hope this list is useful to you all. Enjoy!
Imagine Children’s Museum
For the curious kid, a children’s museum can be a lot of fun with lots of interactive play and learning. The interactive exhibits and activities encourage children and their families to role play, experiment, splash, think, wander and create together.
Where?
Everett
How much?
Costs range from $115 to $430 depending on day of week and number of guests.
What’s included?
- 90 minutes in a private party room/s including set-up, celebration and clean-up.
- Unlimited playtime in the Museum for party guests.
- Imagine t-shirt and birthday button for the honoree.
- Free future visit coupon for every child.
- Online printable invitations or postcard invitations.
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
Another museum option is Kids Quest in Bellevue.
Where?
Bellevue
How much?
$350 for 25 guests. $450.00 for 35.
What’s included?
- All day admission for party guests (adults & children)
- 2-hour private room rental (includes setup and breakdown)
- Dedicated KidsQuest party host
- Compostable plates, cups, napkins, and utensils
- Use of colorful tablecloths
- KidsQuest birthday button
Seattle Mariners Field (currently T-Mobile Park)
For the baseball fans, nothing can beat a private tour of the Mariners field.
Where?
Seattle
How much?
- Up to 25 people – $350
- Up to 40 people – $500
What’s included?
- Personal guided tour for your group
- A private space within the ballpark for post-tour celebrations
- Mariners goody bag for birthday child and guests
Pool Rental from Seattle Parks and Rec
If your kid has a summer birthday, how about celebrating it at the pool??
Where?
Several pools around Seattle
How much?
Rental pricing varies by rental length, number of guests and facilities.
Required payment for any booking, in addition to hourly rates:
- Non-refundable booking fee – $30.25/hour
- Damage deposit – $200 flat fee
- Hourly lifeguard staff costs – $31/ hour
For indoors pools rental:
- Standard pool – $94.75/ hour
- Shallow end only – $47.50/ hour
For outdoor pools rental (Rainier Beach and Mounger Pools)
- Minimum fee for a party of 10 children – $273.25
- Additional fee per child (up to 20) – $13.25
What’s included?
- First hour is in water followed by one hour of deck time.
- A shared portion of the pool, the water slide and a personal area set up with tables and chairs will be reserved.
- Themed goodie bags for every child
- Party-ware
- Individual juice boxes
Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts
Honestly, this one is not just for kids. Watson offers a variety of games you can chose, including murder mysteries and trivia contests, to be played just about anywhere around town. You and your guests will be searching for answers to fun questions that will help you see a museum, neighborhood, or other cool place with new eyes. Check out their Seattle schedule for public hunts if you want to know more.
Where?
You chose! Traditionally, Pike Place Market and Seattle museums are great settings.
How much?
Prices vary based on group size, choice and length of game, and any add-ons you want. Private virtual games start at $525 on weekends and $650 on weekdays. In person, real-world scavenger hunts start at $700 on weekends and $750 on weekdays.
What’s included?
Personalized scavenger hunt according to your briefing.
Full Tilt Ice Cream
Full Tilt makes all natural ice cream and frozen desserts with as much creativity and local ingredients as possible. Their retail outlets feature new and vintage arcade and pinball machines, an eclectic mix of sodas, music, and local beers. It’s a fun environment for people of all ages.
Where?
Seattle – White Center; Columbia City; Ballard
How much?
Base party package is $200.00 + a 20% auto gratuity added to the final tab. A $50.00 deposit to book your time slot and that amount will be deducted from the final tab.
What’s included?
- A 2-hour reservation for your party in our seating area. (Seats 10-16 comfortably.)
- Creation of your very own custom ice cream flavor to be served at your party!
- 10 Half-Tilt sized ice cream scoops (4 oz.) in a paper bowl, sugar cone, or cake cone.
- 10 beverages of your choice (sodas, juice, bottled water, and Perrier available.)
- A pint of your custom ice cream flavor to take home.
- A Full Tilt T Shirt in your choice of size.
Kids Carpentry Seattle
Kids’ Carpentry is a hands-on toy-building experience designed to teach practical woodworking skills with an emphasis on the safe use of hand tools. Birthday parties are for kids ages 6 to 13 and can serve groups as small as 5 and as big as 15.
Where?
Seattle
How much?
$30 per guest for groups of 10 or less; $25 per guest for groups of 11-15. The birthday child is always free.
What’s included?
- 2 hour hands-on toy building event
- Tutorial on measuring, tools and safety
- Painting their final projects
- Time for snacks and cake at the end
Emerald City Fired Arts
Choose from pottery painting, clay hand-building, glass fusion or mosaics. They provide a mini-lesson in your chosen medium including helpful hints and demonstrations.
Where?
Seattle
How much?
Minimum price of $14 per person and $50 deposit is required to book
What’s included?
- 2 hours for art, cake and presents
- “Birthday Plate” for party-goers to decorate and sign to commemorate the day (for groups of 12 or more)
- Feel free to bring in decorations, balloons, food and drinks.
Little Gym
The Little Gym offers a full run of their facility, with instructor-led games, music, and fun activities created especially for your birthday kid. They also setup or cleanup, which is a double thumbs up!
Where?
Lynnwood; Bellevue; Everett; Federal Way; Issaquah; Kent; Maple Valley; Olympia; Puyallup; Seattle (Maple Leaf, Interbay, West Seattle)
How much?
Members $235 / Non-Members $260
What’s included?
- Up to 12 kids
- One hour in the gym plus half an hour for celebration
- A qualified birthday leader plus an assistant
- All the set-up and clean-up
- Paper goods (plates, forks, cups, napkins)
- Drinks for each child in the party room
- A gift registry (if you open your presents while you’re with us)
- Balloons for decoration
- A t-shirt for the Birthday Child
- Invitations (either through Evite or printed, addressed, stamped and mailed for you!)
Playdate SEA
Playdate is an indoor playground and cafe with a three level jungle gym, ball cannon room, two interactive dance floors, and a toddler room for ages 3 & under.
Where?
Seattle – South Lake Union
How much?
- Party room admission rate is $25 per child. Adults are free.
- You need to spend a minimum of $250 between admissions, food and drinks
What’s included?
- Private room rental for 1 hour and 45-minutes
- This is covered by the first 10 admissions to your event. If you have less than 10 children, this $250 minimum is made up of any combination of food, drinks, and admissions.
- You can bring a cake or cake-like item but no other outside food. You have to order from their menu.
- They have hand-painted murals and colorful tables. You can bring balloons and tablecloths.
Funtastic Playtorium
Playtorium is a huge indoor playground for kids 1 to 10 years old that offers both free play and private parties at their facilities.
Where?
Tacoma; Factoria; Lynnwood
How much?
- Weekdays (up to 14 kids) – $199
- Weekends (up to 14 kids) – $299
- Adults are free
- 2-hour private party option outside of business hours with exclusive use of playground – $499
What’s included?
- Unlimited playtime in the play area before and after party
- Set up time for party room
- One hour and 15 minutes in the designated party room
- A dedicated party host
- Clean up
American Dance Institute
ADI offers birthday party dance classes at their four Seattle area dance studios and a fantastic dance instructor who will engage your guests.
Where?
Shoreline and Seattle: Greenwood; Magnolia; Wedgwood
How much?
$250 in Greenwood or Shoreline, and $300 in Magnolia or Wedgwood. $200 online.
What’s included?
- A 45-minute to 1-hour dance class
- Up to 14 participants
- Several dance styles choices
- One extra hour for celebration
School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts
SANCA is a nationally recognized performance arts school focused in youth circus arts education, safety, and instructor training. Whether you would like to walk on the tightwires or fly through the air, SANCA is the place for you and your friends!
Where?
Seattle
How much?
Circus Parties start at $180 and may include up to 6 participants. An additional half-hour may be added for $25.
Flying Trapeze Parties are $500 and may include up to 10 participants.
What’s included?
Circus:
- 90 minutes
- Warm-up
- 3-4 of the following activities: Trampoline, Basic Tumbling, Tightwire, Juggling, Aerial Fabric, or Static Trapeze
Flying Trapeze Party:
- Private two-hour flying trapeze ground school class
- Quick warm-up followed by the opportunity to fly up high.
Arena Sports
Arena Sports offers year-round soccer for people of all ages and abilities. Plus they have awesome indoor inflatable FunZones, camps, and rockin’ birthday parties that include: Inflatable FunZone, Indoor Soccer, Flag Football, Spikeball, Obstacle Course, Dodgeball, Capture-the-Flag, Kickball, Gaga Pit and more!
Where?
Issaquah; Redmond; Mill Creek; Magnuson
How much?
Members: $300
Non-Members: $350
What’s included?
- Up to 15 kids, including the birthday child (add on extra guests for $9 per child)
- 50 minutes of play time
- 40 minutes in our private party room
- A dedicated party host handles set-up and cleanup and leads activities
- Personalized jersey for the birthday child
Party Upgrades
- Add extra play time and/or party room time (all based on availability)
- Food/drink packages
- Arena Sports goodie bags
- Kicker, the Lil’ Kickers Mascot Bunny, joins the party
Wunderkind
A cafe/community playspace that caters to kids and parents alike, Wunderkind offers two spaces available for rent that can accommodate either smaller or larger groups.
Where?
Seattle: Bryant
How much?
Patio – $120
Upper Floor – $180
Whole building – $480
What’s included?
Patio – ground floor outside area with tables and chairs that accommodates about 30 people.
Upper Floor – indoors space with flexible setup (pub-sized tables, lower kid tables, etc.) that accommodates 30-40 people.
Whole building – accommodates large groups of up to 80 people.
Dizzy Bus
Dizzy’s Tumblebuses are full-size school buses that have been converted into mini gyms, equipped with a large variety of equipment designed to improve balance and coordination while strengthening both the upper and lower body.
Where?
You chose!
How much?
$275-$375 depending upon location
What’s included?
- 1 Hour of Tumbling and Games on the Tumblebus for up to 12 Children
- 1 Dizzybus Teachers to lead the children in games and activities
- Dizzybus T-Shirt for the Birthday Child
- Plastic Gold Medals for All Kids
Outer Space
Outer Space inspired indoors playspace where kids can crawl through a cave on Mars or slide through the solar system elevating playtime to a new galactic level.
Where?
Seattle
How much?
$300
What’s included?
- Two hours of play
- Up to 25 people (both adults and children)
- 15min before for set up
- Tables, table covers, chairs, and post party clean up
- You may bring food with you
WiggleWorks
Indoor playground focused on younger kids: infants, toddlers and preschoolers. They offer a semi-private room that is equipped with kid’s seating, tables, and a kitchenette.
Where?
Bellevue; Puyallup
How much?
Monday – Friday $199 to $299
Saturday – Sunday $299 to $429
Sunday AM or PM Private Party $399 to $499
Additional child – $12
What’s included?
- Admission for up to 16 children (15 guests + birthday child)
- Unlimited playtime
- Exclusive use of the party room for 90 minutes.
- A party coordinator who assists with party set up and clean up.
- Themed-party upgrade includes decoration elements
Have you been to any of these yet? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section. 😉