Make memories by hosting a birthday party at one of these great Houston-area venues.
Is it just me, or does the bar set for kids’ birthday parties get higher every year? Not that long ago, parents could invite a few friends over for pizza and a piñata and call the birthday celebration a success. Kids today seem to get special guest appearances from beloved Disney characters or massive bounce houses on their front lawns every year. In a way, it seems right to focus more on special activities than presents: After all, the memories the kids will make during their birthday parties will likely last longer than any gift they unwrap. So why not make it extra special?
The Children’s Museum and Houston Zoo are always great go-tos for birthday party fun in Houston, but there’s no shortage of other interesting venue ideas for whatever your kid is into. Whether you’re planning to keep it small or go big, grab your partner, babysitter, or nanny to help with all the fun details, and start by looking into these 10 awesome venue options for kids’ birthday parties in and near the city.
UrbanChef
Address: 3651 Weslayan St., Ste. 204, Houston, TX 77027
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 2-hour reservations start anytime between 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Phone: 713-504-1700
Fees: $55/child
Don’t make food an afterthought at your party — make it the main event! In UrbanChef’s kid-friendly kitchen, friends don chef hats and aprons as they participate in a hands-on cooking class and learn the basics of food prep and kitchen safety. Choose from a variety of menu options — from cookies to pasta to pot stickers — and watch as kids have fun rolling, tossing, and garnishing their dishes before finally enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Parties must have between 12 and 24 kids ages 5 and older and be booked at least two weeks in advance. All food and supplies needed for the main course are included in the price of the party, and you have the choice of adding in other goodies, like cooking-inspired gift bags, cupcake decorating, and refreshments for the adults, for an additional fee. Easy, yummy fun!
Idea Lab
Address: 7008 Fifth St., Houston, TX 77401
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m – 6:30 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, private parties only
Phone: 832-993-1213
Fees: Vary according to party package
At the Idea Lab, kids can nerd out over their favorite things when they pick from a selection of kid-fantasy party themes. Science buffs can mix “potions” and make custom magic wands as part of a chemistry-based Wizardology-themed party. Space fanatics can launch rockets and hunt for moon rocks in an Aliens vs. Astronauts affair. Superheroes in training can design costumes and be featured in their very own comic book at the Super Hero training institute. There’s even a Minecraft Mania option.
Activities are tailored to specific age groups, and if you don’t see the right theme for your child, you can create your own. All party packages include two hours of activities, as well as a color scheme and centerpieces. Add-ins like food, place settings, paper goods, and goody bags are also available. In addition to this Idea Lab location in Bellaire, there are several others in the Houston area, as well as mobile units.
Blessington Farms
Address: 510 Chisolm Trail, Simonton, TX 77476
Hours: Vary by season, but typically Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 832-444-8717
Fees: Small parties of 19 people or fewer (kids & adults combined), $240 flat fee | Standard parties of 20+ people, $15/person
While many Houstonians know and love Blessington for its annual pumpkin patch and strawberry picking, it’s also a great spot for a birthday party. In addition to enjoying hayrides and the petting zoo, kids can dig for fossils, jump on a trampoline bounce pad, and even get up close and personal with a camel. This spot is a particularly good pick in the spring and fall, when nicer weather allows high-energy kids to run amok — and parents to chase after them — without the threat of overheating. But even summertime parties can be a blast, too.
Unlike at many other venues, a birthday party reservation here isn’t just for an hour or two. The fun lasts all day, and all activities are included. If you want access to picnic tables or covered spaces, however, that will cost extra.
Address: 1501 W. 18th St., Houston, TX 77008
Hours: Saturday, 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., & 5:30 p.m. | Sunday, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., & 5:30 p.m.
Phone: 713-861-8200
Fees: $295 – $345 for 18 kids | $10/child for each attendee thereafter
Beloved by Houston parents for its fun parent-child classes, the Little Gym is a great place for toddlers and tumblers alike. It can be tough to find a party venue for the littlest guests of honor or parties with mixed age ranges, but this spot has you covered. Birthday parties here give you the complete run of the facility, so kids ages 1 to 12 can run, hang, and crawl to their hearts’ content.
Choose a standard, generic birthday bash option, or opt for themes like a princess party, complete with sparkling tiaras for all the guests, or a pirate adventure where everyone gets to rock an eyepatch. Birthday party packages include an hour of in-gym activities, games, and songs for kids, as well as setup, cleanup, paper goods, and invitations. You can bring in your own food and drinks at no extra charge, and as a nice perk, the birthday boy or girl gets a free T-shirt.
River Oaks Dance Ballet Birthday Parties
Location/Hours: Parties held at the time & location of your choice.
Phone: 832-531-4731
Fees: $250 for 10 guests |$15/child for each additional guest
The River Oaks Dance studio has a stellar reputation as one of the best places for kids’ dance classes in Houston, and its princess ballerina birthday parties are what dreams are made of. The studio will walk you through the planning of the party and then send a qualified instructor out on the day of the event to teach a one-hour dance class for kids ages 3 to 6 — with a mini recital as its finale. The result is a magical day full of twirling and dress-up the little ones will never forget.
Houston Fire Museum
Address: 2403 Milam St., Houston, TX 77006
Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., noon – 1:30 p.m. & 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Phone: 713-524-2526
Fees: $275
If your birthday kid dreams of growing up to be a firefighter, why not host a party at the Houston Fire Museum in Midtown? The museum is housed in the historic Houston Station 7, — the city’s first paid fire station. It was constructed more than a century ago and is now a National Historic Landmark. The party will be centered in the children’s play area, but guests get general admission to the all the exhibits, where they’ll see old-school firefighting uniforms and equipment.
You can bring your own food and decorations, and the staff will help you with on-site prep and cleanup. While the room is festive and unique, it’s a little cozy — comfortably seating no more than 35 guests, including adults.
Artmix
Address: 3701 W. Alabama St., Ste. 250, Houston, TX 77027
Hours: Friday, noon – 5 p.m. | Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone: 713-552-9028
Fees: $100 – $150 flat fee + $30 – $55/artist
An art party could be the perfect fit for your pint-size Picasso. Similar to the wine and painting classes taking the adult world by storm, instructors at Artmix walk party guests through a step-by-step process of making a masterpiece from start to finish, based on a preselected design or theme. Classes are designed for children ages 2 and up, and everyone gets to take their painting home at the end of the party.
While this kind of event works best with smaller groups, the studio can accommodate anywhere from eight to 40 guests. Attendees with siblings unable or unwilling to participate can still work on their own creations in “pop-in” studios (for a small fee) before rendezvousing back with the group for cake and refreshments later. If you’d rather host the party at home or elsewhere, instructors can also come to you.
Houston Mermaids
Location/Hours: Parties held at the time & location of your choice.
Phone: 713-480-0224
Fees: Vary by package
Imagine the look on your child’s face when they discover mermaids are real — and they’re right here in Houston! Not only will Houston Mermaids teach your birthday kid and friends how to swim like a mermaid, but guests will also receive mermaid makeovers, complete with a fitted tail and followed by an epic photo shoot. The mermaid will also put on a show, tell a story, and crown the birthday kid with a beautiful handmade crown. All you need is a pool and eight guests.
NinjAdventure
Address: 14031 Southwest Freeway, Ste. 610, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 832-944-6885
Fees: $335 – $495 for 15-20 participants
Give your little ninja some proper training by hosting a ninja party! NinjAdventure and Majestkids Playland has an indoor obstacle course full of balance beams, ropes, nets, and a rock climbing wall. Guests can time each other, race to the finish, or do their own thing hopping from one challenge to the next. While the major obstacles are designed for older kids at least 45 inches tall, a separate section is available for toddlers. Kids will love the adventure — and parents will love the exercise they’ll get!
One of Houston’s Best Splash Pads
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Phone: 832-395-7000
Fees: None
If your child’s birthday falls during one of the roughly six months a year that the Houston heat is nearly unbearable, splash pad parties are a great option. Not only do they offer a way to keep kids cool under the sun, but some of the city’s best splash pads are totally free to enjoy. These spots are especially great for toddler birthday parties where kids are focused on more independent play but can still enjoy frolicking alongside one another. And for those who might prefer staying dry, nearby playgrounds make for a great alternate activity.
Simply set up a birthday picnic under a nearby shaded tree or at adjacent picnic tables, or go the extra mile to book a park pavilion. Either way, you’ll have a fun and cool outdoor birthday bash that doesn’t break the bank.
