You swore this was going to be the year you’d host a Pinterest-worthy party for your kid’s birthday. You even went so far as to create a Pinterest board filled with clever, whimsical themes and seemingly easy DIY projects. Yet somehow here you are, wondering how time flew by and managed to blindside you once again. Relax! Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! (And if you are feeling overwhelmed, hire a sitter for an extra set of hands when the day of the party arrives!)
Whether you’ve got an athlete on your hands, a tiny dancer, or perhaps an artist, here is a list of 10 amazing Brooklyn birthday venues to host your little one’s party. The only time you’ll need to lift a finger is to dial one up!
Everyday Athlete
Address: 130 Clinton St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-852-6300
While the venue may have “Everyday” in its name, “it’s not your everyday party,” according to owner Tomas Anthony, whose team runs customized climbing, ninja, obstacle course, and skateboarding parties for kids. Recent themes include Minecraft; Star Wars: Become a Jedi, which even had a professional actor portraying Darth Maul; and Build-Your-Own Skateboard, where kids built and rode their own custom boards. There is a 5:1 child-to-staff ratio to ensure every child gets the attention they need.
Parties are held on Saturdays after 3 p.m. and all day Sunday and include exclusive use of the facility, trained staff members, an activity, decorations, a balloon for each child, pizza, and a post-pizza dance party. You can bring in your own cake. Prices begin at $950 for 10 kids (plus $20 for each additional child) and can go as high as $2,500 for a party with all the bells and whistles to take the event beyond your little daredevil’s wildest dreams.
Shipwrecked Miniature Golf
Address: 621 Court St., 2nd Fl., Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-852-4653
Grab your mates and set sail on a birthday adventure at this state-of-the-art, interactive indoor miniature golf venue featuring 18 holes. Theatrical special effects are activated at every twist and turn of the course, making it even more fun to play.
The Captain’s Party Package includes a round of miniature golf, show tokens to activate the special effects, a private party room for a maximum of 24 guests, and a dozen helium balloons, along with juice, water, and tableware. The birthday child receives a special gift, and each guest leaves with a free ticket for a return visit. Add-ons include pizza, treasure-filled goody bags, cake, face painters, entertainers and party games, and beer for the parents. You may bring your own cake at no extra charge; however, there’s a $45 fee if you elect to bring in outside food. Prices begin at $379 for up to 10 kids (plus $20 for each additional child).
Brooklyn Bowl
Address: 61 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11249
Phone: 718-963-3369
Score big with the kids (and parents!) at this hip Williamsburg bowling alley. Home to 16 lanes and critically acclaimed food from Blue Ribbon, the cool factor is off the charts here. Although the establishment is mainly 21+, children’s parties can be booked on Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 5 p.m. Parties run two to three hours long.
Lanes (with bumpers for your little ones) can accommodate up to 10 guests, including non-bowlers. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 kids. Food and drink packages are also required and are served at your lane.
The kids menu for those 12 and under costs $16 per little diner and serves up kiddie favorites like cheese pizza, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and burgers. Each child also receives french fries, juice, and a cupcake, eliminating the need for a cake. If you do decide to bring your own cake, a $2-per-person fee will be charged to your bill. Lanes cost $75 each and must be booked in pairs. Bowling shoes ($4.95 each) are available in kids’ sizes.
Court 16 Tennis
Address: 526 Baltic St., Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: 718-875-5550
The first and only tennis club for children, Court 16 is the home of kid-sized courts and an energetic coaching staff prepared to make sure your kid’s birthday is an ace!
Parties are held Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and include three tennis courts, use of racquets and balls, and a 5:1 kid-to-instructor radio. There will be 45 minutes of on-the-court action followed by birthday cake festivities in the party room. You’ll also have access to two changing facilities and the refrigerator. Rates begin at $700 for 10 children, including the birthday kid. Add $20 for every additional child, up to 40 kids total.
BounceU of Brooklyn
Address: 6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway, 2nd Fl., Brooklyn, NY 11219
Phone: 347-450-5867
Bounce on over to this inflatable party paradise filled with gigantic bounce house arenas and fun and games for the whole gang! Your party will be in a 100 percent private, indoor playground space set aside exclusively for you and your guests, and there’s even a birthday throne for the guest of honor!
The Premier Party Package includes a dedicated play space and party room, balloons, pizza, juice and ice cream cake, and party favors, along with a special souvenir T-shirt for the birthday boy or girl. Parties can be hosted at the space seven days a week, including school holidays. Prices range from $595 to $745 Monday to Thursday and $695 to $845 Friday and Sunday for the Premier Party. No outside food or drink is permitted. Kosher options are available. A variety of add-ons include cosmic glow in the dark, a giant balloon drop, bubble machines, glitter tattoos, performers, and even the option to make your own stuffed animal.
Note: BounceU policy requires all children to wear socks to participate.
Chocolate Works Brooklyn
Address: 110 Montague St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-564-6565
“Party like a Choc-Star” during this interactive experience, which turns kids into chocolatiers for the day as they mold, decorate, and eventually eat their sweet creations. There’s also a 20-foot conveyor belt that covers a pretzel or cookie with chocolate for each guest. Then it’s time for pizza, juice, and a post-dessert sugar-fueled dance party!
Other fun add-on activities include a chocolate fountain with fruit and marshmallows for dipping ($95 for 10 kids; $150 for 10+), Make Your Own Sundae ($5 per child), and Fill Your Own Goody Gag ($7.99 each). TA lovely patio space directly off the party room is available as well to enjoy on warmer days.
Parties begin at $495 for 10 children (plus $25 per additional child).
Twinkle Playspace
Address: 144 Frost St., Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-349-1300
Your little one will be the shining star with the 6-and-under crowd at this fun-filled play space that hosts one party at a time. Three time slots are available on weekends and two evening slots are available on weekdays. The guest of honor can choose from a variety of themes, including Star Wars, Superheroes, Frozen, Mermaids and Sharks, Princesses and Knights, and Hawaiian Luau. All parties include pizza, juice, cupcakes, balloons, and premium gift favors from Melissa and Doug and last two hours, allowing for time in the dedicated play space followed by themed birthday festivities in a party room.
Three tiers of parties range from the Basic Package, which begins at $850, to the Five Star Package, which begins at $1,450.
Note: Twinkle policy requires all children to wear socks to participate.
Wine & Design Brooklyn
Address: 218 Dekalb Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205
Phone: 718-722-7374
Don’t let the name fool you! This adult wine and painting studio is also home to Art Buzz for Kids, where mini-Picassos get to paint and take home their artwork.
With pre-traced canvases, easels, paint, brushes, and aprons, little ones receive 90 minutes of artist instruction followed by 30 minutes of festivities. Party hosts can select a kid’s design to paint from the 500 on file, and all parties include all art supplies along with pizza and juice. Parties are held seven days a week, and Art Buzz can even visit a location of your choice if you’d rather have the party come to you. A party of 10 begins at $400, and each additional guest costs $30.
Baked in Brooklyn Craft Studio
Address: 242 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: 718-384-2300
Get crafty and host your child’s next party at this Williamsburg ceramics studio where little ones can select a piece of pottery and turn it into their own personal masterpiece. Once painted, pieces are glazed and fired in kilns and ready for pick-up a week later. Many times, the party host picks up all the pieces and drops them at school or gets them to their guests.
Small parties begin at $450, accomodate 10 painters (extra painters cost $30 each), and include 90 minutes of studio time, a selection of pottery to paint, the glazing and firing process, balloons, pizza and juice, and a personalized plate for the birthday child. All you need to do is bring the cake! With this option, the studio remains open to the public. Large parties, which are a full studio rental, begin at $925 and accommodate up to 15 painters (extra painters cost $30 each) along with an unlimited number of non-painting guests.
Chill Brooklyn
Address: 1045 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: 718-333-1100
This Coney Island hot spot provides nonstop entertainment for both kids and adults. Chill is a dual-level event space and home to a state-of-the-art interactive dance floor and four huge screens with game systems. Add in smoke machines and a laser light show, and it’s the perfect venue for a dance party.
Chill hosts only one party at a time, so your event will be 100% private. Kids can party on the dance floor while parents make their way upstairs to hang out and take in a bird’s eye view of their little ones busting a move alongside staff members and optional break-dancers. The standard party package begins at $775. It’s based on a two-hour event for 16 kids (plus $25 per additional child) and includes the space, staff members, music and games, pizza, juice, and ice cream cake. Add-ons include dancers, an animal show, a spiral hula-hoop show, magicians, face painters, and catering and staffing for the top floor, where the adults are chilling.
