Not exactly feeling up to the challenge of planning a huge blowout for your kid’s next birthday party but still want things to feel super special? Or maybe you’re simply bored with the regular back yard-and-pool routine. Either way, you’re in luck: Austin is home to several spots that are absolutely perfect for your child’s birthday party.
Whether your kiddo loves being around animals, exploring science and nature-filled exhibits, or playing laser tag and arcade games, it’s time to make this year’s birthday bash one for the record books. And if you feel like you need another hand, why not enlist the help of a babysitter or nanny to help ease the stress of wrangling a dozen or more little ones during the festivities?
There’s a little something for every child’s special day on our list of the top 10 places to have kids birthday parties in Austin. Check it out!
Austin Aquarium
Address: 13530 US 183 #101, Austin, TX 78750
Hours: Monday – Thursday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 512-222-5586
Fees: Party packages range from $180 – $972 for 10-60 kids. | Click here for more details.
The Austin Aquarium is a fabulous, immersive, and truly unique under-the-sea experience! Located up north on Anderson Mill Road, the aquarium boasts over 30 well-done exhibits with a wide variety of tropical and coldwater fish, amphibians, stingrays, and plenty of sharks. Children of all ages will love the touch tanks, where they’re able to pet starfish, small sharks, and other fish. Most important, the entire back room of the aquarium is specifically reserved for birthday parties — reservations include a fun educational tour, bags full of treats for partygoers, fish food, access to a jungle gym, and more!
Thinkery
Address: 1830 Simond Ave., Austin, TX 78723
Hours: Monday, noon – 5 p.m. | Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Thursday & Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 512-469-6200
Fees: Party packages range from $195 – $295 + add-ons for 15-30 kids. | Click here for more details.
The Thinkery, a children’s science museum in Austin’s Mueller district, is one of the most popular options for birthday parties — and for good reason. You can rent a private party room here for a truly affordable price, and the package comes with plenty of goodies: unlimited access to the museum, chairs, tables and coverings, an on-site birthday coordinator to help with questions, and even your own personal clean-up crew. Not too shabby! Be sure to book in advance, as the Thinkery’s birthday events calendar tends to fill up quickly.
Austin Science & Nature Center
Address: 2389 Stratford Drive, Austin, TX 78746
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.
Phone: 512-974-3888
Fees: Party packages range from $190 for up to 15 children to $225 for 15+ | See here for more details.
Holding birthday parties at the Austin Science & Nature Center is always a great time. First, your kiddo will get to select from a range of theme options that includes everything from “Dinosaur Birthday” (where party guests will build a volcano and dig for fossils) to “Planetarium Birthday” (think: lots of learning about the constellations). All birthday packages include a 45-minute presentation, the use of the private party room, and enough tables and chairs for all guests.
Austin Zoo
Address: 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736
Hours: Open daily, 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 512-288-1490
Fees: Basic Pricing: $6 per person, 15 person minimum + $50 non-refundable deposit (to be applied to total admission costs) + $75 – $100 for venue | Larger Packages: $425 – $495 | Click here for details.
For just $6 per party guest, you’ll get to create the fun-filled party experience of a lifetime at Austin Zoo! The zoo’s official Birthday Package includes a two-hour venue time slot, the Animal Experience Presentation, Austin Zoo–specific invitations, 20 goodie bags for guests to take home, and 10 animal feed bags. You get to bring in your own food and décor if you like, and you can also opt to pay for a train ride through the zoo for everyone. For the animal lovers out there, and with so many options, Austin Zoo is a terrific choice for a birthday bash.
Green Gate Farms
Address: 8310 Canoga Ave., Austin, TX 78724
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phone: 512-484-2746
Fees: Party packages range from $280 – $330 for up to 15 children + $20 for each additional child + $100 non-refundable deposit | Kids ages 3 and under, free | Click here for more details.
Who wouldn’t want to party down with the adorable chickens and goats at Green Gate Farms? If exploring an authentic organic working farm sounds like it may be up your child’s alley, Green Gate is the perfect place for a birthday bonanza. Groups can gather in the Children’s Garden for the festivities, and everyone will undoubtedly love playing in the farm’s Magic Treehouse, exploring the livestock areas, and petting all the animals!
Peter Pan Mini Golf
Address: 1207 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. – midnight
Phone: 512-472-1033
Fees: Parties of 9 or fewer: $5 – $11 per person | Parties of 10 or more: $4 – $10 per person | Click here for more details.
Enjoy a birthday at the hottest mini golf spot in town! Peter Pan Mini Golf is a fun place to be no matter what, and birthday parties here are definitely special. There’s no charge to reserve the giant shaded picnic area (simply call ahead to make reservations), and party guests will adore playing on Peter Pan’s fun course. Maybe best of all, the birthday girl or boy will get her or his name displayed on Peter Pan’s iconic placard for everyone to see!
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Address: Click here to view Austin’s 6 locations.
Hours: Vary by location
Phone: 512-861-7084
Fees: Call number above for details on packages listed here.
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Austin’s beloved movie theater, offers a fantastic array of birthday-themed packages. Opt for the Junior Chef Party, and guests will get the chance to tour Alamo’s kitchen, make their own pizzas, and watch the movie of their choice. Or, indulge in the PJ Party with Breakfast Buffet, where everyone can nosh on foods from a specially designed cereal buffet while enjoying a flick. The Alamo even offers an interactive Video Games party, where you can bring your child’s favorite video games and gaming system and play them on the big screen. The sky’s the limit!
Pinballz Arcade
Address: 8940 Research Blvd., Austin, TX 78758 | Click here for more locations.
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – midnight | Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. | Sunday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Phone: 512-420-8458
Fees: Party packages range from $10.99 – $13.99 per person for a minimum of 8 guests + $50 non-refundable deposit + add-ons | Click here for more details.
What could be better than hundreds of classic and new arcade games, pinball, and super fun redemption games? We’re betting both parents and children alike will enjoy a birthday bash at Pinballz Arcade! There are plenty of party rooms here, or you can elect to rent out the entire arcade. Regardless of how many guests will be there, there’s an option for every group size and budget at Pinballz. Just be sure to reserve your party well in advance to ensure that the time and day of your choice are available.
The Art Garage Austin
Address: 11190 Circle Drive, Suite 202, Austin, TX 78736
Hours: Sunday – Monday: noon – 6pm
Tuesday – Wednesday: 11am – 7pm
Thursday – Friday: 10am – 7pm
Saturday: 10am – 8pm
Phone: 512-852-9900
Fees: See here for private party package details.
Is the birthday boy or girl a budding artist? If so, treat them to a party at Austin Art Garage! Every party is led by one of the Art Garage’s awesome artists, and all the guests will get to create at least one art project during the event. Art party options include jewelry making, mosaics, tie-dye, pottery, canvas painting, and more! There are also tons of perks that come along with the Art Garage’s private party room packages: all materials for your chosen project, a personal instructor, personalized birthday materials, additional art projects for guests as they arrive, and even a special gift.
Blazer Tag
Address: 1701 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Friday, 11 a.m. – midnight | Saturday, 10 a.m. – midnight | Sunday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Phone: 512-462-0202
Fees: Party packages range from $99 – $345 for 5-10 players + $16.95 – $26.95 for each additional player | Reservation requires deposit of 50% of expected total | Click here for more details.
Blazer Tag, Austin’s premier laser tag arena, has tons of fun options for your child’s next birthday extravaganza! Regardless of whether you choose the Birthday Blast, Turbo Birthday, or the Supercharger Birthday, the following is included: at least two games of laser tag per person, a personal “party coach,” birthday invites, a private room or reserved lobby table, and a free pass for a laser tag game for your next visit. Plus, there are plenty of add-ons, including a birthday cake, pizza, video game tokens, and more.
Where have you had a good birthday party experience with your kids? Share in the comments below!
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