Put your party hats on! After nearly three years of pandemic hiatuses and false starts, birthday parties are finally back — and in a big way! Families are eager to make up for lost time with fun-filled bashes, and venues are happy to oblige, offering imaginative events that run the gamut from creative craft sessions to action-packed adventures.
Get ready to celebrate your little one's big day with one of these 10 fabulously fun parties offered in the Puget Sound area — it will make their birthday one to remember! While welcoming all ages, these venues will be most appreciated by the 10-and-younger crowd; for fantastic parties for teens and tweens, check out this list.
Roaring Mouse, Seattle
Get ready for those creative juices to flow! This cute art studio in the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle opens up its light-filled space on weekends to host artsy parties designed for young artists ages 2–8. The two-hour parties begin with warm-up time in the toy-stocked playroom; then, the guests move to the studio to create an art project they get to take home, before wrapping up with food and cake. Choose from five fun project themes, including Out of This World, Treasure Boxes or the toddler-friendly Mouse Play House.
Cost: Starting at $240 for up to 12 children
Hands On Children’s Museum, Olympia
Got a long guest list to accommodate? The Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia is your go-to. A favorite among South Sound families, this imaginative and educational play spot can host big bashes for as many as 60 guests, with no limit on playtime. Kiddos and parents get a full day to explore the exhibits, such as navigating a two-story cargo ship, engineering a sky-high Keva structure, and climbing up to the giant eagle's nest. Included in the party package is one and a half hours in the indoor or outdoor party spaces, along with a template for invitations, VIP host parking and a gift bag for the birthday kid.
Cost: $250 for up to 30 guests, $435 for up to 60, with a discount for members
Arena Sports
Rising sports stars will love getting their game on with a party at Arena Sports, which is all about moving! Choose from one of four indoor arena locations around Greater Seattle; various party package options include inflatables play, soccer, flag football and other coach-led game action. Or head over to the Mill Creek location for amped-up play at the Family Fun Zone, featuring thrill-filled activities such as ropes courses, climbing walls, laser tag and an arcade.
Cost: Starting at $385 for up to 10 kids
Catapult Adventure Park, multiple locations
This is not your ordinary bounce house venue. Catapult Adventure Park, which has locations in Puyallup and Lakewood as well as Federal Way, takes the concept to a whole new level. Littles can jump, soar and roll across a whopping 25,000-square-foot playground that features inflatable attractions, slides, ball pits, obstacle courses and more. There are also awesome tube slides, along with climbing walls, a giant "cat tree," and even a ropes course and zip line for the older kiddos in your birthday crew. Meanwhile, parents can kick back in comfy massage chairs. Party packages include two hours of "launch time," pizzas, bottled water and table settings, plus safety socks for each guest.
Cost: Starting at $275 on weekdays or $325 on weekends for 10 kids (option for up to 20 kids available)
Sno-King Arena, multiple locations
Winter or summer, the indoor ice rinks at Sno-King Arenas are an awesome way to get active and have fun with friends, so lace up those skates and hit the ice with a skating party. Party packages at one of three Eastside locations include admission to the entire length of a public skate session for 15–20 guests, plus skate rentals, goodie bags and a private party room, complete with a balloon bouquet and a case of soft drinks (hosts provide all other food if desired).
Cost: Packages start at $250 for 15 people.
The Slime Factory, Bellevue
It’s no secret that kids love slime; parents, not so much — especially when trying to get it out of their carpet, furniture and hair! Enter The Slime Factory. This newcomer to Bellevue’s Factoria Mall invites slime lovers to get messy to their hearts’ content — and Mom and Dad don’t need to deal with the cleanup. The group booking is for a minimum of five guests, a maximum of 40 kids, and includes two hours of private slime-making and -decorating experience, sensory pool play, selfie photo spots and a cool certificate of participation for each guest. Food time isn’t included, so plan to hit up one of the nearby eateries, such as Red Robin or Cold Stone Creamery, for post-party treats!
Cost: Starting at $20 per child on weekdays, $30 on weekends
Wunderkind, Seattle
This neighborhood spot in Bryant, which first opened as a Lego café, has become a super-popular hangout with local families. Wunderkind has since switched focus to enrichment programs and events, but Lego remains a highlight. Little builders and engineers are invited to spend an hour building the creations of their dreams with an endless supply of Lego or Duplo blocks (more complex themed building parties are available for the older crowd), followed by 30 minutes of noshing on parent-supplied treats in the party room, which has access to an awesome outdoor deck.
Cost: Starting at $225 plus tax
Infinity Farm, Issaquah
Cuddly farm animals, hay to play in and plenty of outdoor space to run around? Sounds like the perfect party recipe to us! Head over to Issaquah’s Infinity Farm for some fantastic birthday fun on the farm. Choose from a basic party package, which features the opportunity to feed the farm’s adorable alpacas and other critters; or an inclusive package that also comes with a guided tour, party activities and a full setup, including tents, adult- and toddler-size tables, a bubble machine, a sound system and more. Other ultrafun add-ons are available at an extra cost — from bounce houses to a fire pit and s’mores kit.
Cost: $150/hour for basic package for up to 50 guests; $195/hour for inclusive package for up to 150 guests
Dizzy’s Tumblebus, any location
Are you rrready to … tumble? Then get set for tumbling, rolling, climbing, jumping and lots more — all inside the coolest-ever yellow bus! Bellevue’s Dizzy’s Tumblebus is a local institution: a preschool gymnastics studio made up of school buses that have been converted into tot-friendly mini gyms, fully stocked with all of the play equipment they could want to burn off that birthday cake rush! Get ready for excited squeals as the bus drives up to your location of choice (a flat parking surface is required). Trained instructors spend an hour leading littles in games and activities, finishing with medals for everyone. As many as 12 kids are allowed on the bus at a time, and older or younger siblings are welcome to join in.
Cost: Starting at $300 for 12 kids
The Moonpaper Tent, any location
Want to host a party in the comfort of your own home, park or other space, but without the stress of coming up with the activities? Leave it up to the fantastically creative folks at The Moonpaper Tent. This theater and arts studio brings the entertainment to you, engaging your young guests in one and a half hours of imaginative thematic play — such as creative drama, dress-up, face painting, crafts, treasure hunts and more. Choose from one of the offered themes, or conjure your own wild ideas — anything the birthday kiddo can dream up will be transformed into a unique magic-filled activity.
Cost: Starting at $295 for 10 kids
Editor's note: This article was first published in the fall of 2022 and has been updated for spring 2023.
