Let’s face it, if you have young kids, chances are you are attending at least one birthday party every weekend. (We’ve got tips for how to survive that, too). But where should you go in Houston when it is your turn to play host? If you’re like us and would rather not deal with the headache of planning your child’s birthday party in your own home, rejoice! We’ve put together a list of the 30 best birthday party places in Houston. You’re welcome!
For nature lovers
Fish Gallery
Fish Gallery
Where: 2909 Fountain View Dr, Houston, TX
When: Available Saturdays 10-11:30am or 5-6:30pm, Sundays 10am-12pm
Cost: $250 for Saturday, $300 for Sunday
Includes: Feeding demo at their huge aquarium, touch tank activities, assistance during party and clean up, and the Kids’ Corner for any activities or food provided.
Nature Discovery Center
Where: 7112 Newcastle St, Bellaire, TX
When: Fridays 4-6pm, Saturdays & Sundays 10am-12pm, 1-3pm or 4-6pm
Cost: $225 for members, $290 for non-members
Includes: Two hours of party time with 30 minutes before and after for set up and clean up, pavilion rental, and your choice of a party program like Bunny Buddies, Join the Insect Club or Scales and Tails (some of which include live animal interactions!), or choose a Discovery Center tour or Nature Walk. Keep in mind: no balloons are allowed here!
Add ons: Add an additional party activity for $50.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Houston Arboretum
Where: 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX
When: Saturdays, Sundays, weekday afternoons at 10am, 12:30 or 3pm
Cost: $350 for 1-20 guests, $400 for 21-32 guests; add $75 for non-members (for the purchase of a Family Tree membership)
Includes: Themes like Signs of Nature, Slithery Snakes, Brilliant Birds, Awesome Amphibians or Incredible Insects (you’ll explore the grounds and search for creatures), 30 minute naturalist program, 45 celebration and snacks, 30 minutes for naturalist tour of the grounds.
Houston Audubon
Where: 440 Wilchester Blvd, Houston, TX
When: September to May, 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm
Cost: $250 on weekdays and $280 on weekends for a maximum of 16 kids
Includes: Three of the following options—nature hikes, pond dipping for creatures, live animal encounters, craft of your choice, a service project and/or a walk in Rummel Creek; parties run for two hours.
Houston Zoo
Houston Zoo
Where: 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX
When: Friday-Sunday
Cost: $350 for the blue pavilion (open air; 35 people), $400 for the red or yellow pavilions (50 people, indoor with heating/cooling). If you’re not a member, you will also have to purchase membership.
Includes: A private pavilion for two hours, tickets for 25 to enter the zoo (though be sure to ask friends with memberships to use those), unlimited carousel rides, clean up service, tables for food and seating.
Add ons: Giraffe feeding, animal encounters, seriously amazing face-painting artists—and those are just a few options!
For indoor fun
The Escape Game Houston
The Escape Game
Where: 794 Sorella Ct, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: $31.99 per person
Includes: If your teen or tween loves solving puzzles, book an entire escape room (games fit 8 to 12 people) to have the game to yourself for their birthday. If you don’t book the entire room you may share the game with others. You’ll get 60 minutes to complete your mission and your choice of four themed games (Prison Break, Gold Rush, The Heist or Playground). There’s a private party room available for continued celebration, and if you have any questions live chat on the website makes getting answers easy!
Add ons: Pair your game with a meal at CityCentre at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria or Hopdoddy Burger Bar.
Discover Gymnastics
Where: 747 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX
When: Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: $370 for the first 20 kids; $15 per additional kid
Includes: As few as eight and as many as 60 guests (perfect for joint parties); the gym, coaches, games, paper goods (plates, napkins, table cloths and spoons for the kids), candy, a medal for each child.
Add ons: Super Hero-themed parties
Stomping Grounds Play Cafe
Where: 25551 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, TX
When: Private parties on weekday evenings or Sundays; “play date parties” from Monday to Thursday
Cost: The most basic “play date” package is $100 for up to 10 kids; private party packs are $325-$450
Includes: Private parties include one hour of play time, 45 minutes in the private party room, party host, themed paper goods, pizza and drinks.
Add ons: Smash cake, balloon bouquet, party favors and photography
Houston Gymnastics Academy
Where: 5804 S Rice Ave, Houston, TX
When: Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: $250 for package A; $340 for package B
Includes: 15 guests, an hour of obstacle course and trampoline play, and set up and clean up; package B will also get you invitations, paper goods, refreshments, a half sheet cake, and a party favor and balloon for each guest.
Evelyn Rubenstein JCC
Evelyn Rubenstein JCC
Where: 5601 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX
When: Call for details
Cost: All parties are at least $225 for up to 15 kids, unless otherwise specified on the website (pool parties, for example, are a bit more expensive)
Includes: Choose from dance, tennis, gymnastics, crafts or a pool themed party; each theme includes its own itemized list of services, spaces and special activities. Note: You do need to be a member to book a birthday here.
First Baptist Church Fitness & Recreation Center
Where: 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX
When: Fridays 7-9pm, Saturdays 10am-9pm, Sundays 2:30-4:30pm
Cost: Starts at $200
Includes: Access to a dedicated party room with tables and chairs, the bowling alley, indoor play land, air hockey and foosball. Bonus: you can actually see availability and book your whole party online!
Add on: Inflatable for $50
Laser Quest
Where: 13711 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: Classic party package for $14-$17 per person; Premium package for $24-$27 per person
Includes: Two missions of Laser Quest, invitations, place setting per person and a room for the Classic option; party host, pizza, soda and photos of the party are added on to the Premium package!
Main Event
Main Event
Where: 24401 Katy Freeway, Katy, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: $15.95-$29.95 per person for 10-24 people
Includes: All packages include at least two hours of party time, reserved party space, one food selection (pizza, burgers, quesadillas, etc.), a party host and your choice of 1-4 activities (bowling, laser tag, mini golf, karaoke to name a few) and at least $5 FUNcard per kid. Price per person increases with the number of activities and party length.
Pump It Up
Where: 6030 South Rice Avenue, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: Weekend parties start at $259 for 12 kids; weekday parties cost as little as $159 if you’re only hosting 12 little ones
Includes: Bouncing and jumping on the indoor playground, an inflatable birthday throne, private party room, evites, paper goods, set up and clean up; deluxe packages also include options like food, drinks, balloons, ice cream and party photos.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Where: 10207 South Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: Packages start at $219 on weekdays for smaller groups, but you can see all the options here.
Includes: Basic package includes 60-90 minutes of open jump time, private party room, pizza and drinks; more expensive options include cake and private jump and/or court time.
Wonderwild
Wonderwild
Where: 767 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX
When: Friday afternoons and weekends
Cost: Basic party (on a Friday) starts at $320; $370 for the weekends.
Includes: 45 minutes of play in one of the play zones, 45 minutes in private party room for up to 20 guests, plus complimentary party supplies and invitations.
Add ons: Choose from tons of customizable party options like NERF Battle party or Frozen Princess Party, or add on 15 minutes of magic bubble time, a candy bar, extra play time and lots more.
The Zone
Where: 10371 Stella Link Rd, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: Each party is $295 separately or $350 for both sports and inflatables.
Includes: Choose two sports from basketball, touch football, dodgeball, kickball and Capture the Flag for a sports party; Inflatable jam sessions include a private room with three inflatables; or have a combo party! They’ll provide the table covers and utensils, too.
Add ons: Balloon artist, face painter and pizza delivery.
For future scientists
Children’s Museum of Houston
Children’s Museum of Houston
Where: 1500 Binz Street, Houston, TX
When: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 4-6pm and weekends
Cost: Basic parties are $325 while “Anything I Want to Be” and S.E.C.R.E.T. agent parties start at $450. Membership gets you a discount.
Includes: You can book something in the Tot Spot for kids under age three, and for the bigs you’ll get a guided tour of select areas of the museum and a private party room for celebrating.
Add ons: Choose an “Anything I Want To Be” role like Veterinarian, Super Scientist, Doctor or Karaoke Rock Star for special themed tour. Or book a S.E.C.R.E.T. mission birthday with 10 “agents” over age eight.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Where: 13016 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX
When: 9-11am, noon-2pm and 3-5pm daily
Cost: Basic package is $450 for non-members and $350 for members
Includes: Choose from themes of astronomy, Ancient Egypt, Dinosaur, Butterfly or Energy at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences. Each one includes 30 minutes for crafts, 30 to 45 minutes to tour an exhibit (or a Planetarium show) and 45 minutes for celebration. This is also available at HMNS Sugar Land!
Add ons: There are many, but a few choices are a balloon artist, face painter, magician or extra exhibit tour!
Idea Lab
Idea Lab
Where: 14520 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX
When: Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: Cost varies greatly depending on the theme.
Includes: Options for 5 to 8-year olds include Art Studio, Aliens vs. Astronauts, Super Hero Training and Under the Sea. The list gets even cooler for kids over nine with Wizardology 101, Lego Robotics and Movie Making parties. Each one offers kids some cool takeaway projects (built-in party favors!) and supplies for 14 kids.
Add ons: Choose simple stuff like extra time or guests, or get wild with a volcano eruption cake, chocolate fountain, balloon bouquets and more.
Mad Science
Where: 6300 Westpark Drive, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: Parties start at $375 and increase for bigger groups/older kids. Mad Science will also come to your home, which starts at a $250 package.
Includes: A 45 minute science show, a cup of slime for each guest and a lab coat for the birthday kid. You might see indoor fireworks, bubbling potions, movie special effects or rocket launches.
For little fish
Sea Star Swim School
Where: 4000 Cartwright Rd, Missouri City, TX
When: Daily at 2, 4 and 6pm
Cost: $250 for up to 15 kids, and $10 for each extra kid
Includes: For the water themed parties, expect to find noodle races, water games, sliding and lots of splashing around. There are life guards, a party room, table coverings, plates, cups, napkins, spoons and decorations, too. Note: Sea Star also offers gymnastics parties.
For a service hero party
Fire Museum of Houston
Fire Museum of Houston
Where: 2403 Milam St, Houston, TX
When: Saturdays only
Cost: $275 to reserve the space
Includes: Private use of the Jr. Firefighter play area for 1.5 hours, access to the Fire Museum of Houston, 35 guests total, and help with set up and break down.
Hermann Park Train
Patrick Feller
Where: 6001 Fannin Street, Houston, TX
When: Call to find out
Cost: $300, which includes 10 train tickets
Includes: Private decorated party room in the Brown Volunteer Center for two hours, tables and chairs, party supplies, set up and clean up, and a ride on the Hermann Park Train, of course!
For budding artists
artmix
Where: 2522 Times Boulevard, Houston, TX
When: Friday afternoons and Saturdays
Cost: Prices start at $100 to $150 for reservation and planning, plus $30-$55 per kid for the project
Includes: Activities for groups as small as eight or as large as 40 kids can be accommodated at artmix. The studio will work with you on a preferred theme, and your guests get to take home an original creation at the end of the party.
Mad Potter
Where: 1963 W Gray Street, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: Mad Potter charges by the hour ($6-$15 per hour), per kid, plus the cost of the pieces. Pieces start at $12.50. Some locations you can book a semi-private space (or you can book the whole place!).
Includes: A paint-your-own pottery creation, instructions from an employee, plus fire and glazing of each piece to be finished in three to five days.
McCheek’s Academy
McCheek’s Academy
Where: 619 W 9th St, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: $35 per child for two hours; only for 8-12 guests
Includes: Choose from a picture frame, dish, bedroom door sign, animal plate and a few other options for your party’s creation, which will then be glazed and fired for pick up in 10-14 days. There’s also time for cake and celebration.
Monart
Where: 4007 Bellaire Blvd., Suite FF, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: Drawing lesson party for $300, art-station party for $500, or a collage party for $380.
Includes: Invitations, paper goods, drinks for the kids, set up and clean up, and each child’s framed art work at the end.
Tree House Art & Crafts
Where: 2419 Sunset Blvd, Houston, TX
When: Anytime
Cost: Starts at $350 for the first 7 to10 kids, additional guests or time is extra
Includes: Craft project for up to 15 kids based on previous projects or your own party’s theme! Set up and clean up is included, too.
For the foodies
Urban Chef
Where: 3651 Weslayan St, Houston, TX
When: Two hour time periods between 10am and 2pm, any day
Cost: $55 per child, with a 12 person minimum to host
Includes: A two-hour cooking class at Urban Chef, paper hats and a cloth chef hat for birthday kid. All food and drink are included minus the dessert, which you’re welcome to bring.
