Boston Birthday Party Guide

Disclosure :: This guide is brought to you courtesy of our many sponsors! Thank you to the venues and entertainers that choose to participate in this guide.

Boston Children’s Museum is the second oldest and one of the most influential children’s museums in the world. It was founded in 1913 by the Science Teachers’ Bureau, a group of visionary educators dedicated to providing new resources for both teachers and students, as a center for the exchange of materials and ideas to advance the teaching of science. For over 100 years it has been engaging children in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. 

The Museum’s exhibits and programs emphasize hands-on engagement and learning through experience, employing play as a tool to spark the inherent creativity, curiosity, and imagination of children. Designed for children and families, Museum exhibits focus on science, culture, environmental awareness, health and fitness, and the arts. In addition to extensive child-centered exhibits, Museum educators develop numerous programs and activities that address literacy, performing arts, science and math, visual arts, cultures, and health and wellness. The Museum is also one of the few children’s museums in the world to maintain a collection. The Museum’s collections of Americana, natural history, global culture, Native American, dolls and dollhouses, and Japanese artifacts encompass more than 50,000 items.

Stephanie Beach Magic offers magic for birthdays, clubs, businesses, and special events. Stephanie specializes in entertaining children and adults, bringing the experience of a magic theater to your home or venue. In addition, she offers workshops for children from 7 to 13 years of age.

Stephanie Beach Magic started in 2009 and has earned five stars on GigMasters and Facebook. When you are looking for a magical time for your parties, clubs, businesses, and social events, Stephanie Beach Magic creates memories that last a lifetime.

Artbeat is a creative resource with gifts, toys, and activities that promote creativity, and has been a favorite family destination in the Boston metro area for more than two decades. Whether you’re looking for an inspired gift for a friend or for a pastime to satisfy your own inner artist, you’ll discover something wonderful at Artbeat. Our walk-in studio is the only one of its kind: It’s a place to not only paint, but also to explore mosaics, decoupage, sand painting, and more. Our art parties are a great way to share time with family and friends while creating together.

At Gymboree, we really know how to party! We specialize in first through fourth birthdays, with private, personalized party experiences filled with kid friendly activities — 100% fun with zero clean up! Our party packages include exclusive use of the facility for up to 18 children, plus invitations and paper goods, goody bags for the children, and a fabulous Gymboree teacher to set up, run all of the party activities, and clean up after you leave. And it doesn’t have to be a birthday to celebrate at Gymboree. We are happy to host moms’ group get togethers and seasonal parties, too!

Jam Time is the ultimate birthday party destination for kids ages 1 through 6. Full-service parties include everything you need to make this the bounciest, most imaginative, and jammin’ fun party ever! All Jam Time parties come with setup, cleanup, decorations, paper goods, drinks, and a visit from JT the Moose.  With tons of party packages to choose from, there’s something for everyone, including character visits, cotton candy, balloon animals, and more! Our premiere party includes everything you need for a 20-kid party, including theme, favors, cupcakes, pizza, face painting, and even coffee for the adults! Jam Time has two locations with a third opening this winter. Visit www.jamtime.com to view packages and to book online. Mention code MBM01 to get $25 off your party.

Host your birthday, anniversary, graduation, or family celebration on ice! Private ice rentals are recommended to party planners who wish to create a memorable experience for their guests of all ages. Tell us it’s a birthday party, and the guest of honor will receive a free gift. With many locations throughout the state of Massachusetts, FMC Ice Sports has an arena near you. Call us to reserve your special event now at 1-888-74-SKATE. Use promo code BMBPARTY1617 and receive $10 off your next party rental!

A birthday at Sky Zone means you get to sit back and relax while we do the heavy lifting! We offer all-inclusive party packages for any kind of event. Let our party pro facilitators take care of setup and cleanup while leading games and activities to keep kids engaged or provide that VIP treatment. We even supply the plates, utensils, and quality catering from local vendors! Private courts are available, and every group gets time in a private party room, as well as access to our other awesome attractions, like SkySlam, the Foam Zone and Ultimate Dodgeball!

Founded in 2007, Sugar Plum Parties is a one-of-a-kind children’s party venue offering fully hosted events in a dedicated venue. Allowing parents to be present for the party, instead of busy managing the party, Sugar Plum Parties is poised to take off in the over $5 billion event planning industry. Sugar Plum Parties began franchising in 2016 and is the latest venture from the founders of Flip Flop Shops, the leading international retailer of flip flops and casual footwear. Sugar Plum Parties™ are Simple.Sweet.Magical.™ To book a party or for more information on franchising, please visit www.sugarplumparties.com.

Plaster Fun Time is the drop-in art center geared toward kids of all ages. We provide the ideal environment to express everyone’s individual creativity (and we clean up the mess).

Everything at Plaster Fun Time is up to you: Choose from thousands of plaster pieces, select as many paints as you like, and take all the time you want!

Since 1995 we have been the family fun destination in the Boston area. With our nine area locations, we have hosted more than 25 THOUSAND birthday parties and countless family outings. No reservations are ever necessary for walk-ins. Come in and paint today!

Little Lovage Club is a children’s class and event space in the South End of Boston, specializing in all-inclusive birthday parties for young children. Their themed packages include a two-hour party for your little one, leaving every detail to Little Lovage Club (setup, décor, food, cupcakes, playtime, party favors, and cleanup). There are 10 themes to choose from — pick your child’s favorite! Entertainment, like farm animals, magicians, and cookie decorating, makes for a fun, easy party! Prefer to do it all on your own? Little Lovage Club also has the option for a basic space rental.

Rock Spot Climbing is an indoor climbing gym for all ages and all abilities. Rock Spot Climbing’s birthday parties include staff, rental gear, use of their party room, and two hours of climbing and team-building games. Optional packages include pizza, cake, goody bags, paper goods, and balloons. Let Rock Spot Climbing help you host a stress-free, rocking party that everyone will remember!

Art Barn is the perfect place for your birthday! I will provide everything you need. I will design and teach an art lesson suitable for your child’s age and interest. Depending on the season, the activities can take place in the barn or in the garden. All will take their artwork home, which can take the place of a goodie bag.

We will have homemade, organic cake with eggs from our chickens and buttercream frosting. The handmade decorations on the cake will correspond with the theme of the artwork. I will serve organic juice, and we will use real plates, glasses, and table cloths. The space will, of course, be festive!

Most parties last for one and a half hours, at $210. I am happy to discuss what options work best for you.

Kidville parties are legendary and hassle-free! See why Kidville was named one of Parents magazine’s “10 Best Birthday Party Places” and is THE place for birthday parties in the Boston area! From planning to execution, our party-planning experts bring your child’s dream to reality. Select a theme and an all-inclusive package, or have us create a custom package. We’ve also partnered with the best in children’s party entertainment to bring you deluxe add-ons that make your child’s big day extra special. Whether you want a live band, a character visit, a candy bar, adult catering, or a custom cake, we can make anything you dream happen!

Dream Tale Puppets offers quality original puppetry performances for children and families. The theater is dedicated to the study of both traditional and innovative styles of puppetry, and the richness of theatrical and literary cultures of the world. We share the adventure of wandering through lands of enchantment and mystery, humor and whimsy, joy and amazement. Inspired by children’s inquisitiveness and poetry of make believe, we follow fairy tales and children’s rhymes asking questions and playing with answers. We discover ourselves anew with each project and we have a lot of fun, which we joyfully share with our audiences.

Enjoy your child’s next birthday party at the Goldfish Swim School, where staff will greet your children and take them to the pool and viewing area, which is all ready for their special day. They’ll guide your guests through games, races, and water fun or simply lifeguard and maintain control as the group discovers the fun of swimming with optional alligator rafts or other Goldfish swim toys! A responsible adult must accompany children who cannot swim independently in the water; Goldfish does not charge for adults and encourages them to be in the water with the kids. Enjoy watching the party from a glass-enclosed viewing room — a comfortable area for parents, siblings, grandparents, and visitors. Move on to the decorated party area and enjoy cupcakes, pizza (optional), drinks, and lots of fun!

At Learning Express Play, we help plan and conduct an unforgettable birthday party for your child.

BIRTHDAY PACKAGES INCLUDE

90 minutes of facilitated fun for 15 children
Party theme of your choice
Party Planning Session and Birthday Box Registry
Beverages and cake
Activities and/or crafts
Balloons & Paper Goods
Set-up and Clean up
1 hour at Downtown Play free of charge

Celebrate your child’s birthday with Energy! Our 90-minute gymnastics party for children ages 3 and up includes 1 hour of obstacle courses, cooperative games, parachute play and fun on the trampolines and foam pit in our clean, state-of- the-art facility followed by time in our party area for refreshments. We supply festive paper products including invitations and tableware. Our energetic, well-trained staff will take care of all the set-up, serving and clean-up giving parents opportunity to enjoy the party too! Adult guests have free access to our cardio equipment and wifi. Two great facilities located in Natick and Newton.

Want the perfect entertainment for your child’s special day?  Make your child’s birthday a GroovyBirthday!  Our entertainers are professional musicians and child educators that keep everyone movin’ and groovin’ for an hour! Children are kept engaged singing and dancing as they play shaker eggs, rhythm sticks, tambourines, jingle bells and drums! Kids dance with scarves, rainbow rope, ribbon bands, and love to meet our puppets! Our parties are just as much fun for adults since our teachers play a variety of traditional children’s songs, and jam to jazz, blues, funk, and world music. You can request your favorite teacher from any of our programs! We also offer parties of music in Spanish, interactive drumming, and even child-friendly yoga! Kids always receive a sticker at the end as a special treat. We can come to you or, you may also request to rent one of our 16 locations. (Rental fee not included)

Celebrate your child’s next birthday part at the JCC. Choose from children’s gym, gymnastics, dance, theater, pool, sports, soccer, yoga and Zumba® parties.  Birthday parties are 90 minutes long and can be scheduled during regular JCC hours. Parties include a coach for the party activity, a JCC birthday party coordinator to assist you from start to finish, and a private room for cake and gifts. Maximum of 30 children per party. To book a party, contact 617-558-6453 or  [email protected].

More great birthday party resources!

Need a Photographer?

Girl Birthday Party Themes That Wow Without Pink

10 Birthday Gift Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank

10 Great Boston Toy Stores

Big Birthday Alternatives

First Birthday Ideas

Birthday Party Etiquette

Party Planning Timeline

Host 1 Party for Multiple Children

Choosing Not To Plan A First Birthday Blowout

12 Simple Ways to Make Your Child’s Birthday Special

Being a Party Pooper :: Alternatives to the Big Blow Out.

Our Top Ten Birthday Traditions {Making Each Year Special}

The Day After the Party

The Five Stages of Planning a Birthday Party {How I Learned I’m Not a Party Planner}

The Gift Closet

Tips & Tricks for Throwing Your Child An Inexpensive Birthday Party 

Useful Birthday Gifts for $25 or Less

Thank you….For Not Saying “Thank You.”