Epic parkour birthday party: Athletic Playground

Throw your kids an exciting, exhausting, superfun birthday party at Athletic Playground in Emeryville, and they can literally climb the walls.

I am grateful to Athletic Playground for hosting the party for my family.

For my son’s eighth birthday celebration, he wanted an obstacle course in our backyard. Before long, he envisioned other children leaning ladders against our fence, walking the fence, hopping from rooftops, and jumping into the neighbor’s backyard mud puddles, I knew we’d have to find a new approach. He wasn’t going to be satisfied with anything I could safely monitor, so we approached Athletic Playground and created the perfect birthday party together.

For East Bay Families with active & playful kids, the Athletic Playground in Emeryville provides a supportive environment for kids to learn physical skills in disciplines like Parkour, Acrobatics & Aerial Silks, while also prioritizing socio-emotional growth & well-being.  Athletic Playground offers parkour and acrobatics classes and open play times for ages two to 17 as well as adults. We had been there before for some of their terrific camps and classes.

A birthday party at Athletic Playground

Kids LOVE to run around on their obstacle courses, try out tricks on aerial silks, and learn cool flips with their experienced coaches. The coaches somehow know how to give kids space to have their own learning process while also keeping a class or party structured.

I recommend this party for extremely active kids, age five to twelve. 

What you get at Athletic Playground parties

Athletic Playground was very flexible with my child when planning his party. They offer a trained coach and a large room with equipment to play and learn. He wanted to hop on the tallest foam block and guide his friends through his obstacle course of choice. Other parties might include an acrobatics/parkour class or aerial silks based on your kid’s preferences.

Parties are scheduled during Open Play hours in one of the two large rooms. Parties are one-hour long.

What you pay for Athletic Playground parties

Parties can include 4 children up to 24 children.

4-6 kids: $320
7-12 kids: $440
13-18 kids: $560
19-24 kids: $680

What parents provide

If you want any party treats, favors, or activities beyond the single hour at Athletic Playground, you’ll be throwing a second party. In our case, it worked out very smoothly to move to Temescal Creek Park.

Snacks and treats at Temescal Creek Park

Athletic Playground doesn’t have a party room on site, so they recommended we walk for five minutes to a nearby park for a picnic. Temescal Creek Park in Emeryville made a nice spot for additional energetic play and sweet treats.

My birthday boy wanted to do decorate-your-own-cupcakes as an activity and birthday treat. We also set up a piñata. About 45-minutes into the party, my husband packed up a wagon with a load from the car and set up a simple party station with decorations, a table, tablecloth, and piñata in a tree.

After the Athletic Playground portion, we did a potty run and set off for the park. It was much easier than I expected AND it was the perfect party for my kid.

Plan your own epic birthday party at Athletic Playground and Temescal Creek Park

Athletic Playground website >

Athletic Playground is at 4770 San Pablo Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608
Call (510) 355-1626 or email frontdesk@tapgym.com

Temescal Creek Park is between 53rd Street and 47th Street off Adeline in Emeryville

Thank you again to the amazing staff at Athletic Playground for hosting a perfect party for my family.

[Photos by the Flett family unless indicated; Justin Bench photos are used with permission from Athletic Playground]