East Bay Kids Birthday Party Guide

Are you planning a child's birthday party? Let us help. Click on a category below to browse listings of the East Bay's best birthday party ideas.

Indoor birthday party places | Outdoor birthday party places | Birthday party activities & entertainment | Birthday cakes & treats

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	Kids Gym (Berkeley) Exclusive use of the 600+ square foot studio for food and cake for 2 hours. Packages starting at $220 for up to 10 kids and $350 for up to 20. Optional extras include popcorn machine, staff support person, balloons, craft projects, face painter, favors, pizza, cake, and full-facility rent out. Fun for ages 0 to 9. Contact now at 510-845-9787 or visit website.
	AquaTech (Alameda) Amazing swim parties for all ages of children. 20 kids included for base price of $425; extra charge per child after 20. Adults are welcome in the water with their child at no cost. AquaTech staff will support the event and observe children in the pool. Party includes 2-hour rental: 1 in pool and 1 in designated party zone. Visit website or call (866) 633-4147.
	Rain or Shine (Berkeley) All Rain or Shine parties include UNLIMITED guests a no extra charge! Get exclusive use of our award winning, educational play spaces for children 0-5 years. You bring food, decorations. $399/2 hours + $100 per additional 30 minutes. Visit website.
	Brushstrokes Studio (Berkeley) Pottery painting parties include selection of ceramics like piggy banks, boxes, picture frames, and 100s of others. Guest creations will be glazed and fired. Other party themes choices are mosaics, glass fusing, clay, or canvas painting. Bring your cake. 2 hour party: Flat rate of $248 for up to 8 guests. Additional guests: $31 per person. Visit website.
	Adventure Kinderland (Richmond) Great for toddlers and preschoolers and kids up to 10 years-old. Party package starts at $200 for 10 guests 2 hours. Optional extras include: thematic plastic-ware, jumper, face painter, go karts, balloon artist and more. Choose between indoor/outdoor. You provide food and decor. Visit website.
	Bladium (Alameda) This sports club offers many themed parties or you can choose your own theme: soccer, laser tag, water slides, volleyball, basketball, inflatables and rock climbing. Starting at $399, a party 2-hour party includes four pizzas, drinks, and paper goods for up to 15 children. Parents bring cake. Call 510-814-4999 or see our detailed report of Bladium parties to begin planning.
	Habitot Children's Museum (Berkeley) Rent the entire Museum or a large private Party Room for a unique hands-on play and learning experience for your toddler or preschooler's birthday celebration (5 and under please). Packages can include food, party favors, and more. Prices start at $200 for weekdays and $250 on the weekends. Visit website.
	Tutu School (Oakland) The most magical party a birthday ballerina could ever want! Each 1.5 hr party includes a brief ballet class led by a real-life ballerina, a special story, and a cupcake picnic. Packages start at $475 for 10 kids and include snacks, cupcakes, crafts, tutu party favors. $20 for each additional child. Best for ages 2-8. Visit website.
	Junior Center of Art and Science (Oakland) Art or Science parties of different themes are available for children ages 4 to 10. Guests participate in a hands on project, demonstrations, cake and gift time. Materials and instructor included. Parties are 90 minutes or 2 hours. Starting at $295 for 14 children. Visit website.
	Sticky Art Lab (Berkeley) During a 2-hour party guests will make mini castles, flying cars, fuzzy monsters, or straw rockets. Includes a Sticky Art Lab t-shirt for the birthday kid, one-hour guided art project custom designed to match level and interest, and access to inside space and outdoor courtyard. Families provide food, treats, paper products. Up to 14 kids for $300. Visit website.
	Gymboree (Oakland, El Cerrito, Lafayette) A Gymboree party is a personalized party experience filled with kid-friendly activities guaranteed to be 100% fun with zero clean up! Best for 1st through 5th birthday parties. $300 for 90 minute party.  Visit website.
	Twirl (Alameda) This lovely art space offers a classic party package which includes 2 hours private use of the Party Room, pinwheel party favors, canvas stamping, Twirl invitation, and a guided art activity. You bring food and drinks. $300 for up to 12 children. Visit website for more information. See the 510Families.com review of Twirl.
	Oakland Zoo Discovery (Oakland) Best for ages 3 to 8. Education Parties are 2-hour program with guided activities, live animal close-up, and admission for all guests. Priced $385 to $435 for up to 20 guests. Food costs extra. The Zoo also hosts a rides party or can send a ZooMobile party to your home. Visit website.
	Taro Origami (Rockridge) Origami party includes unlimited paper, use of Taro’s tablets, and customized private lessons. Each guest will fold, decorate, and take home creations. $450/party (up to 15 kids). Does not include food, but refreshments and cake can be set up in the back of the studio. Visit website or see 510families visit to Taro's.

{more indoor birthday party venues, listed alphabetically}

• Albany Bowl (Albany) Two-hour party includes bowling with lightweight balls, shoes, pizza, soda, balloons. Bring your own fruit/veggies and cake. $20/kid; 8-child minimum. Visit website for details or see the 510Families Albany Bowl review.
• Bay Island Gymnastics (Oakland) Parties include an hour of gymnastics time and 45 minutes in the refreshment area. Prices start at $325 for up to 18 guests. Visit website.
• Berkeley City Ballet (Berkeley) Ballerina birthday parties starting at $250 for up to 10 people ages 4+ dressed up in tutus, tiaras, sashes and crowns. Party consists of a mini-ballet class and an on-stage performance starring your child and guests. Tiaras and crowns are theirs to keep. Space available to serve your own food. Visit website.
• #BounceFarm (Martinez) Parties for kids ages 1 to 6 and include 75 minutes private bounce time plus 1 hour in the dining area for up to 20 children for $395. Save more on a Junior Party for the tiny bounce area. Rate includes pizza, cupcakes and a birthday photo. Visit website.
• Cal Golden Bear's Gymnastics (Berkeley) Parties are 2 hours: the first hour offers gymnastics time with coaches, parachute, obstacle course, and trampoline time. The second hour is in the party area. $215 to $315. Fun for ages 3 to 12. Visit website.
• Chabot Space & Science Center (Oakland) Birthday party packages include admission for up to 30, a planetarium show, and use of the party room for 90 minutes. Party prices range from $400 to $450 based on membership status. Visit website.
• Color Me Mine (Alameda) Pay $100 plus the price of the ceramic pieces. Pre-select ceramic items to keep it simple (plate party or tea cup party). Birthday child gets special plate as a keepsake. Now offering canvas painting parties. Visit website.
• East Oakland Sport's Center (Oakland) Go through Oakland Parks and Rec to reserve this spot, but the indoor pool includes a party room and water slide. $212 to $240 for a weekend party. Read our review of this indoor pool party venue.
• Golden Skate Roller Rink (San Ramon) For up to 10 people, $299.95 includes skate rental, soft drinks, game tokens, paper products, and use of a room in addition to access to the rink. Optional upgrades: pizza, birthday gift. Visit website.
• Head Over Heels (Emeryville) Two hour parties fly by for kids as they have access to a foam pit, trampolines and more. Supervised gymnastics activity is followed by food and cake, which you supply. Prices start at $275 for up to 10 kids. See available time slots and full pricing schedule when you visit the website.
• High Scores Arcade (Alameda) Party guests get private use of the arcade with all video games set to free play and a small area for food. Parents provide any food, drink, and favors. Parties for ages 8 and up. Starts at $300 for up to 15 guests. Visit website.
• Kids n Clay (Berkeley) Kids will work with wet clay at a pottery wheel or do hand-building. BYO food. $260 for up to 10 children. Call 510-845-0982 for details or visit Kids N Clay's birthday party flyer online.
• Lawrence Hall of Science (Berkeley) Choose a 1-hour workshop from many fun science themes then move to the party room or cafe for your food and cake. Perfect for kids age 4-11. Prices start at $300 ($275 for members). Includes museum admission for one adult per child with access to all exhibits. Visit website.
• LeMans Karting (Fremont) Indoor go-carting for kids 8 and over. Little Indy 500 drivers must be 48″ tall. Children will experience the fun of racing and fundamentals of driving training. 8 drivers minimum for exclusive party package includes: race gear, private track usage, party area and cupcakes. $50 per driver with a minimum of 8 participants. Visit website.
• MOCHA Museum of Children's Art (Oakland) During your 2-hour party, the museum is closed to the public and your space will be filled with activity stations, project materials and a teaching artist. For all ages. Parties start at $250. Read our experience of a MOCHA birthday party here. Visit website to see more.
• Movie theater (multiple locations) paired with great pizza is an easy indoor birthday party for many ages. We have a few suggestions for winning combinations of movie & pizza birthday parties in the East Bay.
• Oakland Ice (Oakland) Two hours of skating with a lesson and skate rental are included for all guests at the rate of $27 per guest, minimum 10 guests. 1 hour party room reservation, includes soda and pizzas. Extra pizza and soda available, but no outside food beyond commercially-prepared cake is permitted. Visit website or read our review.
• Painter's Pot (Richmond) Pottery-painting parties include a choice of 150 different ceramic pieces or glass projects. The party room seats 16; 8 person minimum. Parties cost $50 for two hours plus the cost of your pieces. Visit website.
• Playland Not-At-The-Beach (El Cerrito) $15 for the first 20 guests ($10 for each additional) for unlimited play on pinball machines and amusements at Playland. Basic magic show included in this 3-hour party. Upgrades are available. Visit website for details.
• Pump it Up (Oakland) This place has gotten more grim over the years, but kids still dig it. Weekend parties start at $310 for up to 10 guests, but the extra charges can really add up. Children will move through two private inflatable jumping rooms on then to the party room for food and cake. For kids 34″ and bigger. Book pizza, fruit trays, drinks through Pump It Up or bring your own. See our Pump it Up review.
• Q-ZAR (Concord) For players 6 and older and 45 inches and taller. Laser tag parties start at $199 for mid-week parties with “public” battles. Private battles cost much more (by about $500). Visit website or read our Q-ZAR experience.
• Rockin' Jump (Dublin) Two hours of unlimited jumping for 10 jumpers starting at $245 Mon – Thurs, $295 Fri – Sat, with addl. fees for addl. jumpers. Private party room during second hour. Onsite cafe can provide food & drinks. Birthday cakes are welcome. Ages 4+. Visit website.
• Ruby's Tumbling (Alameda) One hour of gymnastics fun and one hour of party fun.  Ruby's provides the activity, you provide the cake and the paper goods. Prices start at $250 for the first 10 children and $10 for each additional child. Visit website but beware the auto-play music is NSFW.
• See Spot Run (Alameda) Pet party with hands-on experience with a rabbit, guinea pig, bird, kitten, and a hedgehog. A craft can be added for an additional fee. Time will allow for cake (provided by you) and singing. Up to 10 children ages 4 to 12 years old. Cost is $200 for a 1.5 hour event. Visit website.
• Sport Fencing Center (Richmond) 90-minute party includes an introduction to swordplay: basic foot work and blade work, followed by fun fencing games. All equipment provided as well as a table and chairs. You supply the food, beverages, and utensils. $399 for up to 12 people, and $20 for each additional. Visit website.
• SubPar Miniature Golf (Alameda) Indoor mini golf and arcade party includes unlimited golf for two hours, private room w/ tables and chairs, staff, plus arcade tokens for each player. Cost is $15 per player, and for $7 more pizza and soda is included. Best for ages 5-14. Visit website and see our kid report on SubPar.
• Trapeze Arts (Oakland) Guests will participate in 2 or 3 circus activities, depending on their age. 4-6 year old party does not include trapeze while over age 6 does. Optional video of trapeze. Get Party Package details on website. Prices start at $150 for no trapeze; $200 for trapeze.
• Wheelhouse (Richmond) Bring your own everything to the party room and reserve one or two lanes for guests to practice batting. Parties begin at $250 for 2 hours with 1 hour in party room and 1 in the cages. Read our Wheelhouse party review or visit website.

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	Happily Ever Laughter Providing whimsical activities & experiences for children that keep the door to imagination wide open. Specializing in character shows like faerie, pirate, or mermaid. Performers provide magic shows, face painting, balloon twisting for any age. Prices start at $210 (Save $100 off each add'l hour). Visit website for photos and videos.
	Dinosaurs Rock They bring the museum to your home. Dinosaurs Rock parties include museum-quality exhibit, interactive show, real take-home fossils, and thematic games. Gems & Oceans themes too! Costs $450 for up to 12 kids. Optional add-ons: goody bags, fossil excavation. No food included. Visit website.
	Stuffed Bear Party Stuffed Bear Party brings a mobile stuffed animal factory to your location complete with little outfits. Your child will pick from a large selection of unstuffed plush animals and the staff does the rest. Recommended for ages 4 to 8. Visit website or read our feature on Stuffed Bear Party. Priced per child, with minimum order of $360 plus a travel charge.
	Mike Della Penna, Magician Mike offers a variety of magic show packages. A favorite performer at area preschools, libraries and family venues including Children's Fairyland. Known for captivating the 3- to 7-year-old crowd with his laughter-filled, participatory magic shows. Parties start at $240. More info >
	Cooking Round the World Two-hour cooking party that's 100% experiential: prep, cook eat! Choose one of 5 International party flavors. Ideal for ages 5 – 14. $350 includes all food, cookware, paper goods, props, and the teaching skills of a culinary professional for up to 12 guests. More info >
	Rockin' Kids Birthdays Stephanie Pepitone, musical host of the Rockin’ Kids Sing-Along, plays acoustic guitar and leads children in 45 minutes of an interactive performance. Family sing-along & instrument petting zoo suggested for ages 1 – 7. Live Music Karaoke Party & Jam Session perfect for ages 8 and older. More info >
	Look at You! (extreme face-painting) This face painting is a work of art with full face transformation using high-quality, skin-friendly, professional makeup. Balloon twisting included. $125 to $250 for 3 hours. Call 510-815-3994 or visit Facebook for gallery >.
	Bay Area Soft Play They deliver, set up, and break down soft play equipment for baby crawlers & toddlers up to 4 years old to your own home or venue. Whatever the occasion: birthday, wedding, or play date.  Packages start at $289. More info >

{more birthday party entertainment and activity ideas, listed alphabetically}

• All Star Showgrams Celebrity and character impersonators perform songs and activities. The basic package includes 3 activities for one hour at $200-$250. Lots of character choices: Superman, Grinch, Princesses, etc. Visit the website.
• Barrel Full of Monkeys (AKA ClownSnotBombs) offers clown magic, bubbles, glitter tattoo, balloons, and more. Visit website to inquire about prices.
• Bay Area Jump Rent bouncy houses in all shapes and sizes for use in your yard or a park (in which case, you must check with the local city's policies) for $145-$405 for the day depending on options. Visit website for details.
• Budderball the Clown paints faces, twists balloons, does glitter tattoos, and performs an interactive comedy magic show. Professional clown for 16 years, she is sensitive with children who are tentative about costumed characters. Visit website to find prices.
• California Puppets (Bay Area) Shows featuring Jungle Joe, a professional puppeteer and ventriloquist. His passion for puppetry and love of animals are combined to bring you hilariously funny and educational shows. Visit website to find details.
• Drumming Magic Drumming Magic birthday parties are facilitated by Mika Scott, an experienced music teacher, who provides a variety of drums and musical games that keeps kids playfully engaged with their bodies, minds and imaginations. $200+ for a party. Visit website.
• Little Folkies Music Parties with an acoustic vibe. A few performance options change the party based on the kid. Most basic package starts at $250. Visit website for details.
• Lizard Lady Children get to experience the wonder of friendly snakes, lizards and an 80-year old red foot tortoise with several different petting programs tailored to age of party-goers from 3 to 13. $250 for up to 20 guests. Visit website for pricing and restrictions.
• Mr. SHAP is a balloon artist and magician entertainer who performs for children and adults of ALL ages. Be dazzled. $175/hour.  Visit website.
• Play-well Teknologies (LEGO) You provide the kids and space, they bring 20,000 pieces of LEGO and guides to lead the projects based on a chosen theme. 510-227-9378 lauren$300 for up to 15 kids; $400 for up to 24 kids. Visit the website, or see our post about LEGO parties.
• Roleplaying Adventure with Jake turns your party into a self-contained adventure. Jake can lead parties for 3-12 kids for $10 per kid per hour where a typical session runs 2 to 3 hours. Recommended for ages 8+. Read our review of Jake's DnD party.
• Super Soccer Stars. Each 90-minute party includes an hour of soccer activities and 30 minutes of food and cake (not provided) at your location. $250 for 10 children or upgrade to $350 for coaching and a soccer ball keepsake. Visit website.
• Vivarium Traveling Reptile Program Expect a fun and educational one-hour programs featuring between 20 and 30 amazing creatures. Pay $300 plus travel for a weekend booking, discounts for weekdays. See our Vivarium post or visit the website.

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{some local outdoor birthday party locations, listed alphabetically}

• Adventure Playground (Berkeley Marina) You'll want to set up for a picnic outside the grounds of the A.P. All groups larger than 5 children require a reservation with fees for safety reasons; 5-10 kids cost $73/2 hours. Visit the website for rates and booking info.
• Arlington Park (El Cerrito) Great for all ages. Via the El Cerrito Rec Department, rent Arlington Park or Castro Park Clubhouse, which can accommodate up to 50 people seated. Tables and chairs provided. Call 510-559-7004 for more information. $70 per hr for residents/$88 non residents with a 3 hr minimum. Don't forget to pay the extra $16 for a bathroom key!
• Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito) Indoor and outdoor space with hands on stuff to do makes this a fun venue for ages 3-8. Add face-painting, goody bags and more at different price points. Visit website.
• Berkeley Public Parks These outdoor Berkeley picnic facilities requires permit and registration: Aquatic Park, Codornices, Live Oak, Ohlone, Strawberry Creek. All other City of Berkeley parks are first come first served. Visit the website to check availability.
• Cesar Chavez Park (Berkeley Marina) The no-frills picnic benches are available first come, first serve with a 5-minute walk to outhouse bathrooms. Very fun location for a kite-flying party. Read our post about throwing your own kite birthday party.
• Children's Fairyland (Oakland) – Fairyland hosts catered birthday parties (they supply cupcakes and ice cream) in one of three themed party areas. Price includes rides, puppets, Children’s Theatre, and special performances all day long for each guest at the rate of $23/child and adult pair (10 child minimum). Visit the website.
• Crab Cove (Alameda) hosts nature exploration parties for children ages 3 to 12 based on either bay critters or reptiles. $75 covers the first 10 children (15 is the max). Read our post about Crab Cove parties.
• Golden Tee GolfLand (Castro Valley) The main birthday party includes 90 minutes in the party room or patio; 18 holes of mini golf and 20 arcade tokens per person; and 2 XL pizzas, 2 liters of soda. BYO cake. Arcade party also available (with 60 tokens per person!). Both are $15.99/person with a 10 person minimum. Visit website.
• Sulphur Creek Nature Center (Hayward) Sulphur Creek's naturalist will lead a customized 1 hour presentation with live animals, crafts, games, hikes or puppet shows. Enjoy an additional 2 hours of time at the park for your own activities. Also available as a mobile party at your home. Can be customized for ages 1 through adult. $200 for residents of Hayward; $250 for non-residents. Visit website for more information.
• Tilden Steam Trains (Berkeley) First come, first served for the picnic tables located up the hill from the trains (in between the two parking lots). Free for those under 2, 5 rides for $12, so we'll call it $60 for 25 ride tickets. Invite just one other family, and we think this is an excellent second birthday “party” idea.
• 9 free and cheap party places that are mostly outdoors!

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• Baskin Robbins (Emeryville, Alameda, El Cerrito) Choose a creative ice cream cake from their gallery or build your own. 6″ round cake is $37.99; full sheet cake is $54.99. Visit the website to customize and order online.
• Ben & Jerry's (Berkeley, Oakland) Design your own ice cream cake; choose flavors, fillings, decorations, and the message for the top. Or walk in and grab one from the case. 6″ round cake is $29.95; full sheet cake is $59.95. Call 510-900-2460 or visit website to order online.
• Costco (Richmond) With at least 24 hours notice, Costco will decorate a chocolate or vanilla half-sheet cake for $17.99, basic decoration included. Come in to the store to order in person. Membership required. Call 510-898-2000.
• CREAM (Berkeley, Oakland) Two choices for CREAM at your birthday party: pre-made ice cream sandwiches served cold or CREAM Experience with staffers serving up cold ice cream with hot cookies. See website for details
• Fentons Creamery (Oakland) Ice cream cakes are made to order. Choose cake flavor & ice cream flavor. 6″ round cake starts at $29.95. Full sheet cake is $55.95. One-week notice required.  Call 510-658-7000 or visit the website.
• Love at First Bite (Berkeley) Requires 48 hours advance notice for custom cake and cupcake orders. Delivery also available. Call 510-848-5727 or visit the website
• Mariposa Baking Company (Oakland) has a variety of cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other treats that are perfect for birthday celebrations – all of which are Gluten-Free! Visit website.
• Taste of Denmark (Oakland) Freshly baked specialty cakes with Scandinavian flair. Quarter sheet cake is $28.75 undecorated or $33.25 with buttercream. Call 510-420-8889 or visit the website.
• Tucker's Super Creamed Ice Cream (Alameda) A favorite place in Alameda for ice cream cakes decorated with any theme. Prices unlisted. Call 510-522-4960 or visit the website.
• Whole Foods Market (Berkeley/Oakland) Order delicious customized cakes for all occasions! Choose a delicious standard flavor in store or by phone and it will be ready for you the next day. Quarter sheet cakes start at $19.95. Visit website.

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All decisions for this guide were made by Heather and Whitney, founders of 510families.com, we apologize for any errors or glaring omissions. Promotional consideration was paid by sponsored listings as indicated. If you'd like to be considered for future Birthday Party Guides, please contact us at ads@510families.com for information.

Please note that prices are current to the best of our knowledge as of November 2016 and may change over time. Check with vendor for current pricing and availability.