East Bay Kids Birthday Party Guide

Are you planning a child’s birthday party in the Oakland Berkeley area? We got you. Click on a category below to browse listings of the East Bay’s best birthday party ideas. (Oh hey, if you’re finding us from search, we don’t run these parties or book ’em.)

Since March 2020, when California entered Shelter In Place, many of the party details and prices have changed. Please follow up directly with all the party venues, entertainers, and cake bakers. See also our Party In Place Guide to virtual birthday parties.

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

Indoor Birthday Party Places

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	Kids Gym (Berkeley) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. Exclusive use of the 600+ square foot studio or mini party room for 2 hours. Packages start at $300 for up to 10 kids. Optional extras include popcorn machine, balloons, face painter, favors, pizza, cake, and full-facility rental. For ages 0 to 9. Read about our birthday party at Kids Gym. Contact at 510-845-9787 or visit website.
	Bliss Belly Kitchen (Berkeley) Artisanal Chocolate! Chef sources farm-fresh, organic ingredients, teaches breathing & meditation, and they prepare a feast together. Kids eat what they make. 12 participants for $540; $30 per additional child; two-hour party. Ages 5+. Visit website.
	Play Date (Fremont) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. Play Date birthday parties have an array of themes for ages 0-8 years old. You can DIY in their private party space or they’ll do it all for you. $450-$1650 for up to 15 children. Visit website.
	Hands-On! (Berkeley) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. Customized for your kiddo! Possible STEAM themes/activities include slime, mad science, unicorns and candy experiments. Ages 4-11. Choose to have your party on-site in the science lab or in an off-site party location of your choice. Packages from $275-$365. Visit website.
	Lawrence Hall of Science (Berkeley) Closed through June 2021.
	Gymboree (Oakland) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. Gymboree parties include your child’s favorite theme and a private, personalized party experience, filled with kid-friendly activities guaranteed to be 100% fun with zero clean up! For ages 1 to 4. Contact 510-834-0982. $350 for 90-minute party with 15 children. Visit website.
	Tilden Park Merry-Go-Round (Berkeley) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. Birthday party package includes private decorated party area for 3 hours, party snacks, 42 carousel ride tickets, and 5 chaperone wrist bands for $300. For any age that loves the merry-go-round. Visit website.
	theCoderSchool (Berkeley) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. Party guests can code a game of their own plus enjoy unplugged time in the coder lounge with puzzles and foosball. Prices start at $279 for up to 6 coders ($25 per additional) if you bring food & drinks. Visit website.
	Yama Kids Yoga (Berkeley) Now offering parties via ZOOM. Visit website.
	ITK Culinary (Berkeley) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. Kids cooking parties are a specialty — from Cupcake Wars, Iron Chef, Taqueria, Pizza Shop, and more — all done in the Top Chef Kitchen. $600 for up to 12 kids. Visit website.
	Brushstrokes Studio (Berkeley) Now offering virtual party options. Pottery painting parties include selection of ceramics. Guest creations will be glazed and fired. Visit website.
	Bladium (Alameda) Let the Bladium Birthday Party Host lead your guests through a fun, high-energy event while you relax! Many exciting themes to choose from. Starting at $399, a 2-hour party includes four pizzas, drinks, and paper goods for up to 15 children. Parents bring cake. Call 510-814-4999.
	Creatif Art Studio (Pleasanton) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. Private birthday parties for art lovers, ages 2yrs+. Paint ceramics, canvas, rocks or unfinished wood. Instructor led canvas themes. Choose from three party packages with food options starting at $299 for 12 kids. Add-ons: face painting, balloons, goody bags. Visit website.
	Sticky Art Lab (Berkeley) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. During a 2-hour party guests will upcycle materials into magnificent imaginative creations. Includes one-hour guided art project custom designed to match interests, access to studio and courtyard. Families provide food, treats, paper products. Up to 14 kids for $300. Visit website.
	Swings and Wings (Alameda) Now accepting reservations for playtime on weekends (one family per slot). You’ll have the whole place to yourselves. Visit website.
	Aran’s Art Studio (Castro Valley) Closed for parties as of March, 2020. Parties for all ages. $50 for 1 1/2 hours for up to 16 participants plus the price of art projects: pottery painting, glass fusing, or canvas painting. Instruction and materials included. Whole studio available to rent. Please call (510) 728-1333 for details and to book. Visit website.

{more indoor birthday party places, listed alphabetically}

• Color Me Mine (Alameda) is offering outdoor parties Pay $100 plus the price of the ceramic pieces. Birthday child gets special plate as a keepsake. Now offering canvas painting parties. Visit website.
• LeMans Karting (Fremont) is open for business Indoor go-karting for kids 8 and over. Little Indy 500 drivers must be 48″ tall. Party includes race gear, private track usage, party area and food with a minimum of 8 participants. Contact for pricing. Visit website.
• StemChef Candy Lab Escape Room (Danville) has cool virtual parties and STEM games At Blackhawk Plaza, the Candy Lab escape teaches kids STEM skills through food-based science with rotating monthly themes. Parties offer one hour of fun problem solving and an edible treat for ages 8-14. Prices start at $35 per participant (minimum 6 children, max 10). View website.
• Twirl (Alameda) offers virtual parties and pick-up kits This lovely art/play space offers a party package which includes 2 hours private use of the Party Room, pinwheel party favors, canvas stamping and shared access to the interactive play space/art studio. You bring food and drinks. $300 for up to 12 children. Visit website.

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Birthday Party Entertainment: Face painters, Art, Music, Magic, Bounce Houses, Princesses, and More

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	Techsplosion Hands-on Science Choose from 90-minute Minecraft Survival or LEGO Robot Battle birthday parties led by the enthusiastic Techsplosion team. $375 for up to 12 children; Best for ages 7 to 15. Visit the website or see our profile of Techsplosion birthday parties.
	Drumming Magic Interactive drumming on buckets and frame drums along with dancing and singing for 45-60 minutes with gifted musical facilitator, Mika Scott. Costs $200 to $300 depending on size of group. Visit website.
	Storybook Creations Parties paused through 2020. A Royal Dress-up party includes high quality costumes (like princess, knight, or dragon!). Optional upgrades include craft activities, a tea party, makeover, manicures, and hair styling. $395 for up to 10 kids for 1.5 hours. Visit website.
	Mike Della Penna, Magician Offering some virtual shows, please ask. Mike offers a variety of magic show packages. A favorite performer at area preschools, libraries and Children’s Fairyland. Known for captivating the 3- to 7-year-old crowd with his laughter-filled, participatory magic shows. Parties start at $300. 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 6 – 13. $400 to $500 includes all food, cookware, paper goods, props, and the teaching skills of a culinary professional for up to 12 guests. More info >
	Local Food Adventures Treat your birthday kid and friends to a yummy pizza party and informative Rockridge Ice Cream and Gelato tour. Plates, balloons, goody bags included! Accommodations for allergies available. $425 for up to 16 guests (children and adults). Read about Local Food Adventures birthday. More info & book >

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

• Grampa Sings will perform virtually for your birthday kid Grampa Clyde performs song circles for kids 2+ (30 – 45 minutes) for 30 min. Visit website.
• Play-well Teknologies (LEGO) can create an online LEGO party You provide the kids and space, they bring 20,000 pieces of LEGO and guides to lead the projects based on a chosen theme. Prices vary. Visit the website. [Other LEGO birthday party ideas here]
• Ricky Roo & Friends offers virtual puppet shows for birthday kidspuppet show will fill a party with laughter and fun. Best for guests aged 2 to 7 and anyone who loves puppets. Parties starting at $279. Visit website.

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Outdoor Birthday Party Places

{local outdoor birthday party locations, listed alphabetically}

• Adventure Playground (Berkeley Marina) You’ll want to set up for a picnic outside the grounds of Adventure Playground in Shorebird Park. All groups larger than 5 children require a reservation with fees for safety reasons; 5-10 kids cost $75/2 hours. Learn about throwing a party at Adventure Playground. Visit the website to book.
• 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. Don’t forget to pay extra for a bathroom key!
• 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 for ages 6 months to 7 years. Price includes rides, puppets, Children’s Theatre, and special performances all day long for each guest (10 child minimum). Visit the website.
• Golden Tee GolfLand (Castro Valley) The main birthday party includes 90 minutes in the party room or patio; 18 holes of mini golf and arcade tokens; and 2 XL pizzas, 2 liters of soda. BYO cake. Arcade party also available. $17.99/person with a 10 person minimum. Read our mini golf birthday party or visit website.
• Lake Merritt Kayaking Party (Oakland) Read about how we assembled a Lake Merritt boating birthday party >
• Sherman Swim School (Lafayette) Two hours of swim and party time in three (warm!) outdoor pools. $350 for 2 hrs with up to 20 children. View website.
• Sulphur Creek Nature Center (Hayward) At Wild Things Birthday Parties, Sulphur Creek’s naturalist will lead a customized one-hour presentation with live animals, crafts, games, hikes or puppet shows plus two additional hours at the park on your own. Also available as a mobile party at your home. Can be customized for ages 1 through adult. $235 for residents of Hayward; $294 for non-residents. Visit website.
• 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.
• 10 more free and cheap party places that are mostly outdoors!

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Birthday cakes, cupcakes, ice cream cakes, and more

• Baskin Robbins (Emeryville, Alameda, El Cerrito) Choose a creative ice cream cake from their gallery or build your own. 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. Call 510-900-2460 or visit website to order online.
• Costco (Richmond, San Leandro, and more) With at least 24 hours notice, Costco will decorate a chocolate or vanilla half-sheet cake for $18.99, basic decoration included. Come to the store to order in person. Membership required.
• CREAM (Alameda, Berkeley) 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 $35.95. Full sheet cake is $62.95. One-week notice required.  Call 510-658-7000 or visit the website.
• James and the Giant Cupcake (Oakland x3) Cupcakes and cakes are available for pre-order by phone or online. Visit website.
• La Farine (Oakland x3) French style cakes and princess cake available to order by phone. 6″ round starts from $29. Visit website for list of flavors.
• Lavender Bakery (Berkeley) has European inspired cakes and baked goods with seasonal items. Call (510) 529-4433 or order online.
• Love at First Bite (Berkeley) Requires 48 hours advance notice for custom cake and cupcake orders. 6″ round for $36, $18 for dozen cupcakes. 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.
• Nothing Bundt Cake (Emeryville) Looking for alternative cake? Try a bundt cake with signature thick frosting petals. Call 510-923-2253 or order online.
• Oh Sho Sweet (San Leandro) Beautiful custom cakes. Prices vary. Get a quote.
• Rainbow Donuts (Berkeley) How about a tall tower of donuts in lieu of cake? We like the unicorn donuts at Rainbow (visit website) and lots of other donut spots.
• Sheng Kee Bakery (Berkeley, Richmond) This Taiwanese bakery offers Asian style and classic cakes. Call or visit to order. 510-848-8200 (Berkeley) 510-558-8807 (Richmond)
• Taste of Denmark (Oakland) Freshly baked specialty cakes with Scandinavian flair. 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. 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 (usually) be ready for you the next day. Cakes start at $22.99. Visit website.

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Birthday Party Decorations

Don’t stress whether you’re looking for a bubble maker, photo backdrop, or paper products, it’s going to be great.

• Lemon Blossom Creations (Walnut Creek or delivered to your place) brings all the paper goods and decorations for your theme to your place. Basic packages starts around $350 for stunning party decor. Visit the website for more info.
• Paper Plus Outlet (Berkeley) is the go-to place for helium balloon art and party supplies. Visit website.
• Pippa & Co (Alameda, Berkeley). Independent shop specializing in unique and handmade party decor, celebration accessories and gifts. Visit website.

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 2019 and may change over time. Check with vendor for current pricing and availability. Happy birthday to you!