BY SWEETINA KAKAR
If you know a lot of people with birthdays this time of year, it’s no coincidence. September and October are two of the most popular birthday months, and, according to AnyBirthday.com, more babies are born on October 5 than any other day. To mark this birthday-packed time of year, here’s a list of places to throw great kids parties in Queens.
Alley Pond Environmental Center
228-06 Northern Boulevard, Douglaston
718-229-4000
Alley Pond Environmental Center allows for both an indoor and outdoor experience for any kids event, specifically birthday parties from ages two to 12. The two-hour parties include a discussion about nature and handling live animals along with a nature inspired game or arts and crafts project in a classroom style space. According to the weather, the children will be taken on a nature trail with an experienced guide. With an animal room, party hosts can pick which animals, from blue tongue lizards to ring neck doves, they want to show their guests. All activities will be done within an hour-and-a-half, with 30 minutes left for food and refreshments, which will be provided by party hosts.
Architots
64-64 Dry Harbor Road, Middle Village
718-894-7777
The art and design studio offers 18 different themed parties, including animal, High School Musical, princess, pirate and American Idol themes. The studio’s Crayola inspired décor doesn’t just influence coloring but painting and building too. All parties include invitations, a craft, face painting or tattoos, food for children and refreshments for all.
Astoria Sports Complex
34-38 38th Street, Long Island City
718-729-7163
For sporty children, Astoria Sports Complex provides large indoor game areas for all ages. A soccer room, batting cages, inline skating rink, jumbo slide and bouncy room gives party hosts plenty of options to entertain their guests. The soccer rooms have built-in green astro turf and plexiglass surrounding the room for protection. The batting cages are miniature sized baseball fields to get the full playing experience. Each party includes a host, invitations, music, goody bags, food and refreshments.
Birthday Zone
29-21 21st Avenue, Astoria
718-726-9026
Birthday Zone specializes in customized party themes, but also has eight preplanned themes available. There is a mini arcade, large playing area and dining room, all decorated according to the theme of the party. Preplanned parties include character mascots to entertain all guests. All parties include games, dancing and face painting, with the option of crafts and cotton candy. Pizza is given to children along with refreshments for all.
Bounce U
Whitepoint Center, 132-25 14th Avenue, College Point
718-747-JUMP (5867)
Bounce U has private children’s events and specialty birthday parties with large playing and dinning areas. Their purple and red themed areas make a fun and friendly environment. At Bounce U, children have a large room to enjoy different activities in different bouncy houses, such as an obstacle course, a safe boxing ring and basketball hoops. Bounce U gives you the option to light up any party with a glow-in-the-dark experience and flashing colorful lights. The 2-hour party includes food and refreshments for guests, along with cake and balloon decorations for the dinning room.
BrickHouse Ceramic Art Center
10-34 44th Drive, Long Island City, NY 11101
718-784-4907
This hands-on, messy but artsy party place in Long Island City has different types of birthday parties for all ages. The art center teaches how to make different creations out of clay, including plates, bowls and cups. At BrickHouse Ceramic Art Center parties include creating and glazing, though the crafts cannot be taken home right away, but can be picked up in about two to three weeks, after they are dried and fired. The two-hour party time allows for a 30 minute pottery workshop and 30 minutes for dinning.
City Ice Pavilion
47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City
718-706-6670
Summer or winter, City Ice Pavilion always has an ice skating rink available for a party. It has an igloo-like atmosphere with its cooling ice and white bubble covered rink. Party attendees can skate and enjoy food and refreshment provided by City Ice Pavilion. Invitations, admission, rentals and private lockers are all included in the City Ice Pavilion party experience.
Kids Fun House
6273 Fresh Pond Road, Ridgewood
718-418-KIDS (5437)
An arcade and playground with slides and a playhouse, Kids Fun House is a great place for children’s parties. You can choose from various party themes: princess, knight, fairy, pirate, character inspired or carnival. Children get to make their own goody bags with a candy table in the dinning room. All parties include crafts, tokens for the arcade, decorations, food for children and refreshments for all.
Kids n’Shape
162-26 Crossbay Boulevard, Howard Beach
718-848-2052
Kids n’Shape includes a bounce house, slides, a full basketball court, zip lining, ball-pit, scooters and skating. The minimum two-hour parties include invitations, balloons, food and refreshments.
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35 Avenue, Astoria
718-777-6888
The Museum of the Moving Image isn’t just an educational atmosphere, but is also a place for fun birthday parties for ages eight and up. With a party room and several different exhibits, party attendees have tons to do for two-and-a-half hours. Guest will be surrounded with antique camera equipment, movie customs and pictures of famous actors. They begin with making flipbooks and animation, and dubbing their voices over famous movies. A guide gives a tour around the museum, educating guests about movies, television shows and video games. Finally, the party can watch a classic film. Children will receive goody bags. Food and beverages are optional.
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street, Corona
718-699-0005
New York Hall of Science allows for both an indoor and outdoor experience for birthday parties. The museum doesn’t just include interactive educational exhibits, but also an outdoor miniature gold course and a science playground. Guests will be surrounded by rockets, lights, molecules and hidden kingdoms. With eight themes to choose from, a two-hour party includes expert guided tours of the 450 hands-on exhibits as well as food, refreshments and a full day pass to the museum.
Plaster Party Place
96-09 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills
718-263-0960
The bright colored studio welcomes children of all ages for a two-hour painting party. With 75 different ceramic objects to select as a canvas, children can express themselves in multiple ways. Children will experience a party full of music, dancing, games and face painting. Two party hosts will supervise and direct the event. Food and beverages will also be provided.
Queens Zoo
53-51 111th Street, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
718-271-7361
The Queens Zoo offers a full animal party experience where you’ll see creatures from all over the world. Birthday celebrations also include a large party room, located in the Wild Room, where an expert zoo guide will provide a live animal encounter, crafts and activities. Guests can even visit the petting zoo. The zoo provides three party themes to choose with admission, decorations and party goods.
Young Chefs Academy
108-10 72nd Avenue, 2nd Floor, Forest Hills
718-268-0343
At Young Chefs Academy children will learn to cook and bake from scratch. Expert chefs will help and show the guests how to crack, mix and whip up a delicious dish, along with an arts and craft activity. A two-hour party includes decorations, chef apparel, refreshments and a complimentary class pass for each guest.
