Birthday party places for kids in New York City

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ACT at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine 1047 Amsterdam Ave at 112th St (212-316-7540, stjohndivine.org/act). Subway: B, C, 1 to 110th St–Cathedral Pkwy. Prices start at $370 for ten kids; $12 for each additional child up to 20 kids; $10 for each additional child over 20 kids.
The padded gym in the basement of this stunning church is a real gem. Basic parties include use of the facility as well as the kitchenette, while themed bashes such as Cathedral Hunt, Artsy Antics or Sports Jam include pizza or mini bagels and juice. Setup, cleanup, balloons and staff helpers come with either option. Parties are held on Saturdays and weekday afternoons. Booking two months in advance is suggested.

Alley Pond Environmental Center 228-06 Northern Blvd at Cross Island Pkwy, Douglaston, Queens (718-229-4000, alleypond.com). Subway: 7 to Flushing–Main St, then take the Q12 bus to Alley Pond. Prices start at $190 for up to 15 kids; $10 for each additional child.
Instructors lead young naturalists on age-appropriate discussions about the environment; kids also get to interact with live animals. Then, weather permitting, everyone heads outdoors for a nature walk and a craft project chosen by the birthday kid. Food isn’t provided, but parents can bring their own refreshments.

Alice’s Tea Cup
• 102 W 73rd St at Columbus Ave (212-799-3006, alicesteacup.com). Subway: B, C, 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St. Prices start at $20 per kid plus rental fees
• 156 E 64th St between Lexington and Third Aves (212-486-9200, alicesteacup.com). Subway: F to Lexington Ave–63rd St; N, R, W to Lexington Ave –59th St; 4, 5, 6 to 59th St. Prices start at $20 per kid plus rental fees.
• 220 E 81st St at Third Ave (212-734-4832, alicesteacup.com). Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St; 6 to 79th St. Prices start at $20 per kid plus rental fees.
Kids will have a very merry birthday (or unbirthday, if they so choose) at an Alice in Wonderland–inspired tea party. Tea service for the younger set includes scones, assorted sandwiches, chocolate mousse, and chocolate milk or tisane tea. Magicians, face painters and Alice look-alikes can be booked at an additional cost.

American Girl Place 609 Fifth Ave at 49th St (877-247-5223, americangirl.com). Subway: B, D, F, V to 47–50th Sts–Rockefeller Ctr. Prices from $32–$60 per child.
If your little one can’t put down her beloved Felicity or Molly doll, treat her to one of American Girl Place’s party packages. For $32 a pop, guests can chow down on a fancy meal, cake and ice cream in the café, plus goody bags and a surprise keepsake for the birthday girl. Bump it up to $60 a head and you’ll get the private dining room. Looking for a splurge? Try one of the store’s overnight sleepovers.

Andrea Del Conte Danza Espana 144 E 24th St at Lexington Ave (212- 674-6725, delconte-danza.com). Subway: 6 to 23rd St. Instruction starts at $300 for 12 kids; studio rental starts at $32–$40 per hour.
Statement-making clothes. Attitude and posturing. Over-wrought emotions. Another day in junior high? Nah, its a flamenco birthday party! With its dramatic ambience and all that foot-stomping and olé-shouting, flamenco just might be the perfect match for the trials and tribulations of tweendom. Standing in a circle, partygoers are taught a dance, often an easy-to-learn four-count fiesta type like the tangos, to the beat of traditional guitar music via boom box. The party includes an hour-long instruction by a member of the company, during which guests can practice flamenco’s rhythmic clapping, posture, and arm and hand movements. This is followed by a short group dance. Participants should wear hard-soled shoes since percussive heel work is part of the fun.

Applause Theatrical Workshop 184 E 76th St between Lexington and Third Aves (212-717-07703, broadwaybabies.com). Subway: 6 to 77th St. Prices start at $1,250 for up to 15 kids.
Stars-in-training will love taking center stage on their big day alongside professional performers in a 45-minute show based on the theme of the birthday kid’s choice. Princess, celebrity, murder mystery and, of course, Broadway themes are offered. The basic package includes a party space and performance; decorations, food, cake, paper goods and crafts can be added for an additional fee. Booking four months in advance is suggested.

Apple Seeds 10 W 25th St between Sixth Ave and Broadway (212-792-7590, appleseedsnyc.com). Subway: F, V, R, W to 23rd St. Prices start at $890 for up to ten kids; $25 for each additional child.
These all-inclusive parties start off with free play in the sports room, followed by a parade in honor of the birthday child. The procession brings the kids to the main event—one of Apple Seeds’ themed parties ranging from Animal Exploration, to Princess and Pirate, to Music Melodies. You can also work with the in-house party planner to customize a celebration based on your child’s interests. They’ll even go so far as to provide a photographer should you forget the digital camera at home.

Architots 64-64 Dry Harbor Rd at 82nd Pl, Middle Village, Queens (718-894-7777, architots.net). Subway: G, R, V to Woodhaven Blvd, then take the Q29 bus to Dry Harbor Rd. Call for prices. Theme parties start at $325 for 12 kids; $18 for each additional child.
This one-stop party destination brings together small children and architectural construction with enough rigorous energy to lure kids from all five boroughs. While many art parties simply ask quests to paint a picture, this institution is more interested in getting kids exploring. The center’s signature offering is construction-themed; kids design their own homes, then build model of them using foam, paint, markers and more.

The Art Farm in the City 419 E 91st St between York and First Aves (212-410-3117, theartfarms.org). Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St. Prices start at $825 for ten children.
The Art Farm’s birthday options are endless: farm parties, tea parties, treasure hunt parties and carnival parties are merely a few of the themes offered. All bashes still find time to spend with the animals, work on art projects, and, of course, eat. Food and goody bags are included. Parties are recommended for farmers two and up and should be booked at least two months in advance.

The Artful Place 171 Fifth Ave between Berkeley and Lincoln Pls, Park Slope (718-399-8199, theartfulplace.com). Subway: M, R to Union St. Prices start at $250 for basic parties; $300 for deluxe parties.
The Artful Place’s soirée helps kids ages five to twelve create crafts such as jewelry boxes, treasure chests or a stuffed animal pal. Party packages come in basic (participants might decorate a t-shirt) or deluxe (tykes transform a cigar box into a velvet-lined handbag), and include a goody bag and juice box; you bring the cake.

Artistry Project 185 Sackett St between Henry and Hicks Sts, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (718-858-0217, theartistryproject.com). Subway: F, G to Carroll St. $25 per kid, minimum of eight children, maximum of 12.
Budding Picassos and their pals will create masterpieces under the supervision of the studio’s resident artists. Themes include dinosaurs and dragons, princess castles, Monet’s garden and under the sea. Parents provide cake, refreshments, paper products and party favors. Parties are scheduled on Sunday afternoons only.

Asphalt Green 555 E 90th St between East End and York Aves (212-369-8890 ext 232, asphaltgreen.org). Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St. Prices start at $650 for up to 20 kids.
Recreation space Asphalt Green (decked out with state-of-the-art equipment and an Olympic-sized swimming pool) hosts gymnastics, sports, swimming, puppet show and craft parties. Basic packages include paper goods, balloons and a party host. The Deluxe and Extravaganza packages add food, drinks and goody bags.

Astoria Sports Complex 34-38 38th St between 34th and 35th Aves, Astoria (718-729-7163 ext 6, ascsports1.com). Subway: R, V to Steinway St. Prices from $295–$635.
The Complex offers two sports of your child’s choice (soccer, swimming, baseball and more) led by instructors during the two-and-a-half-hour party. Make sure to leave time for the Super Slide—it’s a kid favorite. Food, drinks, and decorations are provided, but don’t forget to bring the cake.

The Audubon Center at the Boathouse Prospect Park enter park from Lincoln Rd at Ocean Ave (718-287-6215, prospectpark.org). Subway: Q to Prospect Park. $325 for 14 kids; $425 for 28 kids.
Built in 1905, Prospect Park’s Beaux Arts–style boathouse was one of the first buildings in New York City to be declared a landmark. In 2002, it became the home of the nation’s first urban Audubon Center. The state-of-the-art facility features interactive exhibits, like a giant bird’s nest, that allow visitors to virtually explore the great outdoors. Parties include a choice of activity: Take a guided walk with a naturalist to look for some of the 200 species of birds who call Prospect Park home; go for a narrated tour on the electric boat Independence (weather permitting; April to October) or make an age-appropriate craft project, like duck or turtle masks or puppets. The center is available Saturdays and Sundays year-round.

Aviator Sports and Recreation 5 Floyd Bennett Field, Flatbush Ave at Belt Pkwy, Marine Park, Brooklyn (718-758-9800, aviatorsports.com). Subway: 2, 5 to Flatbush Ave–Brooklyn College. $500 for up to ten kids.
Aspiring Olympians can choose from gymnastics, rock climbing, ice skating or general sports parties and blow out the candles while improving their form. Pizza or hot dogs (so yummy after a good workout!), beverages, balloons, paper goods, party favors, a T-shirt for the birthday kid and invitations are included.

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