Birthday party places for kids in New York City

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D

Dance Factory New York 20-21 College Point Blvd, College Point (718-358-3369, dancefactorynewyork.com). Subway: 7 to Flushing–Main St. Prices start at $250 for up to 12 kids;$10 for each additional child.
While they suggest themes such as belly dancing or hip-hop, the school is happy to cater to the birthday boy or girl’s desires. During the party, an instructor teaches the kids a routine or small lesson, and the staff provides pizza, cake and goody bags.

Deb’s Family Disco Club LQ 511 Lexington Ave at 48th St (212-586-7425, familydisco.com). Subway: 6 to 51st St. Prices start at $650 for up to ten children; $20 for each additional child.
This retro discotheque offers a groovy bash for kids. Dancers help guests choreograph their moves before they take to the dance floor. It’s not all Bee Gees, though; the DJ will spin whatever the birthday kid requests and the guests get the mic for the de rigueur “Happy Birthday.” Food, cake, invitations and favors are included—face painters and balloon sculptors can join the celebration for an additional charge.

Dieu Donné Papermill 315 W 36th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-226-0573, dieudonne.org). Subway: A, C, E to Penn Station–34th St. $40 per kid.
For aspiring artistes, the papermill hosts papermaking parties. A minimum of five kids per party; maximum of 12. Booking at least two weeks in advance is required. Parties held Monday through Saturday.

Discovery Programs 251 W 100th St at West End Ave (212-749-8717, discoveryprograms.com). Subway: 1 to 103rd St. Prices start at $650 for 12 kids; $20 for each additional child up to 28 kids.
Options include gym, music, dance and storytime parties for little ones, gymnastics, ballet and Broadway Bound parties for older kids. Packages include an hour of activities, invitations, a hostess, pizza and juice, setup and cleanup, and party favors. Bashes held on Fridays and Sundays only.

Doodle Doo's 543 Hudson St between Charles and Perry Sts (212-627-3667, doodledoos.com). Subway: 1 to Christopher St–Sheridan Sq. Prices start at $595 and $895 for up to 12 kids; $30 for each additional child.
If you have a beauty queen at home, she might be interested in one of Doodle Doo’s glamour parties. Doo’s offers two 90-minute parties: the basic package starts off at $595 for 12 children and includes hairstyling for all of the guests, glitter, manicures, pedicures, makeup and a craft activity. The second package adds pizza, cake and goody bags.

DR2 Theatre 103 E 15th St at Union Sq East (212-375-1110, dr2theatre.com). Subway: L, N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St–Union Sq. $25 per ticket.
Theatergoers get to watch the kid-friendly show playing at the theater (past favorites include Dear Edwina and Gustafer Yellowgold’s Mellow Sensation), then chow down on refreshments (provided by the parents) in a private party lounge. Goody bags are available for $2 apiece. Booking at least one month in advance is required.

Dudes and Divas 104-12 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, Queens (718-575-4040, dudesanddivasnyc.com). Subway: E, F, V, G, R to Forest Hills–71st Ave. $349 for up to ten kids; $19.99 for each additional kid.
Pop-culture-savvy kids will love the themes offered at this Queens party place. In addition to the usual (princesses and pirates, superheroes), they can pick such options as Hannah Montana, the Jonas Brothers, High School Musical and Harry Potter. Bashes include music, games, dancing, makeup, hair and nails, crafts, costumes, cupcakes, pizza, juice, paper goods and invitations. Add-ons such as cake, piñatas, goody bags and even limousine rental are available for an additional fee.

Dylan’s Candy Bar 1011 Third Ave at 60th St (646-735-0078, dylanscandybar.com). Subway: N, R, W to Lexington Ave–59th St; 4, 5, 6 to 59th St. Call for pricing.
Choose from a variety of sweet packages, or build your own party. Packages for children ages three and up include invitations, candy decorations, balloons, paper supplies, pizza, beverages, cake, games, crafts and party favors. The Sugar Babies package, for babes celebrating their first birthday, includes everything in the basic package as well as a photographer, a cotton candy machine, an entertainer and courier service for gift delivery.

E

The Early Ear
• 110 W 96th St between Amsterdam and Columbus Aves (212-877-7125, earlyear.com). Subway: B, C, 1, 2, 3 to 96th St. Call for pricing.
• 48 W 68th St between Central Park West and Columbus Ave (212-877-7125, earlyear.com). Subway: B, C to 72nd St; 1 to 66th St–Lincoln Ctr. Call for pricing.
• 353 E 78th St between First and Second Aves (212-877-7125, earlyear.com). Subway: 6 to 77th St. Call for pricing.
Music teachers introduce tots to various instruments and lead them in song and dance. Parents provide the food and decorations.

España /Streb Trapeze Academy 51 North 1st St between Kent and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-384-6491, espanastrebtrapeze.org). Subway: L to Bedford Ave. $540 for ten kids; $40 per each additional child (up to 15).
To satisfy daring young kids seeking faster, higher, more spine-tingling birthday fun, look no further than a flying trapeze party from the Streb Lab for Action Mechanics, founded by choreographer Elizabeth Streb (known as the “Evel Knievel of Dance”) and aerialists the España Brothers. The two-hour time block includes a 90-minute flying trapeze class with a pair of professional instructors and 30 minutes for cake and refreshments with a staff member to assist in prep and cleanup. The party begins with a warm-up, safety talk and low-bar demo; each child wears a safety harness, learns to “fly” from a platform and lands on a soft mat. All participants must sign a standard waiver ahead of time. Invites and paper products are included.

F

Fantasma Magic 421 Seventh Ave at 33rd St, second floor (212-244-3633, fantasmamagic.com. Subway: A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 to 34th St–Penn Station. Prices start at $1000 for up to ten kids.
Houdini admirers can throw a bash at this magic shop’s secret VIP room. Food, cake and entertainment are included—magicians, clowns, and comedians are available for hire. If you want to check out the show before booking, swing by the store; it hosts magic shows every hour.

FDNY Fire Zone 34 W 51st St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-698-4541, fdnyfirezone.org). Subway: E, V to Fifth Ave–53rd St. Prices start at $300 for up to 12 children; $400 for up to 20.
The Fire Zone starts parties for kids ages five and up off with a safety presentation. Then, guests can crawl through a catwalk to simulate a fire escape, explore a real FDNY truck and try on real fire-fighter gear. Benches and tables are available for parent-provided food.

Flushing YMCA 138-46 Northern Blvd between Union and Bowne Sts, Flushing, Queens (718-961-6880, ymcanyc.org). Subway: 7 to Flushing–Main St. $275 for up to 40 kids.
A great solution for parties on a budget. Rooms are available to rent for up to 40 guests. Parents provide the food, cake and decorations; the Y supplies tables and chairs.

Funworks for Kids 201 E 83rd St at Third Ave (917-432-1820). Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St. $300 for 15 kids.
They may not yet fully realize that it’s their birthday, but babies and toddlers will be happy to explore the play space’s toys and games. Parents provide refreshments.

G

Galli’s Fairytale Theater 38 W 38th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-810-6485, gallitheaterny.com). Subway: B, D, F, V to 42nd St–Bryant Park; N, Q, R, 42nd St S, 1, 2, 3, 7 to 42nd St–Times Sq. Prices start at $300 for 20 kids.
There are a number of ways your kid can celebrate at the theater, including seeing a private production, watching performers act out a fairy tale of the birthday kid’s choosing, or participating in theater games that culminate in an original show. Parents provide food, cake and refreshments.

Greenbelt Nature Center and Park 700 Rockland Ave at Brielle Ave (718-351-3450, sigreenbelt.org). Travel: From the Staten Island Ferry, take bus S62 to Morani St and Victory Blvd. Prices start at $15 per child.
The Greenbelt, which hosts recreational and educational programs for kids year-round, offers its resources for birthdays on weekends. Birthday kids four years and up pick a theme (Rugged Reptiles, Flying Fun, Fuzzy Furry Friends and Woodland Wonderland) for an hour of age-appropriate games and activities before another hour of celebrating. The education department provides pizza and soda for chow time; all you have to bring are the kids and the cake.

Gymboree of Brooklyn 1305 86th St. Bayridge/Dyker Heights, Brooklyn (718-983-1280, gymboreeclasses.com). Travel: B1 or B64 bus to 86th St.Prices start at $199 for up to 15 kids and adults; $4 for each additional child and parent.
Babies and toddlers love a party just as much as their older counterparts. Gymboree offers 90-minute birthday bashes at this converted club (disclaimer: it looks fancy from the outside, but is a bit run-down inside) for up to 20 tots accompanied by an adult. An instructor leads activities in music, play, or art. Parents can provide their own food or Gymboree will order it for an additional cost.

Gym Time, Rhythm & Glues 1520 York Ave between 80th and 81st Sts (212-861-7732, gymtime.net). Subway: 6 to 77th St. Basic packages start at $650 for the first ten kids, $22.50 for each additional child. Deluxe packages start at $700 for the first 10 children; $23.50 for each additional guest.
You can choose from any of Gym Time, Rhythm & Glues’ funky birthday party packages and then individualize them based on your child’s specific interests. Gym Time offers music, cooking, gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do and sports parties. Each celebration starts with one hour of the chosen activity followed by a half-hour in the party room. For the basic package, parents bring the food, cake, and decorations. A deluxe party is all-inclusive, allowing host parents to do little more than show up.

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