Birthday party places for kids in New York City

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Last Licks Ice Cream 245 E 93rd St between Second and Third Aves (646-596-8566, lastlicksicecream.com). Subway: 6 to 96th St. $45 per kid for up to ten kids.
Combine your kid’s love of sports and sweets at this sports-themed ice cream parlor. Groups of fewer than 20 are placed in a private party room, while larger gatherings get the whole “sports bar for kids” to themselves. Pizza, cake, games and, of course, ice cream are provided. Booking at least two weeks in advance is required.

Le Carrousel Bryant Park, W 40th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-768-4242, bryantpark.org). Subway: B, D, F, V to 42nd St–Bryant Park; 7 to Fifth Ave. Prices range from $30 to $65 per child.
The basic party package includes unlimited carrousel rides for an hour, use of the outdoor party space, and setup of tables, chairs and umbrellas. Food, beverages, party favors, decorations, cake and entertainment can be provided for an additional fee.

Leisure Time Bowling Port Authority Bus Terminal, 625 Eighth Ave at 40th St, second floor (212-268-6909, leisuretimebowl.com). Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St–Port Authority. Prices start at $30 per child; minimum five children.
Parties at this old-time bowling lane begin with an hour of ten-pin (bumpers are available) and end with an hour of eating and celebrating. The best part: Leisure Time takes care of the food and decorations.

Let’s Dress Up! 345 E 85th St between First and Second Aves (212-879-0956, uppereast.com/letsdressup.html). Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St. $490 for 10 children on weekdays; $590 for 10 children on weekends; $40 for each additional child.
If your birthday girl is interested in more elegant play, Let’s Dress Up! is just the ticket for her next bash. This small UES shop allows guests to dress up in extravagant gowns, tiaras, boas, makeup and glimmering fake tattoos. The package is completed with games like “Pin the Heart on Cinderella” as well as a dainty meal of grapes, cheese sandwiches, and a treasure chest-topped ice cream cake. Dining takes place in a mirrored room decorated with silver candelabras and chandeliers; the food is served on fine china.

The Little Gym of Brooklyn Heights 221 Atlantic Ave between Boerum Pl and Court St, Downtown Brooklyn (718-488-7744, tlgbrooklynheightsny.com). Subway: F, G to Bergen St; 2, 3, 4, 5 to Borough Hall. $475 for up to 15 kids; $16 for each additional child.
An instructor supervises guests as they engage in games and explore an obstacle course in a private play area. Beverages, paper goods and a T-shirt for the birthday kid are provided; parents supply the food and cake.

The Little Gym of Harlem 258 St. Nicholas Ave at 123rd St (646-684-4262, tlgharlemny.com). Subway: A, C, B, D to 125th St. Prices start at $710 for up to 18 kids; $10 for each additional child.
An instructor supervises guests as they engage in games and explore an obstacle course in a private play area. Beverages, paper goods and a T-shirt for the birthday kid are provided; parents supply the food and cake.

The Little Gym of the Upper West Side 2121 Broadway between 74th and 75th Sts (212-799-1225, tlgupperwestsideny.com). Subway: B, C, 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St. $650 for up to 12 kids.
An instructor supervises guests as they engage in games and explore an obstacle course in a private play area. Beverages, paper goods and a T-shirt for the birthday kid are provided; parents supply the food and cake.

Little Shop of Crafts 431 E 73rd St between York and First Aves (212-717-6636, littleshopny.com). Subway: 6 to 77th St. Prices start at $530 for up to ten kids; $22–$25 for each additional child; $27 for each additional child.
Choose from the East Side spot’s creative birthday options, which allow guests to work with plaster crafts, paint their own pottery or stuff their own animal pal. Each celebration is all-inclusive: invitations, paper goods, pizza, cake, crafts, beverages, balloons, karaoke, face painting, clean-up and a supervised lesson are all provided.

Literally Alive Players Theater, 115 MacDougal St between Minetta Ln and W 3rd St (212-866-5170, literallyalive.com). Subway: A, C, E, B, D, F, V to W 4th St. Prices start at $15 per kid, minimum of ten children required.
Guests get to watch the family-friendly theater troupe’s current show (past productions include adaptations of Beauty and the Beast and Treasure Island) and participate in a craft project. The birthday kid also leaves with a special gift. Private party rooms are available for an additional fee.

Locks ‘N Lads 123 E 7th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-677-2262, locksnlads.com). Subway: L to First Ave; F, V to Lower East Side–Second Ave. $150, plus $25 per child.
If your wee one’s got a passion for fashion, get her glammed up at Locks ‘N Lads. Rent out the whole place for the birthday gal and up to nine of her friends. Hair and nails are $25 per child; other beauty treatments are à la carte. And don’t worry that your daughter will come out looking like a beauty pageant reject; here the makeovers are kept low-key and age-appropriate. The two-hour parties are usually held for two-year-olds through tweens; girls can plug their iPod into the salon’s stereo, and parents can bring the food and favors, or pay an extra charge to have Locks ‘N Lads take care of it. The parties are quite popular; book at least a month in advance.

M

Madame Alexander Doll Company 615 W 131st St between Riverside Dr and Broadway (212-283-5900, alexanderdoll.com). Subway: A, C, B, D, 1, 2, 3 to 125th St. Prices from $30-–$95 per child.
Birthday kids can go behind the scenes of the beloved doll company. Parties include private tours of the factory and gallery and a chat with the design team. A workshop allows guests to decorate shoes or a hat for a Madame Alexander doll.

Make
• 1566 Second Ave between 81st and 82nd Sts (212-570-6868, makemeaning.com). Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St. Prices start at $295 for 8 kids; $24 for each additional child.
• 506 Amsterdam Avenue between 84th and 85th Sts (212-579-5575, makemeaning.com). Subway: 1 to 86th St. Prices start at $295 for 8 kids; $24 for each additional child.
•FAO Schwarz, 767 Fifth Ave at 59th St (212-644-9400 ext 3114, makemeaning.com). Prices start at $295 for 8 kids; $24 for each additional child.
Tykes paint figurines, cups or plates, and then staffers glaze and fire the pieces to make them functional. Balloons and a party plate for the guest of honor are included in the fee. BYO refreshments.

Make Workshop 195 Chrystie St between Stanton and Rivington Sts, #402F (212-533-9995, makeworkshop.com). Subway: F, V to Lower East Side–Second Ave. Prices start at $400 for up to ten kids.
Teachers will lead guests in crafts such as embroidery, sewing, block printing and jewelry making. Parents provide food, dessert and decorations. Booking at least a week in advance is required.

Manhattan Fencing Center 225 W 39th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-382-2255, manhattanfencing.com). Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St–Port Authority. $300 for up to ten kids; $25 for each additional child.
After coaches give a primer on fencing technique and footwork, kids engage in friendly bouts and duels. Pizza, cake and refreshments provided for an additional fee.

Miette Culinary Studio 109 MacDougal St between Bleecker and W 3rd Sts (212-460-9322, mietteculinarystudio.com). Subway: A, C, E, B, D, F, V to W 4th. $85 per child, $150 for set-up, $100 for clean-up, and $18 for gratuity.
Organic foods are on display at this Greenwich Village brownstone, where kids ages five to sixteen can learn to make hearty dishes like matzo-ball soup and individual potpies. Balancing out the savory comfort food are sweet desserts like chocolate mousse and honey-almond cake.

Milk & Cookies Bakery 19 Commerce St between Bedford St and Seventh Ave (212-243-1640, milkandcookiesbakery.com). Subway: 1 to Christopher St–Sheridan Square. Private parties only. $200/hour room rental plus per child fee, starting at $15 per head.
The classic after-school snack has infinite possibilities at this Greenwich Village bakery. Party guests three and up decorate their own cookies, create their own sundaes or cuddle up with exotic hot cocoas. The “Design Your Own Dozen” package lets kids pick the dough and mix-ins for a tray of cookies—the staff bakes and boxes them as party favors. Celebrations can be customized with story time, crafts or a cookie cake. The bakery recommends booking parties at least one month in advance.

Mini Chef NYC Paradou Restaurant, 8 Little West 12th St between Ninth Ave and Washington St (212-727-2703, minichefnyc.com). Subway: A, C, E to 14th St; L to 14th St–Union Sq. Prices start at $1,480 for up to 15 kids; $25 for each additional child.
Has your child ever dreamt of cooking in the kitchen of one of NYC’s premier restaurants? Here, your little cook can enjoy a pizza party, tart party or the most popular option: the cupcake party. Mini Chef provides a full-service celebration including invitations, decorations, and a thirty-minute magic show while the treats are baking. Parents snack on bagels and spreads or wine and cheese. And, of course, everyone goes home with customized baking-kit goody bags.

miniMasters 100 Reade St between Church St and West Broadway (212-374-1747, minimasters.com). Subway: A, C, J, M, Z, 1, 2, 3 to Chambers St. Prices start at $875 for up to 12 kids.
The basic party includes songs and games, balloons, pizza and juice. Art projects—cooking, jewelry, science and magic—and themed bashes, such as ballet, soccer and superhero, are also available.

MoonSoup 1059 Second Ave between 55th and 56th Sts (212-319-3222, moonsoup.net). Subway: N, R, W to Lexington Ave–59th St; 4, 5, 6 to 59th St. Prices start at $595 for up to 15 kids; $745 for up to 25 kids.
The staff at MoonSoup prides themselves on hosting professional, warm, individualized events. The birthday kid picks the theme and MoonSoup provides the atmosphere, decorations, food, entertainment, and cake.

Museum of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd St (917-492-3309, mcny.org). Subway: 6 to 103rd St. $600 for up to 12 kids; $20 for each additional child.
City-lovin’ kids can celebrate at the MCNY, which covers the best of New York from Broadway to the Bronx Bombers. Festivities include a tea party and/or scavenger hunt. Decorations, cake, and juice are provided; parents may bring their own food.

Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35th Ave at 36th St, Astoria (718-784-4520 ext 219, movingimage.us). Subway: G, R, V to Steinway St, N, W to 36th Ave. Prices start at $500 for up to ten kids; $20 for each additional child.
Film buffs between the ages of 6 and 13 can dub their voices over Judy Garland’s in The Wizard of Oz and edit the scary sound effects in Jurassic Park. A guided tour is led by a museum educator and everyone attends a screening of a classic Laurel and Hardy or Charlie Chaplin flick. Food, beverages and cake are served in a private room afterwards.

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