Birthday party places for kids in New York City

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Nairobi's Knapsack 744 Franklin Ave between Sterling and St. Johns Pls, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (347-295-2011, nairobisknapsack.com). Subway: Franklin Ave S to Botanic Garden; 2, 3, 4, 5 to Franklin Ave. Packages start at $350.
Kids can get inventive with the play gallery’s toys, leaf through books and play musical instruments. Face painting, art projects, musicians and clowns are also available for an additional fee. The venue provides pizza and balloons and takes care of setup and cleanup. Parents supply the cake and other decorations. Booking at least two weeks in advance is required.

New York Aquarium Corner of Surf Ave and W 8th St, Coney Island (718-265-3448, nyaquarium.com. Subway: F, Q to W 8th St–NY Aquarium. Prices from $475–$600.
The Aquarium hosts two deep sea-themed parties for kids. The Happy Hermit Crab party for three- and four-year-olds incorporates stories, song and crafts. A real hermit crab joins the party, too. Five- to eleven-year-olds can throw a Designed for the Deep party complete with a discussion on marine animals. Kids also get to handle real shark teeth and whale bones, make aquatic crafts and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium. Parents provide the food and cake in the party room afterwards; parties run from September to June only.

New York Botanical Garden Kazimiroff Blvd at Fordham Rd, Bronx (718-817-8700, nybg.org). Travel: B, D to Bedford Park Blvd; 4 to Bedford Park Blvd–Lehman College, then take the Bx26 bus to the Garden's gate; or MetroNorth's Harlem Line local to Botanical Garden. Prices start at $650 for up to 15 kids; parties for members of Garden only.
Nature lovers can celebrate their big day in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, where an instructor will supervise a seasonal craft activity. The package also includes a coordinator, pizza, beverages and paper goods, and guests will have access to all of the Garden's exhibitions and programs post-party. Parties held on weekends only. Booking at least three months in advance is required.

New York City Fire Museum 278 Spring St between Varick and Hudson Sts (212-691-1303, nycfiremuseum.org). Subway: C, E to Spring St; 1 to Houston St. $650 for 16 kids; $15 for each additional child.
This is the hot spot for all kids who want to grow up to be firefighters. Two museum educators lead guests in storytelling, show-and-tell, art projects and a scavenger hunt. The party’s topped off with a visit by one of New York's Bravest. A fire-themed cake (you can request a dalmatian!), juice, balloons and party favors are provided.

New York City Police Museum 100 Old Slip between Water and South Sts (212-480-3100, nycpolicemuseum.org). Subway: R, W to Whitehall St; 1 to South Ferry. Prices start at $650 for up to five children; $20 for each additional child.
At this crime-fighting style party, the day is sure to be action-packed. Expect coloring and fake tattoos, a tour of the museum and a scavenger hunt. Kids can even dress-up in officer apparel and learn what happens during a 911 call—party-goers’ mug shots are also taken.

The New York Hall of Science 47-01 111th St at 47th Ave, Flushing Meadows-–Corona Park, Flushing (718-699-0005 ext 353, nyscience.org). Subway: 7 to 111th St. Prices start at $550 for members and $575 for non-members for up to 12 kids; $15 for each additional child.
The Hall offers age-appropriate parties from Extreme Science, in which kids play a number of different sports while learning about physics, or Gross Out Science, in which kids watch a dissection of a cow’s eye and then make their own slime—out of provided materials...not the cow’s eye, thankfully. Parties run up to two hours for kids ages three and up and include pizza or chicken fingers, cake, and a goody bag.

New York Kids Club
• 38 E 22nd St at Park Ave (212-375-1100, nykidsclub.com). Subway: 6 to 23rd St. Prices start at $895 for up to ten children; $18 for each additional child.
• 265 W 87th St between Broadway and West End Ave (212-721-4400, nykidsclub.com). Subway: 1 to 86th St. 169 Amsterdam Ave between 68th and 67th Sts (212-721-4100, nykidsclub.com). Subway: 1 to 66th St-Lincoln Center. Prices start at $895 for up to ten children; $18 for each additional child.
• 219 East 67th St between Second and Third Aves (212-991-6700, nykidsclub.com). Subway: 6 to 68th St-Hunter College. Prices start at $895 for up to ten children; $18 for each additional child.
• 182 Henry Street between Pierrepont and Montague Sts, Brooklyn (718-212-0800, nykidsclub.com). Subway: 2, 3 to Clark St; M, R to Court St-Borough Hall. Prices start at $895 for up to ten children; $18 for each additional child.
• 393 South End Ave between Liberty and Albany Sts (212-991-3000, nykidsclub.com) Subway: R, W to Cortlandt St. Prices start at $895 for up to ten children; $18 for each additional child.
The New York Kids Club hosts themed parties for little gymnasts, chefs-in-training, Broadway-bound stars and adventurous artists. All of the club’s parties include open play in the gym and an organized activity. Packages start at $895 for exclusive use of the facility, personalized invitations, pizza, cake and party favors.

NY Transit Museum Boerum Pl at Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn Heights (718-694-1579, mta.info/museum). Subway: A, C, G to Hoyt–Schermerhorn; M, R to Court St; 2, 3, 4, 5 to Borough Hall. Prices start at $350 for up to 12 kids; $15 for each additional child.
These weekend parties start with a guided tour of interactive exhibits where kids can compare modern buses with horsecars of yesteryear—they can also check out subway maps from over the years. Next, guests create their own mosaic subway tile. Parents provide the food and cake; the museum takes care of set-up and clean-up.

92nd Street Y 1395 Lexington Ave at 92nd St (212-415-5710, 92y.org). Subway: 6 to 96th St. Prices start at $595 for up to 12 kids.
Kids will enjoy breaking a sweat no matter which type of party they choose: gymnastics, sports or pool. Parents provide food, cake and decorations.

92YTribeca 200 Hudson St between Watts and Desbrosses Sts (212-601-1000, 92ytribeca.org). Subway: A, C, E, 1 to Canal St. $15 per ticket; $500 for space rental.
Kids can rock out in VIP style at a family-friendly concert, then stick around for lunch and cake prepared by Café 92YTribeca. Groups of 20 or more will receive 15% off the concert ticket price. Parties are held on Sundays at 11am.

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The Party Jungle 630 Sharrotts Rd at Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island (718-967-2964, thepartyjungle.com). Travel: From the Staten Island Ferry, take the S74 bus to Sharrotts Rd. $299 for up to 13 kids and 13 adults in small party room; $375 for up to 15 kids and 15 adults in large party room.
The jungle-themed play space takes care of the games, face painting, pizza and unlimited soda; cake provided for an additional fee.

Plaster Party Place 96-09 Metropolitan Ave at Selfridge St, Forest Hills, Queens (718-263-0960, plasterpartyplace.com). Subway: E, F, V, G, R to Forest Hills–71st Ave. Prices start at $18 per child on weekdays, $20 per child on weekends.
Crafty kids paint plaster items, such as figurines, plaques or letters. Games, dancing and face painting are supervised by the host. Pizza and soda are provided. Certain packages include cupcakes, coffee (for parents), balloons, piñatas, cotton candy and goody bags. Booking at least one week in advance is required.

Playgarden 95 Franklin St at Church St (212-965-9717, playgardennyc.com). Subway: A, C, E to Canal St. $1,500 for 15 kids; $25 for each additional child.
The 4,000-square-foot playground and 3,500-square-foot classroom/party area feature equipment made from recycled materials, skylights and an energy-efficient air purification system. In keeping with its planet-friendly attitude, Playgarden offers paper-free custom e-mail invites and uses eco-sensitive paper plates and napkins. Young partyers get to run through obstacle courses, zoom around on ride-on cars and animals, pedal on pint-size stationary bikes and, for a finale, “fly” in a tot-sized zipline harness. Ninety minutes of private play and party-room time gives the birthday kid and her guests access to slides, ball pits, toys, trampolines, tunnels, bridges and more, plus structured playground-style games. Pizza and bottled water are included, as is a reduced-sugar cake or cupcakes from Tribeca Treats (catering for adult guests by ’wichcraft is available for an additional fee).

Playrobics 208-34 Cross Island Pkwy between 208th St and Clearview Expressway, Bayside (718-352-0913, playrobics.net). Travel: take the Q16 bus to Cross Island Pkwy and 208 Pl. Prices from $169.95–$329.95.
If Chuck E. Cheese is a bit too much for your kid (or for you), Playrobics offers a slightly more low-key alternative. Make use of the play area which includes video games, arcade-style rides and a multilevel maze, or go for the laser tag, arts and crafts or makeover party options.

Poppyseed Pre-Nursery 424 West End Ave at 81st St (212-877-7614). Subway: 1 to 79th St. Prices start at $500 for 12 kids.
Babies and toddlers shake their diapers on the dance floor at this music party. Arts-and-crafts activities are also available. Booking at least one month in advance is required.

Prospect Park Carousel Prospect Park, enter park from Willink entrance, Ocean Ave at Empire Blvd, Brooklyn (718-287-6215, prospectpark.org); Subway: B, Q, Franklin Ave S to Prospect Park. $350 for up to 60 kids and parents for private party; $175 during public hours.
Imagine telling your kid that for the big day, you’ve arranged to have on hand 51 horses, a lion, a giraffe, a deer and two dragon-pulled chariots. You can do just that if you throw a party at the Prospect Park Carousel. Parents can provide refreshments, call a caterer or opt for a food cart. Booking at least three weeks in advance is required.

Puppetworks 338 Sixth Ave at 4th St, Park Slope (718-965-3391, puppetworks.org). Subway: F to FourthAve–9th St; M, R to Fourth Ave–9th St. $400 for up to 50 kids and adults.
Take the birthday party to the theater, where Puppetworks’ marionettes act out classic children’s stories. The company provides prime seats for up to 50 kids and adults at a weekend performance. Afterwards, everyone retires to the party room for an hour to munch on parent-provided food and discuss the show. Clean-up is included. Puppetworks recommends at least three months’ advance notice.

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Rab's Country Lanes 1600 Hylan Blvd between Raritan and Delaware Aves (718-979-1600, rabslanes.com Travel: From the Staten Island Ferry, take the S78 Bus Hylan Blvd and Delaware Ave. Prices Range from $18–$20 per child.
Choose from the Deluxe Party Package or Cosmic Party Package at this bowling lane (the Cosmic adds on glow in the dark bowling and laser lights). Conveniently, bumpers are available in every lane.

Robot Galaxy 1514 Broadway at 44th St (877-784-7464, robotgalaxy.com). Subway: B, D, F, V to 42nd St–Bryant Park; N, Q, R, W, 42nd St S, 1, 2, 3, 7 to 42nd St–Times Sq. $45 per kid for up to ten kids; private party room available for $300.
Kids create their own battery-operated robots and robot avatars, and battle their way from cadet to commander in this Toys "R" Us attraction. Food and cake are provided when a private skybox party room is rented.

Roller Jam USA 236 Richmond Valley Rd between Arthur Kill Rd and Page Ave, Staten Island (718-605-6600, rollerjamusa.com). Travel: From the Staten Island Ferry, take the Staten Island Railroad to Richmond Valley. $299 for up to 15 kids on Wed and Fri, $369 for up to 15 kids on Sat and Sun; $19.95 for each additional child.
The roller-skating rink provides a private room, pizza, unlimited beverages, invitations, paper goods and skates. Parents supply the cake. Booking at least a month in advance is required.

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