Cake, Ice Cream, Entertainment, Invitations, Balloons and more. A lot of money. Not having to host the party yourself at home, priceless. If you’re from the Austin, TX area, and your little one has a birthday approaching, this article might help you. Austin offers numerous exciting spots for birthday parties, here are a few to consider.
1. Goin’ Bananas Playnasium
www.goinbananastx.com
11600 Manchaca
(512) 291 – 8656
Cost: Very High
Goin’ Bananas Playnasium is an indoor playground that is the perfect spot for an Austin birthday party. It is owned and operated by two moms who saw a need for a fun indoor play area in the Austin area. A party there would be delightful for all guests – they will enjoy bouncing on inflatable jumpers, interacting in playhouses, riding on slides and much more. They even have an area such for toddlers and babies. They offer 3 different party packages. All parties are 2 hours long and include playtime, invitations, tableware, staff help, and a free pass for the birthday girl/boy to come back on another day. Package A is $155 for up to 10 guests (additional children can come for $7 each). Package B is $225 for up to 20 kids, more can come for $7 each. Package C is $275 and for 21-30 kids, a maximum of up to 5 additional kids can come for $7 each. If you want a party that offers fun interactive play, then Goin’ Bananas Playnasium may be the choice for you.
What can be more fun than celebrating your birthday with monkeys, elephants and tigers? A birthday party at the Austin Zoo would be an educational and unforgettable celebration. Guests will love watching the various animals, riding the train and having a birthday picnic. If you have at least 15 guests, the admission to the zoo is just $3.50 each for the kids (if less than 15 it’s $4.00 each for the kids and $7 for adults.) You can ride the train at $2.50/guest. There is no party room, but it’s a great place to have a picnic – just bring a cake and you’re all set. This is an excellent place for your little party animals.
3. Austin Children’s Museum
http://www.austinkids.org/
201 Colorado Street
(512) 472- 2499
Cost: High to Very High
If you want an amusing party with an educational twist, consider hosting it Austin Children’s Museum. Guests will enjoy interacting in fun exhibits such as a dairy cow exhibit (learn about where milk comes from), “Funstruction Zone” (build with giant blocks), and Global City” (learn how people interact in a big city). It will definitely be a party that will stimulate the imaginations of your little guests. They offer four birthday packages. The “Fiesta” package costs $175 for 15 guests (and unlimited adults). It includes a 90 minute party with a private room, admission to the museum, invitations, books for the guests and a pass to come again at no cost, and T-shirt for the birthday boy or girl. The “Fiesta Grande” runs $200 and includes the same as the Fiesta package, but is for 20 children and is a 2 hour party. The “Jubilee” Package cost $275, and includes the same but is for 25 guests. Lastly, the Hullabaloo Package is $300 and is for a party of 35 children. If you want a party that will be a learning experience, but be enjoyable for everyone, this may be the best choice for you!
4. Ceramics Bayou
http://www.ceramicsbayou.com
3620 Bee Caves Rd
(512) 328- 1168
Cost: Medium to High
If you have a little artist on your hands, or just a child that loves to express him/herself, a birthday party at Austin’s Ceramics Bayou would be an excellent choice. It is a paint-your-own pottery studio, where kids (and adults) can paint a variety of objects including plates, bowls, ornaments, mugs, etc. Children will love to decorate an item to save as a memento or give as a gift. The cost varies on the item that the guests paint – you could choose one item – or say “anything under $12.” Items start at $6. You will also need to pay a $25 room rental fee. All parties are 90 minutes long and you are welcome to bring cake, etc. A party at Ceramics Bayou would definitely be a creative experience for everyone!
3 Locations in the Austin Area – See Web-Site
(512) 372 – 4700
Cost: High
You can never go wrong with a pizza party at Chuck E. Cheese. They offer 2 packages. The “Birthday Star” package is $10.99/child and includes a decorated table for 1 1/2 hours, 2 pieces of pizza per guest, 20 tokens for each guest, drinks, gift for the birthday child (balloon bouquet, medallion, and lunch box), 100 tickets for the birthday child (can be traded in for prizes), and a fun birthday show starring Chuck E. Cheese and the birthday boy/girl. The “Super Star Upgrade” Package includes the same plus 12 extra tokens for each guest, good bags, souvenir cups for the guests and a Chuck E. Cheese stuffed animal for the birthday boy or girl. Guests will enjoy playing fun games such as “ski ball. A birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese will be a fun event for all.
6. Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
http://www.myec.net
1156 Hargrave Street
(512) 472 – 6932
Cost: Medium to High
The Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex would be a top-notch birthday party. You can choose from a variety of activities such as bowling, roller skating, and arcade games. They provide two birthday packages. The “millennium party” package includes a reserved table, ice cream, drinks, one event, meals (hot dogs or pizza), balloons, and fliers for invitations. It costs $8.75/guest. The “grand millennium party” is $12.00/guests and includes the same plus an extra event. So, if your youngster enjoys bowling or roller skating, this is the place to go!
7. National Elite Gymnastics www.neg-usa.com 7632 Hwy 71 West
(512) 288-9722
Cost: Very High
A party at Austin’s National Elite Gymnastics is an excellent birthday spot for children ages 4 and above. Guests will enjoy playing in the gym area with a gymnastics instructor who might teach them new skills. Birthday parties cost $175 for up to 18 children, $200 for 19-24 children, and $225 for 24-30 children. The parties include one hour of play, 1/2 hour in the private room, and a t-shirt for the birthday boy or girl. You are welcome to bring cake, snacks and tableware. A gymnastics party is a great choice for an interactive party.
8. Inflatable Wonderland
www.inflatablewonderland.com
11200 Lakeline Mall Drive (Cedar Park – in the Lakeline Mall)
(512) 377-5867
Cost: High to Very High
Located in Cedar Park, Inflatable Wonderland provides a fabulous birthday celebration. Guests will enjoy bouncing around on inflatable jumpers and slides, and the parents will appreciate you for wearing out their children for the rest of the day. It’s good exercise, and it’s something different. They offer 3 party packages. The “Jumpin’ Jax Party Pack” costs $149 for 10 guests. (Additional kids can come for $8 each.) It includes an all-day pass for each guest to the center, invitations, balloons, reserved tables, and 2 hours of party time in the reserved area. The birthday boy or girl will also receive a free pass to come back on a later day. You can add hot dogs, ice cream, and drinks for $50. The “Jumpin’ Jax Big Party Pack” runs $179 for the birthday child and 15 guests. It includes the same as the Party Pack. You can add hot dogs, ice cream and drinks for all 16 guests for $60. The “Jumpin’ Jax Megapack” is a splurge at $379 for the birthday star and 31 guests. It includes the same plus provides food (hot dogs, ice cream and drinks) for all guests. A party at Austin’s inflatable wonderland would be an unforgettable experience!
9. Dinosaur Park
www.thedinopark.com/
893 Union Chapel Road
(512) 321-6262
Cost: Medium to High
If your little one is a dinosaur enthusiast, Dinosaur Park in Austin would be an exciting place for a birthday party. The park includes nature trails that kids can explore and learn more about dinosaurs while perhaps encountering real-life rabbits, roadrunners and lizards. One highlight of the place is “Dino Dig” – children can discover fossils and pretend to be archaeologists. You can either have a party in the picnic area, or host a private party. For a picnic area party the price is $25/ for 2 hours for the table, and $5 for each guest. (If you have 15 more children, the rate is $4/guest.) Children under 2 and adults are free. The cost for private parties is $175, call for more details. A birthday party at Dinosaur Park would be a spectacular experience!
10. City Playground/Park
www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks
Various Locations
(512) 974 – 6700
Cost: Low
A playground or park party is always in style and won’t empty your wallet. Austin has several great playgrounds to choose from. Your taxes help support these facilities – take advantage of them! Just bring a cake, drinks and perhaps a pinata and you’re all set! For ideas on birthday games read “10 Fun Games For a Children’s Birthday Party.” The downside of park parties is you’ll need a backup location in case it rains, but overall, playground birthday parties are a great choice!
If none of these work for you, a home birthday party is always a fantastic choice as well. Happy Partying!
