Let’s get something clear: There’s nothing wrong with a simple, old fashioned kid’s birthday party at home. A cake, some pizza, and maybe some games like musical chairs and charades as entertainment are a perfectly fine way to celebrate your little one’s big day. But if you’re looking for kids’ birthday party ideas in Toronto that are a little more elaborate, or maybe something not at home, keep reading.
Below, we’ve rounded up these awesome Toronto-based birthday party ideas. We’ve included a mix of at-home and not-at-home suggestions and we’ve tried to cover a range of themes, activities, and age groups.
Birthday Party Ideas in Toronto & the GTA
Active Kids Zone
951 Alness St.
This North York venue calls itself “your party headquarters” and for good reason. It features a ton of themes and activities to choose from including crafts, karaoke, bumper balls and more, including various kinds of sports. There’s also a 3,000 square foot “toddler wonderland” for kids ages one through five. Active Kids Zone is also a great choice for families that are looking for a more all-inclusive experience as it will provide décor, food, and even loot bags. Pricing varies depending on what package you choose but they start at $375.
Chamelea Centre
2-126 Limestone Crescent, Toronto
Their place or yours: Your choice
While the Ontario Science Centre might not be currently offering birthday parties, the science-oriented Chamelea Centre is hosting celebrations that are perfect for kids who are fascinated with our natural world. Choose a theme such as outer space, cooking, or dinosaur, and then let the enthusiastic staff at the Chamelea Centre do the work. All on-site events include interactive activities, access to the Centre’s indoor playground and all set-up and clean-up. Pricing for a two-hour on-site event starts at $395 and covers up to 15 kids and 20 adults, with the option to include extra people for additional fees. There’s also the option to book the Centre to come to your house, where they’ll lead a one-hour, hands-on demonstration. The fee for this experience varies depending on your address but starts at $235.
Fairyland Theatre
#2-1183A Finch Ave. W., Toronto
Their place or yours: Your choice
Fairyland Theatre is happy to welcome your birthday kid to its tricked out North York party venue where your child’s favourite character (choose from over 50 superhero ideas and over a dozen princess themes) will come to life and entertain your guests with music, lights, stage props and more. The birthday kid will also get extra special treatment, for example, getting to dress up in a princess gown and pick out a tiara to wear. If you prefer, the characters can also come to your house (or another location of your choosing) and show off their magic there. A variety of packages are available, but all include high quality children’s entertainers, face painting and photos with the characters. Prices start at $180 for a one-hour princess-themed party.
Funfetti
Their place or yours: Your choice
Dreaming of an Instagram-perfect party for your under-seven-year-old that also keeps them and all the other kids busy and happy? Then check out Funfetti’s collection of soft play rentals. Its carefully curated sets look adorable and are in meticulous shape. They’re also an easy way to turn your home (or your backyard if the weather is accommodating) into a kid-pleasing mini-gym that can feature climbers, ride-on toys, and a ball pit. Packages start at $388 and delivery/pick-up being extra.
The Gaming RV
Their place or yours: Your place
Is the birthday kid big into video games? And do you have space to where a 35-foot-long RV could park? Then check out The Gaming RV, a super-customized, and super-cool climate-controlled space where up to 16 people can simultaneously play video games, including online games like Fortnight. Cake and other food (provided by you) can be served right in the RV, meaning less mess to clean up! A variety of packages are available, starting at $559 for two hours of RV time on the weekend. The RV is also happy to travel throughout the GTA, for an additional fee.
Groove School of Dance
491 Eglinton Ave. W, Toronto
Their place or yours: Usually their place
Since this is a dance school, a dance-focused birthday party is one of its many options, but so are such themes as LEGO, magic, and yoga. Pizza and other food can be added on to your package or you can bring your own. You also have the option of renting out the lounge, where you and other adults can hang out and where you can serve food and alcohol. Parties are generally 90 minutes in length and costs start at $475 for 15 kids (with the option to add on extra kids for another $5 a head). Groove also has an option to bring their dance parties to your house, an experience that starts at $250 for 45 minutes.
Hands On Exotics
Their place or yours: Your place
Turn your home into a real-life zoo with an animal package from this highly regarded purveyor of furry, feathery, and scaly friends. Packages start at $275 for an hour of fun that yes, comes with a handler who will teach your guests a bit about animals as well as lead you through the best way to cuddle with them. Available animals include your usual fluffy rabbits and rodents as well as some more unusual choices like a giant tortoise, large snakes and even a skunk (we’ve met this skunk and its super-cute and no it doesn’t smell). There’s also an option to rent out one or more “hyper-realistic dinosaurs.”
Toronto Indoor Playgrounds
Their place or yours: Their place
Toronto and the surrounding areas are home to a number of fantastic indoor playgrounds, many of which offer all-inclusive birthday packages that make things more than just a little easier on you. Specifics vary by location, but many playgrounds offer exclusive use of their facilities and can accommodate dozens of guests. To learn about some of our favourite indoor playgrounds, head over here.
Legoland Discovery Centre
Vaughan Mills, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr., Vaughn
Their place or yours: Their place
Now here’s a party location that’s sure to wow your guests: The Legoland Discovery Centre, which features rides, multiple build and play zones and a 4D cinema, all of which your guests will have access to explore. While there is a discounted group ticket option that will give you access to the facility, there are also a couple of birthday packages that include time in a private, LEGO-themed party room, where guests will enjoy pizza and beverages (as well as additional food that you can provide). The premium party package also includes a private model build workshop that will see each child taking home a LEGO model. Packages start at $35 per guest.
Monkey Movers Gym Bus
Their place or yours: Your place
Want to host your kid’s party at home but not so into all the pre- and post-cleaning that can involve? Monkey Movers Gym Bus might be your solution. It’s an actual bus that has been reconfigured into a mobile gym that includes a rock wall, a trampoline, and all kinds of climbing and balancing apparatuses. Up to 18 kids can be accommodated inside the bus, which is climate controlled. Kids can also eat in the bus; you just provide the food. Various packages are available including one fancy package that includes a visit from a princess or superhero. While that package runs $650 for two hours, you can also do one hour of just bus fun for $315.
Pawsitively Pets
125 Brentcliffe Road & 94 Laird Dr., Toronto
Their place or yours: Your choice
Want to treat your guests to some hands-on animal interactions but would prefer to go to an outside venue? Then check out Pawsitively Pets. While it does have the option to bring their animals to your home, you can also throw your party at one of its two locations. Packages include a one-hour interaction with eight to nine animals, during which guests can be photographed interacting with a creature. Guests then get to take home their picture inside a frame that they’ve decorated. On-site packages start at $435 for a weekday party while off-site parties start at $265.
Pirate Life Birthday Party
1 Queen’s Quay E., Toronto
Their place or yours: Their place
Now this is a unique birthday party idea: A celebration aboard a 50-foot “pirate” ship! Featuring an interactive performance involving a search for treasure, this experience also includes face painting and a special pirate name for each guest. The birthday kid will also get a song and dance performance just for them and you’re welcome to bring food onboard. The pirate ship sails from May to October (sorry winter babies!). Different packages are available, including one that lets you rent out the whole ship. However the cheapest option starts at $350, which includes 10 tickets. Other add-ons, including pirate gear, are also available.
Planet Bowl
5555 Eglington Ave., Toronto
Their place or yours: Their place
Have a ball in one of Planet Bowl’s three private party rooms. Depending on the room size, up to 26 kids can don a pair of bowling shoes and try to roll a strike. The facility also has a full kitchen, and while you’re welcome to bring in food, the birthday package includes pizza, popcorn, soft drinks, and even invitations. The cost runs $18 per child, with a four-kid minimum.
Princess Parties Plus
Their place or yours: Your place
Don’t let the name, and the very pink website, fool you. This company offers a wide range of performers and services that will take your kid’s at-home party up to the next level. Arrange an appearance from your child’s favourite princess or superhero or have a visit from a group of singing puppeteers. The company can also set up an at-home spa experience, karaoke lounge or even a teddy bear picnic or can arrange for something off-site, like a party at a Toronto Marlies game. Pricing varies depending on what experience your child is interested in and where you are located.
Rinx
65 Orfus Rd., Toronto
Their place or yours: Their place
If your kids love hockey or figure skating, Rinx could be the perfect spot for your child’s birthday. You’ll have access to a full-size rink that can be used to host a hockey game, obstacle courses, different games, or just free skating. Packages also include access to a private room where your guests will enjoy pizza, pop and more. For exact rates, please contact Rinx directly. Rinx also offers a couple of sister venues, including inflapark The Bubble and the self-explanatory Playtime Bowl which also offer birthday party packages.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
288 Bremner Blvd., Toronto
Their place or yours: Their place
How does partying with sharks sound? At Ripley’s, your guests can do just that! The standard package here includes 90 minutes in the exclusive party room where a Ripley’s educator will walk guests through such hands-on activities as science experiments. Before or after this experience, you can take your guests on a self-guided tour through the aquarium. As of November 2022, no additional décor or food or drink is allowed (though guests can bring water in a reusable bottle). We know this sounds a bit odd at first however, it does cut down on your to-do list and you could opt to send home a cupcake as a loot bag item. The standard package runs $500 and includes admission for up to 24 guests.
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Tagged under: Toronto,kids' birthday party venues,Toronto birthday party ideas
Category: birthday-venues,restaurants,attractions,indoor-play
