The perfect kid’s birthday party used to consist of pin the tail on the donkey, presents, ice cream and cake. Go old school if you want, but if your idea of the perfect shindig is one that takes place outside your house, check out these party spots for kids.
Whether water parks, skating rinks, art studios, children’s museums, spa days, climbing walls, kids cooking or a host of other adventures, there’s something for every child. All it takes is a little planning. Be sure to check each venue for the rules on bringing food, though most allow you to supply your own cake.
This information is based on the venues’ websites. Some spots do offer member and other discounts.
Music centers
Bongo Boy Music Recreational Center: Celebrate your child’s birthday with a bah-da-boom at this Castleton facility that will have your guests grooving and dancing with a drum circle. Parties start at $195.
Rhythm Discovery Center: Let your party guests explore percussion instruments from all over the world and take part in a drum circle at this Downtown Indianapolis facility. Parties for up to 10 children start at $200. Maximum of 20 children.
Pools and water parks
Franklin Family Aquatic Center: This Franklin facility features an Olympic-sized pool, slides, water basketball and more. Parties start at $100 for 10 guests, which includes all-day aquatics passes.
Goldfish School: Whichever location you choose for your indoor pool party – Carmel, Fishers or Greenwood – this chain of swimming centers promises 90 degree water for the festivities. Parties are $450, which includes cupcakes and drinks.
JCC Indianapolis: Swim indoors or out depending on the season at this north-side facility. In the summer there’s a lazy river and kiddie pool in addition to the normal pool; in winter you can splash in a pool with a flexible depth. Parties start at $275 for 12 children.
Monon Community Center: If your child has a summer birthday, you can rent a party shelter for the afternoon or evening for up to 25 people and splash to your heart’s content in this Carmel warter park. Parties start at $200, which includes 10 youth and four adult passes.
Splash Island: This Plainfield water park has water slides, a lazy river, a waterfall and more. You can make it your party spot, but be forewarned in case of rain, you won’t get a refund, just the opportunity to reschedule. Parties start at $160 for up to 25 guests.
Arts and crafts and pottery studios
Bisque Barn: This Avon spot features its own party barn, where you and your friends can paint pottery or wood signs or on canvas. Parties start at a minimum of $150.
Color Me Mine: A disco ball shines above painters at this Carmel studio as they decorate figurines. Theme possibilities include unicorns, mermaids, castles and dragons. Parties start at $21 per person with a minimum of eight painters.
13 new restaurants:In Carmel, Fishers and on Indianapolis’ north side
Half Baked Pottery: Hang with the Broad Ripple artsy set at this place where every child gets to decorate his or her own piece of pottery. Children’s birthday parties start at $133 for eight guests.
Line+Form Atelier: Your child picks the theme at this Irvington artist studio, and the staff help facilitates an art project to match. Parties start at $300 for up to 12 children.
Paint It! Kids: This Zionsville studio lets children explore their inner artiste. The studio will also bring the party to your house if you prefer. Parties start at $25 per painter with a minimum of eight painters.
Pottery by You: At this north-side store, the birthday child can choose between painting pottery or a wood sign or making a mask or glass creation. Parties start at $18 per child.
U-Paint Pottery Studio: Pottery parties come with a theme at this Greenwood store. Choose from animals, princess & pirate, piggy (and other animal) banks and more. Parties start at $130 for eight painters.
Day at a spa
Bath Junkie: Host a party at this Carmel store where each guest creates his or her signature scent for a variety of bath products from body mists to sugar scrubs. Packages start at $20 per person for a minimum of eight people per party. The store will also host parties in your home.
Darling Divas: Give your birthday girl and her friends a day at a spa with manis, pedis, facial and more at this Castleton spa. Packages that include painting on canvases in addition to faces are also available. Or bring the party to you with a sleepover option that includes an air mattress and sheets for each diva as well as a lap tray, snacks, and a spa in a jar for each girl.
Pink Party Palace Indy: Options abound at this east-side venue, from a tea party to a variety of spa services to a Fashionista Diva showdown, complete with a pink carpet runway show. There’s even a limousine for princesses who want to take the party on the road.
Children’s museums and play areas
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis: Indianapolis is fortunate to have one of the best children’s museum in the world. Turn it into your party palace with a birthday celebration under its roof. Party starts at $150 plus $15 discount admission for each guest over two or $370 for 15 guests.
Conner Prairie: If you want to celebrate a birthday by going back in time, you can do so at Conner Prairie, including crafts, visiting the outdoor exhibits and even outdoor Jenga. Packages at the Fishers attraction start at $205 with up to 25 complimentary admissions.
Urban Chalkboard: This Carmel play café for the 6 and under set offers parties that include exclusive access to its Learning Studio or even the entire venue. Festivities include staff play coaches to help facilitate the party. Parties start at $175 for 10 children.
Ice skating and roller skating
Carmel Ice Skadium: This Carmel facility has two NHL-sized rinks as well as private party rooms. Evenings fetes can be cosmic with glow bands and more. Parties start at $200 for up to 10 guests.
Fun Factory: Go old school at this roller rink on the south side, formerly known as Wheels of Wonder. Prices start at $12.99 per child for a minimum of 10 children, and the birthday child gets to request one song.
Indy Fuel Tank: Have the coolest birthday around at this Fishers facility or its Indianapolis counterpart at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Older kids might opt for the cosmic skate night-time option. Younger ones might go for an appearance from Nitro, the Indy Fuel mascot. Parties start at $149 for 10 skaters.
Roller City: This west-side roller facility also has an arcade and glow-in-the dark mini golf as well as inflatables. Parties start at $120 for up to 10 children and include an access pass for the birthday child.
Skateland: Go old school with a party on wheels at this west-side facility. Party packages even include a visit for the birthday child to the DJ booth. While at times there are $89 specials for up to 10 guests, packages normally start at $11.99 per child with a minimum of 10.
Kids cooking
Sprout’s Cooking School: For those who want to make their party food and eat it too, this Carmel venue offers a number of cooking-themed parties. Choose from a variety of themes, including Make Your Own Pizza and Enchanted Unicorn (think rainbow grilled cheese and cupcakes). Parties start at $375 for a maximum of 16 people.
Indiana Farm Table and Tea Room. You can opt for a paint your own cookie party – or if you want to get more elaborate, a cupcake party, which comes with a bakers hat and apron for each child. This Fort Harrison spot was a 2018 IndyStar Best Winner for a kids party. Parties start at $180.
Trampoline parks
Defy: More than trampolines, this Castleton area facility includes zip lines, trapezes, and aerial silks. Packages start at $25 per child for one hour of jumping and a private room for one hour. You can bring outside food for a fee.
SkyZone: With locations in Fishers and Plainfield and on the south side, SkyZone offers several packages for trampoline lovers. Pay more and you can hold your party at night during the facility’s glow hours. Packages start at $199 for 10 kids to jump for an hour.
Urban Air: At this trampoline park in Franklin, birthday party packages come divided by age. Choose from features such as a tube playground, battle beam, or sky rider coaster. Party packages start at $225 for 10 guests.
Zip City: This south-side facility spans more than 70,000 square feet throughout which partygoers can rock climb, explore a ropes course, hit the trampolines or play laser tag. Pricing begins at $325 for up to 20 guests for 90 minutes of unlimited activity.
Bounce houses
Bounce U: This Fishers spot promises an all-private party for your crew, unlike other places where your kiddos just join in the fray. Weekday packages start at $199.
JR Funnigan’s Jump n Play: At this Avon inflatables spot, partygoers can bounce and slide to their heart’s content. Party packages start at $179 for 10 jumpers.
Monkey Joe’s: This south-side inflatables extravaganza caters to the younger set. Parties include unlimited playtime and two hours in your own suite with an inflated throne for the birthday child. Packages start at $209 for eight kids if you forego food and go up from there.
Gyms, gymnastics, climbing walls and other sports
Climb Time: This Castleton area climbing gym offers group pricing, a balcony you can rent to set up your own party, as well as lock-ins that can go overnight if you want to host a sleepover to remember. Prices start at $12 per child.
DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics: Scale the inflatable climbing wall at this Fishers facility, swing on the bars, turn somersaults, bounce and more. Parties start at $225 for 12 children.
Geist Sports Academy: This facility on the north-east side offers birthday parties in its gym with organized games. Parties start at $195 for up to 12 children.
Gymnastics Unlimited: Your birthday guests can frolic throughout this 20,000-square-foot facility on the east side, enjoying tumbling, games, obstacle courses, and more. Parties start at $225 for up to 20 children.
Hoosier Heights: Elevate your child’s birthday party with two hours of climbing at this Carmel gym. Parties start at $190 for up to eight participants.
Interactive Academy: Choose between a swim, warrior or gymnastics theme for a birthday party for your child, ages 3 to 12 at this Zionsville facility. Parties start at $325 for nonmembers for up to 16 children and include cupcakes.
Little Gym of Carmel: Party activities at this Carmel facility can include games, activities and Lego building. Or go with a theme, such as fairies, ninjas, pirates and more. Parties start at $289 for 15 kids.
My Gym Fishers: This Fishers tumbling spot caters to a younger clientele with parties that include activities, puppets and songs. Parties start at $210 for up to 10 guests.
Spectrum Sports and Ninja’s Edge: Choose between a gymnastics jam or a ninja’s edge celebration at this Carmel facility that has a range of equipment, from a cargo net to a warped wall. Parties start at $175 for up to 13 children.
Sports Zone: If your kid loves basketball, softball/baseball, volleyball or soccer, here’s a place on the west side to have a party without having to worry about the weather. Parties start at $200 for one hour on the surface of your choice for up to 10 guests.
Bowling, laser tag and other adventures
Chuck-e Cheese: The prototypical location for a child’s birthday party, this national icon has four locations in Central Indiana: the Castleton area, south side, east side and in Avon. Parties in this spot consist of arcade play punctuated by that famous birthday appearance by the giant mouse. Packages start at $14.99 per child.
Greatimes: This 5-acre complex on the south-east side includes bumper boats, mini golf, go-karts, an arcade, indoor playground and more. Parties start at $130 for eight guests.
Incrediplex: Whatever your child wants for his or her birthday, you can most likely find it at this facility on the northeast side. Bowling, arcade games, laser tag, bungy jumping, soccer, baseball, basketball and more. Packages start at $269 for 10 kids.
Laser Flash: Laser tag takes top billing at this Carmel venue, which also includes an arcade. Parties start at $23 per guest with a minimum of eight players.
Main Event: This Castleton facility has an arcade, 25 lanes of bowling, laser tag, and more all under one expansive roof. Parties start at $15.95 per person.
Pinheads: This Fishers restaurant/arcade/bowling alley has party packages that start at $195 for eight to 12 guests.
Royal Pin: Choose from locations on the west side, southeast side and north side and a range of activities for your party, including bowling, arcade, laser tag and in season miniature golf. Packages begin at $130 for eight guests.
Smiley Playground. This Castleton spot offers interactive games and technology for kids nine and up. IRL there’s also trampoline basketball, tubes and slides and much more. Parties, which begin at $250, include a visit to the ball pit playground, interactive snow pit, Bear VR, and more.
Topgolf Fishers: If you have a budding Tiger Woods or Michelle Wie on your hands, you might want to celebrate at this Fishers driving range, which pulls out all the technological stops and some culinary ones as well. Parties start at $300 for up to 12 kids.
Let the birthday party come to you
Creative Escape: Make your home into an artist’s studio by letting your child’s guests choose a pottery piece and paint it. Glass fusing parties also available. Parties start at $15 per child with a minimum of eight.
Hedgehog Hannah: When the child celebrating is an animal-lover, he or she might want to invite Hedgehog Hannah (or Sonic the Hedgehog) and some nonhuman friends to the celebration for an in-home petting zoo. Packages start at eight animals for 45 minutes for $225.
It’s a Block Party: For that birthday child who really wants Legos for his or her birthday gift, consider a Lego party. The set-up can include several stations to let guests build to their heart’s content and every guest assembles a customized Lego figure. Parties can also be held in the business’ south-side shop. Packages start at $119 for up to 10 people.
Science Time Indy: Birthday parties can be serious things. If you have a budding scientist, you can turn your home into a lab. Science Time staff bring everything needed to run the party guests through a few fun experiments. Base price is $174 plus $14 per child.
Snapology: If building is your child’s thing, this mobile party planner will come to your house with Legos, K’nex, robotics and more. Best of all, they’ll clean up and make sure there are no mini bricks underfoot after the party’s over. If you prefer, you can also host a party at The Frigid Frog, a Plainfield ice cream shop. Home parties start at $195 for 12 guests.
Contact IndyStar reporter Shari Rudavsky at 317-444-6354 or shari.rudavsky@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter: @srudavsky.
