Out of the Box Birthday Parties

3/26/13 - By Gretchen Allison

Can't bear the thought of another laser-tag or spa-day birthday party? No problem! We've rounded up plenty of options for you to choose from and some you might even enjoy doing right along with them. Here are a few fresh ideas for you that are sure to make this year's party a big success! 

And take a look at our Long Island Party Guide for all things birthday-related.

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Island Rock
60 Skyline Drive
Plainview, NY 11803
516-822-7625
For a Birthday party that really rocks, try Island Rock!  This is a state of the art indoor climbing facility that offers the closest thing to real rock you can find. Island Rock has walls for first time climbers to the experienced expert climber. The Birthday Party Package includes 1 hour of supervised climbing (1 instructor for every 6 guests), pizza, water, cupcakes and invitations and paper goods. 8 people are needed to reserve this package and are only $28.50 per person. The Deluxe Birthday Party Package includes all of the above, along with goody bags, tablecloths, balloon clusters for each table and is $33.50 per person.

Ultimate Gaga
575 Underhill Blvd.
Syosset, NY 11791
516-921-GAGA
Ultimate Gaga is the first indoor arena anywhere featuring the game of Gaga! This action-packed game of elimination is played in 20,000 square feet of space. There are 8 playing pits plus a junior pit for the smaller children. Ultimate Gaga offers two Birthday Party Packages. The Silver is for children 6 & under and includes two-30 minute activities. You can choose from Gaga, light space video game floor, basketball court, relay races, dodge ball, dance party or the t-shirt making party. After playtime you will have 30 minutes in a party room where pizza and soda/juice will be served for the kids in addition to coffee.  Paper goods and invitations are also included and the cost is $479.00 for 12 kids Friday-Sunday, with an additional cost of $19.95 per child.  If you book your party for Wednesday –Thursday, the party is $419 for 12 kids and $17.95 for each additional one. The birthday child is free for both times! The Gold Package includes 1 hour of gaga play, 30 minutes in the party room with pizza, soda/juice, coffee, paper goods and invitations.  The cost is $479 for 12 kids Friday-Sunday, with an additional charge of $19.95 per child and $419 Monday-Thursday, with an additional charge of $17.95 per child. The birthday child is free for both times! In addition, you may also add on A Glow In The Dark Dance Party, Inflatables, Glow In The Dark Arts & Crafts Activities, Video Montage, Ping Pong, Kids Zumba, Basketball Court, Color Wars, Light Space Play, Wii/Xbox and Air Brush Tattoos.

C & B Archery
11 Commercial St.,
Hicksville, NY 11801
516-933-BOWS (2697)
Calling all archers! If your child read The Hunger Games and has often wondered what it would be like to hold a bow and shoot an arrow, then a terrific birthday party venue for them will be C&B Archery. When you book a birthday party with C&B Archery, you will be given 20-30 minutes of hands-on instruction before the shooting at targets begin, making it easy for first-time shooters to learn. The package price is $329 for up to 12 children and includes 2 slices of pizza, soda or juice, 1 hour range time, 30-40 minutes in the party room, balloons, paper goods, and a FREE 1 hour range time certificate for every child in attendance. 

Lil Chefs
9 Soundview Market Place
Port Washington, NY 11050
516-767-7633
Gail, who owns Little Chefs, was a teacher for 20 years. She realized that children loved to cook, so she blended teaching and cooking together and opened Little Chefs. Children learn basic math skills by measuring, science by observing temperatures and shapes and colors. Children also learn basic social skills, all while having fun. Little Chefs Basic Party Package includes 1 ½ hours of entertainment, which includes invites, choice of meal and a cooking theme; Cookie Making,  Cupcake Making, Pretzel Making and Brownie Pizza Making. The cost is $450 for up to 15 Little Chefs, each additional child is $23.99. The Special party themes are an additional $50.00 for up to 20 children and include: edible jewelry, candy making, tea party and dinner and disco. These options for children ages 8 and over. There are also Mexican, Italian and Chinese food options to choose from and plenty of extras and favors to add.

BowTie Cinemas (formerly Clearview Cinemas)
One of my favorite party venues is the movies! Not only do the kids have a good time, you do as well. With so many movie theaters to choose from on Long Island, I narrowed it down to BowTie since there are so many around. Bowtie Cinemas offers a Premiere Private Party where you get your own theater! Not only do you get your own private screening of a movie, your child’s name goes on the marquee outside. The theater rental fee is $325, and you get 10% off Monday–Thursday. The admission price is $9 and includes popcorn and drink. If you want to add a birthday cake, it’s $35 and a goodie bag is $2 per child.  

Mad Science
P.O Box 401
Woodmere, NY
516-620-6768
Pricing starts at $250 for 15 children for 1 hr
Recommend for ages 5-12
Calling all super scientists! If home experiments and secret concoctions are the norm around your house then a Mad Science party is exactly what would cater to your budding little scientist. Mad Science parties bring the fun to you. No need to rush to get to a party venue, Mad Science comes to your house. Special add-ons such as cotton candy making, bubbling potions and rocket launches bring out the inner scientist in everyone. The parties typically last one hour with several birthday parties themes fit for every age. The Air Blast Party is geared towards 5-8 year olds. Mad about Blue is geared toward 8-12 year olds. Mad Science parties entertain children of all ages teaching them exciting and new ways to discover objects that float through columns of air, see the power of static or learn the mystery of fireworks. Be sure to check out the cool invites included in the party package. No mess? Check. No hassle? Check. Out the box worthy? Check!

Oil City Skate Park
3565 Maple Ct.
Oceanside, NY
516-442-0703
Recommend for ages 5 and up 
Call or visit website for birthday party packages and prices
Do you have a child who loves to skateboard? Or a child who tries to turn everywhere they go into an indoor skate park? Well, Oil City Skate Park has the birthday party solution for you! This indoor skate park features a 12 foot vertical ramp, a 6 foot and a half pipe and an indoor street course. Skateboarding is not the only sport featured at Oil City; rollerblading and BMX Biking are available too. Oil City even offers lessons for budding skateboarders, smaller children and for parents who want to join along in the skateboarding fun with their kids. All parties include customized invitations, pizza, beverages and 2 hours in the skate park. Now, what says unforgettable birthday like you and your child photographed together doing an “Ollie” (skateboarding term).

The Pet Den [closed]
6230 Jericho Turnpike
Commack, NY
631-499-0276
Recommended for all ages
Pet Jungle pricing starts at $295 for 90 minutes
Pet Zoo on Wheels pricing varies by location, starts at $295/hr
Imagine seeing exotic birds, petting small animals and holding colorful reptiles. You are not imaging a scene from the movie Dr. Doolittle; you are experiencing a birthday party at the Pet Den! The Pet Den’s mission is to educate children about the wonderful world of the animal kingdom. With that desire, the Pet Den developed two new party concepts: Party Jungle and Pet Zoo on Wheels. The Party Jungle is an all-inclusive private party that takes place in a room decorated with jungle murals. At the party, children will learn about the animal kingdom and will take part in an educational and exciting animal demonstration! Included in the party package are the party invitations, paper goods, pizza, beverages, cupcakes, and more. The Pet Zoo on Wheels is another exciting birthday party feature where The Pet Den brings the exotic animals to you. With over 18 exotic and unique animals featured, you will feel like you have your own private zoo. The only thing these animals leave behind is a good time! No need to worry about safety, all the animals are tamed, veterinarian checked and healthy. What says out the box birthday like having your child holding and taking pictures with a safe and friendly yellow python!

 

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