Seattle Family Calendar
Subscribe
Bounce house, arcade, trampoline park. If you have a kid, there’s a good chance you have been to a birthday party at one of those spots. Maybe you’ve even hosted a party at one. My kids are big fans of the fun yet overstimulating arcade birthday party.
But if you’re looking for something beyond the ordinary, I’ve got nine atypical birthday party venue suggestions that keep the mess out of your house, and are good options for year-round indoor parties in Greater Seattle.
For a rejuvenating party: Lush, Bellevue
For a relaxing spa-like birthday for kids, try Lush at Bellevue Square. Gather your friends and choose the theme that matches your party vibe: Fun and Games, or Treat Yourself. Fun and Games has a silly and playful feel, while the Treat Yourself package is more like a traditional spa experience with arm or hand massages and skin care. All 1.5-hour long parties take place in the center of the store with dedicated Lush staff to coordinate two varying activities. You’ll also make a bath bomb or bubble bar to take home. Parents and kids alike will appreciate the exclusive products as party favors.
Details parents want to know: Parties must be booked in-store at least two weeks in advance. Parties during store hours can have a maximum of 10–12 guests depending on the day. Parties outside of store hours can accommodate more guests. Outside food, drinks and cake are welcome but must be consumed during the 1.5-hour long party time. Cost is $40 per person. Recommended for ages 5 and older.
For water lovers: Swimply, various locations
Swimply is the private alternative to a public pool party — like Airbnb for pools where you can rent a private swimming pool, and sometimes extras like hot tubs. Search the Swimply site for options close to your home. Pools book by the hour. I have my eyes on the highly rated Duvall Pool, which includes an 80-degree heated carved granite pool with waterfalls, hot tub, sauna (at an additional cost), covered patio, spacious yard, fire pit and large pool house. It’s a backyard oasis fit for parties of up to 40 people.
Details parents want to know: Create a Swimply account online to book a pool. Read the fine print on the listing to know what’s included, what you can bring and expectations for guests. Cost varies by pool.
For energetic kids: Ninja Quest Adventures, Issaquah and Northgate
Ninja Quest Adventures is home to the only ninja warrior gyms in the Seattle area. Party packages include private use of the facility, safety instruction and coaches who can facilitate games like floor-is-lava, timed ninja courses and free play in the ninja gymnasium. A party offers the perfect mix of structured games and free exploration of the obstacles.
Details parents want to know: Parties are designed for kids ages 5 and older and last for two hours. You can bring outside food and cake. Disposable plates, cups, napkins, and tableware are provided. Packages start at $375 for up to 10 kids (including the birthday child).
For creative kids: Wicked Rae’s, Seattle
Wicked Rae’s is known for wildly fun and messy splatter paint experiences. Party guests get private access to the studio for about two hours to either make splatter paint canvases in the designated splatter room or create art in a customized guided art workshop. Want both? The Hybrid Celebration allows three hours to splatter paint and create something in a guided workshop. Parents, don’t think this party is only fun for kids — I thoroughly enjoy splatter painting!
Details parents want to know: Parties are recommended for kids ages 4 and older. Packages start at $600 for up to 10 guests (extra guests can be added for an additional cost). For groups larger than 12, they travel by request. Even though you’ll be wearing shoe coverings, ponchos and shower caps, some washable paint inevitably gets on your skin, clothing and shoes. Wear dark clothing, easy-to-clean shoes, and pack extra clothes just in case.
For aspiring chefs and bakers: FrogLegs Cooking School, Kirkland, Seattle and Redmond
FrogLegs Cooking School makes cooking and baking an educational and entertaining experience. The instructors often have whimsical names and mix in proper techniques with fun descriptives like making “sugar waterfalls.” Parties are two hours long and you can choose from Pizza Parties, Baking Parties or Specialty Menu Parties (Italian Pasta Party, Dumpling and Boba Tea Party, Sushi Party and more). The Pizza Party includes making personal pizzas and cupcakes from scratch. Customize the party by choosing themes like Under the Sea, Rainbow, Dino-Mite, Butterfly, Minecraft, Harry Potter and more. As a parent, I appreciate when my kids walk away with consumable party favors, which you’ll get from these classes.
Details parents want to know: FrogLegs classes are designed for kids ages 3 and older. Parties are two hours long, start at $675 for up to 8 kids, with a maximum capacity of 18 people (including the birthday child). Parties are drop-off events, but parents can stay as long as the total group size does not exceed 18 people. FrogLegs handles the setup, cleanup and decorations. They also provide plates, cups, napkins, utensils and a birthday candle. If parents want to stay and chat, catering is available and the charcuterie boards look a million times better than arcade pizza. Outside food is also welcome with a fee.
For thrill seekers: iFly, Tukwila
High-level adventure seekers will love this indoor skydiving party! After a short safety debriefing, each flyer will don their flight suit and helmet to enter the indoor vertical wind tunnel one at a time with an instructor. Each flight lasts 60 seconds and has an add-on option to fly higher. Flyers will go home with professional photos and videos.
Is it scary? Without a jump or sensation of falling, most would not consider it scary. Book the party room to celebrate post flight with decorations provided by iFly. Outside food is welcome.
Details parents want to know: Kids ages 3 and older can fly. The weight limit for flying is 300 pounds. Kids should wear pants and a shirt without a collar, and lace-up sneakers are preferred. Parties with more than 13 flyers will need to arrange with the party coordinator. It is free for spectators to come and watch. Packages start at $89 per flyer.
For builders: Bricks & Minifigs, various locations
Lego fans unite for this brick-building party with a bit of fun competition — kids will build and race their own Lego car creation on a derby track. After the race, celebrate in the private party room with a birthday treat or food (bring your own). Kids will also get a chance to make their own custom minifigure to take home (the birthday kid gets two!).
Details parents want to know: Parties are designed for kids ages 3 and older. Basic party packages start at $250 and the party size is limited by location. Plates, napkins and utensils are provided. Note that no open-cup beverages are allowed, drinks must be in individual packages (bottles, boxes, pouches, etc.).
A need for speed: K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing, Redmond and Tukwila
Take over the race track with your friends as you drive state-of-the-art electric go-karts on a track that feels authentic to the motorsport racing world. Kids wear racing helmets, are timed and finish with a podium ceremony (birthday kid is always a winner!). Adults can also get in on the fun by adding on an adult race — the electric go-karts for adults can go from zero to 45 mph in seconds.
The party doesn’t stop with racing. Each racer will receive a loaded arcade card for additional fun. Party packages can also include food (such as pizza or sliders) and beverage setup. You can bring your own birthday treat.
Details parents want to know: Before you book your party here, avoid disappointment by making sure all guests are tall enough to race. Junior racers must be at least 48 inches tall, and adults who want a turn racing must be at least 58 inches tall. Packages start at $85 per person.
For movie buffs: A movie theater near you
If you’re like our family, movie nights are usually streamed at home, so going to a movie theater is a special treat. Many theaters have their own birthday party options ranging from private showings where you get the whole theater to yourself, to regular ticketing plus a party room rental for food and presents. Parents and kids alike can enjoy this low-key party.
Details parents want to know: Check out party packages in our area with the large theater chains: AMC, Cinemark and Regal. But don’t forget to see what the smaller independent theaters have to offer! For example, the North Bend Theatre can be rented for three hours starting at $300 and offers more than just a movie screening — you can sing karaoke on stage, play their Nintendo Switches on the big screen, show your own slideshow and enjoy endless popcorn and soda packages. You can even display a custom birthday message on their outdoor theater sign.
