The best birthday party places in the GTA

Do you have a budding architect? Well then, throw a party at the Legoland Discovery Centre. There are two options, and both require a minimum of 10 guests (not including the birthday child, who gets in free). For $25 per child (maximum 25 children), you get admission to Legoland, 60 minutes in a private Lego party room with a host, meal and cake. For $35 per child (maximum 25 children), you get the same deal but with an extra 15 minutes in the party room and a private Model Builder Workshop (and kids get to take home their creations). This is on top of all the other fun features at the Legoland Discovery Centre, like the huge models built with Lego bricks, 4-D cinema and Kingdom Quest Laser Ride.

1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan 1-855-356-2150 legolanddiscoverycentre.ca

Who’s ready for the big top? For just over an hour, up to 12 guests (in addition to the birthday child, who is free) ages five and up get an introduction to circus equipment, such as aerial silks, trampoline and trapeze. Afterwards, they get to watch a performance by the Zacada Show Team. Then it’s time for food (supplied by parents) and presents in the party room for 45 minutes. The cost for all of this high-flying fun is $250.

687 Barton Street, Stoney Creek
905-643-0013
zacadacircus.com

Got a future pop star sensation on your hands? Let your little pop diva and her friends experience a real recording studio session at My Pop Star Party. For $350, your kid and seven friends will have two hours to record their very own track and design a custom CD label. There’s also space reserved to have snacks and refreshments during the session. At the end of the party, each guest gets to take home a master CD of the professionally mixed track, as well as an mp3 version. Sessions are by appointment only.

161 Deerhide Crescent, Suite 12, Floor 2, Toronto
647-478-7556
mypopstarparty.com

Is your child already a fan of Playtown’s interactive playhouses, like the firehouse, the theatre and the construction site? Then she will be over the moon if you book her birthday party at this indoor playground. For $295, up to 12 children get two hours to hang out in a dedicated themed party room, like the Enchanted Castle, the Friendly Forest or the Playful Pond, as well as in the general playhouse area. Pizza, chips, juice, plates, napkins, cutlery and serving spoons are included, as is a host for helping out, setting up and cleaning up. For $445, you get the same deal for 24 kids, and there is twice as much pizza and double the space (one caveat is that the Enchanted Castle room isn’t large enough to host these larger parties). If you want all of Playtown for your child and his buddies, it will cost you $399 from Monday to Thursday and $499 from Friday to Sunday. The price doesn’t include food, but you’re welcome to bring your own as long as it’s nut-free. Come September, you’ll be able to book mascots to join the party for as little as 20 minutes at a time rather than having to pay them for the length of the event.

2170 Dunwin Drive, Unit 6, Mississauga 905-569-7529 kidsplaytown.ca

Fantasy Fables describes itself as a princess ballroom and boutique (and, fittingly, it’s all decorated in pink and white). Many of the performers are from Disney Cruise ships, and there is a Cinderella statue that was in Downtown Disney at Disney World for more than 20 years. The Dreams package, which costs $475 for 10 kids, features your child’s favourite princess welcoming everyone, followed by magical makeovers. After that, guests are taken into the ballroom, where they watch the princess sing and present the birthday child with a tiara. Photos are taken, the princess sings “Happy Birthday” and lunch is served (parents provide nut-free food). The kids will get to wear Disney Princess dresses and there are some royal assistants to help parents and kids get a special gift. The new Bibbity Bobbity Boo package can be added to the Dreams option for $99 and features an appearance by the Fairygodmother herself. She will entertain the guests until the princesses arrive, sprinkle the celebrant with pixie dust and perform Bibbity Bobbity Boo for the guests. The celebrant will also get a personalized message from the Fairygodmother a week before the party.

5195 Harvester Road, Unit 7, Burlington 416-760-7655 fantasyfables.ca

Jumping Clay is a jasmine-scented, non-toxic polymer clay that can be shaped into anything. For $250, instructors will lead your party of at least 10 little sculptors through lessons and activities that can be personalized to fit a specific theme. (Personalized themes need to be requested two weeks in advance to let the instructors properly prepare.) They can either come to you or, you can host your party at their facility and parties that order Pizza Nova through Jumping Clay get a 10% discount.

1412 Kennedy Road, 1A, Scarborough 647-349-3252 jumpingclay.ca

Children in Vaughan, Ajax, Oakville, Toronto, Newmarket and Markham can get treated to the ultimate in spa parties for birthday kids at Glama Gal’s luxurious GTA locations. Packages start at $289 and go up to $399; most are for six guests, including the child celebrating a birthday. Fancy features for some of the party options include dessert-inspired manicures, robe and slipper service, banana or chocolate facial masks, cupcakes, pizza or fruit crepes and “pinkatinis.” Wee ones up to age five can enjoy the Lil’ Miss Positive Package, and there are a number of other packages to choose from for kids ages six and up.

glamagalparty.com

Whether your child is an animal fan or a budding scientist, Safari Science has a party option to please her. The reptile party features 10 creatures, including snakes, a tree frog and a tarantula. The critter party is where the gecko, hedgehog, rabbit and six other animals come out to play. The science party includes science experiments like a bubble volcano, dry ice and fireproof balloons. Parties last for two hours, with 40 to 50 minutes of performance time, and cost $249 for up to 10 children and $299 for up to 15 children. Safari Science provides performance and party spaces, plates, forks and napkins and will set up and take down the party, while parents provide nut-free food and drinks.

1290 Speers Road, Units 6 and 11, Oakville 905-901-4848 safariscience.com

Your kid and his friends will completely tire themselves out at Extreme Fun, a 5,500 square foot indoor playground with a jumping castle, dress-up corner, 15-foot play structure and more. Parties can rent a room for two hours with a maximum of 50 guests. There are five different party packages starting at $400 and include access to the playground, unlimited juice for the kids, complimentary coffee or tea for the adults, party invites and set up/clean up. Larger packages include: party-sized pizzas, a 1/4 slab of nut-free birthday cake and return play passes.

186 Bartley Drive, North York 416-757-8777 extremefun.ca

It’s not exactly a trip to the beach, but it’s certainly the next best thing. Parties at North Beach Volleyball give kids one hour to play in the sand and an hour to eat in the party area. A staff member will lead the party through various activities, which are age-appropriate and can include dodge-ball, sand treasure hunts, sand castle making, relay races and, of course, beach volleyball. Parents are welcome to bring cake, extra food and snacks with the exception of personal pizzas (most packages include pizza for the kids). Party packages must have a minimum of 15 guests and bookings with 30 guests get an extra free games person, one extra sand court and two hours in the party room. “Colour-me-in” invitations are also available for free at the facility’s front desk.

74 Railside Road, North York 416-446-0777 northbeachvolleyball.com

Kids will love parties at Lollipop Art Lounge, where they get to be creative and make something special alongside their pals in the studio. There are three options available. The Classic is for kids ages four and up and includes decor, cupcakes, pizza and instructors to help with one preselected art project. The Specialty is for kids ages three and up and features an art project, pizza, cupcakes, instructors, decor and a special entertainer, such as a singer for the pop star party, Elsa or Anna for the Frozen party or a Jedi for the Jedi knight training party. Costs vary depending on the party chosen but start at $325 for the classic parties and go up to $535 for the magic show party.

338 Church Street, Oakville 905-849-1711 lollipopartlounge.com

Got a cake boss or a pizza lover at your house? Book her next birthday party at Le Dolci. You can choose between two party specials: kids can learn how to decorate six cupcakes or make two pizza: one sweet and one savoury. The cupcake party also includes a pizza meal. The party packages are for 10 kids and both cost $1200.

1006 Dundas Street West. 416-262-3400 ledolci.com

At DesignHer Co, kids can make their jewellery, design tote bags or decorate frames. Let their imaginations run wild! This party is ideal for kids ages six and up and can even delight your tween. Party packages start at $345 and additional items such as loot bags can be added to the base price. The party is for 10 guests (additional guests can be added for $26) who will spend two hours in the studio creating two projects based on the birthday kid’s choice. As a cute bonus, each guest gets to take home a candy necklace. After all, the best kind of jewellery is the kind you can eat.

1850 Avenue Road, Toronto 416-889-4437
designherco.com

Kids as young as four-years-old can experience the thrill of skydiving inside iFly’s famous wind tunnel. Three party packages are available for a maximum of 12 people, starting at $59.95 per person and varying in cost depending on the size of the party. After 30 minutes of training, guests will get to free-fall for 60 seconds in the wind tunnel, simulating what a real skydive feels like. Private party rooms and catering is also available, and most party packages come with a photo and video souvenir USB for the group.

2007 Winston Park Drive, Oakville 289-795-4000 iflytoronto.com

Whether your child wants to scamper around on the play structure, or play sports with her buddies, the West End YMCA has a party package for you. Non-members pay $200 for 10 kids (age three to 48 inches tall) to get their sillies out on the three-level play structure with its bumpers, spiral slide and even a helicopter to hang out in. Down on the mats there are padded building blocks, and staff can also organize a craft (for $5 per child), as well as set up board games. There’s also an adjacent room where cake and other food can be eaten and presents opened. A YMCA employee will set up, take down and supervise. Parents love the wooden bench that surrounds the play area, as they can sit and easily watch (and perhaps enjoy a coffee) as the kids have a blast. The YMCA also offers a sports party, where for $250 (for non-members) you choose a sport like soccer, volleyball or basketball (or more than one) and the staff will supervise or ref as up to 15 kids aged five and up get their game on, then eat and have fun in the teen studio.

931 College St. 416-536-1166 ext. 451 ymcagta.org

Chamelea Centre lets your budding scientist explore dinosaurs, undersea life, ancient civilizations and so much more. Their parties give educational and interactive lessons in all sorts of themes tailored to different age groups, like Fairy Tale Science and Science Magic Shows for ages four and up, and Crime Scene Investigation science for older kids, age nine to 14. You can either have the party at their venue, with packages starting at $295 for a two hour party with a maximum of 15 kids, or at your own location with prices depending on your area. The centre serves the GTA, Markham, Etobicoke and Vaughn, and a complete list of their service areas and the accompanying charges can be found on their website. Larger party packages provide food and party favours (at an additional cost), but families are welcome to bring their own food, favours and decorations to the centre as well.

126 Limestone Crescent, Unit 2, Toronto 416-827-5706 chameleacenter.com

No matter the time of year, your little nature lover will be able to get out and about with a party at the High Park Nature Centre. There are three options; a regular guided party for up to 15 kids and a pint-sized guided party for up to 10 younger ones, both for $325. All parties feature a nature interpreter who runs themed seasonal programming, like a Nature’s Art Party; Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies; or a Fairy and Gnome Party, which includes songs, games, and depending on the theme, a craft, followed by a hike in the woods. Then it’s back to the centre to enjoy food (provided by the parents) and presents. Staff will make the centre look extra-special with environmentally-friendly decorations, and they also offer cutlery, dishes, napkins and tablecloths and take care of all of the clean-up.

375 Colborne Lodge Dr. 416-392-1748
highparknaturecentre.com

If your child loves to scramble up play structures, then she might just love rock climbing! This west-end indoor climbing gym has two locations, one in the Junction Triangle and one in Etobicoke, and both offer birthday parties for kids aged five and up (no previous climbing experience required). For $30 per guest (with a minimum of five guests), you get child-sized gear rental, 1.5 hours of instructor time and 30 minutes in a party area to eat and open gifts.

1444 Dupont St. Unit 16, 416-516-6666
80 the East Mall Unit 9, 416-255-6676
boulderzclimbing.com

Take your budding chef-in-training and her friends to a cooking lesson at The Chef Upstairs where they’ll learn how to make all of their favourite dishes. Staff will work with you to personalize a menu and theme, and the chef will facilitate all the activities and lessons during the party for $60 per child and an 18% staffing fee. The Toronto location holds a maximum of 20 people and the Vaughn location holds 50, but all parties must have a minimum of 10 guests. The venue will be decorated exclusively for the party and there is optional food and beverages for any adults attending.

516 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto 416-544-9221 thechefupstairs.com

As soon as kids aged two to 12 step into the Action Potential Lab, which is housed in a 100-year-old building that was once a pharmacy, the birthday kid is handed a lab coat. All the guests get to explore their world through an art project (which each guest gets to take home) that helps explain a scientific concept. Parents can choose from themes—there are three to select from for each age group—such as planet exploration or drawing machines. If your child has a special interest, Action Potential Lab takes special care to incorporate it into the party for no extra cost. (One recent celebration used Frozen as a way to talk about dry ice, and they created fake snow!) And the TTC was made a central part of a drawing machines party (kids built drawing robots with markers for legs and then raced them on a map) for a little transit enthusiast’s birthday. The cost is $300 for 10 children (extra kids are $20 each, with a maximum of 16 kids). Food, drink, plates and cutlery are not included, but decorations, set-up, invitations and clean-up are.

451 Christie St. 416-538-4100
actionpotentiallab.ca

Whether your little maker is into Minecraft, jewelry-making, 3D printing or toy hacking (transforming an old toy into something new with supplies like googly eyes, LED lights and motors), MakerKids has the ideal party for your child. These are just some of the options for shindigs that run 1.5 to 2.5 hours long. Most of the parties are geared to kids aged 8 and up, but there are options for slightly younger ones, too. Cost varies depending on the number of guests and the length of the party, but packages start at $325 for a 1.5-hour-long party for fewer than 10 kids, which includes an instructor-led activity, supplies, party space, one staff member to help with the event, set-up and clean-up. Parents are welcome to bring in their own refreshments such as drinks and cake. Custom topics (like the Star Wars-themed 3D printing party one kid was treated to) are available, too, most costing $75 in addition to the party fee.

2451 Bloor St. W. 647-496-5844
makerkids.ca

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Chocolate Tales brings a whole confectionery lesson to your kitchen for kids aged four to 12, with age-appropriate activities and lessons like chocolate finger-painting and hand-rolling truffles for the younger kids and chocolate lava cake making for the older ones. All ingredients and materials are provided and they’ll set up and clean up their whole operation. There are two different party packages: Chocolate Festival for $290, which covers a history of chocolate, finger painting, truffle and bonbon making; and Chocolate Fun Factory for $340, which covers the same activities and includes chocolate lollipops, tie dye marshmallows, a certificate of completion and chocolate-stuffed loot bags. For both packages, there is a maximum of 10 participants, with a charge of $24 for every additional kid. Parties can even expand their packages with more lessons, chef jackets and hats, or by renting extra hardware like chocolate fountains and cotton candy stations. A full map of where their service covers can be found on their website.

647-931-7353 chocolatetales.ca

Creative kids aged seven and up will have a blast at an ARTiculations birthday party. For $350 plus tax, up to 12 children will spend three hours at the studio making an art project and enjoying food and gift-opening. An instructor will lead the guests through a project that the birthday child and his parents have come up with together. Some recent examples have included designing your own creature using modeling clay or oven-bake clay, making a tiny treehouse, and a Sharpie tie-dye party where the kids decorate a bag. ARTiculations provides plates, cutlery, cups, napkins and décor (including cute bunting!), and parents provide drinks and nut-free food.

2928 Dundas St. W. 416-901-7464 articulations.ca

Got a sweet kid with an even sweeter tooth? Froyo’s one way to go at a Yogurty’s birthday party. Their all-inclusive parties range from $13 to $17 per person, with a minimum of 10 people, and include one to two hour party time, froyo and toppings, a personal host, full pizza meal and even available DJ bookings. You can find a Yogurty’s near you with the store locator on their website. 

905-479-5040 yogurtys.com

The Mystic Drumz workshop brings music and beats right to your door. For $250, your kid and 19 friends can play along and learn about drums and other instruments from all over the world in this highly interactive story-based drum lesson. There are two party packages for kids aged three to six and seven to 12, and Mystic Drumz provides all instruments and materials needed, all they need is a medium-sized space for the kids to sit and dance in. A full list of the areas they service can be found on their website. 416-638-5949 mysticdrumz.com

Oaks ’n Acorns’ base party package provides access to the main studio areas, including the creative play room, the Duplo zone and the tots gym for $329, as well as a banquet table to gather together guests for food and drink (parents are allowed to bring in food and décor). This play café is designed for little ones, so you know they’re going to have tons of fun even if there aren’t planned activities, but for an extra $125, you can make it a dance party complete with instructor, or an arts-and-crafts party that includes supplies and an instructor. Kids aged zero to eight will enjoy a party here, as all of the activities are customized to the age of the birthday kid. Parents will love that you can book a barista to make caffeinated treats for the grown-ups for an additional $85.

1856 Danforth Ave., 416-425-3213
3217 Dundas St. W., 416-604-3300
oaksnacorns.com

Thrill your little sports lover by hosting his or her birthday at the same spot where several Pan Am and Parapan Am Games events were held, including swimming, diving and sitting volleyball. It is closed to the general public for the games until September 15, but after that you can choose from three party packages, including: one hour to play in a bouncy castle and with toys, one hour in a dedicated party room, plus a staff member to help for $300; two hours of time on the 41-foot climbing wall for up to 14 guests, plus up to two staff members to help for $325. 

875 Morningside Ave. 416-283-5222
tpasc.ca

Little Lego lovers aged four to seven will love Wizz Kidz’ Lego-themed parties. The birthday package includes an hour and half of exclusive access to Wizz Kidz’s Lego education facility, two instructors to lead activities, personalized invitations and loot bags, and a helium balloon for every kid. There are also music-themed parties that teach kids how to make their own musical instrument. The facility can host a minimum of eight kids and a maximum of 14, at $28 per kid. Parents are welcome to drop off their kid and wait in the lobby for the duration of the party.

660 Eglinton Avenue East, Unit 210, Toronto 647-260-1777 wizzkidz.ca

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