When it comes time to brainstorm first birthday party ideas, keep in mind: Hitting the 1-year-old milestone is definitely a cause for celebration—not only for baby, but also for his or her tired, yet hopelessly devoted parents, too. Despite the abundance of kids birthday party venues in New Jersey, not all are suitable for the littlest birthday parties.

That's where this list of first birthday party ideas in New Jersey comes in. Whether you are looking for a location indoors or out, with animals or in a toddler gym, we have some great kids birthday party ideas. While 1-year-olds might not yet be ready to jump, climb, or ride ponies themselves, they'll love watching their guests play. Most of these first birthday party ideas emphasize parental participation, so the fun can be had by all. And truthfully, as long as there’s some cake to smash and smiles to capture, your first birthday party is sure to be a blast.

From animal encounters to playtime in the park, these are our top picks for first birthday celebrations in New Jersey. Be sure to check out our NJ Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Guide for more inspiration.

You know what else a birthday needs? Gifts! Get tried-and-tested favorite gift suggestions the Best First Birthday Gifts, and more in our Guide to Top Toys and Gear for Kids.

Super Nintendo World is now open at Universal Studios Hollywood! My family—including my video game-obsessed teen son and video game-averse teen daughter—got a sneak peek, and I'm here to give you all the details. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is the first ride to open, along with the Toadstool Cafe, 1-UP Factory retail store, and an immersive play area. What's it like? Is it worth the hype?

Read on to get the scoop on all things Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach at the newly expanded land at Universal Studios Hollywood. And get all the latest happenings at local theme parks in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.

Looking for ninja warrior classes in Chicago? We have a list of the best ninja warrior gyms and climbing gyms in Chicago.

If you have a little one who is prone to climbing the furniture, walls, and anything else they can, this is a round-up for you. We've gathered up the best ninja warrior courses and climbing gyms in Chicago. In addition to the drop-in play, each ninja warrior location or climbing gym below offers weekly training classes and monthly membership options. Many also have after-school care or summer camps. You can also host birthday parties and private events for a ninja warrior birthday party. Adults can also get in on the ninja or climbing action. 

For more indoor activities, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids.

These Atlanta ninja warrior gyms and parkour classes are the perfect activities to help kids and tweens build strength, improve coordination, and unleash oodles of energy. The best part is that your budding athlete—with skills anywhere from beginner to advanced—is too busy smiling to realize they’re building the kind of confidence that lasts a lifetime!

We've found the best family-friendly programs in the Atlanta area that will get everyone moving with ninja-like agility and parkour prowess. These destinations offer classes, open play, obstacle courses, camps, and special events. And anyone from toddlers to parents (and even grandparents) can take part.

You can find more fun stuff to do for active families in our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Atlanta.

With cold winters, hot and humid summers, and unpredictable rain and snow, finding the right venue for a children's birthday party near DC can be tricky. Finding a spot that's appropriate and fun for preschoolers? Even harder. But DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are home to several great indoor birthday party places for preschoolers that are perfect in any weather. Whether your preschooler is into science, art, superheroes, or sports, there is a great indoor birthday party spot for them.

Here are some awesome indoor birthday party places for preschoolers near DC that allow you to join the fun and celebrate with your kid without stressing over the setup and cleanup. We've also thrown in a few birthday party entertainers that will come to your home or rental space for a unique and fun indoor birthday party.

Check out our Kids' Birthday Party Places Guide for DC for more fun birthday party ideas for kids of all ages, from cool birthday party places for teens to free ways to celebrate your kid's birthday at home.

Orlando parks make the perfect spot for fun birthday parties! Think about it —one of the greatest benefits of living in Central Florida is our amazing weather. This allows for outdoor activities, mostly year-round, including birthday parties al fresco! Families have their pick from lovely Orlando parks to host birthday parties. These birthday party parks provide easy access to restrooms, parking, fresh air (obviously), budget-friendly spaces, and of course, kids can be as loud as they want! Keep reading to learn about awesome Orlando parks ready to host the best birthday parties.

There are so many things to do with kids in Old City Philadelphia's historic district. Get ready to time travel back to the earliest years in US history. 

Alongside our love of cheesesteaks, hoagies, and sports is a deep sense of civic pride that comes along with being the birthplace of the entire nation. The streets of Philly are steeped in history, with Old City Philadelphia at the heart of it all. Whether you're a visitor or a local, it can be overwhelming to know where to start, so we've got a list of the best spots to visit in Old City and historic Philadelphia with kids. From famous attractions like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to museums dedicated to telling the stories of our past, Philly's historic district has so much to offer families. 

Historic Philly is the first stop on our 3 day itinerary for visiting Philadelphia, where you can find more of the city's highlights. Check out our Guide to Philly Museums for Kids for more top attractions, like the Philadelphia Zoo (the very first zoo in the nation!) and other landmarks like the Philadelphia Museum of Art (hello Rocky run!).

Anyone who’s raised kids in the past decade is likely familiar with Magna-Tiles. And if your house is anything like mine, there are never enough no matter how big your collection. Enter Genius Gems, the long-beloved, STEM-inspired play space that’s been a mainstay in Millburn, New Jersey, since 2018 has just debuted its first NYC location, and its collection of 100,000 (yep, you read that right!) magnetic tiles are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun things to do at this interactive, educational fun zone.

We spent an evening building, exploring, and designing in Genius Gems’ new Chelsea location and are already plotting a return visit. Read on for our review of Genius Gems and find more STEM-inspired fun in our Guide to Science Experiments and STEM.