Catalyst Art Studio
For the budding artist, a party at Catalyst Art Studio might be just the thing. They provide the canvas and paint, and better yet they take care of the mess! You bring the party guests and any food and birthday cake you want and presto! Instant party. There are guided paint projects to choose from or you can request your own custom project. 

88 Center Street, Wallingford, CT 06492  (203) 265-3577

Peabody Museum
It's hard to spend any amount of time in the New Haven area and not know about the Peabody Museum. This home to all creatures great, small, and long extinct is the perfect remedy for a rainy day but they also offer several birthday party packages for kids ages 4-10. Whether you've got a young paleontologist, future astrophysicist, geology wannabe, or eager Egyptologist, there is a party package that will thrill your birthday girl or boy. 

170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511  (203) 432-5050

Milford Audubon
Speaking of science and nature, Connecticut Audubon offers birthday parties at their Coastal Center at Milford Point. Parties are two hours and include a nature presentation by a professional educator. The Center can accommodate up to 15 guests and hosts are required to provide all food and party goods. For details and available party times, call the center.

1 Milford Point, Milford, CT 06460  (203) 878-7440

Common Ground
OK, strictly speaking, the parties at Common Ground are not necessarily indoors. There are indoor options, the cupcake making party incorporates eggs from the farm chickens when possible and decorating with edible flowers. There's also a pizza making party with produce from the farm garden when in season, otherwise they will supplement with outside veggies. For the more adventurous there's the outdoor winter adventure party. Guests can track winter animal prints, learn about maple sugaring, or go sledding if there's enough snow. For more details visit the website.

358 Springside Avenue, New Haven, CT 06515  (203) 389-4333 x1213 

Criterion Cinemas
If you have a film buff on your hands, book a birthday party at Criterion Cinemas in New Haven. This cinema combines the movies of today with a bit of the splendor of yesterday. There are a few available party packages for anywhere from 10-25 guests. Parking can be tricky in downtown New Haven so be sure to warn guests to leave plenty of time to find a spot.

86 Temple Street, New Haven, CT 06611  (203) 498-2500

IT
Technically, this enormous indoor ropes course doesn't offer birthday party packages. However, for groups of 10 or more, paying at the same time, there is a 10% discount. Rustle up a group of friends for a birthday climb then enjoy pizza at their in-house pizza place Blaze or treat the whole gang to ice cream at Scoop It. 

40 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT 06511  (203) 812-9981

Yoga on Whitney
Need a little namaste for your kiddo's birthday? Host a Little Yogis Studio birthday party at Yoga on Whitney in Hamden. Choose from yoga, pilates, or drumming and seek inner peace in the specially decorated studio. 

2693 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518  (203) 230-0026

Photo courtesy of the author.