You know what else a birthday needs? Gifts! Get tried-and-tested favorite gift suggestions including Best Toddler Gifts and more in the Mommy Poppins Gift Guide for Birthdays and Holidays.

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Top Indoor Birthday Party Spaces in Manhattan

1. Complete Playground – Financial District

This nonprofit's downtown facility boasts a multi-level play maze, creative role-play areas, and a climbing wall—plus ample seating, stroller parking, lockers, and a convenient café. Specializing in stress-free birthday celebrations, Complete Playground offers three comprehensive party packages, including dedicated staff to help, party room access, music, and more.

2. Chelsea Piers – Chelsea

The popular Chelsea Piers offers plenty of room to go wild for all ages. The toddler gym works for the preschool crowd, while kids ages 5 and older can go nuts on the soccer fields, basketball courts, rock walls, and 23,000-square-foot gymnastic area. There are plenty of birthday party themes and activities to enjoy, including gymnastics and ninja warrior. Its Prospect Heights location also hosts birthday parties.

3. New York Ninja Academy – Midtown West

Tap into your children's inner ninja with a 90-minute birthday party training session on a very cool ninja obstacle course, with its swinging rings and the warped wall. While the New York Ninja Academy doesn't offer cake or pizza, the kids do have the entire facility to themselves and a dedicated instructor showing them the ropes. There's also a Brooklyn Ninja Academy in Park Slope.

RELATED: Inexpensive Birthday Party Room Rentals Around NYC

Area 53 NYC's Adventure Park in Williamsburg offers a variety of obstacles and places to play. Photo by Diana Kim

Indoor Birthday Party Spaces in Brooklyn

4. Max Adventures – Marine Park

This two-floor 7,000-square-foot indoor amusement center hosts 100% private parties for kids and teens. The exclusive, unique, innovative, interactive, and fun-filled facility features loads of attractions that'll keep guests entertained, including a laser maze, a soft play gym, arcades, a beach ball pit, a toddler bouncy house, a Magic Mirror photo booth, virtual reality, axe throwing for all ages, and even a parents lounge complete with luxury massage chairs.

5. Area 53 – Williamsburg

Older kids can get their adventure on in this huge warehouse-like space in Williamsburg, which has a ropes course, climbing wall, roller rink, a ninja warrior course, laser maze, battle beam, skee-ball, pool, foosball, air hockey, and slides. There's also a small area for toddlers, with swings and big blue blocks. A separate Dumbo location offers laser tag. A variety of party packages are offered.

6. Ms. J's Gymnastics & Dance – Williamsburg and Greenpoint

At this popular local gym, children can tumble, flip, slide, jump, and climb under the supervision of professional instructors. A party room is included in the price, and parents decide how much they want to contribute from a complete DIY to a personalized experience planned and executed by the staff.

7. STREB – Williamsburg

The activities offered at this acrobatic dance school's parties for kids ages 3 and up differ from your usual running, jumping, and climbing. At STREB, kids bounce off trampolines, fly on the trapeze, and learn patented Pop Action moves developed by choreographer Elizabeth Streb. Parents provide the food, cake, beverages, and favors.

8. Twinkle Playspace – Williamsburg

This popular Williamsburg play spot is perfect for preschoolers. The basic birthday party package includes exclusive use of the play space. Upgrade to a themed party (Think: magical unicorns, princesses and knights, and more) and you also get lavish decorations and paper goods, as well as food and drink options for adults.

9. Urban Air – Sunset Park

In addition to trampolines, Urban Air offers a climbing hill, basketball, a ropes course, bowling, bumper cars, dodgeball, and more. Choose from four birthday packages—basic, deluxe, ultimate, and platinum. Party packages are available seven days a week and include necessities like a tablecloth, plates, forks, napkins, balloons, and bottles of water. You just need to bring the kids and the cake.

Indoor Birthday Party Spaces in Queens

10. Bounce 'N Play – Astoria

This indoor play space features a bounce house and bouncy slides along with more traditional attractions like a jungle gym and toys. There are five different party packages for children ages 1-13, from basic to supreme and all party packages include private playtime. More expensive parties include themed decorations, cotton candy, goodie bags, character visits, and more.

11. Funtopia USA – Ridgewood

At this neighborhood, family-owned fun zone, parties begin with a disco dance party. Guests nosh on pizza then hit the arcade. A top-tier package includes laser tag, too. All parties require guests to bring their own cake and candles.

12. Kanga's Indoor Playspace – Long Island City

This huge indoor hotspot, intended for kids ages 1-11, includes a multi-level indoor playground, a merry-go-round, inflatable bouncy attractions, plastic ball pools, and a dedicated toddler play area. Six different birthday party package levels include a dedicated party room, three menu options, and a staff helper.

Indoor Birthday Party Spaces in Staten Island and the Bronx

13. Kids 'N Shape – Tottenville

This family-owned spot, which has another location in Queens, offers your standard bouncy houses, but also other active-play favorites like a zip line, an obstacle course, basketball and soccer court, ball and foam pits, and more. Sit-down time includes pizza, drinks, balloons, ice cream cake, and more (all included in the price). Party hosts lead activities such as parachute games, relay races, jumping contests, dodgeball, whiffle ball, and kickball.

14. Billy Beez – Co-op City

This fun zone opened in 2015 and has been a hot spot ever since. With huge colorful tunnels and climbing structures, wild slides that even big kids enjoy, a mini sports court, a dedicated toddler area, and more, you can't go wrong for year-round entertainment. Party packages include all-day access to the play spaces, a private party room, pizza, beverages, cupcakes, party room decor, and digital invitations.

15. Uptown Rec Room – Port Morris

This party space features three massive rooms for entertaining. Preset party packages are available and include a bounce house, video game kiosks, pizza, board games, and more. Plus, for toddlers: basketball hoops, soccer sets, and a soft play area.

Indoor Birthday Party Spaces with Multiple NYC Locations

16. Little Gym

This national chain of gymnastics and movement-based classes has a handful of locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Kids can pick from several themes, like superheroes, princesses, or storybook characters. Regardless of which one you choose, all options are active and engaging. Packages are all-inclusive.

17. NY Kids Club

NY Kids Club offers a variety of themes including a gym party. This spot hosts parties for children up to age 12, though it's probably best for younger kids.

18. YMCA

The local Y is always a great place to consider for a party. Most have a variety of facilities, including gigantic gyms with loads of gear, playrooms, and pools, so you can get more than just a plain old space. Most will rent to the public for a party, so there is no need to become a member.

Originally published in 2019. Unless noted, photos courtesy of the venues