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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Best Philly Sports Centers for Kids' Birthday Parties

Kids can get active with a martial arts-themed party at Dragon Gym. Photo courtesy of Dragon Gym

1.  Dragon Gym Martial Arts School — Multiple Locations

​For a high-energy birthday party, give Dragon Gym a go. Kids will play games and participate in a black belt instructor-led mini martial arts lesson. With cleanup and setup taken care of, plus pizza and drinks, a 90-minute karate-themed party at one of these facilities is a no-brainer. The birthday child gets a free, two-week martial arts trial and uniform to keep (plus deals for all the party guests).

2. iCore Fitness — West Chester

Get ready for a Ninja Warrior Birthday party at iCore. Children six and up can invite friends to race through an obstacle course tailored for the appropriate age group. Packages start at $399 for 12 guests and include pizza, drinks, a party room, and paper products.  

3. inMovement — Queen Village and Northern Liberties

Choose a private class, ninja theme, or an open-play birthday party for kids 1-12 years old. Parties start at $450 in Queen Village and $525 in NoLibs and include a t-shirt for the birthday kid.

4. Jumpers—Newtown

Kids can jump for joy at this party place where you'll get 90-minutes of bouncing followed by pizza in a private party room.

5. Kids at Play — Philadelphia

Both members and nonmembers of Kids at Play can take advantage of its birthday package options. Time slots are typically two hours, although additional time can be added. Party packages start at around $300 depending on the time of the week.

6. Marple Sports Arena — Broomall

If deciding what type of activity is the problem, Marple Sports Arena has the answer. Choose from inline skating, rock climbing, moon bounces, jungle gyms, or all of the above. Parties start at $199, for kids 4+.

7. Oasis Family Fun Center — Glen Mills

While not exactly a sports center, this location has a soft playground, laser maze, rock wall, and arcade games. Base packages start at $17.99 per guest for a minimum of 8 kids. Add-ons include virtual-reality games, food items such as soft pretzel trays or mozzarella sticks, goody bags, and a visit from Otis the Oasis mascot. You can also stay and play all day after your party.

Enjoy a birthday party at one of SkyZone's area locations. Photo courtesy of SkyZone

8. Sky Zone — Multiple Locations

Birthday parties at Sky Zone include party setup and cleanup, sky socks for each guest, a t-shirt for the birthday child, Evite invitations, paper products, and a dedicated party host. Toddler parties start at $224 for eight kids and the base jumper package starts at $330 for ten kids.

Get your climb on at Downingtown Rock Gym. Photo courtesy of the gym

Philly Rock Climbing Gyms for Kids' Birthday Parties

9. Downingtown Rock Gym — Downingtown

A party at Downingtown Rock Gym includes two hours of fun, harness rentals, unlimited rope climbing, and bouldering. Prices begin at $215 for up to 12 climbers.

10. The Factory at Reach — Bridgeport

Ninja parties, climbing parties, or a combo of each are available at this indoor gym. Pizza and staff are included in the starting price of $299.

11. The Gravity Vault — Radnor

The Gravity Vault's indoor rock climbing parties include games with instructors, access to the climbing wall, and a t-shirt for the guest of honor. Packages start at $350 for up to 10 guests.

12. Philadelphia Rock Gyms — Multiple Locations

With locations in and around Philly, there's probably a Rock Gym near you. Parties are one hour and 45 minutes and include climbing instruction, a private party room, pizza, and soda. Parties start at $29.50 per kid for a minimum of 10.

Best Philly Ice Skating Rinks for Kids' Birthday Parties

13. Flyers Skate Zone — Voorhees

For hockey fans, Flyers Skate Zone is the ultimate birthday venue. Parties include admission to a public skating session, skate rentals, a private party room, pizza, and drinks. Best of all, the birthday guest gets to take a photo on the Zamboni. Pricing starts at $22 per kid.

14. IceWorks — Aston

IceWorks parties include a public skating session, skate rentals, a party room, food, and a goodie bag that includes a free skate pass so each guest can come back. Parties start at $199 for 8 guests.

15. Northeast Skate Zone — Philadelphia

Parties include admission to a public skating session, skate rental, and private party room. The fee is $20 per person for a minimum of ten kids. The birthday kid gets a special t-shirt to pose for a picture while sitting on the Zamboni. Skating instruction is available for an additional fee. 

Best Arts and Crafts Birthday Party Places in Philly 

16. ARTrageous Brush and Flow — Philadelphia

Pick from kid-friendly themes like emojis and unicorns for your child's paint party with ARTrageous. Up to ten kids receive their own canvas and supplies for a one-and-a-half-hour artist-led session in the studio at a cost of $310. For $350, ARTrageous will bring the fun right to your door with their mobile party option. Travel fees apply for locations more than 16 miles from Germantown.

17. CREATE at Sue's Art Class — Philadelphia

Choose from clay, jewelry-making, sewing, soft sculpture, edible art, and so much more for this creative party option starting at $550 for up to 10 guests.

Artistic fun awaits at The Mud Room in Ardmore. Photo courtesy of The Mud Room

Best Arts and Crafts Birthday Party Places in Philly Suburbs

18. Busy Bees Pottery & Arts Studio — Springfield

For the creative-minded, a painting party at Busy Bees invites guests to paint on pottery or canvas. Ice cream and drinks are provided; bring your own food and snacks. Parties start at $250.

19. Mermaid Art Studios — Ambler

There are tons of project choices for an art party at Mermaid, including tie-dye, clay, paint, jewelry making, plus freeze dance. There's even an option for the studio to come to your home. Parties start at $280 for 10 children.

20. Candy Lab — Ardmore

Candy crafting makes these parties both memorable and delicious. Book your party at their Ardmore space, or book a candy crafter to come to you. Parties start at $30 per guest.

21. The Mud Room Studio — Ardmore

At The Mud Room Studio, parties of up to 16 guests can paint pottery, make a glass plate, or create a mosaic. Contact the studio for pricing.

22. Sky Soup Art Center — Narberth

Options for this art-lover's party include making potions, treasure boxes, fairy gardens, dinosaur lands, mermaids, and more. Cost starts at $325 for up to 12 guests.

Throw a memorable party in the beautiful and natural Kith + Kin. Photo courtesy of Kith + Kin

Best Philly Play Places for Kids' Birthday Parties

23. Beehive at Bok — Philadelphia

Get private use of this artsy play space in the iconic Bok building for $400 for up to 50 people for three hours. Add-on themes include construction, fairy tale, rainbow, and jungle.  Outside food and drink are welcome.

24. Kith + Kin — Philadelphia

Enjoy this beautiful play space in Brewerytown for up to 15 guests for $350. Staff members will help take care of the setup and clean-up. Add-on options include food, decor, music, and crafts, and they offer suggestions for local food. Pricing varies based on whether the play space is closed to the public.

25. Nest — Philadelphia

Book the upstairs gym for $395, which can accommodate 30 guests or more. Choose from a slew of themes and activities, from the Superhero Soiree to the Mermaid Adventure. Invitations, tableware, and a t-shirt for the birthday kid are all included in the base package, with lots of fun add-on options.

26. PlayArts — Philadelphia

Children can celebrate birthdays in many different ways at PlayArts. Extras include additional time, additional staff help, favor bags, and an ice bin with two bags of ice. This is a shoe-free facility. The base party package starts at $475.

27. We Rock the Spectrum — Northeast Philly

Kids get the play gym all to themselves at We Rock the Spectrum parties, whose inclusive mission we love. The basic package starts at $380 for 10 kids.

Best Play Places for Kids' Birthday Parties in the Philadelphia Suburbs

28. Chatter Splatter — Norristown 

Enjoy private access to Chatter Splatter for your guests only in a 2-hour party for $475 for up to 30 kids and 50 adults. Unlimited juice, lemonade, and coffee (!!) are included. The guest of honor also gets a free t-shirt.

29. Giggleberry Fair — New Hope

This indoor playground has everything kids need for a good time, including an arcade, a water play area for toddlers, and a carousel. And it's in Peddler's Village, so there's plenty for families to do before or after the festivities. Packages run from $13.99 to $23.99 per child.

30. LEGOLAND Discovery Center — Plymouth Meeting

Book Bertie's Bricktastic Birthday Bash for $699.99 for a 75-minute LEGO party of your dreams, with up to 24 guests are accommodated. Pizza and beverages are included, and guests can stay and play all day at LEGOLAND when the party's over.

31. Lulu's Casita — Ardmore and West Chester

The staff at Lulu's does all the work for your customized fiesta. Just give them your theme, show up with cake, and enjoy private access to the entire space for $475. Two staff members are there to help facilitate. And don't forget Lulu's on Wheels, their awesome mobile birthday party option in a glammed up school bus. 

This article has been updated for 2024 by Hillary Moses Mohaupt.