It’s so much fun to plan birthday parties for the kids, but it’s hard to come up with original and interesting ideas year after year. Plus, the birthday kid’s interests keep changing—one year it’s all about the animals, the next it’s everything adventurous and athletic. With that in mind, here are ten amazing birthday party experiences in the north end of the city. No planning or mess in your own home, just fun and memories that they’ll still be buzzing about next year.
Breakout Studios
It’s all about singing and grooving to a DJ, complete with prizes and delicious food. All the pop star favourites will be played with plenty of fun lighting effects and dance-offs. Added bonus: the bubble-wrap pop-off competition!
1541 Bayview Ave. (south of Eglinton), Toronto
Ages 1–12
$550
Ontario Science Centre
The science centre has always been about great feats of science and engineering and the power of imagination, so isn’t it awesome that they offer birthday parties? Little ones ages 4–7 build and dream, while older kids get right into experimenting and expressing. Truly something for everyone here.
770 Don Mills Rd. (at Eglinton Ave. E.), Toronto
Ages 5–12
From $475
Kidnasium
Parties at Kidnasium are so much fun. The fully equipped gym is big and stocked with great squishy mats and other things to climb and roll around in, on and through. The party room is perfect for mingling, pizza and cake. Add-ons include music, Ninja warrior training, and custom invitations.
745 Mount Pleasant Rd. (south of Eglinton Ave. E.), Toronto
Ages 15 months–11 years
From $250
Avenue Road Arts School
Art is great for birthday parties because it’s an activity that lasts longer than five minutes and produces some glorious results. The fabulous instructors at Avenue Road Arts School can guide the kiddos through your choice of projects, including Picasso Portraits, Animals in their Habitats, Magic Wand and 3D Landscapes.
460 Avenue Rd. (south of St. Clair Ave.), Toronto
Ages 4–12
$22 per child
Pawsitively Pets Leaside
When they adore all the furry, fluffy and scaly creatures out there, Pawsitively Pets is a great pick. They can even customize parties to toddlers. One cool feature: the take-home gift of a picture frame decorated by the party guest complete with a picture of the kiddo with their favourite animal—that means loot bag taken care of!
125 Brentcliff Rd. (just north of Eglinton Ave. E.), East York
Toddlers, children of any age
$360
Five Peas in a Pod
This is a hidden gem perfect for kids who want all the fun of an indoor playground while the parents don’t want the crowds or sprawl. Five Peas in a Pod has a bouncy castle, ball pit, and just about all the toys any kid could wish for, including Lego and a drama play area. The themed treasure hunt is also a ton of fun.
505 Eglinton Ave. W. (east of Chaplin Crescent), Toronto
Ages 1–8
$399 for up to 24 kids (less for smaller groups)
Playtime Bowl
Bowling is awesome, and a bowling birthday party is sure to be met with enthusiasm. Playtime Bowl is also so much more than a traditional bowling alley, with arcade games, laser tag and kid-friendly food options. (Chicken nuggets and pizza, anyone?) Party packages include drinks and pizza for hungry bowlers.
33 Samor Rd. (Dufferin St. and Lawrence Ave. W.), North York
All kids of bowling ages
From $23 per guest
Toronto Circus Centre
Your wild child will be overjoyed with a veritable circus party, where, along with their friends, they can try out aerial trapeze, juggling, and partner acrobatics. There’s also face painting and balloon animals for every child. Big top birthday for the win!
822 Millwood Rd. (east of Bayview Ave.), Toronto
Ages 2 and up
$325
Design Her Co.
Get out the camera, because this party is going to be Insta-worthy. The projects are fun, creative and lovely, plus party-goers get to do two of them. There are lots of fun optional add-ons, from sweet swag bags to coordinating tableware.
1850 Avenue Rd. (just north of Lawrence Ave. W.), North York
Ages 5 and up
From $345
Beach Blast
Did somebody say beach party? There’s a ton of sand and a ton of fun to be had at Beach Blast in Yorkdale. Try a tug of war or build an epic sand castle—and don’t forget the treasure hunt! Guaranteed no rain.
15 Leswyn Rd. (Lawrence Ave. W. and Caledonia Rd.), Toronto
All ages
From $349
