Birthday party planning can be stressful, we know it! When you are planning a party for the kids, it’s really all about location, location, location. We scoured San Jose and its nearby neighbors to find all of the amazing spots to host your next small person soirée, South Bay-style. Party on!
Photo: Uncle Buck’s FishBowl and Grill
Uncle Buck’s FishBowl and Grill, San Jose
Never bowled under water? Well you are in for a real treat at Uncle Buck’s. This new bowling alley is attached to the massive Bass Pro Shop that opened this past fall in San Jose. The whole restaurant and bowling alley is decked out to make you feel like you are completely under water. Kids will love the shark and alligator ball returns and the massive shipwreck over the center bar. The basic party package includes bowling, pizza and soda. Go wild and add on some fried alligator!
Cost: $190 for up to 10 kids with one hour of bowling in two lanes.
Location: 5160 Cherry Avenue, San Jose
Online: restaurants.basspro.com/UncleBucksFishBowl
Sharks Ice, San Jose
Skate on over to birthday fun at Sharks Ice. Your party includes skate rental, admission and skating lessons for the group. You also get your own party room, decor and favors for your guests. Little skaters will have a blast skating on the ice and playing games with the party captain. Everyone gets pizza, soda and a build-your-own Zamboni.
Cost: $30/guest, 10 or more guests
Location: 1500 South Tenth Street, San Jose
Online: sharksiceatsanjose.com
Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose
Your next birthday party will be a hit when it takes place at the “Purple Museum.” Have fun and encourage active learning in a family-friendly environment. Your party will take place in one of our two birthday party rooms. Enhance your party with options like arts or science activities, gift bags, extra time in our party room and more.
Cost: $350 and up for up to 20 guests
Location: 180 Woz Way, San Jose
Online: cdm.org
photo: Cucina Bambini via yelp
Cucina Bambini, San Jose
Celebrate your little chef at Cucina Bambini where cooking is on the menu. Love making pizza? Kids can learn how to make dough, roll it and top it with their favorite toppings. Parties end with a decorate-your-own cupcake extravaganza. Looking for just the sweets? Select the Cupcake Craze package and your guests will make cupcakes from scratch and then decorate their creations. Pasta-mania is another fun option where the kids make fettuccine noodles plus two sauces. Bravo!
Cost: parties start at $430 for 10 guests
Locations in San Jose and Los Gatos
Online: cucinabambini.com
Whirlygig Parties, San Jose
The ultimate birthday party spot and a space where kids can be kids! Whirlygig has four unique play rooms, each with a theme like Farm or Beach, and can amplify the birthday fun with a customizable party theme with all the essentials! The birthday boy or girl can choose their own party theme from amazing options like Dinosaurs, Unicorns and Outer Space—there is truly something for everyone. Additionally, parents can expect delicious and gourmet food options, straight from the owner’s cooking school, Savory Kitchen—no more cardboard pizzas and sticky floors.
Cost: $475 for two-hour exclusive use of one of the party rooms for up to 15 kids
Location: 919 The Alameda, San Jose
Online: whirlygigparties.com
San Jose Giants
Little sluggers will love celebrating their birthday with Gigante and the San Jose Giants. Partygoers will get a general admission ticket to the game and there’s not a bad seat in the house. Party fun also includes two tickets to the Kids Fun Zone where you can bounce in the bounce house or practice your batting skills in the batting cages. You also get a hot dog, soda and Nothing Bundt Cake to celebrate the day.
Cost: $19/person with a 10 person minimum
Location: San Jose Municipal Stadium, 588 E. Alma Avenue, San Jose
Online: milb.com
photo: Marissa B. via yelp
Razzberry Lips, Los Gatos
Time to get all dolled up at Razzberry Lips! This birthday party venue is perfect for the sassy princess in your life. Invite all her friends to get hair makeovers and nails painted. Or choose a rockstar theme for some rad hair extensions. They have a party room available and you can bring in any outside food that you’d like. They even have options for co-ed parties to include a pirate makeover for the boys.
Cost: Minimum 7 kids at $27-37/kid depending on the package
Location: 307 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos
Online: clubrazzberry.com
The Jungle Island, San Jose
Laser tag, bumper cars, giant play structure, arcade games and more. The Jungle Island has it all and they are ready to host your next party. Party rooms are all decorated in jungle themes and there are tons of food options available so you can just sit back and enjoy the fun. Kids will love the laser tag party that includes tokens to play arcade games after the laser tag fun.
Cost: Parties start at $18.95/child
Location: 5401 Camden Avenue, San Jose
Online: thejungleisland.com
Laurel Street Arts, San Carlos
Celebrate any occasion with Laurel Street Arts—they provide everything you need for a creative party, you bring the cake! Parties are drop-off and include all the supplies your kids need to create a work of art, specialized instruction for your party, glazing and firing and reserved space for your artists!
Cost: $22/guest and up
Location: 733 Laurel Street, San Carlos
Online: laurelstreetarts.com
photo: Rockin’ Jump
Rockin’ Jump, San Jose
Looking for an easy birthday party that is guaranteed to tire the kids out? Head to Rockin’ Jump for some fun on the trampolines. Parties include 1 1/2 hours of trampoline time including access to the foam pit and dodge ball room. You also get a party room where you can enjoy pizza (which is included in the party packages) and cake (which you can bring in).
Cost: Parties start at $28/guest
Location: 1901 Monterey Road, San Jose
Online: sjo.rockinjump.com
The Studio, San Jose
Get the kids all tired out (their parents will thank you) with a party at The Studio. This rad space is an old movie theater turned into rock climbing gym. The Studio party staff will do all the work of belaying the kids and encouraging them to climb as high as they want. After climbing, the kids can re-fuel in the party room which is available for your use during your two-hour event.
Cost: $180 and up
Location: 396 S. First St., San Jose
Online: touchstoneclimbing.com
Tutu School, San Jose
For the sugar plums in your life, the Tutu School’s ballet birthday parties will be the perfect way to celebrate. Your mini dancers will enjoy a personalized ballet class, story time, crafts, cupcake picnic with pink lemonade and every guest receives a tutu or princely cape to dress up in and take home. In addition to Willow Glen, they have 15 other locations that offer birthday parties.
Cost: $475 and up
Location: 1702 Meridian Ave., Willow Glen, CA
Online: tutuschool.com
Photo: Happy Hollow by Kate Loweth
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, San Jose
An amazing animal adventure awaits you when you host your child’s birthday party at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. You get admission for all of your guests, choice of private party picnic areas throughout the park, optional add-ons like a visit from Danny the Dragon, face painting and tons of food options. Kids will love spending the day at Happy Hollow – riding the Frog Hopper, visiting the anteaters and playing in the Crooked House.
Cost: Parties start at $350
Location: 1300 Senter Road, San Jose
Online: hhpz.org
Bricks 4 Kidz, San Jose
If LEGO bricks cover your floors, then maybe you want to hire Bricks 4 Kidz to host your little LEGO-lover’s birthday. Let the kids have free-play with LEGO bricks, have the host guide the group through a motorized LEGO build or many other options. Music, table coverings and a dedicated party host are included. Add-ons include pizza, goody bags and an additional host.
Cost: $375 for 12 kids, each additional kid is $18
Location: Parties are hosted at Little Champs, 5178 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose
Online: bricks4kidz.com
Bay Area Movement Parkour, San Jose
This is a super active party that’s fun for all ages from kindergarten and up. You’ll feel like an American Ninja Warrior when you take on the obstacle courses, parkour games, freerunning and other age-dependent activities. Kids will flip for the acrobatics they get to do into the stunt bag. Tables and seating are providing and you can bring in your own treats.
Cost: $350 for up to 10 participants
Location: 2016 Senter Rd., San Jose
Online: sessionsgym.com
—Kate Loweth
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