Photo courtesy of Way Cool Cooking School
way-cool-cooking-school
Way Cool Cooking School
ArtStart’s ArtScraps
The home of recyclable art and every craft material you could dream of, ArtStart’s ArtScraps hosts parties that include invitations and themed art projects (if they can dream it, ArtStart can teach it!), plus favors for all of your guests. Ages 5 through 12. 1459 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul, 651-698-2787, artstart.org
Big Stone Mini Golf
Putt your way through an artistically curated miniature golf course, then stroll through a garden filled with bizarre kinetic sculptures. Have birthday cake and ice cream on unique wood-and-stone tables, or roast marshmallows over a giant firepit. All ages. 7110 County Rd. 110 W., Minnetrista, 952-472-9292, bigstoneminigolf.com
Crayola Experience
Let their true colors shine with 25 attractions, including coloring toys, making a digital mask for creative selfies, wrapping crayons with customized labels, and creating photo booth coloring pages. Ages 3 and up. Mall of America, Bloomington, 952-883-8800, crayolaexperience.com
Dodge Nature Center
For the young naturalists in your life, Dodge Nature Center offers a snowy birthday package that includes searching for scat, tracks, and animal homes. The afternoon is rounded off with the unique experience of kick-sledding on the frozen pond. Ages 4 and up. 365 Marie Ave. W., West St. Paul, 651-455-4531, dodgenaturecenter.org
Eagles Nest Indoor Playground
An indoor park with a web tower, wave slide, tightrope walk, and more. Tiered birthday party packages include weekday parties, weekend parties, and exclusive use. Gifts, decorations, and cake are allowed inside the private room provided, but not in the play area. Ages 1 through 12. 400 NW 10th St., New Brighton, 651-638-2130, newbrightonmn.gov
Franconia Sculpture Park
Schedule a private tour (or snowshoe tour!) at this open-air park full of outsize sculptures from future stars of the art world. Once the kids check out the art, they’ve got plenty of room to play games and settle down for a picnic lunch. Ages 6 and up. 29836 St. Croix Tr. N., Shafer, 651-257-6668, franconia.org
Grand Slam
For those with energy to burn (lots and lots of energy), schedule a party at Grand Slam. Laser tag, mini golf, batting cages, bumper cars, and a trampoline room are all part of the fun. Pizza is included in every party, as no outside food except cake is allowed inside. All ages. 12425 River Ridge Blvd., Burnsville, 952-224-0414, grandslammn.com
Hang Out at Vertical Endeavors
Groups get the undivided attention of an instructor to help them up a maze of climbing walls. A party room is ready for cake and gifts. Ages 6 and up (under 12 need to be connected to the auto belay by an adult). Multiple Twin Cities locations, verticalendeavors.com
Photo courtesy of Leonardo’s Basement
leonardos-basement
Leonardo’s Basement
Ice Skating at Centennial Lakes Park
Skate away on 10 acres of ice that are groomed daily, then warm up with hot chocolate in front of one of multiple fireplaces. Rent skates, or bring your own for a birthday party straight from a holiday card. All ages. 7499 France Ave. S., Edina, 952-833-9580, edinamn.gov
Jim Lupient Water Park
Nestled in Northeast Minneapolis is a gem of a water park: A spray pool, waterslides, and volleyball courts are all found within. Rent a cabana for your birthday party home base. Ages 1 and up. 1520 NE Johnson St., Mpls., 612-370-4937, minneapolisparks.org
Kiddywampus
This interactive toy store offers several theme parties, from a Fairy Party to a Jedi Training Academy. Popular events include Hopkins’s Action Jackson Party, which allows little ones to throw paint at walls à la Jackson Pollock. Ages 4 and up. 1023 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-926-7871; 860 W. 78th St., Chanhassen, 952-818-2458, kiddywampus.com
Leonardo’s Basement
For a totally kid-centric experience, Leonardo’s helps kids build their ideas! Using all kinds of tools, materials, and gizmos, the birthday kid and their friends can each create a “Build What YOU Want” project, ideal for all ages and skill levels. 150 W. 60th St., Mpls., 612-824-4394, leonardosbasement.org
Minnetonka Center for the Arts
The visual arts center welcomes kids with printmaking, fashion, photography, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, and drawing classes, providing materials and an instructor. The kids walk away with a finished piece and a fun memory. Ages 5 through 12. 2240 North Shore Dr., Wayzata, 952-473-7361, minnetonkaarts.org
Northern Clay Center
Two or more hours spent digging their hands into clay? The stuff of dreams for kids. And they get to keep what’s created (once the pieces have been fired in the kiln, which takes a couple weeks). Plus, if they’re 9 or older, they can even try throwing pots on a wheel. There’s also a room available for cake and gifts. Ages 6 and up. 2424 Franklin Ave. E., Mpls., 612-339-8007, northernclaycenter.org
Obstacle Academy—Ninja Warrior Gym
Put on your black belts, and head to this ninja warrior gym for training and a timed course with one to two ninja warrior coaches. Ages 5 and up. 7615 Golden Triangle Dr., Eden Prairie, 952-452-8770, obstacle-academy.com
Pump It Up
Raise the roof with an inflatable party, complete with bounce houses, slide games, and more. A glow-in-the-dark option lights up the night. Tailor your celebration with tiered options, including food, beverage, and party favor options! Heights 34 inches and up. 7406 Washington Ave. S., Eden Prairie, 952-943-0052, pumpitupparty.com
Quench a Thirst for Fun at Cascade Bay Waterpark
Splash, swim, and soak up the sun in summertime at Cascade Bay Waterpark. With a zero-depth-entry leisure pool, lazy river, and seven waterslides, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The birthday package includes a round of mini golf for the partygoers. All ages. 1360 Civic Center Dr., Eagan, 651-675-5580, cityofeagan.com
Photo by Custom Obscura Photography
kiddywampus
Kiddywampus
Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Zoo
Go to the reptiles, or let the reptiles come to you! There are plenty of hands-on activities at the zoo for budding herpetologists, but a boa constrictor in your backyard might be a birthday coup. All ages. 6750 Frontage Rd. W., Medford, 507-455-1465, theradzoo.com
Sledding and Tubing at Clifton E. French Regional Park
Have a good old-fashioned day of downhill thrills at French Regional Park for a party to remember. Bring your own toboggan, or rent sleds from the visitor center. All ages. 12605 Rockford Rd., Plymouth, 763-694-7750, threeriversparks.org
Target Field
Raised a true-blue Twins fan from diapers? Make your kid’s dreams come true with a private (age-appropriate) tour of Target Field for one lucky group of baseball-fanatic friends. If the timing is right and the visitor batting cage is available, kids might even get to take a few swings off the tee. Catering options are available. Ages 1 through 12 (kids under age 5 are free!). 1 Twins Way, Mpls., 612-659-3400, twins.com
Urban Air Adventure Park
If your group likes to go, go, go, this action-packed place offers wall-to-wall fun, from a warrior course, trampolines, a leap of faith, and a trapeze to climbing walls, a rope course, new Power Up Go-Karts, and more. Plus, the team takes care of all the party details. Some activities have height restrictions. 3580 Holly Ln. N., Plymouth, 763-307-1003; 10 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids, 763- 244-1701, urbanair.com
Valleyfair
With family-friendly rides all the way up to the looping roller coasters Valleyfair is known for, the hardest part of this party will be dragging everyone away. All ages (height requirements on most rides; some require adult accompaniment). 1 Valleyfair Dr., Shakopee, 952-445-7600, valleyfair.com
Wacky Fun at Can Can Wonderland
Eighteen mini golf holes designed by local artists, including Hole 18: Golden Throne, in a colorful warehouse setting. Arcade games and vintage vibes abound. All ages; 21+ Fridays and Saturdays after 9 pm. 755 Prior Ave. N., St. Paul, 651-925-2261, cancanwonderland.com
Xtreme Adventure at Base Camp
Rock climbing, robot coding, and archery are just some of the activities kids can enjoy at Base Camp birthday parties (check out its catalog of options organized by age and group size). There’s even a space shuttle simulator for the most adventuresome guests. Private party rooms available, and Buca is a nearby dining option. Ages 5 and up. 6202 Bloomington Rd., St. Paul, 612-261-2301, explorebasecamp.org
Yummy Creations at Way Cool Cooking School
Kid chefs: They’re getting younger every day. Encourage the culinary brilliance with a cooking-class birthday. Kids get all the materials they need for a mini three-course meal they can totally tackle. There’s even a gluten-free option. All ages (restrictions based on class selection). 16544 W. 78th St., Eden Prairie, 952-949-6799, waycoolcookingschool.com
Zero Gravity
Meet at Zero Gravity for two hours of trampoline time as only kids can endure. Then retire to your party room for pizza and just desserts. Ages 5 through 16. 2292 Woodale Dr., Mounds View, 763-231-3033, zerogravitymn.com
