Where to Find Cheap Party Rentals for Kids’ Birthdays in Los Angeles

No matter how you mix it up, the costs of renting any place in LA add up quickly when you consider that the space itself isn’t all you’ve got to shell out for—there’s also the decorations, the cake, the entertainment… and don’t forget the goodie bags! But with a little creativity—and a few good ins from other parents who’ve been there—there are plenty of budget-friendly birthday party spots in LA that’ll wow your birthday boy or girl without burning a hole in your wallet.

What Are the Best Cheap Places to Host a Kid’s Birthday Party in Los Angeles?

While most indoor play places, escape rooms, and arcades charge more than $600 for a reserved room, there are some kid faves where you can still find a “birthday party package” for under $300.

Travel Town in Griffith Park - Los Feliz

Got tiny train lovers? For $150, you can reserve three hours in a refurbished train car for up to 40 people! All train cars come complete with tables, chairs, a refrigerator-freezer, and air conditioning. All reservations can be made here. Once you’re there, admission to the train museum is free, and you can take $4 ($3 kids) rides on the miniature train that loops around the museum grounds.

Insider tip: Want an even cheaper way to get your tiny party guests “all aboard?” For $75, you can reserve a dedicated picnic area next to the train displays (which are located on public park grounds). Picnic areas include four tables and eight benches, with barbecue grills and nearby restrooms.

Annenberg Community Beach House - Santa Monica

At this public beach and pool just north of the Santa Monica Pier, you can rent a covered canopy and tables for just $60 for a four-hour slot (June–October). Or, grab a picnic area near the public splash pad and playground for free and enjoy free Wi-Fi, a cafe, and a beach area far enough from the ocean that littles can run around without worry. Got sporty kids? You can also reserve a beach soccer court or volleyball court for just $15 an hour.

Insider tip: All reservations can be made up to 28 days in advance, so count backward from your desired party date and book early!

California Science Center - Exposition Park

For tweens or teens who want something bigger and more formal, the California Science Center has a whole list of spaces to choose from. It’s always free to get into this amazing science hub, where kids will have a blast exploring the three floors of interactive exhibits. 

Griffith Observatory - Los Feliz

If you have kids who love all things space, this LA institution is free to explore (planetarium shows cost $6-10 a person and are TOTALLY worth it!). After exploring the museum, lay out a picnic blanket, have moon pies on the grass, and stomp-rocket the afternoon away.

What Traditional kids’ Venues Offer Cheap Birthday Parties in LA?

Sometimes, the convenience of a dedicated venue is worth it. These places offer structured fun and built-in food options for a predictable, relatively low price

Chuck E. Cheese - Multiple Locations, including Glendale, La Mirada, Torrance, Pasadena

The original pizza-and-games venue offers a "Value" party package for $99.99, which accommodates up to six kids. This includes two hours of unlimited gameplay, unlimited soft drinks, a decorated table, and bonus e-tickets for prizes (Additional kids can be added for around $20 each). If you want a party that includes pizza and a dedicated attendant, packages start at $34 per child, with a minimum of five guests.

John’s Incredible Pizza Co. - Buena Park

This pizza + arcade chain offers inexpensive party packages starting at $22 a person! Parties include a private room, an all-you-can-eat buffet with drinks, a gift for the birthday child, and arcade tokens.

Moonlight Rollerway - Glendale

While not free, Moonlight Rollerway offers a $300 “Public Party” option that includes admission, skate rentals, a pitcher of soda (you can bring your cake), and a birthday announcement for 10 or more people.

LA Kings Ice - Burbank

If you’re OK without a private room or reserved seating area, this LA Kings-sponsored ice rink offers groups of 20 or more a discounted rate of $16 per person, and skate rentals are included! Food isn't included in the package, but families are welcome to bring their own.

McDonald’s Play Spaces - Multiple Locations

You may not be thrilled with the idea of your kid crawling through germy tunnels, then feasting on fast food, but trust us when we tell you that your toddler will LOVE it. Plus, you can’t beat the price. While prices vary by location, base party packages at the Golden Arches run about $120 and include 10 Happy Meals, party hats/placemats, cake, ice cream, and goodie bags. The play space is still open to the public, but you’ll have a dedicated seating area for your party.

What Parks and Outdoor Spaces Can You Rent for Kids’ Parties in LA?

For the least expensive way to host a party, head to a park! If you keep the guest list small and skip the bounce house, many neighborhood parks allow you to claim a cluster of tables for free. The strategy: Arrive early to claim your spot, bring pop-up shade, a Bluetooth speaker, and a few yard games. Or better yet, bring blankets and host a picnic party on the grass. Here are a few recommended spots:

Griffith Park - Los Feliz

Spanning more than 4,300 acres, Griffith Park has lots of open space, playgrounds, and woodsy paths to explore. I recommend the Griffith Park Recreation Center playground, which is fenced in and features a zip line, climbing rocks, rope bridges, and a wraparound cement walkway for scooters and tricycles. Or, try the Old Zoo Picnic Area, where kids can make like a lion, tiger, or bear and traipse around old zoo enclosures. To secure a space, picnic permits cost $100 for groups of up to 100 people and include picnic tables, barbecues, and nearby restrooms. I

Insider tip: If you don’t want to pay for a park permit, bring a folding table and a blanket to set up in the grass. You won’t get barbecue rights, but bring cupcakes and pizza (nearby Noname Pizza will deliver directly to Griffith Park!), and your kids won’t mind!

Lake Balboa Park - San Fernando Valley

Scenic views and massive grassy areas, perfect for a DIY field day. Lay out your spread near Anthony C. Beilenson Park, a maritime-themed playground kids will love to explore, with bridges, crawling tunnels, climbing structures, sensory walls, and more.

Insider tip: If you have a small group and enough adults to man the pedals, you can rent four-person surreys and take a leisurely bike ride around the pond for $39 an hour.

Barnsdall Art Park - East Hollywood

This historic park was established in the early 1900s, with structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Young kids may not want to explore the free Barnsdale Art Gallery, but you can still make it an art party in the grass with watercolors or fingerpaints. The grassy lawn has a sprawling view of the cityscape, the Hollywood Hills, and the Hollywood Sign!

Polliwog Park - Manhattan Beach/South Bay

This popular South Bay park has a big duck pond, two playgrounds (including one that's ADA-accessible), and open grassy areas. You can often find open picnic tables and set up camp, or reserve one for $30 per hour ($15 for residents).

Echo Park Lake - Echo Park

If you’ve got enough adults to help out (anyone under 15 must have a parent or guardian on board), Wheel Fun Rentals offers Swan Boat Parties for as low as $13 a person! Bring your own cupcakes, drinks, and snacks aboard (or eat on shore). Swan boats fit up to five people, and all boating events last two hours, including time for loading/unloading, safety instructions, and fitting of life jackets.

What are the Best Hiking Spots for a Birthday Party in Los Angeles?

Turn a birthday into an adventure. A "Hike + Picnic" party feels like an organized event but costs nearly nothing (aside from the snacks and cupcakes you might want to bring along). Print out some nature scavenger hunts, hide fairy gifts in the trees, and let your little wood nymphs go wild.

Wilderness Park - Redondo Beach/South Bay

An 11-acre wooded oasis featuring winding dirt trails, a duck pond, and lots of good climbable logs and trees. Bonus: It’s all completely fenced in! Day-use picnic areas are available for about $75.

Fern Dell Nature Trail - Los Feliz

A shaded, flat loop with stroller-friendly paths, quaint bridges, and babbling brooks.

Bronson Caves - Griffith Park

Order some superhero masks and take your party to see the "Batman Caves!" It’s a gentle hike that feels like a massive Hollywood adventure.

What Are the Best Beaches Where I Can Have a Party for Kids in Los Angeles?

Lest we forget, we Los Angelinos live right next to the best free venue there is—the beach! Hosting a beach party doesn’t require a permit (unless you’re doing a huge event like a wedding or you plan on having loud music). My recommendation? Keep it simple: Bring a bubble machine, host a sandcastle contest, and lug some cupcakes in a cooler.

Junipero Beach - Long Beach

If you’re not a South Bay native, this spectacular playground on the sand in Long Beach is reason enough to brave the 710 Freeway. With two high rope climbing structures and tube slides that feel like rides, kids will be climbing high enough to spot dolphins in the watery distance. There’s also an adjacent eatery on the sand where you can stock up on snacks (or bring your own to keep the costs down).

Manhattan or Hermosa Beach

Less touristy than Venice or Santa Monica, these charming South Bay towns offer wide, clean beaches, volleyball courts galore (many of the pros live in the area), and a distinct “beach town” vibe.

Zuma Beach - Malibu

Known for its wide white stretches of sand and sprawling nearly two miles, this popular beach has plenty of restrooms, showers, food stands, lifeguard stations, and volleyball nets.

Dockweiler Beach - LAX-adjacent

S’mores and airplanes, anyone? This beach just west of LAX offers public fire pits for the perfect late afternoon bonfire party. And, it’s right under the LAX flight path, so if the lure of roasted marshmallows and the ocean isn’t enough, your kids will be looking to the sky all day long. Fire pits are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and fill up fast—so get there early enough to snag one.

Insider tip: The beach attracts an adult crowd in the evenings (especially on weekends), so families should stick to daylight hours.

Where Can I Find Cheap Party Room Rentals or Community Spaces in Los Angeles?

Echo Park Recreation Complex - Echo Park

From indoor and outdoor basketball courts to community rooms, a stage, and a children’s play area, reserved areas here start at $75 (for up to 50 people). If you want a moon bounce in the gym, tack on an extra $20 (plus your own rental/generator costs). You can book through LA City Recreation & Parks.

Library Meeting Rooms - County-wide 

Want an easy, cheap place to host a music or craft party? The LA County Library is your spot! Rooms for up to 20 people are just $30 for 4 hours, with larger meeting rooms costing $60. Check your local library’s availability and reserve spaces at the LA County Library’s website. Be forewarned that food isn't usually allowed, so either find an outdoor space to eat before or after your party or check with the library in question. 

Best Cheap Rental Services for Bounce Houses and More in Los Angeles

Nothing says “kids’ birthday party” more than a bounce house—but how do you find one that won’t cost a fortune? I scoured the listings and found a few bargains, but keep in mind, you’ll pay a little extra if you throw your party at a park, which will require a generator rental fee on top of the bounce house fee. For teens, opt for interactive inflatables over plain bounce houses (jousting is always a hit); they get bored fast.

Insider tip: Check the website for specials, which change all the time.

Aladin Jumpers - Most of LA City and County

This Pacoima-based company is huge, with moon bounces that start at $120. For other ideas, Aladdin also offers carnival games, interactive games, food machines (like snowcone and cotton candy machines), table and chair rentals, and more at modest prices. 

Go Jumper Rental - Orange County and parts of LA

Bounce houses start at $119 at this Orange County-based rental company that has been around since 2002 and delivers throughout OC and parts of LA. Besides bounce houses, you can also rent inflatable slides, games, popcorn machines, and more. 

Jumpy Jumper Rentals - The Valley and beyond

A “Magic Boxing Ring” is the lowest-priced bounce house, for $160, at this Winnetka-based company that serves the Valley and beyond. Inquire here.

BR Party Rental - LA County

Operating since 2009, this popular LA bounce house company offers a wide variety of party rentals, including inflatable jumpers / bounce house rentals, water slide rentals, combo slide rentals, tables and chairs rentals, dance floor rentals, tent rentals, stage platform rentals, and more. Basic bounce houses start at $125, and carnival games start at $49. 

Cal Jump - Los Angeles and South Bay.

Bounce houses start at $160. There’s no delivery fee if you’re within 10 miles of Hawthorne, Burbank, and Santa Ana. 

Which Party Rental Spots Are Best by Age Group?

• Toddlers & Preschoolers: Play spaces, enclosed community center rooms, parks with playgrounds
• Elementary Kids: Roller rinks, community centers, parks.
• Tweens & Teens Community halls, roller rinks, beach, and hiking trails.

Insider Tips for Throwing a Great Birthday Party on a Budget

You don’t have to have a ton of money to throw a party everyone will be talking about! Here are some tips to make it happen:

• Book venues for off-peak hours
• Opt for “open play time” at trampoline parks, roller rinks, etc., instead of reserving a table or room (only for older kids—watching a gaggle of tiny tots in a crowded venue is NOT recommended).
•  DIY the decorations.
• Bring your own food (check with the venue, but many spots allow you to bring your own snacks or birthday cake/cupcakes).
• Double up on shared parties with a friend
• Skip add-ons like “party hosts” or gift bags if not needed

Cheap Party Rentals in Los Angeles FAQ