1. Play Make Create by Meri Cherry — Encino 

If you have a kiddo who loves to make a mess, maybe that baby is just a budding artist! Celebrate that creativity at this adorable, kid-focused art studio with party packages that include sensory play for the tiniest celebrants. Meri Cherry also has a mobile art studio that is available to come to homes for parties and events. 

Celebrate baby's 1st birthday with baby goats at Underwood Family Farms. Photo by Gina Ragland

2. Underwood Family Farms — Moorpark

Kick the party off with a trip around 40 acres of beautiful farmland on the Underwood Family Farms wagon. These outdoorsy parties include unlimited pony rides, a bouncy house, trails, a petting zoo, and electric train rides. There's even a separate area for the littlest ones with animals to feed, a wooden play train, a sandbox, and a slide. 

3. Travel Town — Griffith Park

Travel Town is my favorite spot for something truly adorable and cool for adults, too (plus free admission!). You can reserve the outdoor picnic areas, or simply picnic somewhere nearby in Griffith Park and afterward come by to check out the vintage trains. Rides on the mini train around the property are $4 for adults and $3 per child.

Families can also add an interactive train play day to their party package, so kids can create their own railroad tracks with their friends. After Travel Town, continue the fun with all the many things to do in Griffith Park for kids. 

4. Cayton Children's Museum — Santa Monica

It's one of the best children's museums in LA, and the Cayton hosts birthday parties for all ages. Littles will love the boat ball pit, the pretend cafe, and the soft play area specifically for crawlers. Party times are very flexible, keeping the process stress-free. 

RELATED: Newly Renovated Play Area Opens for Babies and Toddlers at Kidspace

 
There's so much to do at Kidspace. Photo courtesy of Kidspace Museum

5. Kidspace Museum — Pasadena 

Kidspace is an exciting option for kids of all ages. The sandy play space, rocky stream, foam climbing, and musical instrument sections are highlights for any crawlers. You'll get the party space for 2 hours plus admission to the museum for guests all day. Parties include specialists who facilitate games and activities, invitations, and thank you cards, catering, plus goodie bags for each child. 

6. William S. Hart Park & Barnyard — Newhall 

If you are planning to do a farm animal-themed party, this adorable little barnyard in Santa Clarita is your place. The barnyard is free to visit, and is open daily from 9am - 2pm. The animals include several alpacas, a donkey, a deer, geese and ducks, chickens, bunnies, and more. Several buildings are available for rent for the party, and there is a lovely lawn near the barn if you would prefer an "al fresco" celebration. 

7. Douglas Park — Santa Monica

This city park not only has a playground, picnic areas, and big boulders for climbing on, but also a very nice clubhouse for those scorching hot LA days. Best of all, though, is the lovely stream and pond where the kiddos can visit the ducks and turtles. Picnic areas are on a first-come, first-served basis, but the clubhouse needs to be reserved far in advance. 

RELATED: Los Angeles's Best Parks & Playgrounds for Kids' Brithday Parties

Crescenta Valley Park has plenty of shade. Photo by Brian Johnson

8. Crescenta Valley Park — La Crescenta 

This picturesque oak-lined park is rarely crowded, which is part of the charm. There are always a few shady picnic tables available and swaths of green fields where the kids can run and play. The playgrounds on the east have less grass and more picnic tables, while the west end near the climbing walls has the reverse. 

9. Lake Balboa — Van Nuys

Wow. This park in the San Fernando Valley is a stunner and has everything you need for a great outdoor party: a big, beautiful lake with a walking path, lots of ducks and birds to feed, swan boat rides, plus a separate playground for little kids. The park is enormous, which means lots of picnic tables. You do need to reserve picnic tables in advance for parties.  

10. The Little Gym — Multiple Locations in LA 

The Little Gym is a great place for kids to flex their tumbling muscles and burn off all the birthday treats. Whether your kid is walking or crawling, the instructor-led games, music, LEGO building, and physical activities keep the littles engaged and happy for the whole two hours. With set-up, clean-up (yes!), a private room for 20, balloons, custom Evites, and a special t-shirt for the birthday kid, this place books up fast.

11. Descanso Gardens — La Canada Flintridge

For the price of admission at this ultra-kid-friendly spot, you have access to an adorable cafe, big grassy play areas, a Japanese garden where kids can say hi to the koi fish and ducks, and long meandering walking paths for a stroll. If you have a little locomotive lover, the new Descanso Railroad is an epic spot to ride a train and watch a collection of model trains chug along. 

12. Golden Road Brewery — Atwater Village

Ready to think outside the box? This one is more for the adults than the littles, but let's be honest—you deserve a tasty beer for making it through this first year! Golden Road Brewery is surprisingly baby- and kid-friendly, with its large picnic table seating, kids' menu, and cute lower patio with fake grass and toys. There's a reason why it's on our list of LA restaurants where kids can play while parents eat. The giant Connect Four-type game is a great photo op. The only drawback here is the noisy sports crowd and the train that occasionally roars by.