5 Only-In-NYC Birthday Party Ideas

3/28/07 - By Anna Fader

You don't have to be a hipster parent to not want to have your child's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Do the kids love it? Yes, they do. Is it not exorbitantly expensive? No, it's not? But, you don't pay a gazzilion dollars a month in NYC rent to live in a dresser drawer so that your children can have their birthday parties in a mall. So, Mommy Poppins' elfin detectives have dug up some unique, educational, creative, decidedly New York ideas for kid birthday parties that won't cost a mint.

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Yes, you can spend a bundle to have a sleepover party at the Bronx Zoo, and we admit that sounds really cool, but if you don't want to spend the rent money on a child's birthday party you can party with the whales and the sharks at The New York Aquarium. Prices start around $350 to party in the deep. The New York Hall of Science hosts a slew of super parties. No matter what your budding Einstein is interested in, there's sure to be a party they'll love here. Parties start at $500. Science Teacher Sarah does really fun, hands-on science parties for kids. You can have the birthday party in her classroom, but if you have the space and want to save money, you can do it at your place starting at just $245. For a truly only-in-New York birthday party, check out the parties at The Museum of the Moving Image. Kids can put their own voices into classics like The Wizard of Oz, check out special effects dolls from Star Wars, make their own animation and more. This unique experience starts at only $450. I don't know what kid wouldn't think the birthday party at robot village is super cool. Kids get to make their own robots, hello! These parties may be a little pricier, with the big package starting at $700, but they said they can strip it down for a less expensive party.

 

Find more NYC birthday party ideas in our Party Guide.

 

About the Author

Anna Fader

Founder of Mommy Poppins

A fourth-generation Brooklynite, Anna started Mommy Poppins in 2007 to help families find the best things to do with kids in NYC, with a particular emphasis on sharing activities that are free, affordable, and enriching. The site, used by millions of families, has grown to become the ultimate resource for parents in the major US cities, plus travel guides for 100s of destinations.

Anna is a believer in the magic of summer camps, traveling with kids, and that you can raise kids on a budget and still have a rich life full of amazing memories. Anna's first Mommy Poppins book, The Young Traveler's Journal and Activity Book, published in 2025 and co-written with her daughter, Amelia Eigerman, brings that ethos to life, in addition to this website.