Best Places to Have a Kid’s Birthday Party in Santa Monica

It’s time to celebrate! Your child’s birthday is coming up, and you want to have the best party possible. Santa Monica has plenty of places where you can host a fun, kid-oriented party. No matter how active your kid and their friends are, there’s a venue near the Pier that can provide you with a wonderful, unique party. Here are some of the best places to have a kid’s birthday party in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Pier Carousel

The Santa Monica Pier Carousel is one of fewer than 70 all-wood carousels still operating in the world. Both private and semi-private birthday party packages are available. Whether you want a small group or your child’s whole class, the Carousel can accommodate you. They provide space in the building to hold your party, as well as wristbands for everyone to ride the carousel as long as you’re there.

If you want to personalize your party, the Carousel is ideal. You’re welcomed and encouraged to bring your own food, decorations, and party favors. The Carousel will provide the space and the atmosphere, and you can help make the rest of the party perfect.

The perfect pairing for your Carousel party is closer than you’d think. Why not keep up the old-fashioned theme? Get a genuine ice cream party from the Soda Jerks soda fountain. The Soda Jerks can provide ice cream, lunch, or a full party package for your party. Everything is hand-made, just like it was back in the day.

Cayton Children’s Museum

If you’re interested in some indoor fun, the Cayton Children’s Museum is a Santa Monica favorite. The museum is a beautiful and interactive space, full of art and things to explore. There are entire exhibits designed to encourage teamwork and collaboration, making the Museum great for groups. There are also exhibits that include ball pits, climbing structures, and even a helicopter for little explorers to investigate.

The Children’s Museum is right in the middle of downtown Santa Monica, just down the street from the Pier. The Museum has designated event professionals who can help make sure the party is just what your little one wants. With two rooms available to rent for your party, you can work with the Museum to build a great kid’s party in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

Do you have a budding oceanographer on your hands? The Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier is educational and full of hands-on opportunities for kids to explore. Your child can learn more about the ocean while enjoying the touch tanks and getting invaluable first-hand wildlife experience.

The Aquarium has birthday packages available that allow you to schedule your time, rent out spaces, and organize catering. They specialize in half-day packages, so why not schedule a two-part party, with a morning aquarium visit, lunch, then something new in the afternoon like rides at Pacific Park?

Trapeze School

Thrill-seekers can look to the Trapeze School on the Pier for an adrenaline-filled birthday experience. Parties can include anything from trapeze work to silks to ground-based fun. The School can also provide photography, videography, snacks, performances, and more.

The Trapeze School is entirely outdoors. It’s no fun to fly through the sky when it’s raining, so the Trapeze School is weather-dependent. Parties are allowed to reschedule in case of weather, so no one has to be a wet blanket. As long as all your party participants are six years or older, the party will go on!

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym

Planning a party for kids with different needs doesn’t have to be hard. We Rock the Spectrum is an inclusive indoor gym for kids with any and all abilities. Fun activities include trampolines, indoor playground equipment, a zipline, and more. The gym is specifically designed to be welcoming for kids who might find bigger or louder spaces difficult.

Parties can be customized for your kid, with a trained staff member available for your party. The gym can also provide pizza, cake, and party favors. You can close out the gym for your child’s party or let them have fun with new friends. Either way, We Rock the Spectrum is a wholesome and accepting space for a kid’s birthday party.

Pacific Park

There is nothing that gets kids excited quite like an amusement park. Taking your child and their friends to Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is a great way to make lifelong memories. The Park is a great seaside entertainment destination. Whether you’re looking for rides, midway games, or fun food, the Park is ready for you!

Pacific Park offers discounted rates for groups of 15 or more. Get everyone a discounted Unlimited Ride Wristband, so your kids can play around all day long.

Remember to have your special birthday lunch before heading to the Park. While the Park used to offer birthday packages, they no longer have the private cabanas. They rearranged the bumper cars and private event space about 7 years back. Instead, they recommend grabbing a meal at nearby restaurants like Bubba Gump, Seaside on the Pier, and Mariasol so groups can still have private space for a meal and are close enough to come enjoy the Park after. They all welcome groups and birthdays. If that’s not your style, you can picnic on the beach, or look to Pacific Park’s pier neighbor, the Carousel.

Santa Monica is full of fun, family-friendly options for birthday parties. Regardless of your kid’s age, there’s something near the Pier that will make their day. From roller coasters to museums, aquariums to trapezes, any kid will be thrilled with a Santa Monica birthday party. The hardest part is deciding just where you want to spend your time on your child’s special day.

Feature image courtesy of @growingwiththegrahams.