Does your child have a birthday coming up? In a city as big as Toronto, there is an endless amount of birthday party options. Below is our list of some of the most unique party venues and ideas, including some right here at the University of Toronto!
Parties on St. George Campus
University of Toronto – Planetarium
An “out of this world” party idea! The planetarium is an interactive movie theatre that projects the cosmos. For birthday parties, the show can be customized for your group, but it usually includes stops in our Solar System, a view of our Milky Way Galaxy, and a trip to the farthest reaches of space. The show is 1 hour. Note: Does not include a party space.
Location: University of Toronto, Astronomy Building (50 St. George Street)
Cost: $150 -weekdays, $175 – evening and weekends (up to 25 guests).
Contact: Planetarium website or email info@universe.utoronto.ca
Parties across the Greater Toronto Area
Eco – Friendly Children’s Garden
High Park Children’s Garden offers two types of birthday parties: a Garden and Hiking Party or a Cooking Party. Parties are two hours in length –75 minutes for the Instructor-led program and 45 minutes for cake, food and presents. Cooking parties take place in the Children’s Teaching Kitchen and use of the Kitchen is supervised by the Program Instructors.
Location: High Park Children’s Garden
Cost: $160 – Garden & Hiking party theme, $200 – Cooking party theme (up to 10 kids)
Contact: High Park Children’s Garden website or call 416-392-1329
Picnic in the Park
Have you ever considered a picnic birthday party in a City park? Bring picnic-friendly food and plan to play the birthday boy or girl’s favourite games! Some popular picnic locations include: Adams Park, Downsview Dells Park, Earl Bales Park, High Park, Morningside Park, Thomson Memorial Park, and Toronto Islands.
Note: any gathering over 25 people, or a gathering that requires a designated “picnic” site, like a picnic shelter, must have a permit.
Location: A City of Toronto Park
Cost: Dependant on how many people are gathering
Contact: City of Toronto event line at 416-392-8188.
High Park with a Nature Interpreter
Why not have a birthday party where children learn about nature in a fun, interactive way! Meet pets, make nature-themed crafts, play games, and explore High Park. The Nature Interpreter provides 1.5 hours of nature-themed programming (nature hike, games, crafts). Party themes include: Fairy and Gnomes, Animals of High Park, Insects, Butterflies, Fall Celebration, Winter Adventures and more.
Location: High Park Nature Centre, 440 Parkside Drive
Cost: Cost: $275 – $325 (depending on the number attending).
Contact: High Park Nature Centre’s website
Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens offers birthday parties at their Main Centre and Nature Centre. Party options at the Nature Centre include a low ropes party, canoe party, and the great outdoors. Each party is 2 – 3 hours long and the price includes a party leader. The Main Centre offers 2 hour parties with access to exhibits and a natural playground.
Location: 680 Plains Road West, Burlington
Cost: $20 – $30 per person at the Nature Centre, $225 at the Main Centre
Contact: Royal Botanical Gardens website
Pool Party!
“Marco!”…”Polo!” The Central Tech Pool is an indoor pool located in downtown Toronto. The pool encourages birthday parties! You provide the guests, and they provide the lifeguards and the pool. Note: there is no party space for cake and presents.
**The pool is open from late September through to the May long weekend**
Location: Central Tech Pool, 725 Bathurst Street
Cost: $2 per person
Contact: centraltechpool@gmail.com
Toronto Central YMCA
The Central YMCA has a variety of packages and options available for birthday parties, including swimming, arts and crafts, dance, and rock climbing. Basic rentals include: party space, tables, chairs, stereo, and party signage.
Location: 20 Grosvenor Street
Cost: $150 – $250
Contact: Central YMCA Birthday Party website
West End YMCA
Looking to host a fun and active party? The West End YMCA rents out space and a Play Structure for 2 hour birthday parties. Your package can also be upgraded to include arts and crafts and organized games for $5 per child.
Location: 931 College Street
Cost: $250 – members, $300 – non-members (up to 10 kids).
Contact: West End YMCA Birthday Party website
Kidnasium
Location: 745 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto
Kidnasium will take care of all your set up and clean up, serve any food you bring in their party room and entertain the kids in their fully equipped gym. The birthday slot times are an hour and a half long.
Cost: $198 (up to 12 kids)
Contact: Kidnasium website or call (416) 480-2608.
Groove School of Dance
Groove is offering exciting themed birthday parties at their Eglinton West location. These parties include a variety of dance activities, games and crafts to suit all of your birthday party needs. Party themes include Princesses, Lego, Glee and more. There are several upgrades available including adding performers! Parties range from 1.5 – 2 hours and accommodate 20 children.
Location: 491 Eglinton Avenue West
Cost: $200 – $500 depending on your package and upgrades
Contact: Grove School of Dance website
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Bring your party to Sky Zone! Your child and their guests will experience the excitement of jumping, flying and flipping on wall-to-wall trampoline courts. Packages include one hour in the main court (with access to Foam Zone and Sky Slam) and end with 40 minutes in a private party room, with pizza, and a party host. Party room set-up & clean-up is also included.
Location: 45 Esander Drive, Toronto, 2839 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan, 3636 Hawkestone Road, Mississsauga
Cost: Packages start at $25 – $50 per person (minimum of 10 kids)
For more information see the Sky Zone Vaughan website, Sky Zone Toronto website, Sky Zone Mississauga website
The Clay Room
Children can paint or make ceramics at the Clay Room birthday parties. Parties include materials, space, 1-1.5 hours of instruction, and an hour for pizza, cake, and presents!
Location: 279 Danforth Ave. (near Chester subway)
Cost: $22.50 per person (minimum 10 kids)
Contact: The Clay Room website
Fine Arts at 4Cats
The perfect party for a child who loves being artistic and creative. 4Cats offers several different party themes including: paint splatter, clay party, collage and pouring parties and more. Children spend one hour in the art studio with an instructor and 45 minutes are left for party time!
Location: The Junction, The Beaches, Avenue Road, and several locations across the GTA
Cost: $300 (for up to 10 kids, extra fees apply for additional guests).
Contact: 4Cats party website
Glama Gal Tween Spa
Celebrate like divas for a day with Glama Gal Summer Spa party packages. There are several options but all parties are two hours long and packages include a robe and slipper service, spa treatments, and an activity. Pizza or fruit crepes, cupcakes, and pinkatini’s are also included!
Location: 665 Millway Avenue, Vaughan
Cost: $299+ (up to 6 kids)
Contact: Glama Gal Party website
Legoland Discovery Centre
Parties at Legoland offer exclusive use of the private Lego party room, food and cake, admission to Legoland Discovery Centre and more!
Location: 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive (Vaughan Mills)
Cost: $25-35 per person+ (minimum 10 kids) and adults must also pay entrance fee.
Contact: Legoland website or call 1-855-356-2150
The ROM
Imagine a birthday party in one of Toronto’s world class museums. The ROM offers guided tours with different themes, scavenger hunts, and group lunches!
Location: 100 Queens Park
Cost: $10+ per person. All party-goers also require museum admission ($9 – $12.50), minimum of 20 people.
Contact: The ROM website. s
Chamelea Centre: Get excited about science!
Birthday parties at Chamelea Centre include the rental of Chamelea center for 2 hours, including 1 hour of instructed birthday party activity (any party theme) for up to 15 kids (each additional child is $12+). There are several science-based themes including: Frozen, Dinosaurs, Outer space, and more.
Location: 126 Limestone Cresent, Toronto
Cost: $355 +
Contact: Chamelea Centre website or call 416-827-5706.
Reptilia: Reptile Zoo and Education Facility
Parties at Reptilia include your own private party room with a dedicated Reptilia Birthday Host for 90 minutes, 30 minutes interactive Reptile Show, and unlimited time in the zoo after your party at no charge. Reptilia also provide plates, cups, napkins, table cloths and cutlery. You can bring your own food, or you can upgrade your package to include food.
Location: 2501 Rutherford Rd., Vaughan
Cost: $230 – $699
Contact: Reptilia website or 905 303 2516
Birthday Parties at Toronto’s Historic Sites
Ignite imaginations! Create memories! Kids’ imaginations will run wild as they step into the past while exploring Toronto’s Historic Sites. Our museums offer exciting and unique birthday parties across the city of Toronto.
Watch as kids become 1812 soldiers at Fort York, play games in Montgomery Inn’s 1847 tavern, experience the lavish life of a 1920s debutante at Spadina Museum, become typesetters in the 1850s print shop at Mackenzie House, and more!
Location, Cost, Contact: Visit the museum pages website for full details.
Parties at Home
Magic At My Door – Toronto Princess Parties
Princess Parties offers several different packages. Princess performers will entertain for 1 hour and packages can include interactive story-time, activities, dancing and photo-time.
Cost: $185+
Contact: Princess Parties by Simone website or call 289 893 2450
Quality Clowns for Less (Magicians and Superheros, too!)
Bring some magic to your own home by having a special guest surprise the birthday boy or girl and their guests! Performers will entertain for 1 hour. Balloon animals are included with some performers.
Cost: $150- $175
Contact: Quality Clowns for Less website or call 416-607-6855
Mad Science!
Cool chemical reactions, dynamic illusions, fun kitchen chemistry, special effects and hands-on fun! Mad Science will come directly to your home or location of your choice and bring all the materials. Shows are safe, mess-free, but most importantly fun & exciting! Party packages can include include invitations, loot bags, upgrades, and take-home experiments.
Cost: $230 – $440
Contatc: Mad Science website and Party Packages page.
Reptilia At Home
Enjoy an interactive and educational show in your home or the location of your choice. Each birthday party includes about an hour long show featuring a variety of reptiles including snakes, lizards, crocodilians, and turtles. Their hosts will introduce birthday guests to reptiles and give them the opportunity to touch each one!
Cost: $150+
Contact: Reptilia website or call 905 303-2516
Chamelea Centre At Home
Pick from several science-based themes including: Frozen, dinosaurs, outer space, pirates, perfume making, and more. The party includes 1 hour of instructed activity with a Chamela Centre presenter, all materials and instructions.
Cost: $185 – $210
Contact: Chamelea Centre website or call 416-827-5706.
Glama Gal Tween Spa Party At Home
Bring the spa to your home, and celebrate like divas! Parties are 1.5 hours in length and include spa treatments, loot bags, decor and an activity.
Cost: $275 (up to 6 children)
Contact: Glama Gal mobile party website
Updated and amended by Emily Pritchard in July 2019.