Children's Birthday Party Venues in San Francisco

Birthday parties can be hectic to plan, preparation for one includes making a guest list, writing invitations, sending invitations, finding games to play, decorating, cooking food and baking a cake. With all these factors to take care of, sometimes finding a birthday venue can be a lot easier. Therefore, here is a compiled list of the best birthday venues in San Francisco, California.

Young Performers Theatre
The Young Performers Theatre provides entertainment; cake, drinks and they clean up the space for you when you're done! The entertainment that each birthday package provides is a main stage play catered specifically to children to keep them amused. There are two packages to choose from. The basic party package includes the play, birthday area, party food, and a clean up crew afterwards. The ultimate party package includes all of the features from the basic party package and an actress who will give a backstage tour and she will also lead the children in playing party games. The Young Performers Theatre also provides special theme parties such as a princess party, dinosaur party, pirate treasure hunt party or a teddy bear party. Prices for a birthday party range from $14 per child to $23 per child and the venue is located in the Fort Mason Center, Building C. If you have any questions their telephone number is (415)-346-5550.

Zeum
Zeum is a non-profit multimedia arts and technology museum that happens to be a great place to host a birthday party. The basic birthday party package allows for 20 guests and full use of every Zeum exhibit and program. Food and drinks are not included, but you are welcome to bring your own and usually (it's less expensive to do so anyway). Zeum also has themed birthdays and upon inquiry, Zeum does have a clown to entertain guests at an additional rate. The basic birthday party package is $275 for non-members but if a full 20 guests come, it adds up to a little less than $14 per guest, which is about the same as the Young Performers Theatre.

Mission Cliffs
If it's an adventurous birthday party you seek, Mission Cliffs could be the venue for you! Mission Cliffs provides basic instruction, two hours of rock climbing and use of a party area. Like Zeum, food is not provided but you are welcome to bring your own. The price for a party at Mission Cliffs is $100 for 5 kids and $20 for each additional child. Of course, the price is higher at Mission Cliffs because instead of providing an idle room, they are giving the party guests hands on instruction and practice. Parties take place during normal business hours, which are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:30am to 10pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30am-11pm, and weekends from 9am-7pm. To contact Mission Cliffs, the phone number is (415) 550-0515 and it is located on Harrison Street.

San Francisco Children's Art Center
This venue provides a creative and interactive place for children to have fun. Parties include art activities such as printmaking, sculpting, collage making, and shrink-art. Food is not provided but unlike many other venues like Young Performers Theatre or Zeum, the Children's Art Center does not charge other parents for attending with their child. Party prices range from $250-$350 and there is no maximum attendee number listed on the website. Party times are on Sundays from 11am to 2pm and each child goes home with a gift certificate for a free art class. The number to the San Francisco Children's Art Center is (415) 771-0292.

San Francisco Zoo
From November until January, the San Francisco Zoo has special ice skating parties available for children. It costs $5 per person and guests get to meet in the Lemur Birthday Party Room, ice skate, visit with reindeer, and play in the snow. Parties must include between 12-40 guests and there must be one adult present for every 5 children. If an ice skating party isn't for you, the zoo also has party packages. The premium party package includes food, cake, ice cream, goodie bags, party masks, carousel or little puffer train rides, full day admission for all guests, plus a special shirt for the birthday child!

Randall Museum
Birthday parties at the Randall Museum are only available on Sundays and can only be reserved through Randall Museum Friends and The Buddy Club. Randall Museum Friends provides use of a private room, access to the Randall Museum grounds, and an art project for all of the guests. The Buddy Club provides admission, a children's show in the theater, a private room for the actual party, and clean up. A note of caution: all museum exhibits are closed on Sundays, so what you are paying for are the services provided by the host that you chose. To contact Randall Museum Friends call (415) 554-9681 and to contact The Buddy Club call (510) 236-SHOW.

Kids 'N Dance
The Kids 'N Dance parties are $175 for 12 children. The parties last one hour and includes up to six dances that are first told as a story and then taught to the guests by the teacher. There are multiple costumes for the guests so that they may change for each dance. Themes for these parties include Disney Birthday, Fairy Princess, Around the World, and Mystical Kingdom. Information about food is not provided on the website but any questions can be directed to (510) 531-4400.

San Francisco Gymnastics
Parties at this venue are only held on Sundays and accommodate a maximum of 20 children. The basic party includes invitations, 45 minutes of supervised gym activity, and 45 minutes in the party room. Prices range from $170 for a maximum of 10 kids to $280 for up to 20 kids. Cake, pizza, and party favor bags can be purchased at an additional charge. The San Francisco Gymnastics is located on Mason Street and the phone number is (415) 561-6261.