Children's Birthday Party Venues in Houston, Texas

Houston is a huge city with vibrant culture and a plethora of birthday party options for people of all ages. But if it's a little birthday guy or gal you're planning for, check out these great children's birthday party venues around town:

1)The Houston Zoo: For your little animal lover, the zoo is the perfect place to host his/her birthday bash. The zoo has three, two-hour party timeslots every day; 9:30-11:30am, 12:30-2:30pm, and 3:15-5:15pm. Two party packages are available at the zoo, one in the covered outdoor pavilion that starts at $400 and one in the indoor A/C pavilion starting at $500. These prices include admission to the zoo for 30 guests, choice of cupcakes or brownies, ice cream, punch, plates, napkins, and utensils for 30, decorations, setup and cleanup. You can also add food buffets (hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza or pb&j) for $4.50 and up per guest. Food orders need to be received at least 10 days before the event, and reservations should be made at least 2 weeks before the party. You can call (713) 533-6797 to make reservations or e-mail birthday.parties@houstonzoo.org. A $200 non-refundable deposit is due upon booking. Check out their website at www.houstonzoo.org for more helpful information.

2) Children's Museum of Houston: This children's museum is a great place to host a fun and educational party for your kids. You must be a museum member to have your child's birthday party at the museum. Their website www.cmhouston.org has more information on becoming a member. Hosting a birthday party at the museum costs $225 with a $50 deposit due upon booking. Party times are available on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Fridays from 4-6pm, Saturdays from 10am-12pm, 1-3pm, and 4-6pm, and Sundays from 1-3pm and 4-6pm. The museum requires that you have one adult per five children, and you should try to book three to four months ahead at (713) 535-7212. The birthday package includes a guided birthday tour for up to 20 kids with free admission for the adult escorts. It also includes a party room with tables, chairs, and tablecloths, 20 postcard invitations, a museum t-shirt for the birthday boy/girl, and a balloon bouquet. You need to bring the cake, refreshments, and paper goods.

3) Downtown Aquarium: Conveniently located right in downtown Houston, the Aquarium is the perfect spot for an 'undersea' birthday adventure. The Aquarium offers three fun-filled birthday party options, but they don't come cheap! The First Mate Package is $28/child and includes a reserved dining room for an hour, children's meal, cake, party favors, 3 rides on the train, carousel, and ferris wheel, entrance to the Aquarium Adventure exhibit, a 5X7" group photo for the birthday girl/boy, and one free adult admission per each five children. The Captain Package includes all that plus the Lighthouse Dive ride and a choice of three midway games for $35/child. If you want to do it up really big they also offer the Ultimate Sleepover Package which includes a birthday party from 5-8pm with dinner, party favors, a cake, a group photo with the Nero mascot, unlimited rides, three midway game tickets, Wild Dreams Overnight from 8pm-9am, a Wild Dreams t-shirt, evening crafts and snacks, and a continental breakfast the next morning. All for $79.95/child...but your kids sure would love you! The pricing is for 10-20 children and you can check out their website at www.aquariumrestaurants.com for more info or call (713) 315-5112.

4) Chuck E. Cheese's: Nothing says good old-fashioned birthday fun like a day at Chuck E. Cheese, so phone up one of the 10 area locations to reserve the big date for your birthday boy/girl. Their basic birthday package is $10.99/child and includes 20 game tokens per child, a decorated 90 minute table, 2 slices of one-topping pizza and unlimited soft drinks per child, a host/hostess, a performance by Chuck E., and a collectible cup, crown, balloon, and cotton candy for the birthday boy or girl. The super package is $15.99/child and includes everything in the basic package plus 12 more game tokens, a party favor bag for each child, 100 prize tickets for guests, and 500 tickets for the birthday boy/girl. You bring the cake! Their website www.chuckecheese.com has more information.

5) Jump Extreme Fun Zone: Your little ones will jump themselves silly (and sleep like the dickens) after a birthday party at this kiddie hotspot on West Little York A Mini Jump Party is intended for children age 5 and under and lasts for 90 minutes. On Mondays-Thursdays the cost is $155, and on Fridays-Sundays it is $185. The price includes accommodations for up to 15 friends, free entry for parents, invitations, a party coordinator, paper supplies, setup and cleanup. You bring the cake, candles, knife and goodie bags. The Mega Jump Party package lasts 2 hours and can accommodate up to 25 friends. A Monday-Thursday party will cost $195 and a Friday-Sunday party will cost $225. Everything else in the Mega package is the same as the Mini package. Their website www.jumppartyhouston.com has more information on booking a birthday party and details about the different jump zones.

6) Houston Museum of Natural Science: For your little nature lover or mad scientist, there's no better place than the Houston Museum of Natural Science to have his/her birthday party. The price for a party is $300 and the times available are weekdays 4-6pm and 6-8pm, Saturdays 9-11am, 12-2pm, and 3-5pm, and Sundays 12-2pm and 3-5pm. Parties are intended for children ages 3-12, and the maximum number of guests is 20 children and 20 adults. There is a list of different party themes you can choose from, like dinosaurs or Egyptology. The party price includes admission, a two-hour party room, a guided craft, an exhibit tour with a party coordinator, setup and cleanup. You bring cake, refreshments, and paper goods. There is a McDonald's at the museum that you can contact to deliver food right to your party room. For more information check out www.hmns.org, call (713) 639-4646, or e-mail Birthdays@hmns.org.

7) Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex: Ice skating will be a real treat for your little Houstonian...seeing as how they may never get to do it outdoors! The Aerodrome in Willowbrook offers a great party package for your skating-deprived birthday boy or girl. For $17/person you get admission and skate rentals, a private decorated room for one hour, a hostess, paper products, balloons, 2 sodas per guest, goodie bag, party invitations, and a choice of 2 slices of pizza or a hot dog and chips. You bring the cake, knife, candles, and matches. There is a six guest minimum to book a party. Parties are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so call (281) 84-SKATE to book yours now.

8) Zuma Fun Center: With two area locations (one on Rankin Road and one on the Southwest Freeway), Zuma Fun Centers are a convenient, fun way to celebrate your child's birthday. The Basic party package at Zuma is $10.99/person and includes 2 slices of pizza, soda, 15 tokens, a table for 90 minutes, plates, cups, napkins, hats, and balloons, invitations, a host/hostess, and a gift for the birthday boy/girl. The Spectacular party package includes all that plus one outdoor attraction and one round of mini-golf for $15.99/person. The Ultimate party package has everything in the Basic package plus three hours of unlimited outdoor attractions for $20.99/person. You can customize a theme or add on a cake for extra. You can book your party online at www.zumafuncenters.com.

No matter what your child is into this year, they are sure to love having a birthday party at one of these great Houston birthday party venues. Choose the one that fits your birthday boy/girl the best and get that party booked!