7 Unique Birthday Party Venues in Toledo

When most of us were growing up, birthday party rotations consisted of Chuck E. Cheese and bowling alleys, with activities like pinatas and pin-the-tail on the donkey. But this generation is everything but traditional. From private tours at some of Toledo’s attractions to completing rigorous obstacle courses and bake-offs, Toledo is chock full of unique birthday party hot spots that will make birthday kids and guests feel special. Here are some of our favorite places.

For the animal lover: Toledo Zoo

Cost: Starting at $575 for members / $675 for non-members
Best for ages: 3 and up

Let the kids truly go wild celebrating at the Zoo. The little party animals will have full access to the Zoo, plus two private live animal encounters, which may include meeting an armadillo, snake, rabbit, turtle, lizard or sloth. All birthday parties include food and drink (pizza, chicken fingers, lemonade, apple juice) and a special dessert.

2 Hippo Way, Toledo

For the thrill seeker: Urban Air Adventure Park

Cost: Packages start at $239
Best for ages: 6-12

Urban Air has everything kids need for an adventure-filled celebration that they will remember for years to come. Named the best gym in America by Shape Magazine, kids can jump, soar, race, climb and play. Whether battling a friend on the beam, revving their engines for a go-kart ride or conquering obstacle courses, there’s something fun for every adventurer.

5243 Airport Highway, Toledo

For the next Top Chef Jr.: Foodology

Cost: Starts at $25/child
Best for ages: 5-15

Younger kiddos can partake in a make your own pizza and brownie party, where they will get to make pizza dough from scratch. While the pizzas are cooking, they will make brownies to be later used to sing “happy birthday.” Older chefs can engage in a friendly competition of cookie wars, cupcake wars or battle of lemonade stand start-ups. All parties can be customized by theme and food preferences of the birthday child.

2059 W. Laskey Rd., Toledo

For the STEM enthusiast: Ritter Planetarium and Brooks Observatory

Cost: $350
Best for ages: 5 to 15

For a celebration that’s truly out of this world, the planetarium provides full-dome programs that include a live tour of the constellations, planets and other heavenly bodies in the night sky over Toledo. No party is complete without a ride on a space themed roller coaster. Birthday kiddos will love the special touch of walking into the theater with their name and photo projected under the full dome.

University of Toledo, 2855 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo

More STEM fun: Imagination Station

Address: 1 Discovery Way, Toledo
Cost: Starting at $325 for members / $375 for non-members
Best for ages: 5 to 12

What better way to combine science and fun than with a trip to everyone’s favorite science center? Scientist packages come with admission for 20 guests to explore the museum’s permanent and temporary interactive, hands-on exhibits with an Extreme Scientist. Kids will roll up their sleeves for a fun and messy slime activity and marvel at a super cool science demonstration and liquid nitrogen ice cream.

For the next Picasso: Pop it Paint It

Cost: $25 per painter
Best for ages: 5 to 16

The birthday party child can choose any wood painting from a gallery of hundreds of themes and designs and will recreate it with their friends in a fun, casual setting. An instructor walks guests through every step of the way in creating their own masterpiece, from sanding and staining wood to stenciling and painting the final product.

1197 Farnsworth Rd, Waterville

More Artistic fun: Spin & Splat 

Cost: Starting at $249
Best for ages: 6 and up

Celebrate your child’s big day at Spin & Splat with one of their party options. Choose between a Spin & Splat Party, Neon Splat Party, Spin Party or Fluid Bear Party. At these parties, the birthday child and patry guests will have the opportunity to express themselves with paint and take home something special to remember the big day.

2455 Tremainsville Rd, Toledo. Moving to a new location opening in October: 2785 Central, Toledo