Are you looking for some ideas for places to have your child’s birthday party in Baltimore County? If you need ideas, here is my list of birthday party places around Baltimore County and other areas of Maryland, including nearby in Howard County Montgomery County, and Anne Arundel County for toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens.
[Looking for creative ideas for kid’s birthday parties during the quarantine? See my list of virtual birthday parties for kids.]
With each idea I try to include links to Amazon.com for some ideas for party favors and sometimes educational gifts that go along with the party theme.
Looking for some great birthday gift ideas for your girl or boy? See my list!
First, here are some of the more typical birthday party place ideas from around Baltimore County. These are popular and possibly done too often (I am purposely not mentioning bouncy parties–I am so tired of them!), but kids of the right ages will usually have a great time:
- Laser tag
(Ages 6+)
Red Zone Adventures in Lutherville is a great place for a fun birthday party. Although alot of kids have laser tag birthday parties–there is a good reason. They have a great time every time! This is a good kids party place for older kids and teens.
Locations: Lutherville/Timonium
✳Party Favor Ideas: LED Bumpy Ring, Magnetic drawing tablets, Mini LED carabiner Flashlights - Bowling
(Ages 8+)
Bowling parties are a great idea for older kids. The younger ones who may have trouble handling the ball will enjoy it less, and may get frustrated, even with bumpers in place. I’d definitely, strongly recommend using a duckpin alley because the balls are smaller and lighter so it’s a better venue for birthdays, especially for the younger kids. There is one in Parkville that offers kid’s parties.
Locations: Parkville
✳Party Favor Ideas: ✳LED Rubberband Helicopters ✳(I love these!) or Rocket Copters
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- Movie Parties
(Ages 4+)
Kids love going to the movies. Most people don’t think of it, but you can host a great party at some movie theaters. A great example in Balt. County is Cinemark in Towson. The theater has a party room, and if you have twenty or more guests, you can even do a private movie screening. Pretty cool! With the right movie, this party is a good idea for any age, and it’s definitely a great party place for toddlers.
Locations: Towson
✳Party Favor Ideas: Kid’s Card Games, Mini Uno Cards, Puffy Kush Balls - Pool Parties (Age Range 1+)
Indoor and outdoor pool parties are always fun for kids of any age from toddlers to teens. Great for a 1st birthday party.
If your child likes swimming they’ll probably love the idea of inviting their friends to a swim party. There are lots of options for outdoor parties in the summer, but winter/colder months will require some research.
As far as I know, your best bet in Baltimore County would be the YMCA, for example I know that the Y in Catonsville offers birthday parties, but I am not able to find a page for this on the website. They definitely have a great pool for indoor pool parties in Baltimore County.
Kid’s First Swim School in Perry Hall, and Dundalk offers parties that would be good for younger kids. Same with Goldfish Swim School in Owings Mills. These are especially good for toddler birthday parties.
Otherwise, you may want to consider places like the Columbia Association swimming pools in Howard County.
Locations: Catonsville, Dundalk, Cockeysville, Owings Mills, Perry Hall
✳Party Favor Ideas: Water Toys, Goggles, Flip-Flop Keychains, Hawaiian Flower Leis, Hibiscus Flower Hair Clips - Gymnastics Parties (Ages 2+)
These parties tend to work out great — especially for toddler birthdays and for other younger kids. Everyone has fun running, jumping, and playing on gymnastics equipment, not to mention it’s great exercise. There are lots of gyms that offer birthday parties in Baltimore County. For example Rebounders in Timonium offers great parties as does Gymboree on Rossville Rd.
✳Party Favor Ideas: Ribbon Wands, Necklaces, Jump Ropes - Indoor Parkour (Age Range +)
Kids love to climb. The Alternate Routes gym in White Marsh takes it to the next level with indoor parkour birthday parties. Kids will train in a simulated urban environment to overcome obstacles. In short, they’ll have a great time getting worn out climbing and jumping. Sure to be a great birthday party.
✳Parkour Party Favor Ideas: Lego Bricks, Jump Ropes, Create Your Own Bouncy Balls Kit - The National Aquarium – This is a great opportunity to take a group to the aquarium. There are a couple of ways I would suggest doing this. You can officially book a party at the aquarium, and that makes sense if you want to have a reserved space, etc. But depending on how many people you wish to bring, you may be able to work it out by purchasing a membership. Memberships are a great value, for instance at the $250 “Ocean Ambassador” level you can bring in 4 adults and 6 kids (age 21 or younger) for a year. And you can come at any time – no timed entries like regular tickets. For bigger groups, you can get a group rate. (At this time, due to Covid, hosted birthday parties may not be available)
- Wonderfly Arena (Ages 3+)
This is definitely a fun kind of party for even the tiny tots to teenagers. Imagine a party in a hamster ball. Just keep in mind that keeping these giant balls moving is alot of exercise with lots of motion–meaning people who aren’t in the best shape or get dizzy might not have fun. They do have other party options though!
Locations: Arbutus
✳Wonderfly Party Favor Ideas: Silly Putty Balls - Basketball Party (Ages 5+)
If you’re child is into basketball, there are a few places around Baltimore County for a themed party. Freestate Sports Arena in White Marsh or Goals in Catonsville can host a basketball party. Also see Coppermine Fieldhouse locations in Baltimore City for more sports party ideas.
Locations: Catonsville, White Marsh, Mt. Washington
✳Basketball Party Favor Ideas: Atomic Basketballs, Basketball Mini-Stress Foam Balls, Basketball Keychains - Chuck E Cheese’s (Ages 3-7)
I am not the biggest fan of Chuck E Cheese, but I know many families like it. There is a location in Catonsville. Token prices are low—maybe around 20 cents each depending on which package you get. This is a great party venue for toddlers and younger children. - Urban Air – Lots of fun attractions for a birthday party here. Located in Towson, this is a good option and kids are definitely going to have fun.
Looking for some great gift ideas for your girl or boy? See my list!
And here are some more unusual ideas. These parties are possibly more memorable because they are more likely to be “one offs” that none of their classmates or friends have already done:
- Escape Room Party (Age )
There are a few escape room locations in the Baltimore area. The one I have experience with is Breakout Games (Timonium and Columbia). They offer several types of games. I am told that the best choice for kids is Museum Heist. They have no party room, and there isn’t really a group rate. You can just visit their website and purchase the number of tickets you need.Please note that you have to have an adult in the party and the maximum number of people is 8. So the most you can have is 7 kids. Still this is a great party, especially for older kids (Younger kids might find it frustrating rather than fun). - Fencing (Ages 8+)
I am not sure if there is a fencing club in Baltimore County, however in Baltimore City there’s Chesapeake Fencing Club and then there’s the Baltimore Fencing Center in Columbia in Ellicott City, MD . Both of which have a great facility for unusual birthday parties. Guests learn the basics of fencing and can get a little practice in at the party. If you’re looking a different kind of party location, this is your place.
Locations: Ellicott City, Baltimore City - Pirate Party
(Ages 7+) on the Urban Pirate boat that sails from Baltimore Harbor.
✳Party Favor Ideas: Gold Pirate Coins, Pirate Eye Patches, Bandanas - Nature Center Parties (Ages 2+)
There are several choices around Baltimore County for Nature Center birthday parties. One of the best is Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills. They have an excellent offering at a reasonable price. Fun for children of all ages.
Location: Owings Mills
✳Party Favor Ideas: Animal noses - Craft Parties (Ages 4+)
There are lots of options for this. One easy one is to have your party at either Michael’s (for example the one in Owings Mills/Reisterstown) or JoAnn Fabrics (stores in Parkville and Cockeysville). You may also want to check out Social Studio in Roland Park/Baltimore.
Locations: Parkville, Cockeysville, Baltimore - Pottery Parties (Ages 6+)
Paint your own pottery is a great idea for a birthday party. Kids in kindergarten and beyond will enjoy paint parties with their friends. In the Baltimore area, one of the best places is in Catonsville — the Pottery Cove.
✳Party Favor Ideas: Playdough, Magnetic drawing tablets, Putty Balls
Locations: Catonsville - iFly (Ages 3+)
An amazing new venue in White Marsh! Possibly the most unusual idea on this list, indoor skydiving would make for a wonderful birthday party place. Your boy or girl will never forget this birthday party! Be warned, this is a bit of a pricey option, at the end, each child will probably only get maybe 2 to 4 minutes of flying time. I would suggest that due to the amount of patience needed while waiting for your turn to fly, this venue is best for kids older than 7 even though toddlers are welcome.
Locations: White Marsh
✳Party Favor Ideas: Parachute Cord Bracelets, LED Finger Lights - Rock Climbing (Ages 5+)
Earth Treks has an amazing facility in Timonium that makes a wonderful place to host a bdp. Your kids will also definitely enjoy ClimbZone in White Marsh. Lots of great things to climb there.
Locations: Timonium, White Marsh - Toy Store Party at AmuseToys (Ages 2-6)
In Pikesville (Baltimore County). Parties in the lab are great fun. This is definitely a different kind of place to hold a birthday party.
Locations: Pikesville - Indoor Playground (Ages 3 – 7)
Kiddie Crusoe might be a good party place option for younger kids. Large indoor playground & party room. - Roller Skating (Ages 8+)
There are three rinks in Baltimore County that all offer roller skating birthday parties. For example, Hot Skates in Woodlawn and Skateland in Putty Hill offer a party that is currently under $100.
Locations: Woodlawn, Putty Hill
✳Party Favor Ideas: Glowing Gloves, Glowing Bracelets, Light Up Finger Rings - Rent a pavillion at Local Park (Ages 2+)
The tire park at the Hilton area of Patapsco State Park. This is a two acre playground made from recycled tires. Loads of fun and the nearby pavilions for a barbeque or just to hang out and do a craft. This is an inexpensive party venue, especially if you want to have lots of children attend. This is a particularly great party location for the warmer months.
Locations: Catonsville
✳Party Favor Ideas: Sidewalk Chalk, Bubble Wands, Beach Balls - Fire Station Birthdays(Ages 3-7)
Many people don’t even know that you can host a birthday party at some of the fire stations in Baltimore County (Pikesville). I know quite a few kids who love fire trucks and love birthdays…so why not combine the two. It’s fun for the kids, and they get some fire safety tips too! My only caveat would be that an emergency could potentially cut the party short.
As an alternative, there is a Fire Museum in Towson that provides a pretty good bdp experience. It’s an interesting place for both adults and children. Toddlers are likely to get a thrill seeing all the fire equipment.
✳A great gift to go with this birthday party would be a pair of walkie talkies. Here is one suggestion for a pretty good pair–but please read my caveats about them in my gift ideas for brainy kids blog post.
Locations: Towson, Pikesville, and other fire stations around Baltimore County.
- Zoo Parties (Ages 1+)
Wherever you are in Baltimore County, the Maryland Zoo isn’t very far. They offer great birthday party packages, and it is sure to be a great time for kids of all ages. Toddlers will really enjoy looking at all the animals, and even 8-year-olds and 9-year olds will have fun. The zoo is relatively small, which is really a plus. They do a great job of highlighting the animals, habitats, and ecology. A great place for a Maryland birthday party.
Locations: Baltimore City
✳Party Favor Ideas: Zoo Animal Headbands, Cat Keychains, Magic Snake - Maryland Science Center (Ages 6+)
As you probably know, the Maryland Science Center is in the Inner Harbor. They offer several birthday party options . If you’re near Towson, you may also want to have a look at Snapology’s offerings.
Location: Inner Harbor/Baltimore City, Towson
✳Party Favor Ideas: Invisible Ink Pens, Rubik’s Cubes, Animal Sticker Sheets - Day Spa Parties (Ages 4 – 14)
Towson is home to SparTea The Pink Door Day Spa For Girls. A great place to have a glamorous spa party for your kid! You may also want to check out Twinkle Twinkle Little Spa also in Towson and Posh & Play Kids Spa (in Nottingham) - Aviation Museum Party (Ages 5+)
This is a bit of a different kind of party. The airplane museum in Middle River offers birthday parties that are interesting, educational, and fun.
Locations: Middle River, Maryland
✳Party Favor Ideas: Inflatable Airplanes, foam gliders - Port Discovery (Ages 2 – 8)
(Located in Baltimore City near the Inner Harbor) – Always a popular place to take kids for any reason, Port Discovery makes a great place for a birthday celebration. Depending on the package you get, this can be a rather pricey place to hold your party, and you really need to plan ahead because they need 2 months notice in most cases. Still, this is sure to be a fun, memorable experience for your child and their friends. - Granite Rose Tea Parlour (Ages 11+)
Located in charming Granite, Md in Southwest Baltimore County ) – If you’re thinking of an especially fancy birthday party venue, this might be the place for you. Hosted in an authentic Victorian house, kids will enjoy attending a “real” tea party.
I think this would be a great party for 11-year olds, and older, but if say you are looking for ideas for 7-year olds…perhaps extra-well-behaved 7-year-olds, they might also find this party interesting.
Party Favor Ideas: Tea Party Hats, White Formal Gloves, Friendship Bracelets - Trampoline Party (Ages 5+)
(Timonium) – SkyZone is the place to go for a trampoline party. Great atmosphere, lots of options including “sensory” jump hours for quieter time for kids with special needs. I hesitate a bit on this one, because I am concerned about safety issues–people do get hurt at these kind of places and that can really spoil a good time, especially if it is a serious injury. Having said that, SkyZone does a pretty good job of making trampolines as safe as possible. - IKEA – (Ages 13+)
This might sound a little odd, but for some kinds, a party at IKEA may be great for teens and older kids. Friends dine in the cafe, and then have fun checking out the rooms. Photo contest anyone? $5 or less cactus plants for party favors…$1 ice cream cones. What could be better?
Location: Whitemarsh
Hopefully this list of party ideas helps you out. If you can think of any places I missed, please comment below. Don’t forget to check out my list of gifts for gifted kids.
If you’re reading this during the quarantine, you may be looking for some more creative birthday party ideas. See my list of virtual birthday parties.
