10 great Pittsburgh birthday party places for bigger kids — puzzle rooms, horse ranches, ziplines and more!

Photo above by A n v e s h used by permission via Unsplash.

Birthday parties for the littlest kids can be relatively simple: Gather a bunch of kids in your backyard for cake and juice boxes, and you’re pretty much covered. 

But bigger kids in the 7-to-12-year-old age range probably want something a bit more compelling — perhaps a bigger space where they can let loose and make a little noise. Below, Kidsburgh has some suggestions that let kids have all kinds of fun with their friends, and perhaps even learn new things along the way. 

So gather the crew and embrace the chaos at one of these top Pittsburgh birthday party places for bigger kids.

1. Puzzle Room Pittsburgh

Escape from the typical Pittsburgh birthday party scenario at Puzzle Room Pittsburgh in Verona for some brain-twisting festivities! Unlock the puzzle from three different escape rooms in 60 minutes or less using a series of riddles and clues. With themes like The Study, Sasquatch and Escape The Undead, the scenarios are designed to be spooky, but not necessarily scary. (At a challenge ranking of 5 out of 10, The Study might be the best choice for a kids’ party.) 

2. Altitude

If free play is what you’re after, the Altitude trampoline park in Bridgeville offers three tiers of two-hour parties, from an affordable reserved table option to private access to the entire park before or after normal operating hours. Attractions– including dodgeball, wipe-out, summit jumping, and airbag– are adventurous enough for older teens, too. The “Book the Park” program keeps your event exclusive and ensures social distancing.  

3. Crate Kitchenware Store and Cooking School 

Got a kid who can’t stay out of the kitchen? Crate Kitchenware Store and Cooking School in Scott Township engages young cooks and their friends in a hands-on session with a personalized menu. Party guests and the birthday child can create a meal from scratch in the spot’s professional-grade kitchen. After devouring their custom creation during this unique Pittsburgh birthday party, guests can celebrate on full bellies.

4. Fun Fore All

On your mark, get set, go! Fun Fore All in Cranberry Township is an indoor/outdoor activity center with something for everyone, so it’s a great option for kids intent on inviting the whole class. Choose from two-, three- or four-hour time slots. You can distribute a timed pass to each party guest, then let them loose for unlimited spins on the go-karts, fun at the batting cages, kiddie rides, video games, and also the XD Dark Ride, which is a 4D interactive experience using blasters and six movie choices.

5. Dot & Line Art Studio

The creative Pittsburgh birthday party choices at Dot & Line Art Studio in Mt. Lebanon are almost as unlimited as your kid’s imagination. This art space, which was started by two neighborhood parents with backgrounds in art education, lets kids explore disciplines and techniques including sculpture, textiles, printmaking, fashion, comics, collaging and architecture. From paper lanterns to infinity scarves, guests will leave the party with a tangible keepsake from the celebration. 

6. Urban Air

With locations in Cranberry and Robinson townships (and opening Nov. 26 at the Waterfront in Munhall), this large-scale trampoline center hosts birthday parties with just the right level of age-appropriate attractions. Urban Air lets you customize everything, from how intense the activities are to whether to go for the glow-in-the-dark theme with the party taking place with the lights out. Tweens will dig Urban Air’s competitive warrior course, climbing walls, bumper cars, an indoor zip line, and a game of dodgeball that gets the whole guest list involved.

7. Full Throttle

Full Throttle Adrenaline Park, on the site of the former Steel City Karting in Monroeville, boasts 12 digitally-projected axe-throwing lanes (meaning no real axes!) and a gaming arcade in addition to a 1,400-foot-long go-kart track. Another option (perhaps for parents who have come along to the party?), the Rage Room provides flat-screen TVs and glass bottles to smash – a safe, if unconventional, outlet for those outburst-inclined partiers who aren’t getting any younger. 

8. Rolling Hills Ranch

Would-be equestrians can trot into their horse-riding dreams at Rolling Hills Ranch in South Fayette. Let the kids explore the facility’s 75 acres of beautiful Western Pennsylvania trails and woods on horseback. This family-owned and -operated company has been in business for over 50 years, and enlists experienced staff to ensure a safe event for horse novices and veteran riders alike.

9. Dragon’s Den

Dragon’s Den, a two-level challenge course operated by a nonprofit in the former St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead, hosts birthday parties for up to 60 kids. The 160-foot zipline and 20-foot climbing wall were designed to engage youth of diverse backgrounds to overcome challenges in themselves, their communities, and the world. It’s a (safely) thrilling spot for any child to climb and zip around. Heaters are available for the den’s courtyard space, so you can celebrate with food and drink outside throughout the year. (Learn more about Dragon’s Den here.)

10. Top Golf

If your kid loves golf and wants to bring the gang along, forgo the early tee time and head to Top Golf in Bridgeville. The two-hour kids’ party package is designed for golfers up to 12 years old. No matter the skill level, kids get to compete in a high-tech golf game in their own climate-controlled bay, making this a good spot for year-round celebrations.

Coming soon: Our updated birthday party guide for smaller kids!