9 great places around Pittsburgh to host a birthday party for little kids

Above photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library.

It can be tricky to find the right spot to host a birthday party, whether you’re planning to invite the whole class or help your child celebrate with family and a few friends,. Classic spots like Chuck E. Cheese run parties like a well-oiled machine, but there are so many other creative options across Pittsburgh for celebrating the birthdays of smaller kids.

There’s no need to stick with those obvious places, and don’t feel obligated to stick with predictable timing, either. Weekends can get busy and be difficult to book, so consider hosting a weeknight birthday party. From art studios to dance parties and everything in between, check out the options below. They’re great for preschool and early-elementary aged kids.

(Have an older child? You can find our big-kid party guide right here.)

Sing Sing Sing

With locations in Wexford and Bakerstown, Sing Sing Sing is the perfect place to host a fun dance party for little ones. Their Budding Star party is recommended for kids age 5 and under, and is priced at $299 for 10 guests. Additional guests can be added. There will be plenty to do: An MC will lead kids through karaoke, a dance party, games, and more — including a group photo on stage. For older kids, various packages are also available. There’s even an option to make your own music video, if you choose the “platinum party.” Party times run from 90 minutes to two hours long.

Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library

This spot boasts some of the most affordable parties in the city — but do book early. It’s popular. For nonmembers, party rentals require a deposit of between $100 and $150, but most of that amount gets refunded after the party. Parties are only available on weekends and include a five-hour or seven-hour window of time where your party has the entire space. Party hosts are responsible for setup and cleanup. The Toy Lending Library boasts tons of play stations geared for the under-8-year-old crew and plenty of room to get their wiggles out. Consider joining as a member to use the play space regularly and get a discount on parties, too. Details can be found here.

Build-a-Bear

Planning a small party? It can be expensive to host your child’s whole class at Build-a-Bear, but it’s a great spot to take a few friends for a fun-filled hour. Pricing begins at just $12 per guest. Party packages are priced per bear (plus accessories), so you can customize to your budget. A team member from the store leads the kids through the process, choosing from bears at a particular price, then stuffing and fluffing them. Then it’s time to celebrate the birthday child, whose bear gets a special birthday cake accessory with light-up candle. While you can’t serve a real cake to Build-a-Bear, it’s simple to relocate to the mall food court for some food, cake and drinks (you can save money by bringing some or all of that with you) where the partygoers can toast the birthday child with their new stuffed friends.

Art Imagined

Located in West View, this studio offers private parties where the birthday kid can choose a project for their friends to create with them. From sculpture art to tie dye and acrylic pouring, the price per guest is based on what project you choose. Parties are two hours in length, with 90 minutes of creative time and 30 minutes for cake and presents. Contact Art Imagined for specific pricing and details.

Mad Science

Located in Millvale, Mad Science has a great party lab on site. And they also will assemble a party-to-go for families that want to host a science-themed bash at home. Their most affordable on site package begins at $370 and includes a two-hour party for 15 guests. That party features a science show, hands-on experiments, snack, and take-home activity. Additional guests can be added for $5, and higher tier packages include more amenities. Find all the details here.

Assemble 

The super-creative STEM learning nonprofit Assemble is a popular spot for afterschool learning and weekend crafting fun. It’s also a great place to host a birthday party. During a two-hour creative workshop, you can choose two customizable hands-on projects that will be led by two Assemble teachers. Along with their creations, partygoers will head home with goodie bags packed with Assemble swag. Families can bring their own food and beverages (note that Assemble is a peanut-free space), keeping costs down. The cost is $300 for up to 15 children ($150 for Garfield residents) and you can add up to five additional participating children for $10 each. (20 students is the max, per birthday party.)

Goldfish Swim School

If you’re looking to host the whole class (so the teacher can hand out those invites for you!), Goldfish Swim School is a great option.  With multiple local locations, there is probably a Goldfish near you in the Pittsburgh area. Their two-hour party package is $600, but can fit up to 24 children. That includes the invitations, party decor, a party room, and certified life guards for peace of mind. Details can be found here.

Pins Mechanical

Located in South Side Works, Pins Mechanical is big fun for adults in the evenings — but it’s also open to all ages before 9 p.m. Pins features duckpin bowling, as well as dozens of arcade games, ski ball, a giant Lite-Brite and more. Bowling lanes must be reserved and do cost money, but most other games are available for free play. While Pins doesn’t have a kitchen, they welcome outside food. So you can grab some pizzas or Happy Meals and host a crew of any size here. If you want a party package, you can spend $350 for  two reserved bowling lanes with unlimited play for two hours, plus endless soft drinks and access to all arcade games. To host just a few friends, reserve one lane and grab some tables for a low-key, less expensive party idea that’s simple to do. Find out more here.

Puttshack

There are plenty of mini golf spots around the ‘Burgh, but this one is unique: Puttshack is Pittsburgh-weather-proof. It’s a whimsical indoor course located in the Strip District Terminal building, and has a variety of party packages at different prices. It’s also got various catering options. Contact their party planning team for a truly customizable event.

Have a great party venue we haven’t heard of? Let us know about it here. Don’t forget to sign up for our free newsletter to find out what’s new in Kidsburgh twice a week. And check out our guides to indoor playspaces and indoor pools for more kid-centric fun.