Each year, parents confront the same issue: What am I going to do for my child’s birthday party? To make the location hunt easier, I’ve compiled a list of popular and unique party venues in Central Jersey, including an indoor pool, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, roller skating rink, pinball museum and aquarium.
Some facilities take care of everything, and the only thing you need to remember is your camera. Others, however, require you to arrange your own food service, and handle setup/cleanup.
Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse, Parlin (732- 525-3551): The “Bonsai Birthday” includes tableside hibachi show with three-course meal, ice cream cake, unlimited beverages, birthday parade, invitations, chef’s hats and party favors. The cost is $199 for 10 kids, $19.99 for each additional child.
CK’s Baseball 4 U, Morganville (732- 617-8117): If your child loves baseball, how about a 90-minute party at a training facility? Instructors will lead play in Wiffle ball, batting cages, radar guns, pitching targets, electronic baseball machines and sliding mats. The cost is $300 for 15 kids, and you must supply your own food.
Dosil’s, Middletown (800-NJ-DIVER): I hostedmy older son’s 7th birthday here, and the kids had a blast getting to swim indoors in winter. Dosil’s has a 30-by-40-foot heated pool. Parties can be book for Friday evenings, and on Saturdays and Sundays year-round. The cost is based on the number of swimmers: 20 or less is $199, 21 to 30 is $249. Tell guests to bring their own towel/hairdryer. There’s a roomy party space, but you have to decorate, cover tables and bring in all food/drink.
Funtime America, Cliffwood (732-583- 4600): Funtime has about 10 party packages, all of which include playtime in the four-story Playscape, visit to science center, invitations, paper goods, balloons, souvenir cup, and a party room for pizza, soda and Carvel cake. Functions run just under two hours. For my younger son’s 5th birthday in January, we booked the basic “Carnival Blast” – priced at $199 for up to 10 kids – which adds three carnival rides and 30 tokens per guest. Everything was seamless, and staff took care of every detail.
iPlay America, Freehold Township (732- 577-8200): Opened in November as the state’s largest indoor amusement park and family entertainment center, the 115,000-square-foot iPlay has 200 arcade games, bumper cars, Boardwalk games, go-karts, laser tag, bowling and amusement rides. The 2.5-hour iParty base package for 13 kids covers unlimited select rides, 4-D theater thrill ride, airbrush tattoo, pizza and soda, cupcakes and supplies for $499.
Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant (732-899-1659): This intimate boardwalk aquarium presents parties for kids 4 and up that include a one-hour guided aquarium tour, half hour in the party room, ice cream cake, drinks, party favors, invitations and an appearance by penguin mascot. Party times are 2 to 3:30 p.m., and 3:30 to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; weekend parties (not offered in summer) run 10:30 a.m. to noon. The rate is $250 for up to 15 kids and adults.
Monster Mini Golf, Marlboro (732-414- 2900): The party begins with time in the party room for bring-your-own food and cake. After they eat, guests are led to the indoor glow-inthe dark (illuminated by black lights), monsterthemed, 18-hole mini golf course. Paper goods, table decorations are provided.
Paper Moon Puppet Theater, Atlantic Highlands (732-775-0290): You can enjoy a private viewing of the current puppet show performance – at 11 a.m. on Saturdays or on Sundays to Fridays at any time – plus the theater for one-hour post-show. Parents are responsible for party supplies, decorations and food. The cost is $450. You can also have a party during public performances on Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Party Jungle, Manalapan (732-972-2525): Two-hour private parties for up to 15 kids include playtime (there’s a play unit with slides, tunnels, air bounce and web crawl, as well as toddler play space, arcade and rock wall), zipline ride, tattoos and face painting. In the party room is a disco dance party with bubbles, pizza and unlimited drinks. Prices start at $199 weekdays and $299 weekends.
Rollermagic, South Amboy (732-727- 1122): You can opt for a party during a public skating session, or book the entire rink for a private party of up to 100 people. The cost is $500 for two hours of skating and quad-skate rentals. You can bring your own food, or order from the snack bar.
SilverballMuseumArcade, Asbury Park (732-774-4994): For $15 per person for three hours, enjoy play on “the top 200 pinball machines of all time.”
Sweet and Sassy Salon, Old Bridge (732- 591-0020): They offer eight themed parties for girls ages 4 to 13, most of which include glittery makeovers, take-home gifts and time in the Cake Place room. Add-ons include goodie bags, pucker powder candy, make-your-own spa items and rides in their Hot Pink Limo.
The Little Gym, Morganville (732-772- 0060): I’ve hosted three parties here and can attest they do a fantastic job. The private “Birthday Bash” for up to 15 kids includes pizza, juice, invitations, paper goods, balloon for each child, and a birthday leader and assistant who run all games and activities. Price is $329 for members and $350 for nonmembers.
Young Chef’s Academy, Morganville (732-536-7777): Make-your-own pizza, fresh pasta, cupcakes, ice cream brownie sundaes, Mexican fiesta or sushi at a 90-minute cooking party here, where everything is done for you. Included are invitations, cupcakes to decorate, chef hats, goodie bags, drinks and paper goods.
Other possibilities include BounceU, Marlboro (732-972-6862), Chuck E. Cheese, Middletown (732-615-9091), Cold Stone Creamery, Holmdel (732-671-0606), Elite TrampolineAcademy, Middletown (732-747- 4000), Head Over Heels Gymnastics, Middletown (732-671-2328), Imagine That Museum, Florham Park (973-966-8000), Little Scoops, Aberdeen (732-566-0404), movies at Rave Motion Pictures Hazlet 12 (732-888- 4654) or Clearview Cinemas Strathmore, Aberdeen (732-583-9477), My Gym, Shrewsbury (732-389-9669) and Manalapan (732- 536-9496), Pottery House, Matawan (732-970-7613), Pump It Up (732-409-4748), FreeholdTownship, ShrewsburyGymnastics (732-747-0070), and Small Factory Productions, Fair Haven (732-212-1088).
To contact Lizz Dinnigan, “friend” her on Facebook under Dinnigan’s Diversions.