Best Places for Kids' Birthday Parties

Kids' birthday parties used to be so simple. Back in the day, it was enough to head to a McDonald's with an indoor playland and let one of their cashiers lead the kids through a game of 'See Who Can Stack a Styrofoam Container the Highest.' If the adults were sick of that, it was off to Chuck-E-Cheese, where kids would deep-sea dive to the bottom of the ball pit in search of lost game tokens while the adults gorged on Diet Coke and cheap pizza.

It's hard to argue with the classics, but luckily we have a few more options now. Los Angeles has a number of great places and ways to celebrate a kid's birthday, and we put together this handy list for Patch readers. And if you end up wanting to grab some friends and hit the ball pit anyway, go right on ahead -- your secret is safe with us.

Pretty much the exact opposite of pizza and flat fountain pop, this award-winning theater is going into its sixteenth season. Its mission is to craft evocative works across a number of age ranges and income levels, making theater accessible to most everyone who wants to see it. The Geffen offers a series of plays specifically targeted to kids, such as the upcoming Story Pirates. On weekends, the theater offers family friendly programming in the form of their series Saturday Scene, with a different play each week geared toward the under-11 age group. Tickets are $10 per kid and $15 for adults, but subscribing to three or more shows in the series nets supporters discounted group rates.

Its website proudly bill it as the place "where A-listers celebrate their kid's birthdays." Luckily, you don't need to star in a movie to get your kid in to this 6,000 square-foot, kid-themed play palace, though it sure helps. Private parties start at $1,000 for a minimum of fifty children. For the rest of us, parties for kids start at $15 per adult and $20 per child, and they include pizza, salad, a fountain drink, and the choice of cookie or ice cream for each person. Keep the kids occupied running around the differently decorated rooms, or choose a theme, such as princesses or pirates, for $150 more. For an extra charge, your party can be entertained by a DJ, magician, mad scientist or all three. See Giggles and Hugs' full list of entertainment options on their party page for details.

At times, it can be hard to get your kids to sit still. At Dance for Kids, high energy is actually encouraged. The dance school in the Brentwood Gardens shopping center is about far more than just instruction. The school allows parents to reserve studios for themed birthday parties as well. Up to 25 kids at a time can be accomodated, and they can celebrate to the strains of hip hop, Hannah Montana or even "Grease! The Musical." Parties can also be customized to provide whatever type of dance music your graceful little monster desires. See the Dance for Kids website.

If you're a Westwood resident with kids, or merely a local who likes to swim, you likely already know about the rec center. The large local park offers a parking lot, and the list of amenities just doesn't stop: several playgrounds, each one appropriate for a different age, several slides for kids of varying sizes, from tiny slides for the small ones and curvy exciting slides for the older kids. In addition to the sports fields here there are enclosed, gigantic sandboxes, grassy areas and picnic tables.

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You may have heard better ideas in your life than herding a pack of wild children through a toy store, but hear us out! From the coin-op carousel just outside the store to the inviting owner Jennifer Rebecca, Jenny Bec is a welcoming shop that encourages customers to explore and play. Whether your birthday boy or girl is old enough to pick a gift for themselves, or you just plan in treating them to one more gift (perhaps a gladiator outfit or ladybug costume), hitting up this local retailer should be a part of the birthday plan.

Besides, there's no way you can head to  for a birthday treat without them spotting a store full of toys next door, anyway. This local baker uses only natural ingredients, ensuring that the sugar high you endure for the next several hours is, at least, not too terrible for them. Call ahead and have them prepare a custom birthday cake, cupcakes or cookies, and the staff will decorate your cake with whatever your little one desires.