What options are available for kid birthday parties in Traverse City? Whether you have been planning the perfectly detailed party for months and just decided to throw a party together last minute, finding the right venue for kid’s birthday parties in Traverse City can be time consuming! There are so many options and some websites don’t include all the information you need to know which venue is right for you. Instead of calling nearly two dozen venues and getting the details, check this list first to help you narrow down what’s available in our area. Once you select the venue, check out the guide to kid birthday cakes and treats to find the right baker to make a celebratory custom cake, cookies, donuts, cake pops, and even gluten free, dairy free and vegan options.
Birthday Party Venues – Traverse City
Busy Bodies Bounce Town
(Located in the Cherry Land Center)Busy Bodies Bounce Town Logo
1730 S Garfield Ave
Traverse City, MI 49686, USA
(231) 252-4455
Birthday packages range from the party room only ($60) to package B ($200), which includes the party room, play time on the bounce houses, goody cups filled with candy and toys, cup cakes, and a Busy Bodies Bounce Town t-shirt. What better way to run off a sugary treat filled with birthday excitement than to literally bounce around for a few hours?
Center Ice
1600 Chartwell Drive Centre Ice Traverse City Logo
Traverse City, Michigan, 49696
231-933-7465
Does your child love ice skating? An ice skating birthday party at Centre Ice is a great way to celebrate! Each party includes open skate and use of the community room. Parties can range from a few people in open skate up to 50 with a private ice skating. The cost depends on the type of party, but is $4 person to skate and $3 for skate rental or $250 for a private party.
Grand Traverse Bay Gymnastics
3450 South Airport Rd West
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-929-2869
Where can you plan a birthday party that includes open gymnastics time, bounce houses, games, and all the decorations? Grand Traverse Bay Gymnastics offers all of this, plus all the paper products needed to celebrate the special birthday child! Parties are recommended for children ages 4+ and includes an hour of gymnastics and group games with prizes. Birthday parties are only available on Saturdays and Sundays and cost $130 for up to 12 kids. Call to book your child’s next birthday party – they are booked out months in advance. Tennis birthday parties are also available and follow a similar format!
Grand Traverse Conservation District
1450 Cass Road
Traverse City, MI 49685
231.941.0960
If your child loves to run, play and explore outside along side nature, then book a Naturally Wild Birthday Party at the Boardman River Nature Center. Packages range from $50 (rental of the Oleson Pavilion Rental with no educator) to $100 (rental of the facility for up to 60 guests) to $150 (1 hour with an educator and rental of the facility). Friends of the Boardman River Nature Center receive a discount with parties ranging from $45 – $145.
Your wild create can choose from 10 different birthday party themes, including: Beautiful Butterfly Party, Magnificent Mammal Party, Wilderness Survival Party, Perfect Plant Party, Hoppy Birthday Party, River Rendezvous Party, and 5 Senses Exploration Party.
Grand Traverse Resort
100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard
Acme, MI 49610
231-534-6000
Are you planning a pool party? Grand Traverse Resort offers endless birthday fun in the Indoor Water Playground! Add on an appearance of Bogey Bear, pizza, and candy spree at Dylan’s Candy Shop! Parties start at $150 for members and $200 for non-members for up to 12 swimmers and two people not swimming. This also include a cake, paper products, balloons and decorations, swimming, a youth counselor, and party bags.
Grand Traverse YMCA
o3700 Silver Lake Rd.
Traverse City, MI 49684
p. 231-933-YMCA (9622)
Does your child live, breath, and dream about sports? A birthday party at the Grand Traverse YMCA gives your child the option of four sports-related themes, including dodgeball, basketball, pickleball, game mania, or building your own! Parties are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Each birthday party costs $150 for community participants and $120 for members for up to 12 children.
Great Lakes Children’s Museum
13240 S. West Bay Shore Drive
Traverse City, Michigan
Phone: 231-932-4526
A birthday party at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum will give your kids (and up to 25 people total) hours of fun activity time and full use of the Great Lakes Activity Room. You bring all the paper supplies, decorations and cake and they will help setup and clean up. Plan the party during regular museum hours or a private party after hours! Parties start at $150 for non-members and $125 for members.
Great Wolf Lodge
3575 N US Highway 31 S
Traverse City, Michigan 49684
231.941.3600 ext. 784
Looking for a resort birthday party without having to travel? Great Wolf Lodge offers memorable birthday parties that include access to the water party, plus an entire resort of fun options: bowling, the arcade, MagiQuest and mini golf (during warmer months). Birthday parties include pizza, water park passes, cake, a sign for your room, and birthday wolf ears!
Grit Shop TC
5101 Sawyer Woods Dr.
Traverse City, MI 49685
231-943-0100
Enjoy use of the indoor facility, complete with a turf field. Parties will be supplied with soccer, wiffle ball, dodgeball equipment, or toddler sports equipment. Includes a protected area on the second level for food and cake you bring that is away from guests and overlooks the playing field. A two-hour party (plus 30 minute setup time) is $200 for a maximum of 25 guests.
Handz On Art
144 Hall St Warehouse MRKT Suite 110
Traverse City, Michigan
231.941.5071
Looking for a fun hands-on activity for your young artist? Handz On Art is a great option for birthday parties that are creative and laid back for groups of 10 or more. Bring in any food and enjoy painting your own project together.
Hang Workshop
743 Woodmere Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-620-4750
Looking for a birthday party for your artistic child? Book their next birthday party at Hang Workshop for a fun and creative painting experience that is perfect for the artist at any level. Kids will get to paint a wooden sign that you pre-select prior to the party. Kids ages eight and up can usually complete the painting project with little help. Bring your own food, paper products, and decorations for your private two-hour party. Staff will clean up for you!
There are two serving areas to make your corporate event or party shine at our Traverse City party venue. Please also bring plates, silverware and napkins if needed for your private party or event. We only request that no beer or wine will be permitted at our venue when hosting children’s or teen parties. After the private party or event, we will clean up for you!
Incredible Mo’s
1355 Silver Lake Crossings Blvd.
Grawn, MI 49637
(231) 944-1355
Incredible Mo’s offers something for the entire family and the same is true for kid’s birthday parties! They have many different packages to choose from and all includes the use of the private party room with a host. Plan a birthday party for your baby or toddler with play time in Mini Mo’s. A birthday party featuring bowling, the arcade, laser tag, the laser maze and Juke N Box are all fun options for older kids and teens. Pricing ranges from $119 to $419 and all parties include pizza and unlimited pop.
Incredible Mo’s has an incredible birthday program. They donate a birthday party to a kid in need for every five birthday parties booked!
Lucky Jack’s
1705 S. Garfield Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231)-947-2610
If your child loves bowling and playing arcade games, look at booking their next birthday party at Lucky Jack’s! They offer multiple party rooms to choose from and all parties include pizza and pop. You can customize a bowling birthday party or arcade birthday party with bumper cars, laser tag, and the laser maze. Pricing depends on the number of guests and activities, but ranges from $15 – $30 per person, plus any activities added on!
Painting with a Twist
317 E Front St, #B
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 392-5716
There are many birthday party options for young children in Traverse City, but what about older children? A birthday party at Painting with a Twist is a great option for children ages 7 – 12 years of age. You pre-select the design that everyone will paint from a collection of 6000 paintings. Pricing is $25 per person with a minimum of eight people.
Professor Qwbli’s
406 S. Union Street
Traverse City, Michigan
(231) 360-5929
Searching for a unique birthday party filled with games and exploration? Professor Qwbli offers both packaged with fun and celebration. There are many different options, including tournaments, structured and open game play, cardboard challenges, Knockin’ Noggins shows, TRAPPED! inside Professor Qwbli’s, and silly science experiments. All birthday parties include Professor Qwbli invitations, a photo booth integrated with social media, and a birthday certificate and gift from Professor Qwbli’s. Pricing starts at $225 for 2 hours and increases based on the amount of time and activities chosen.
Ranch Rudolf
6841 Brown Bridge Road
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 947-9529
You may not be able to buy your child a horse for their birthday, but you can give them a horse-riding, wild west birthday party at Ranch Rudolf. Birthday parties for children ages three to eight include 30 minutes of horse time with parents leading the kids around the horses. Older children ages nine to eighteen get to enjoy 30 minutes of training and an hour-long trail ride. All parties include a meal with either pizza or a Wild West meal!
Seung-ni Academy
965 Industrial Cir Seung-Ni
Traverse City, Michigan
(231) 932-4300
Is your child a Ninja at heart? Seung-ni Academy offers the perfect birthday party for up to 12 guests. Birthday themes includes martial arts, Nerf dart tag, and a Ninja warrior course. Parties are available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and cost $125 for up to 12 guests.
Water’s Edge Gymnastics
971 Lynch Drive
Traverse City, Michigan 49686
231.941.7751
Looking for a birthday party venue for your young gymnast? Book a party at Water’s Edge Gymnastics for up to ten children. They will enjoy using the foam block pit, balance beans, bars, mats, and trampolines with an instructor to ensure safety. After open gym time, the party gets to move into the party area that the staff sets up for you – complete with tables, chairs, plastic table coverings. The Silver and Gold party packages include decorations and paper products. The Gold party package also includes Jets Pizza! Pricing is $150 for the Gold Party Package, $170 for the Silver Party Package, and $200 for the Gold Party Package. All party guests will also receive a pass for a FREE OPEN GYM.
Pavilions to Rent in Traverse City
Blair Township Park and Splash Pad – Grawn
There is one pavilion available to rent. Call the Blair Township’s Treasurer’s office at (231) 276-9263 ext 102 to see if it’s available and then fill out this form.
Bower’s Harbor Township Park – Old Mission Peninsula
The three pavilions at Bower’s Harbor Park are available to reserve from June through September. Contact the park at (231) 223-7322 ext. 1 (email: officemanager@peninsulatownship.com) to check availability and then print and submit this form to request the reservation.
Grace MacDonald Park – Traverse City
There is one pavilion available to rent. Call the Township Office at 231-947-8647 to check availability and make a reservation.
Grand Traverse County Civic Center – Traverse City
The pavilion on the south end of the park is available to rent. Contact the Parks and Recreation Office at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center Office at 231-922-4818 to check for availability and to learn current requirements for renting the pavilion. Here is the form to start the process in reserving the pavilion.
Greilickville Harbor Park – Traverse City
There are two pavilions available to rent. Call Elmwood Township at 231-946-0921 to check for availability and then download this form to start the reservation process.
Haywood Park – Traverse City
There are two pavilions available to rent in Haywood Park. They are based on a first-come-first-serve basis, so it’s best to plan your party early to ensure a pavilion is available.
Killingsworth Park – Traverse City
There is one pavilion available to rent at Killingsworth Park. Contact the Parks and Recreation Office at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center Office at 231-922-4818 to check for availability and to learn current requirements for renting the pavilion. Here is the form to start the process in reserving the pavilion.
Sayler Park | Yuba Park – Acme
There are three pavilions available to rent Sayler Park and Yuba Park, which connect to each other. Call Acme township at (231) 938-1350 to check availability and to make a reservation.
Silver Lake Recreation Area – Traverse City
There are three pavilions are available to rent for birthday parties, graduation parties, family reunions and other ideal functions. They get scheduled fast, especially in the spring and summer months, so I recommend calling 231-941-1620 to reserve a pavilion ASAP. Here is the reservation application after you confirm that the date is available.
Birthday Party Entertainment
Wonder & Whimsy
Wonder & Whimsy brings princess and fairy tale magic to your child’s party! The princesses are look-alikes to Disney characters, including Anna, Elsa, Belle, Cinderella, and Moana. Wonder & Whimsy can customize the activities for your child’s birthday party. In the past party activities have included: story time, craft time, sing-a-long, tea party, dancing with the princesses, face painting, game time, and photos with the princesses. Each birthday boy or girl will receive a special gift presented by the princesses!
The Painted Lady Face Art
Chances are high that you have already experienced The Painted Lady Face Art at a community event. You can also hire her for your child’s birthday party! These aren’t simple decorations painted in two minutes – these are works of art that look phenomenal. Lori has a BFA in illustration and has been painting faces for seven years. Rates for birthday parties start at $80 per hour.