Winter birthday party ideas on Long Island for all ages
Lambros Stathakis, 8, and Elena Handy, 3, ride on the track at Jetsetter Kids Club in Lindenhurst. Credit: Linda Rosier
If you're in a sweat over planning a winter birthday party, no worries. Plenty of cool local venues are offering trendy themes, creative menus, fun activities and age-appropriate vibes for birthday boys and girls. Even the grown-ups have options to ring in their special day.
Kids can dance the day away at a "KPop Demon Hunters"-themed birthday bash, while adults celebrating their big day can sip chardonnay in new heated cabins at a local vineyard.
Here are Long Island party spots that do most of the work for you, from the décor to the cake and party favors.
Party ideas for kids and teens
Host a princess or safari party at Jetsetter Kids Club
155 W. Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst
Elena Lavithis, 6, left, and her brother, Chrysostomos, 2, celebrate their birthdays at Jetsetter Kids Club. Their sister, Evangelia 3, is on the right. Credit: Linda Rosier
After seeing Instagram photos of Jetsetter, Theodora Lavithis, of Wantagh, decided to host a Barbie-themed party there for her 6-year-old daughter and a minion-themed event for her 2-year-old son, who share a December birthday.
"It hits every age group, it’s educational and fun," Lavithis says of Jetsetter.
Sixteen party packages cater to children up to age 14, spokesperson June Farahan says.
Yiannis Liasi, 5, of East Meadow, explores the sensory light wall; Chrissy Karalis, 5, plays in the Little Explorers studio. Credit: Linda Rosier
Popular packages include princess, safari, Spider-Man and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts andmMathematics). A main play area is packed with tunnels, slides, a kiddie fitness club and sky cafe. The location also offers drop-in sessions and open play for over an hour of fun for littles.
- COST Drop-in sessions are $20-$22 per child for one hour and 10 minutes; Party packages starting at $999 for 90-minute parties for up to 15 children.
- MORE INFO 631-592-1500, jetsetterkidsclub.com
Go '90s retro playing laser tag at Q-ZAR
151 Voice Rd., Carle Place
Safia Thomas and Waleed Cheema having fun playing Lazar Tag at Q-Zar; Javier Ticona and his daughter Allison, of Uniondale, play the King Kong VR game. Credit: Howard Simmons
Laser tag parties, which peaked in popularity in the '90s, are making a comeback, says Miguel Ortiz, Q-ZAR general manager. The packages include several rounds played in two teams or in an "everyone for themself format," followed by a 45-minute pizza party and playtime in the arcade. If you want to pop in with a few friends, play a la carte games at the arcade or join a public laser tag session.
- COST Drop-in public laser tag session, three games (30 minutes) is $25.99 per person. Add VR and arcade for $39.95; Party packages starting at $699.95 for 90 minutes to to 2 hours, 11 guests including the guest of honor.
- MORE INFO 516-877-7200, qzarny.com
Craft a plushie, do the ‘Cha-Cha Slide’ at Krafty Hands
146 W. Main St., Bay Shore; 1666 Merrick Rd., Merrick; 49 Ira Rd., Syosset; 1041 W. Jericho Tpke., Smithtown; 200 Tanger Mall Dr., 200 Tanger Mall Dr., Tanger One Suite 513, Riverhead
Kids can build a stuffy pet, make slime and try a number of other crafts at this birthday party franchise. They can also get creative stenciling a T-shirt, hoodie or tote bag with water-based spray paint to "reflect their personality and interests," says Samantha Melia, of Massapequa, who co-owns the Bay Shore and Smithtown locations with her mother.
Kids can create art projects at Krafty Hands. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Half the room is devoted to a dance floor where kids can move to The Kiboomers’ "The Floor is Lava" and DJ Casper’s "Cha-Cha Slide," Melia says.
- COST Drop-in session starting at $15-$45 for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the craft; Party packages starting at $650 for 90 minutes.
- MORE INFO Bay Shore: 631-377-5059; Merrick: 516-240-1638; Syosset: 516-933-1785; Smithtown: 631-380-3838; Riverhead: 516-477-3057, funcraftny.com.
Let the 'KPop Demon Hunters' entertain you
Kids can sing and dance along to hits from the Netflix movie "KPop Demon Hunters." Credit: Royal Princess Prep
This traveling show features costumed actors resembling Rumi, Mira and Zoey from Huntrix, the fierce girl band in Netflix’s animated movie "KPop Demon Hunters." They perform hits including "Golden," "Takedown" and "How It’s Done" and "if there’s time, they will dance with the children to ‘Soda Pop'," the song by the movie’s boy band, says Royal Princess Prep Entertainment owner Kelsey Edquist, of Glen Head. The package also includes photo opportunities with the cast and a friendship bracelet for the birthday celebrant.
- COST Company travels to location for party; 30 to 45 minutes, starting at $300.
- MORE INFO 516-639-3939, royalprincessprep.com
Party ideas for adults
Book a themed dinner party at Beginnings Restaurant
1986 Park St., Atlantic Beach
Beginnings in Atlantic Beach has hosted several themed dinner events including "The Sandout" and "Friends."
The restaurant "decorated like an elegant downtown New York City bookstore" specializes in parties for book lovers, says Keleigh Bivona, of Lindenhurst, co-owner with her husband, Brian, and his childhood friend, Ricky Lafontant, of Merrick.
Amid wall shelves stocked with literary classics, Beginnings has hosted "Winnie the Pooh" and "Velveteen Rabbit" first birthday parties, a Jane Austen and "Bridgerton" garden party and a 40th birthday party with cigars and a Great Gatsby speakeasy feel," Bivona says. For literary refreshment, the bar serves a gin martini named for the 1959 novel, "Flowers for Algernon" and "My Week With Marilyn" cocktails suggested by the 2000 memoir about Marilyn Monroe, Bivona says. The restaurant also offers weekly themed dinners based on popular movies, books and TV shows.
- COST The event schedule features weekly themed dinners (5-course food and cocktail tasting starting at $69.95) and trivia nights (free to play); Private party packages start at $3,750 for a family-style dinner, drinks and valet service, for up to 50 guests, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
- MORE INFO 516-239-7483, beginningsrestaurant.com
Play pickleball and pool at Box Pickleball
605 Old Country Rd., Riverhead
Pickleball courts at Box Pickleball Container Bar and Kitchen in Riverhead. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Your party guests will be bouncing around this facility equipped with nine pickleball courts, a 30-foot digital screen for sports broadcasts, pool tables and a new Dryvebox golf simulator.
The paddle sport known for its two-bounce rule offers "a very different kind of party" with both a mental and physical "workout," manager John Berry says. Guests can order buffet-stye chicken, burgers and more from online menus, and wine and draft craft beer, some locally produced, from the bar, he says.
- COST Open play $20 per person for a two-hour session; Party packages starting at $300, two hours for up to 12 people
- MORE INFO 631-591-0269, box-pickleball.com
Sip wine in a heated cabin at Loughlin Vineyards
299 Middle Rd., Sayville
Drink, dine and play card games inside the cozy heated cabins that opened in December at the scenic South Shore vineyard. Up to eight people can be accommodated in three former greenhouses equipped with comfy seating, electric fireplaces, coffee table books, Bluetooth, LED lighting and party games, says vineyard owner Brittany Catrone. Smaller date-night cabins for two will open soon.
The heated cabins at Loughlin Vineyard in Sayville. Credit: Loughlin Vineyard
"So charming and so cozy," is how Karen Gunther, 59, of Sayville, an early childhood education consultant, described the two cabins where she and her family played Uno and drank chardonnay at a holiday gathering.
Press a call button for a delivery of fish and chips, fried olives, truffle Parmesan fries and other treats, or warmed Cabernet spiced with oranges, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- COST $100 per two-hour reservation for six to eight people, includes a bottle of Loughlin wine.
- MORE INFO 631-589-0027, loughlinvineyardny.com
