Don’t discount park birthday parties at your local community center, nature center or park! Should your kid be blessed with a birthday month that begs for some outdoor fun, most options are very reasonable price-wise. Most have reservable, covered spaces to gather for gift openings and goodies, and often kids are perfectly entertained with playground equipment. If a little more direction or theme is desired, nature centers offer naturalist-led programs during birthday parties and options for organized indoor/outdoor activities.
Three Rivers Park District
Wild Birthday Parties
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, 10360 West River Road, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444
Eastman Nature Center at Elm Creek Park Reserve, 13351 Elm Creek Road, Dayton, MN 55369
Lowry Nature Center at Carver Park Reserve, 7025 Victoria Drive, Victoria, MN 55386
Richardson Nature Center at Hyland Lake Park Reserve, 8737 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
Recommended Ages: 4+
Price: $150 for 15 kids and 6 adults
Details: Two-hour party with the first hour led by a naturalist and the second open for cake and games. Pick from nature program themes include topics like pond exploration, insects or live animals. Book by calling six weeks in advance.
Verified: Feb. 2022
Farm-themed Birthday Parties
Gale Woods Farm, 7210 County Road 110 West, Minnetrista, MN, USA 55364
Recommended Ages: 4+
Price: $150 & up.
Details: Spend time on the farm and meet the animals during the warmer months or book an educator-led private program any time of the year.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Golf Birthday Parties
Eagle Lake Youth Golf Center, 11000 Bass Lake Road, Plymouth, MN 55442
Recommended Ages: All Ages
Price: $125
Details: Choose between 18-hole mini golf or birdie none-hole pitch-and-putt. Get a two-hour reservation. Bring your own food, tableware, decorations and treats. You do the clean up and set up.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Creative Play
Hyland Play Area, 8737 East Bush Lake Road Bloomington, MN 55438
Recommended Ages: All Ages
Price: $80; 16-guest maximum.
Details: Host parents are responsible for all setup, cleanup and party decorations and treats.
Availability: Saturday and Sunday party hours May – September.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Outdoor Learning Center Parties
Baker Outdoor Learning Center, 4001 County Rd 24, Maple Plain, MN 55359
Recommended Ages: 5+
Price: $175+
Details: Outdoor party themes include archery, photography, GPS, insects, Minnesota Animals, Prehistoric skills, rock climbing, snowshoeing and survival. Some parties are not appropriate for younger kids.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Art Parties
Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E St. Anthony, MN 55421
Recommended Ages: 5+
Price: $150-$185
Details: Choose from art projects like nature journals, miniature worlds, photography, paper lanterns, vegetable prints and seasonal projects. May-September clay parties.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
FootGolf Parties
Baker National Golf Course, 2935 Parkview Drive, Medina, MN 55340
Eagle Lake Youth Golf Center, 11000 Bass Lake Road, Plymouth, MN 55442
Recommended Ages: All Ages
Price: $110 for up to 12 people.
Details: Footgolf is a cross between golf and soccer and is played on a 9-hole golf course. Fee includes a round of footgolf and party space to gather. Birthday family provides food.
Availability: April-October weather permitting.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Birthday Parties at Regional, City and County Parks
Celebrate your birthday child‘s special day at a local park with amenities like beaches, playgrounds, basketball and baseball and other outdoor fun.
Anoka County Parks
Bunker Hills Regional Park, 550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304
Price: $40-$235.
Details: Picnic Pavilions, Activity Center, Visitor’s Center and water park rentals available.
Availability: April-October weather permitting.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Blaine Parks
Lakeside Commons Park, 3020 Lake Drive Northeast, Blaine, MN 55449
Price: Rates vary
Details: Park amenities include a beach and splash pad. Rent the pavilion for full or half days.
Availability: Call Blaine Rec for rental details.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Dakota County Parks
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123
Thompson County Park, 360 Butler Avenue East, West St Paul, MN 55118
Whitetail Woods Regional Park, 17100 Station Trail, Farmington, MN 55024
Price: $50-$160
Details: Picnic shelters are rented by the day. Book online with Dakota County Parks. Additional fees may apply for special permit items such as inflatables or bounce houses.
Availability: April 1st – October 31st.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Eagan Parks
Trapp Farm Park Tubing Hill, 841 Wilderness Run Rd, Eagan, MN 55123
Price: $150; 40-person max.
Details: Parties are not allowed during public hours, but families can reserve the tubing hill for exclusive use. Call to schedule reservation.
Availability: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays during tubing season.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Looking for a great place to host a child’s birthday party during the summer in Eagan? Most of the entries on our list of the 10 BEST PARKS IN EAGAN would be perfect! Choose from parks with fun perks like a nature play area, archery course, disc golf, and a splash pad.
Madison’s Place Playground and/or Sports Center
M Health Fairview Sports Center, 4125 Radio Drive, Woodbury, MN 5529
Price: Contact the venue for prices 651-714-3740.
Details: Rooms in the Sports Center are available to rent.
Availability: Contact the venue.
Verified: Mar. 2022.
MADISON’S PLACE PLAYGROUND is listed on our list of the 19 BEST PARKS IN WOODBURY because of its new inclusive playground and splash pad. Sounds like all the ingredients for a sweet summer birthday party!
Minnetonka Parks
Shady Oak Beach, 5200 Shady Oak Rd., Minnetonka, MN 55343
Price: Beach Party Packages from $80 to $120
Details: Includes 8 guests, souvenirs, plates, forks, napkins and use of two patio tables for 2 hours. Some packages include food for party guests — hot dog/corn dog, chips & beverages and cake.
Availability: Early June – Mid-August.
DIY: Rent a Shelter for $40-$80
Verified: Feb. 2022.
SHADY OAK BEACH & PLAY AREA is included on our list of the BEST BEACHES IN THE TWIN CITIES.
Washington County Parks
Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 1515 Keats Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Price: $158-$308/day
Details: Rent one of two picnic pavilions, both are relatively close to the swim pond and playground. Room for grilling/cooking.
Availability: Rental for 9a.m. – 8p.m. Clean up must be completed by 8p.m.
DIY: Rent a Shelter for $40-$80
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Wheel Fun Rentals
Lake Harriet, 4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Lake Nokomis, 2401 E Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Lake Como, 1360 Lexington Pkwy N, Saint Paul, MN 55103
Minnehaha Falls, 4801 South Minnehaha Park Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Bde Maka Ska, 3000 Calhoun Parkway Minneapolis, MN 55408
Veterans Memorial Park, 6335 Portland Ave, Richfield, MN 55423
Price: $7.50-$26.50/pp; minimum 15 people.
Details: Rent bike, boats or SUPs for two hours. Recommended to book 2 weeks in advance. The Richfield location offers mini golf birthday parties as well.
Availability: May 21, 2022 – Labor Day
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Nature Centers Birthday Parties
Like park birthday parties, families can rent space for birthday parties at many nature centers. Some of them even offer naturalist-led themed parties if there’s interest in more structured activities.
Carpenter St Croix Valley Nature Center
12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Price: $100
Details: Naturalist-led activities and an animal presentation geared toward kids ages 5+.
Availability: Year round offerings.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Dodge Nature Center
365 Marie Ave W., West St. Paul, MN 55118
Price: $150 for up to 15 children
Details: A naturalist leads seasonally-appropriate activities.
Availability: Party times are Saturdays at 10am or 1pm.
Verified: Feb. 2022.
Kroening Nature Center
4900 North Mississippi Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55430
Price: $75 for up to 12 children; $5 additional kids
Details: 2 1/2 hour room rental, including a 1-hour naturalist program in the nature theme of your choice. Family brings party needs – refreshments, tableware, etc.
Availability: Saturdays 10am-12:30pm or 1pm-3:30pm; Sunday 1pm-3:30pm.
Verified: March. 2022.
Springbrook Nature Center
100 85th Ave NW, Fridley, MN, USA 55432
Recommended Ages: 4-11
Price: $125
Details: 2 hours of private party space and a 45-minute naturalist program. Reserve one month prior for up to 15 guests.
Budget Idea: If you don’t mind skipping the party space, book an Outdoor Adventures program for $50.
Verified: Aug. 2022
Tamarack Nature Center
5287 Otter Lake Rd., White Bear Township, MN 55110
Recommended Ages: 3+
Price: $170-$210
Details: Naturalist-led activities and time in Discovery Hollow Nature Play Area
Availability: Reservations are not currently being accepted.
Verified: Feb. 2022
Wargo Nature Center
7701 Main Street, Lino Lakes, MN 55038
Parties include a naturalist-led activity and party room time | $120
Recommended Ages: 5+
Price: $125
Details: Two-hour parties includes a 45 minute naturalist-led program, including outdoor exploration, program animals, and/or games.
Verified: February 2022
Westwood Hills Nature Center
8300 W. Franklin Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Recommended Ages: 4+
Price: $110-$120
Details: Parties include a one-hour naturalist program and one hour of open-ended party room time
Verified: February 2022
Wood Lake Nature Center
6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN 55423
Recommended Ages: 4+
Price: $125 for up to 10 children with add-ons available.
Details: Parties include a naturalist-led activities, use of a party room, and age-appropriate themes for kids ages 4-12.
Verified: January 2023
Community Center Birthday Parties
Give your local community or recreation center a call to see what they offer in the way of party room space and outdoor amenities. This can be a wonderful way to save money; room rentals can start as low as $30 per hour and there’s no charge to take advantage of playground facilities outside.
Find Indoor playgrounds on our Active Play & Sports Birthday Party Page.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis Parks & Rec encourages families to host birthday parties and other private events in their recreation centers. Rentable party areas include gyms, multi-purpose rooms, kitchens and meeting rooms. 2022 prices range from $15/hour to $75/hour. Find room rental rates, information and an application on the Minneapolis parks website.
St Paul
Saint Paul community & recreation centers offer a variety of room rentals for private events, including gymnasiums, kitchens and meeting rooms. 2022 rates range from $15/hour to $70/hour for indoor facilities and $15-$75/hour for outdoor facilities. They also offer additional services and equipment for additional fees. Find rates and more information on the St. Paul Parks Website.
Find More Community Centers in our Directory.
Rent Shelters for Park Birthday Parties
Parks around the Twin Cities offer reservations and rental of shelters for picnic-style birthday celebrations. DIY Park party activities could include hiking or a treasure hunt. You can pick a park with a pool and/or a cool playground or you can plan a fun sporting event – like a baseball game or fun races.
There is always plenty of room to spread blankets. These can be some of the most affordable birthday parties. Reserved picnic areas usually come with picnic tables and often have grills available.
Minneapolis & Saint Paul Shelter Rentals:
- Minneapolis Picnic Sites – Available April 15 – October 15th.
- Saint Paul Picnic Shelters, Pavilions or Buildings – Available May – October.
Greater Twin Cities Picnic Shelter Rentals:
- Apple Valley Rentals & Reservations
- Blaine Facility Rentals
- Bloomington Rentals and Reservations
- Brooklyn Park Facility Rentals
- Brooklyn Center Picnic Shelter Reservations
- Burnsville Facility Reservations
- Chanhassen Picnic Shelter Reservations
- Coon Rapids – Rent City Facilities
- Cottage Grove Park Building & Shelter Rentals
- Eagan Park Pavilion & Facilities Reservations
- Eden Prairie – Rent a Park Facility
- Edina – Rent a Park Building or Picnic Shelter
- Inver Grove Heights Park Shelter Rentals
- Lakeville Park Spaces Available for Rent
- Maple Grove Pavilion and Building Reservations
- Maplewood Picnic Shelters
- Minnetonka Picnic Shelters
- Plymouth Park Rentals and Reservations
- The City of Ramsey – Rentals include bikes, canoes & kayaks as well as park amenities.
- Richfield Facility Rentals
- Roseville Park Buildings and Event Space
- Savage – Rent a Facility
- St. Louis Park – Rent a Facility
- Shakopee Park Rentals and Reservations
- Woodbury Rental Opportunities
We’ve listed some of our favorite spaces for Park Birthday Parties, but neighborhood parks can make great birthday party spaces. Check out our extensive Park Directory – Where you can filter by parks with Birthday Party Options. Do you have a favorite park for gatherings? leave us a message.