Let's talk about kids' birthday parties. Our parent wish is to:

Celebrate our child.
Keep costs down.
Get their wiggles out.
Not have it at home, and to clean up.
Make memories.
Have fun!

Yet, everywhere seems expensive, the packages are confusing, and it gets complicated fast.

I know. I am right there with you; the struggle is real. But now that I have had my son's birthday parties at the Children's Museum of Tacoma (both boys!), I can confidently say that it is a great option.

I was worried the museum might be too young for my son's fifth birthday, but it was perfect. Even my almost eight-year-old had a blast at the party.

Honestly, I should never have doubted it. We've been going to the Children's Museum of Tacoma since my eldest was a baby (see this post from 2018!), and it's been such a lifesaver over the years. We love playing there, even at 5- and 8-year-olds.

Back to birthdays. Here's the deal with a CMT birthday (yup, so tight with the museum, I'm calling it CMT).

CMT Birthday Party

Note: Greentrike is the non-profit that powers The Children's Museum of Tacoma (and more!).

Main Decisions to Make:

During Operating Hours or Not.
Full room (20 people) or Half room (30 people).
What day do you want your party? Note that this will depend on operating hours, so I suggest you look online for their hours.

Party Positives:

There is no obligation to buy food or drinks.
You can bring in your food and beverages at no cost.
Unlimited playtime in the galleries (aka the play space).
The party room is yours for 90 minutes.
A staff member will be available during your event. The staff member helps set up and clean up and reminds you of your guest count and remaining time.

Party Considerations:

Parking can be a challenge. As the party's host, they will give you two parking passes for their ten spaces in the lot next to the museum. Otherwise, that parking lot is not available. Guests will need to find public parking.
If you do the half-room package, you likely get to choose between the room with the refrigerator and special lights or the room with bench seating and windows.
If you want decorations, you should bring some for the room. You only get a little time to set up, but the staff will do their best to help.

Party Reservation Page Here with all the Details

My Son's Party

Those are the party deets. My younger son, Wesley, had a party at the beginning of December 2023 for his fifth birthday. We started the party in the half room with the window/bench seating. I suggest this room over the other one since the natural light made it quite pleasant on a gray and rainy December afternoon.

We arrived about 15 minutes before the party to set up and decorate. For decorations, I brought a banner, tablecloth, a few trinkets for the table, and some pendants to hang. Of course, we also put out some birthday desserts, snacks, and beverages for our guests.

The kids were wiggly and ready to play, so we quickly sang Happy Birthday and gobbled up the birthday treat. Next, we opened gifts. Then the kids were off to play their hearts out.

I stayed with some friends and tidied up while my husband and the other parents went out and watched the kids play. It was very chill and relaxed. The kid's faces were beet red from all the playing.

Toward the end, our dedicated staff member let us know when we had a few minutes left in the room. We headed back and took everything out of the room (I believe you will get charged if you aren't out within 30 minutes). A table was just outside the room, so we placed the party favors there.

I went around the play space and let our guests know our room time was over, but they were welcome to stay and play. I was getting late, so everyone decided to take off...with smiling kids.

Yup, pretty happy about that experience. Happy kids, happy parents.