Kids' Birthday Party Venues and Ideas in London, Ontario

A kids' birthday party is a different booking from almost any other event. It's short, it usually happens in the daytime, the food can be simple, and the thing everyone remembers is what the kids got to do. That changes what you should look for: a room you can set up quickly, an activity that keeps a group of children busy, and somewhere for the parents to stand that isn't in the way.

This guide covers places and vendors in London, Ontario for kids' birthday parties, grouped by what they solve: the room, the activity, the cake and the decorating.

Start with four answers

Before you contact anyone, know:

• The age group. A party for three-year-olds and a party for twelve-year-olds need different things. Little ones do best with 90 minutes, a simple activity and nap time in mind. Older kids want something to do that feels like an event.
• The guest count, including adults. Parents often stay for younger children, so a party of 15 kids can easily mean 35 people in the room.
• The date and time, with a backup. Weekends book up first, and a morning party suits younger kids.
• The budget for the whole party. Room, activity, food, cake and decorations, not just the venue.

Rooms you can make your own

The Blank Room — up to 140 guests

The Blank Room on Blue Heron Drive rents from $115 per hour and holds up to 140 guests, depending on the layout. Tables, chairs, a bar and a kitchenette are included, and you can bring your own vendors, so the theme, food and entertainment are all your choice.

Good fit for: themed parties where you want to decorate the whole room, and bigger family parties where lots of adults come too. Planning and décor are available through its sister business, Plan To Remember Events, which does themed balloon installs and kids' birthdays.

Riverside Social Club — by the river

Riverside Social Club is a riverfront event space on the Thames at 508 Riverside Drive, with canoe and kayak rentals on site. It hosts birthdays and private celebrations.

Good fit for: older kids and teens who'd rather be outside than at a table. Ask about age limits and supervision for time on the water before you plan around it.

Activities that come to you

If you already have the space, at home, in a backyard or in a rented room, the activity is what makes the party.

Footpool London — bumper cars and snookball

Footpool London rents two activities for private parties: footpool (also called snookball), which is pool played with your feet and soccer-sized balls on a giant inflatable table, and a kids' bumper car arena with low-speed cars for toddlers, preschoolers and small kids. Rentals start from $150 an hour.

Good fit for: active parties for younger kids (the bumper cars) and older kids who'd love a game they've never played (footpool).

A&B Event + Tent Rental — carnival games and tents

A&B Event + Tent Rental on Hyde Park Road has been renting party supplies in London since 1969. Its birthday and carnival range includes carnival games, concession machines and lawn signs, alongside tents, tables and chairs.

Good fit for: backyard parties. A tent covers you if it rains, and a couple of carnival games keep a crowd of kids busy for an afternoon.

Photo booths

Older kids and teens love a photo booth with props. Strike a Poze Photo Booths offers mirror booths and AI-enhanced booths with custom props and backdrops, Amuse Photo Booth lists packages from $550, and Events 365 Canada rents photo booths, including 360 booths, along with balloon décor and marquee letters.

The cake

• Razzle Dazzle Cupcakes makes custom cakes and cupcakes from inside Covent Garden Market, and has been baking for London celebrations for more than 15 years. Cupcakes are easy to hand out to a crowd of kids.
• Angelo's Italian Bakery & Market makes custom celebration cakes designed around your party's theme.
• Sticks and Scones Cakes makes custom cakes for every kind of occasion, by appointment.

Ask every baker about allergies early. Many classrooms and parties are nut-free, and a baker needs to know before they quote.

Decorating and planning

If you'd rather not do it all yourself, Plan To Remember Events handles planning, décor and balloon installs, and S&T Elite Events styles birthdays and other celebrations, with packages from $400 and a showroom on Wharncliffe Road South.

Childcare for big family parties

When the party is really for the whole family, like a first birthday with lots of adults or a joint celebration, someone has to watch the little ones so their parents can enjoy it too. Little Guests Event Services provides on-site childcare with age-appropriate toys, games and crafts, plus a quiet space for naps. Its caregivers are vulnerable-sector screened and insured, and it takes anything from one child to groups of twelve or more. It's based in London and travels across Southwestern Ontario.

Questions to ask before you book

• How long is the booking, and does it include setup and cleanup time?
• Can we bring our own food and cake? Is there a fee for outside food?
• Who supervises the activity, and are there age or height limits?
• Is there a waiver for physical activities like bumper cars or paddling?
• For outdoor parties: what's the rain plan, and when do we have to decide?
• What's the deposit, and can we move the date if a child gets sick?

Find more birthday vendors

Browse every birthday vendor in London, or put a shortlist side by side with our comparison tool. Planning a party for adults instead? See our birthday party ideas for adults in London.

Ready to start planning?