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[title]American Girl Place
609 Fifth Ave at 49th St (212-644-1145, americangirlplace.com)
Interactive activity Give dolls a fancy 'do at the Hair Salon ($10 to $20 per doll) or sit down for a tasteful afternoon tea ($20 per human; dolls eat free).
Birthday component Packages include lunch, cake and goody bags for guests—and their doll friends. If a member of your group doesn't have an American Girl of her own, the store will lend her one for the party.
NYC favor We love Rebecca's Coney Island souvenir set ($32).
Rating 4 stars
Build-a-Bear Workshop
565 Fifth Ave at 46th St (212-871-7080, buildabear.com)
Interactive activity Kids choose a favorite animal, then head to the filling station to stuff it. After that, they can dress their new charge in one of hundreds of outfits and pick up a birth certificate before taking it home.
Birthday component Parties start at $10 per kid to simply stuff a small animal (accessories and clothes are extra); if you want a private party room with the whole shebang, add on $400.
NYC favor A Mets or Yankees uniform for the bear, complete with cap and stirrup socks ($15).
Rating 4 stars
Lego store at Rockefeller Center
620 Fifth Ave between 49th and 50th Sts (212-245-5973, lego.com)
Interactive activity Play games or get model-building ideas at the computer stations in the Master Builder Bar; on the first Tuesday of each month, kids can take a free Mini Model class.
Birthday component A Lego pro teaches your gang how to build some cool models for an hour, plus you get Lego-filled goody bags and other treats (prices not set as of press time).
NYC favor Big Apple model kit ($10).
Rating 3.5 stars
M&M World
1600 Broadway at 48th St (212-295-3850, mymms.com)
Interactive activity To get a turn on the not-so-exciting Mood Analyzer (a computer that determines your "M&M personality"), kids have to wait on a super-long line.
Birthday component No parties here, but you can find plenty of stuff to stock the kids' goody bags, including candy-flavored lip gloss and personalized M&Ms.
NYC favor M&M-themed Statue of Liberty candy dispenser ($20).
Rating 1.5 stars