All-inclusive

Kids in this age group can’t help it; they like to get their hands dirty. These craft-making options allow you to sit back and let the munchkins express themselves artistically—fueled by a birthday cake– and juice box–induced sugar high.

Photograph: Children’s Museum Of The Arts

Top choice

The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre

The nonprofit CMA in Soho was founded in 1988 and is the only children’s art museum in the city. The permanent collection holds more than 2,000 paintings and drawings by little ones from around the world, as well as rare examples made by participants in the 1938 Works Progress Administration children’s art project. Artists-in-residence work directly with partyers and their families; proceeds support CMA’s educational outreach programs.

details Morning and late-afternoon packages on Saturdays and Sundays offer exclusive use of the entire museum, choice of an age-appropriate art project and the help of two artist-educators.

decor The studio-cum-party-space is stocked with materials necessary to make one of several art projects, whether that’s a Calder-inspired mobile sculpture, a Picasso-style Cubist mask or a Pollock-like paint-splattered mural.

eats Breakfast parties feature bagels; lunch parties, pizza. Both include juice and coffee plus a classic round 10-inch vanilla or chocolate cake with flowers from Valencia Bakery.

loot Kids keep the project they make; they receive a Little Artist Gift Bag of supplies such as crayons, modeling clay and stickers—and a free pass for a return visit.

damage $700 to $850 for 15 kids (lower pricing available for options that aren’t all-inclusive); $15 for each additional child.
182 Lafayette St between Broome and Grand Sts (212-274-0986, cmany.org)

Alternatives

A-Ha!
1624 First Ave between 84th and 85th Sts (212-517-8292, ahalearning.com); $895 for ten kids

Babymoves
139 Perry St between Greenwich and Washington Sts (212-255-1685); $725 for ten kids

The Craft Studio
1657 Third Ave between 92nd and 93rd Sts (212-831-6626, craftstudionyc.com); $640 for ten kids

Little Shop of Crafts
• 431 E 73rd St between First and York Aves (212-717-6636, littleshopny.com);
• 711 Amsterdam Ave at 94th St (212-531-2723, littleshopny.com); $530 for ten kids

MiniMasters
100 Reade St between Church and West Broadway (212-374-1747); $875 for 12 kids