Social & Family Activities
Birthday Parties at the Y
Birthday Party in a Box

Virtual Parties For Real Kids

The Y knows how to celebrate birthdays! Hosted by our experts in virtual fun, you can trust us to make your child's big day a unique and memorable experience. And it's easy... just choose a theme (or create your own) and we will take it from there. Party guests will have a blast with non-stop games and themed activities.

Kits includes digital (print-ready) themed invitations, supplies for up to 10 party goers in your selected theme, one hour of engaging activities facilitated by a Y Party Host and are capped off by 30 minutes in a Zoom party room to open gifts, eat cake, or enjoy some social time (hosted by the birthday guest's family). So invite both family and friends, near and far, to help virtually celebrate your guest of honor in Y style.

Party Themes for Every Kid

Whether your youngster dreams of being a zany zookeeper, super scientist, or fabulous fairy, we've got you covered! If you have something else in mind, our party planners will create a customized celebration just for you. Choose from the options below and save your date today.

Girls growling like real animals

From Aardvarks to Zebras

Perfect for the animal lover! The birthday kid and guests will get the opportunity to adopt a (stuffed) animal, create animal inspired crafts, and sing along to animal-themed songs.

Ages: 3 to 5

Little boy in red shirt wearing orange construction hat.

Construction Junction

Your builder of a birthday kid will dress the part as they decorate their own construction helmet and embark on a series of fun building challenges along with their party guests!

Ages: 3 to 5

Little girl laying on sidewalk with chalk crown above her head

Fairy Fantasyland

Full of whimsy and fun, the birthday kid and friends will have all they need to create fantastically fanciful fairy gardens that inspire all their dreams to come true.

Ages: 4 and up

Boy smiling while painting

Sip & Create

Bring out your party goers creative sides as they sip delicious apple juice and create original works of art that serve as a reminder of the fun time had by all.

Ages: 5 and up

 

 

 

 

Sister and brother mixing up some slime.

Super Silly Science

The birthday child and their guests will laugh and learn with this science infused birthday party. Creating all sorts of cool concoctions and fun explorations will bring out the silly scientist in every kid.

Ages: 5 and up

Girl with hair in side buns and face mask holding eye cucumbers.

Spa-tacular!

For the birthday kid that is ready to kick back and relax. Guests will practice self-care with face masks, nail painting and stickers, design a sleep mask, and create their own body glitter. 

Ages: 8 to 12

Boy hitting balloon in the air

Minute to Game It

This party is for the kid who loves to compete—or simply have a blast doing silly one-minute games! Includes supplies for a variety of fun challenges that will have the whole party in hysterics.

Ages: 8 to 12

Girl in superhero costume

Build Your Own

Don't see the party of your dreams? No worries! We are here to help craft the perfect party. A host will connect with you to plan out a fun customized experience.

Ages: 3 and up

What to Expect

Birthday Party in a Box includes:

  • 60 minutes of activities led by a dedicated Y Party Host (plus 15 minutes pre-party in Zoom room to check-in with host)
  • 30 minutes of additional social time in Zoom room (led by parents/guardian)
  • Themed digital invitations (print-ready)
  • 10 birthday boxes with themed supplies
  • 10 party hats
  • Birthday t-shirt for the guest of honor
  • Themed Zoom background
  • Zoom room reservation (emailed)
  • Delivery of boxes (within service area to guest of honor's house)

Depending on the chosen theme, the birthday boxes contain everything needed to complete one or two party activities, with the exception of common household items like scissors. Activities vary in complexity and are age appropriate.

Want to invite more than 10 guests? No problem! Additional kits are available for $15 per child. 

Timeline

First 60 minutes (facilitated by Y Party Host):

  • Warm welcome and grand opening of the birthday boxes (be sure to tell guests not to open in advance!) 
  • Y party host introduces and explains the project(s) and activities
  • Guests are entertained and amused as they dive into their themed projects and activities
  • Participants take a break to get the wiggles out by moving, dancing, jumping, or playing
  • The fun continues by completing party projects and activities
  • Guests sing a rousing round of Happy Birthday to the guest of honor
  • Y Party Host signs off (at one hour mark)

An additional 30 minutes (facilitated by parent/guardian) are provided in the Zoom room to socialize, open gifts, eat cake, or continue with activities.

Affordable for All

The Y is committed to ensuring all families have access to quality and enriching youth programs. Please fill out this quick form to learn more about financial aid and scholarship options.

Cost

  • Facility Members: $175
  • Community Members: $200

Save Your Date 

Reservations must be booked at least two weeks in advance and are limited so reserve your date as soon as possible to ensure your spot. Available party times include:

  • Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Other days or times may be available upon request (case by case basis). Email us to inquire.

Book a party >

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I cannot afford the full cost of Birthday Party in a Box, are there financial aid or scholarship options?

Yes, the Y is committed to ensuring all of our programs are affordable for all. Please fill out this quick form to learn more.

Do I qualify for Facility Member pricing if my membership is on hold while facilities are closed or not up to full operations?

You must be an active member to qualify for Facility Member pricing. If you would like to remove your hold status, please email us.

When are fees due for Birthday Party in a Box?

Payment is due in full at time of registration.

What is the deadline to register for Birthday Party in a Box?

Registration closes two weeks prior to each birthday party date to allow us time to pack your birthday party kits.

Can I add extra time to the birthday party?

Families who would like to extend the birthday party time, either hosted or not hosted by Y staff, may email us to request additional time. 

What if the date and/or time I’d like is not available?

Please email us and we may be able to accommodate your request.

What is your cancellation policy?

We offer a 50% refund if cancelled at least two weeks prior to party date. There is no refund if cancelled less than two weeks prior to party date. You may reschedule pending availability.

What ages are appropriate for Birthday in a Box?

Birthday Party in a Box offers a variety of themes that can suit kids as young as 3 years old and as old as 12 years. When registering, select a theme that best suits your child’s interest and age range. We will tailor the activities to best fit the age range of the birthday kid!

My birthday kid wants a theme that’s not listed here. Can I customize our party?

Yes! Simply select Build Your Own theme and we will follow up to coordinate the party plans. We will work to customize a party that fits within our typical budget. Any customizations that exceed a standard budget can be arranged with additional fees as applicable.

Where and when do I pick up my box? How do the boxes get to my guests?

The birthday party boxes will be hand-delivered to the family of the guest of honor within an approximate 30-mile range of our downtown Seattle location – excluding any travel requiring a ferry. The family is responsible for delivering boxes to their guests. Alternatively, boxes can be shipped to individual guests for an additional fee of $9 per box. When registering, you will choose your preferred method. Additional arrangements will be made following registration. Boxes will be delivered at least one week in advance of the birthday party date.

How do I log on to my Zoom party? How do my guests log on?

We will email detailed instructions for Zoom meetings at least one week before the party. You will be responsible for forwarding the Zoom instructions to your guests.

How early can we arrive for the party?

The Y Party Host will open the Zoom room 15 minutes before the party. The guest of honor and parents may arrive 15 minutes early to go over details and allow for technical troubleshooting. Guests will be welcomed by the Party Host beginning five minutes before the party time.

How many guests can we invite?

Y virtual birthday parties include up to 10 kits, including the guest of honor. Additional kits can be purchased for $15 each. Non-participating guests are welcome to attend and are encouraged to keep cameras off and mute on until the conclusion of the Y hosted portion. Zoom rooms allow for up to 100 guests, however, a smaller group would be recommended.

Should parents of party guests stay for the party?

The parent or guardian of the guest of honor and guests should remain available but do not need to actively participate. The parent/guardian of the birthday kid will need to be available to take over hosting at the hour mark, if choosing to extend for the additional 30 minutes of non-Y hosted time.

We have birthday guests that live in the same household. What should we do?

Boxes contain supplies for one guest only so if both guests plan to participate, they will each need their own box. Non-participating household members are welcome to join the Zoom call.

We would like our uncles/aunts/grandparents/etc. to watch the party. Is that an option?

Yes! You are welcome to forward the Zoom link to any non-participatory guests you’d like. We recommend having non-participatory guests keep their cameras off and muted for first 60-minute portion of the guided activities.

Will the birthday kid and guests have a chance to socialize?

Yes! Throughout the birthday party experience, the kids will have fun interactive games and activities. After the 60 minutes of guided activities, we will hand off the Zoom host role to the parent/guardian of the birthday kid who will take over the hosting portion of the remaining 30 minutes. The Y Party Host will depart at this time. You are welcome to let the kids simply have fun socializing or you can extend the fun with additional games or activities of your choosing.

I have twins—how does that work?

We will be happy to celebrate both kids and will include a complimentary birthday shirt in both boxes. Plan accordingly in your distribution of boxes and remember that additional boxes can be purchased for $15 each should you want to invite more guests. Please make note of your additional guest of honor in the notes section of registration.

I have a question not listed, who can I contact?

Please email us.

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