Macaroni KID South Hills Birthday Party Planning Guide

One of my greatest joys as a mother is planning my kids the perfect birthday party. I usually always go way too big, often overspend, and crush any ounce of hope that my kids might become minimalists one day.... all while loving every chaotic second of it. Now, party planning is something I've always loved and been good at, but I know it's not for everyone (and that's totally ok)! But birthdays happen and kids want parties. 

I've got you mama. 

Are you looking for local birthday party places, venues, rental companies and more in the South Hills of Pittsburgh? I'm here to share with you some of my best birthday party finds, including some of my favorite Pittsburgh birthday party spots and vendors to use in Baldwin, Bethel Park, Brentwood, Bridgeville, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Jefferson Hills, Mt. Lebanon, Mt. Oliver, Mt. Washington, Pleasant Hills, South Park, South Side, Upper St. Clair, West Mifflin and the cities in between. Whether you want to go all out or keep it super simple, the Macaroni KID South Hills Birthday Party Planning Guide has got some ideas to help you out! We even have tips on how to throw a stress-free party on a budget!

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The first thing I do is ask my kids what they want to do for their birthday, so I can determine if we can pull a theme from it. I love to hear their input, roll my eyes at their outlandish requests (like Mom I want a cake) and then overdeliver with delight on their special day. Once you have their input and theme, it's time to find a venue, and we go on from there. Below you will find lists that I hope will help you in planning your child's next birthday party. For more birthday party inspiration, follow us on Pinterest!

Birthday Party Themes

One

• Donut Grow Up - donut catered
• First Fiesta
• First Trip Around the Sun/ You are my Sunshine
• Hole in ONE Par-tee - golf theme
• Holy Cow I'm ONE
• Let's ROAR and Play, I'm ONE today - Safari theme
• Mr./Miss ONEderful
• Once Around the Moon (make it space themed)
• ONE Happy Camper
• Our Sweet One 
• Reeling in the big ONE (Fishing Themed)
• Rookie Year (host at a pavilion with a ballpark - USC has a great one)
• Some Bunny is One / Hoppy One (Peter Rabbit)
• UNO
• What a ONEderful World
• Wild ONE

Two

• Taco TWOs day
• TWO-tu Party

Birthday Party themes for kids 5 and under

• Baby You're a Star (Movie/Hollywood themed)
• Backyard Movie Party (make your own backyard movie party cars)
• Boss Baby
• Carnival or Circus
• Classic Pooh
• Construction
• Dinosaur
• Dr. Seuss
• Fireman/woman
• Frozen
• Fun to BEE (age)
• Hawaiian Luau
• Jawsome or Baby Shark - shark
• JoJo Siwa 
• Jungle or Safari
• Lego
• Little Man (mustaches & bow ties)
• Little Mermaid
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Our Little Monster
• OWL eyes on you
• PJ Masks
• Sesame Street
• Superhero
• Trolls
• Unicorn
• Where the Wild things Are

Birthday Party Themes for Older Kids

• Reptile Birthday Party

Iron City Ninja, Brentwood

Birthday Party Venues in the South Hills

• Chuck E. Cheese | Brigeville
• IronBlast's Game Zone | Washington - located in the Washington Crown Center
• Phoenix Theater | Bridgeville - treat your child and their guests to a private movie showing and don't forget to bring the cake!
• Steer City Gamerz - Mobile entertainment goes wherever you go!

• Altitude Trampoline Park | Bridgeville
• Borelli's Dance Gallery | Bethel Park
• Dance Workshop | Caste Village
• Gymkhana | Bethel Park
• Gymsport | Bridgeville
• Ice Castle | Castle Shannon
• Iron City Ninja | Pleasant Hills - we took little ninja classes here and my 5-year-old son absolutely loved it!
• The Little Gym | McMurray
• Printscape Arena | Southpointe - Plan an ice skating party!
• Urban Air | North Fayette - Head to Robinson for a great party venue for your adventurer of any age. Not your typical trampoline park, Urban Air offers multiple party rooms and packages and has attractions for kids and adults alike. 

• AR Workshop | Pleasant Hills - DIY studio
• Build-A-Bear
• Fired Up Pottery Studio | McMurray
• Fox in a Box | Bethel Park
• Michaels | Bethel Park - $299 for up to 8 kids. Add-ons like pizza, goodie bags and more available. 
• Paint Monkey | Waterfront
• Painting with a Twist | South Side
• Splat: A Make & Take Art Studio | Bethel Park - Think art center & DIY, the owner April will work with you to create the perfect birthday party
• That Pottery Place | Bethel Park

• Upper St. Clair Rec Center - USC Rec Center offers both indoor pool parties and gym parties. They do NOT allow for outdoor pool parties, however, they will give all party guests a pass that they can use at the outdoor pool after the party if spacing permits. 
• YMCA | Bethel Park

Triple B Farms Bring your birthday to Triple B Farms for acres of birthday memories to be made! Triple B is available for booking birthdays Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from early June through the first week in September. Book your birthday and get more info at triplebfarms.com/birthdays

• North Strabane Park - their pavilions have fully equipped kitchens and are all closely located to working bathrooms
• Round Hill Park - Rent a pavilion near the park to play for a bit then walk over to the working farm for a leisurely walk to visit with the animals. When you're done, let the littles run through the spray park while the parents sit back and take it all in. 
• Simmons Farm | McMurray
• Washington Wild Things

• Mt. Lebanon Outdoor Swim Center allows you to rent out the pool for a private party on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. 
• USC Rec Center - you can rent out a party room for use of the indoor pool only. 

Sweet Treats - Cookies, Cakes and More!

• Bethel Bakery | Bethel Park & Canonsburg - cakes, cookies, you name it

• Cyprowski Candy Company | Washington
• Sarris Candy | Canonsburg
• The Candy Cove of Pittsburgh - Candy Cove of Pittsburgh is a mobile candy company that brings a delightful selection of sweets directly to you. Candy Cove offers a wide range of confections, including chocolates, nostalgic candies, and other treats. Perfect for events, parties, and special occasions, Candy Cove provides a unique and whimsical experience, ensuring that candy lovers of all ages can enjoy their favorite treats anywhere in Pittsburgh. With friendly service and a fun, nostalgic vibe, Candy Cove creates a magical escape for every sweet tooth.

For beautiful and delicious sugar cookies, JESS COOKies is sure to deliver! MACARONI KID SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: 15% off your order when you mention Macaroni Kid

• Angelina's Bakery | Southpointe - cookies and pastries
• Batter and Dough | Bridgeville - specializes in biscotti and gourmet desserts
• Cocoa Bake Shop | Squirrel Hill - sugar cookies and other sweet treats
• Cookie Wishes | McMurray - Sugar cookies
• Cookie's by Amber | Canonsburg - offering custom sugar cookies for all occasions along with traditional cookies or any event! Dye-free, Organic and gluten-free options! 
• Jess COOKies | Bethel Park - sugar cookies
• Oakmont Bakery | Worth the drive from wherever you are
• The Pie Place | Upper St. Clair - did you know the Pie Place also offers Birthday Party Packages?
• Potomac Bakery | Dormont
• Sugar and Spice - Baldwin

• Peace, Love & Little Donuts - Baldwin, McMurray

Entertainment

Princess and Superhero Parties Pittsburgh at the 2022 MacKID Summer Camp Expo

Enchanted Experiences character entertainment at the Macaroni KID 2022 Summer Camp Expo

• Fairy Tale Princess Visits - Fairytale Princess Visits has been creating innovative parties and events for Pittsburgh families and corporate clients for over a decade. Their creative team is comprised of entertainment professionals who have been both performers and entertainment leads at major theme parks, cruise ships, and resort venues.
• Enchanted Experiences - Providing the highest quality Character Entertainment for any occasion in the greater Pittsburgh area.
• Ever After Events - We are a professional children's entertainment company based in Pittsburgh, PA. We are committed to creating the most magical events for you and your family. MACARONI KID SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: 20% off any party package More details here
• Miss Cassidy Creates - Miss Cassidy is a Pittsburgh-based educator, performer, and kid's content creator. Known for her high energy and friendly, inviting style, Miss Cassidy brings fun and learning to birthday parties, community celebrations, school events, and more! Book Miss Cassidy for your next party at misscassidycreates.com.
• PGH Party Creations
• Princess and Superhero Parties Pittsburgh - MACARONI KID SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: 10% Off to Macaroni Kid subscribers by using code BELIEVE33 More info here

• Face Paint Pittsburgh
• PGH Party Creations - MACARONI KID SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: use code MAC327 for 10% off new bookings

• ABC Balloon Twisting
• Judith the Balloon Artiste' with Balloon Twist Pittsburgh

• JumpBunch of NW and SW Pittsburgh
• Pitch A Fête LLC - Pitch A Fête™ ("Fête" is French for Party) fuses traditional do-it-yourself celebrations with bespoke, modern day luxury.  The company specializes in imagining, curating and shipping to you your desired amount of Fête Crate™ packages which contain luxe, bespoke themed party teepees and themed items for birthday celebrations, slumber parties, sleepunder or un-slumber parties, bachelorette parties, movie nights, or baby and toddler play nooks at weddings. MACARONI KID SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: MACARONIKID10  (USE CODE FOR 10% DISCOUNT OFF ALL ITEMS) More details here
• Steel City Gamerz - Mobile gaming unit
• Sunshine Parties and Play - Sunshine Parties and Play brings the FUN! Their customizable soft play rentals & unique event design create engaging & immersive celebrations that will bring your child’s imagination to life! Gated play spaces & XL ball pits give children a place to explore and adults a chance to relax! Perfect for birthdays, weddings, milestones & corporate events - calendar fills quickly book today!
• Photo Booth - Rent an interactive photo booth from Princess & Superhero Parties Pgh for your next event MACARONI KID SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: 10% Off to Macaroni KID subscribers by using code BELIEVE33 More info here
• Iceman Reptiles - bring the scaly fun right to your house with Iceman Reptiles. My FIL stands by this being the best birthday party ever! Check out my son's reptile birthday party here and then call Scott from Iceman Reptiles to book your party!

Balloons & Decor

Balloons by Lemonade Balloon Company, Tipi & Decor by Pitch A Fête

• Balloony Bin | Elizabeth
• Balloon Thangz
• Boxx My Party - a one-stop shop for perfectly curated kid's party themes all in a BOXX ready to ship right to your door. MACARONI KID SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: Use "MACARONIKIDS" for free shipping on all orders

20 foot organic balloon arch created by The Cheerful Balloon Co

• Card My Yard - elevate your greeting for your loved one with a 24-hour rental or multiple-day birthday, anniversary, say anything yard sign for your yard or indoor event.
• The Cheerful Balloon Co - serving Allegheny & Washington County
• Lemonade Balloon Company
• Liz Poppin Balloons
• Novel Productions - South Park, PA. Creative events services & themed party styling

Full Service Party Planning and Event Design Services

• Encore Event Design

Etsy Stores by Local Pittsburgh Peeps

• Colorful Creations - Jessica created matching outfits for my son and daughter for his superhero-themed birthday. They were super cute and ended up being his favorite shorts, so we ordered three more pairs!

Tips and Ideas

• Nick Jr. will do a free character call to wish your child happy birthday!
• Hire a photographer so you can BE in the photos

Restaurant Birthday Rewards

Restaurants and stores that offer free birthday meals and rewards. Most of these offers require you to be part of their program a few weeks prior to your actual birthday, so make sure you plan!

• AMC Theatres - AMC Stubs Insider members enjoy a large popcorn on us during your birthday month! AMC Stubs Premiere & A-List members receive a free large popcorn and free large fountain drink. Birthday gifts are loaded to your account the first day of your birth month. So just head to the theatre during your birth month, scan your card, and voila!
• Join Club Applebee's® to enjoy exclusive deals and specials year round and a free birthday dessert!
• Barnes & Noble - In 2023 Barnes & Noble did away with their original membership program and replaced it for a Premium Membership & Rewards Membership. The Rewards Membership is still free, but doesn't come with the same perks the Premium Membsership yields at $39.99/year. The good news is, if you've opted in to the Premium Membership, not only do you get a special offer for YOUR birthday, but a free B&N Café treat and Paper Source craft for your children’s birthdays (without having to sign them up for their own rewards card).
• Baskin Robbins - Get a free scoop on your birthday when you opt in to the Birthday Club.
• Benihana - Register for The Chef’s Table and receive a complimentary $30 Benihana Birthday Certificate during the month of your birthday.
• Buffalo Wild Wilngs - Get 6 Free Wings During Your Birthday Month when you join Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin' Rewards.
• Dairy Queen^® - Join the DQ Blizzard^® Fan Club and recieve a Dairy Queen^® birthday treat. 
• iHop - Sign up for iHop Stackholder Perks and enjoy free birthday pancakes.
• Jersey Mike's Subs - Every year a week before your provided birth date, Jersey Mikes will send you a coupon for a free regular sub and 16oz soft drink. Your Email Club subscription must be confirmed at least 8 days before your birthday to ensure your receive the offer, otherwise you will receive it the following year.
• Starbucks - When you sign up for Starbucks® Rewards and provide a birthdate, you recieve one (1) complimentary handcrafted beverage OR one (1) complimentary food item OR one (1) complimentary ready-to-drink bottled beverage.
• Subway - Join the new Subway MVP Rewards and get a birthday freebie. 

Check back for your next party as this guide is constantly being updated!

Do you have a birthday offering that you would like to see listed in our guide? Email Emily at emilyp@macaronikid.com