Birthday Party Venue
Winner: KidsQuest Children's Museum
Well-known for its wide array of weekly kids’ classes, summer camps, special events and workshops, Bellevue’s KidsQuest Children’s Museum is an excellent place for hosting your next big bash. It’s got plenty of hands-on, interactive exhibits and a specially designated party room just for you and your guests, complete with a birthday party staff for assistance — what’s not to love? Overall, voters commented on loving the museum’s “great kids’ activities,” that it has a fun “indoor space where weather doesn’t have to be a factor” and the fact that KidsQuest is just downright “awesome.”
Finalists:
This category had so many great nominees, we wish we could list them all. With a location in Bellevue and a mobile Tumblebus that comes to you, Dizzy’s Bus Stop offers a variety of birthday party packages and earns praise for its “fun and friendly” service and the fact that it “treats you like family!”
At Black Horse Art Studio, in Sammamish, you can look forward to a specially made art project for 8-10 people, a fully decorated room, party coordinators and rides for the happy guests.
Well-known for its ongoing classes, camps and overall excellence in the heart of downtown Redmond, Orange Blossom Society is a top pick among voters when it comes to hosting a birthday blast. Guests can choose from different packages (depending on how much work Mom would like to do) with an array of fun activities including art, yoga, gardening and much more.
Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio, located in Seattle, is also a favorite among voters for its creative art classes. Voters have plenty to love about Roaring Mouse, saying that it includes “great planning,” a “fun party,” and most importantly, a “reasonable price.”
Voters also raved about Trophy Cupcakes Party Room which houses up to 50 guests in the Wallingford Center in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood.
Birthday Party Entertainment
Winner: Bubbles
We have to admit that birthday clowns have gotten a bad rep over the years. That’s why we’re excited to see that Bubbles the Clown ran a great campaign to steal winner status in this popular category. Bubbles, who is pint-size and full of pep, has been making birthday kids happy for more than 25 years. She perfects the celebration with plenty of personality, silly mannerisms and gentle humor that’s fit for all ages. And the best part about Bubbles: She travels to you with everything needed for your special day. Voters had some very nice things to say about Bubbles, including that she “maintains order while being funny,” that she’s “great with children, and even the family dog loved her” and our absolute favorite: “She puts happy in our hearts.”
Finalists:
Complete with face painting and storytelling, Tangerine Tales is a top choice for birthday entertainment. Tangerine Tales is the unique and innovative creation of Kelly Ann Hughes, a published storybook artist and art teacher. Parents laud her “creative, talented and interactive team” and overall “professionalism.”
Seattle magician Louie Foxx is another fan favorite (and winner of our Best Live Entertainment for Kids category), with one voter calling him an “incredible high-energy magician who’s wonderful with kids.”
And with an extensive menu of cool treats and sweets in a classic ice cream truck, Moonie Icy Tunes melts parents’ hearts with its “ice cream delivery with no delivery charge!”
Black Horse Art Studio is also a top pick for birthday entertainment, combining horseback riding with a customized art project.
Want the birthday party to come to you? Voters give Dizzy’s Tumblebus brought in a lot of cheers for that very reason.
Birthday Cakes and Treats
Winner: Trophy Cupcakes and Party
With two Seattle locations and one in Bellevue, Trophy Cupcakes took the cake for your favorite birthday treats, reprising its win from last year. If you’ve ever tasted one, you know how delicious Trophy’s cupcakes are, with fun, seasonal flavors like the snowball or the PB & J and equally tasty classics such as the plain chocolate or red velvet cake. Voters have plenty to say about their sweet affections for Trophy Cupcakes, including that they “love not having to cut the cake,” and that Trophy’s creative cupcakes are “amazing and delicious.”
Finalists:
Voters raved about West Seattle’s Stuffed Cakes, with its super-cute cake designs and a “huge variety of flavors.” Visit its “about” page, if only to see Donna Lawson’s hilarious and amazing hamburger cake design.
Formerly known as Wink Cupcakes, PinkaBella Cupcakes, with locations in Seattle, Lynnwood, Redmond and Bellevue, earns thumbs up for its “great cakes” and “super location.”
Moonie Icy Tunes gets another nod here for its cute ice cream truck that brings the treats directly to your door with old-fashioned flair.
Baked fresh in the oven from scratch each day, Cupcake Royale’s cupcakes are hard to beat. Another favorite among voters, Bellevue’s Cupcake D’lish features custom orders available for parties of all sizes.
Graduation Party Venue
Winner: ACME Bowl
With unlimited bowling, pizza, and your very own party host included, it’s no wonder that you choose Tukwila’s ACME Bowl as your top pick for where to throw a graduation day bash. Guests can take advantage of a private party space and black light bowling lanes -- and the ACME staff will even take care of the clean-up once your party ends. Overall, voters praise ACME for the friendly staff and fun space, saying, “kids love it there.”
Finalists:
With various locations throughout Western Washington, Alfy’s Pizza ranks high as a graduation party finalist for its “good food and free party rooms.”
Golden Gardens Park, a favorite among Seattle locals, offers majestic views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound, along with public picnic sites and a rentable bathhouse located on the beach.
School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA) in Seattle provides party guests with an unforgettable experience, including activities such as acrobatics, juggling, trapeze and unicycling.
Known for its dazzling cabaret, comedy and daring circus display, Teatro ZinZanni offers guests a graduation blast to remember with a five-course meal and a night filled with whimsical vaudeville for all ages.
Located in Seattle’s Wallingford Center location, Trophy Cupcakes and Party Room has enough space to host up to 50 guests, with plenty of delicious cupcakes included.
Place for Party Favors and Decorations
Winner: Birthday Kits for Kids
While cleaning up after her daughter’s birthday party, Seattle mother Trish White began thinking about just how wasteful birthday parties can be, inspiring her to create Birthday Kits for Kids. Featuring a unique options for both boys and girls, Birthday Kits for Kids relieves Seattle-area parents of the clean-up hassle and offer families an eco-friendly, reusable option. The rentable kits come complete with crafts and activity ideas, plates and utensils, canvas goody bags, themed party music and much more. Voters say they love “not having a trash can that is overflowing” with plastic, the quick delivery and pick-up service and the “great ideas and themes” that are included.
Finalists:
Known for wacky toys, costumes and treats, Seattle’s Archie McPhee is a top choice for party favors, with one voter noting that it’s got the “best cheap plastic oddities this side of China.”
Located on Bainbridge Island, Calico Cat Toy Shoppe features a “helpful staff” and a “great selection” when it comes to birthday favors and decorations.
With locations in Seattle, Everett and Issaquah, Display and Costume has a wide variety of celebration goodies, decorations and costumes for all special occasions and holidays.
Known for being one of Seattle’s favorite independent toyshops, Top Ten Toys offers hands-on toys that inspire education, multicultural awareness and a non-violence approach.
Trophy Cupcakes and Party Shop, located in Seattle and Bellevue, meets your party needs with custom cupcake orders, letter pressed cards and cupcake toppers that will leave you wondering just what they’ll think up next.
