Some kids will happily sit through a magic show; others need to move. If your birthday child is the second kind, New York is packed with high-energy venues built to burn off every last ounce of party energy. From sports clubs to trampoline parks, race tracks to tennis courts, here are our favorite active ways to celebrate in the city.

Get Sporty

A sports-themed party lets a crowd of kids do what they do best — compete and burn energy. Venues like New York Sports Club, Aviator Sports and 92NY run birthday packages where guests team up for soccer, basketball, relay races and tug of war, with coaches keeping it organized so you do not have to.

A group of children playing an active party game together
let them run it off

Trampolinin'

Trampoline parks are an almost unfair amount of fun. Spots like Bounce!, Launch Trampoline Park and Urban Air pair wall-to-wall trampolines with dodgeball courts, foam pits, ninja-warrior obstacle courses and even VR. Kids bounce themselves happily exhausted, which any parent will tell you is the dream outcome for a birthday.

Go Karting

For older kids with a need for speed, indoor karting delivers a genuine thrill. Tracks such as RPM, K1 Speed and Grand Prix New York offer karts that hit serious speeds, plus bowling, arcades and VR to round out the party package. It is a brilliant pick for a tween birthday where a princess simply will not cut it.

Beach Volleyball

Yes, you can play beach volleyball in New York. Indoor and outdoor sand venues like Hudson River Park's Pier 25 and QBK Sports offer sand courts for volleyball, plus mini golf, dodgeball and ping pong, with food service so nobody goes hungry between sets. It is a surprising, summery option that guests will not have done at every other party.

Tennis

For a more classic active party, the city's tennis facilities welcome birthday groups. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Alley Pond and the Central Park Tennis Center all make it possible to celebrate on professional and community courts — a lovely fit for a kid who is already crazy about the game.

Frequently asked questions

What's the most popular sport in New York?
By fan following and television ratings, baseball still tops the list in New York — which makes a baseball-themed sports party a safe crowd-pleaser if you are stuck on a theme.