Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum features an aviation pioneer exhibit and flight simulator. The facility is also available for private party rentals.

Alaska Museum of Natural History offers exhibits and educational programs related to Alaska's geological, cultural, and ecological history. The museum also offers summer camps, birthday parties, and sleepovers.

Alaska Museum of Natural History offers exhibits and educational programs related to Alaska's geological, cultural, and ecological history. The museum also offers summer camps, birthday parties, and sleepovers.

Alaska Rock Gym offers climbing activities for kids and adults. Children under age 14 must be under adult supervision at all times. The gym offers day passes, monthly passes, punch cards, climbing classes for adults and kids ages six and up, summer camps, and birthday parties.

The Alaska SeaLife Center is a non-profit marine science facility dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem of Alaska through research, rehabilitation and public education. The Center's research facilities and naturalistic exhibits immerse visitors in the dynamic marine ecosystems of Alaska. The Center offers several marine-themed birthday party packages, with prices ranging from $175-$275 for up to ten children and three adults (includes admission).

Alaska Zoo features more than three dozen different species including brown bears, polar bears, birds, moose, otters, and harbor seals, and offers a variety of educational programs and summer adventure camps for kids.

Birthday parties can be held at the zoo; fees start at $165 for up to 15 children. Call 907.346.2133 to schedule.

All Fired Up is a paint-your-own pottery studio that strives to provide reasonably priced pottery with a clear pricing structure that doesn't include any hidden fees. All Fired Up offers themed summer camps, a ClayPlay program in which families can purchase clay and create their own masterpieces to paint, and party packages.

Anchorage Gymnastics Association (AGA) offers both recreational and competitive gymnastics classes for children ages three through 18. AGA is a popular venue for birthday parties and sleepovers.

Sports Camps are available year-round, and include gymnastics, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, and field trips.

AGA's childcare program, for preschool and kindergarten aged children, is licensed by the Municipality of Anchorage, and focuses on gymnastics skill progression. Children must be at least three years old and potty-trained.

For camp dates and childcare information, visit AGA's website.

Arctic Gymnastics Center offers competitive and non-competitive training in gymnastics, jujitsu, and cheerleading. Birthday parties are also available on weekends for $150 for up to 15 children.

Bee Boppers classes are developmentally appropriate, research-based, and designed to nurture cognitive, language, physical, emotional, and social growth - all in a musical context. Home materials and parent participation are key elements of the program.

Classes emphasize process over performance, and foster creativity rather than thwarting enthusiasm by making demands on children that are not age-appropriate.

Bee Boppers offers music and movement classes for young children using the acclaimed Kindermusik program. The program teaches children from birth to ten years of age, offering group and private lessons, as well as a home school music program. Those interested can register online.

Bee Boppers provides birthday parties, other special events, and musical toy sales. Check the website for more information.

Bee Boppers classes are developmentally appropriate, research-based, and designed to nurture cognitive, language, physical, emotional, and social growth - all in a musical context. Home materials and parent participation are key elements of the program.

Classes emphasize process over performance, and foster creativity rather than thwarting enthusiasm by making demands on children that are not age-appropriate.

Bee Boppers offers music and movement classes for young children using the acclaimed Kindermusik program. The program teaches children from birth to ten years of age, offering group and private lessons, as well as a home school music program. Those interested can register online.

Bee Boppers provides birthday parties, other special events, and musical toy sales. Check the website for more information.

Kids (and adults) can stuff, stitch, name, and dress cuddly bears, ponies, frogs, dogs, bunnies, kitties, seasonal critters, and more in bustling Build-a-Bear "factory" stores that also sell a mind-boggling array of clothing, accessories, and deluxe add-ons and for the creations.

Pricing for in-store stuffed animal-making parties starts at about $10/person. Visit the store locator for a workshop near you.

Although parents might cringe when Chuck E. Cheese's comes up as a dinner suggestion, many kids we know just love visiting here (hmmm, could it be the crazy kiddie casino atmosphere, with tokens, tickets and prizes? The Chuck E. Cheese show? The rides?)

The food is reasonable kids' fare, mainly pizza, with a decent salad bar, a short assortment of subs, and desserts like cotton candy and brownies. In short, it's all one big kids' menu.

The main attraction here is the Chuck E. Cheese birthday party, which does take a large portion of the agony out of party planning. Included in the package are a decorated table for 90 minutes, two slices of pizza with one topping per child, soft drink refills, a birthday cake (though you might prefer to bring your own), sixteen tokens for each child, a birthday show performed by Chuck E. Cheese (for the uninitiated, Chuck is a giant mouse) and his musical friends, a personal visit from Chuck E. Cheese, a host or hostess to personally serve you and your guests and assist with the party, and a Chuck E. Cheese souvenir cup, a special balloon, a birthday crown, and a bag of cotton candy for the birthday child. Prices vary by location; call for details and reservations.

Before heading out to the restaurant, check the website for coupons and specials. Also, birthday parties held during the week (Mon-Thu) receive unlimited party table time and extra game tokens for each guest.

Color Me Mine is a paint-your-own ceramics studio offering hundreds of different bisque items to choose from. Novices needn't fret, as stencils, stamps, design books, and a computer design center are all on hand to help. The paints are non-toxic, lead free, and food and dishwasher safe. Even babies can participate - paint their feet or hands on a platter, a clock, or a coffee mug. Young children can also do handprints or finger paint; the paints rinse off with water.

Birthday party packages, classes, and summer camps are offered at some locations; call to find out more details.

Headquarters of the Northeast Park District, Selkregg Chalet is located in Russian Jack Springs Park. Selkregg Chalet is open to the public, but serves primarily as a meeting place for classes and special events. The facility is also available for private rental.

Facilities at Fairview Recreation Center include a full size gymnasium and a smaller youth gymnasium, weight room, dance/martial arts studio, arts and crafts studio, 2 saunas, pottery studio, multipurpose room, industrial kitchen, nursery, teen center, and computer lab. All rooms are available to rent for pricate events.

The center hosts recreational activities and classes, and free pro bono legal clinics on civil law topics each month. See the website for details.

For The Fun Of It is a 4500-square foot play area featuring a large and small bouncer, a giant caterpillar obstacle tunnel, a castle maze, and a balloon typhoon. Most games are parent inclusive, so Mom and Dad can join in the fun. The newest addition is a toddler ball pit for the under two crowd. Walk-ins are welcome, and the birthday parties are fantastic and cost-effective.

In addition, For The Fun Of It is Alaska's premiere inflatable game rental company, specializing in party rentals and event planning. Check the website for more information.

Hilltop Chalet hosts a variety of recreational programs for families and children. The facility and surrounding park are available for rent.

Hilltop Chalet hosts a variety of recreational programs for families and children. The facility and surrounding park are available for rent.

The Imaginarium, located in downtown Anchorage, is designed to be a "living laboratory." Kids can stand inside a bubble, watch a space show in the planetarium, touch reptiles and marine animals, or learn the principles of physics through play.

Birthday party options include six science themes. Call 907.276.3179 to schedule.

Summer camp programs are open to children in grades 1-12.

Homeschooling programs are also available.

Many species of wildlife roam free within 1,400-acre Kincaid Park, a setting offering rolling forested hills, stunning views of Mt. Susitna, Fire Island, Mt. Denali, and Mt. Foraker. Access to the Coastal Trail is within yards of Kincaid Outdoor Center.

The park rents indoor and outdoor event space, a 25-foot climbing tower, batting cage, and barbecue grills. See the website for details and pricing. Kincaid Park also features a Motorcross Area that is open from April 1 to November 1 from 12n-8:30pm. The Motorcross Area can be accessed from Jodhpur Street, off of Kincaid Road.

The menu at Sea Galley Restaurant includes a wide seafood selection as well as American standards like burgers, steaks, and sandwiches. Check the online fresh sheets for seasonal selections. The restaurant occasionally features live music.

Banquet facilities for groups of up to 70 people are available for rent. Details are available online.

The menu at Sea Galley Restaurant includes a wide seafood selection as well as American standards like burgers, steaks, and sandwiches. Check the online fresh sheets for seasonal selections. The restaurant occasionally features live music.

Banquet facilities for groups of up to 70 people are available for rent. Details are available online.

Facilities at Spenard Community Recreation Center include an arts and crafts room, computer lab, dance and martial arts room, commercial kitchen, gymnasium, racquetball courts, teen center, and weight room. Several rooms are available for private rental.

Swim Like a Fish Swim School is Alaska's only private swim school. The school teaches swimmers of all ages the basics, fundamentals, and skills it takes to become a great swimmer. Very young children are given the opportunity to participate in classes with a parent or private lessons with an instructor. The two indoor, above ground, salt water pools are much warmer than an average public pool, making it more comfortable to learn. Parents can watch from a viewing deck as certified instructors teach students how to swim. The school also offers prenatal classes that focus on gentle stretching, resistance and water walking, and breathing techniques.

Check out the website for information on the school's birthday parties and other fun stuff for little ones.

Dressing rooms, changing stations, and refreshments are available.

The Alaska Club provides a variety of programs for youth interested in sports and physical fitness. The programs offered vary by location, and include swimming, water games and slides, tennis and racquetball, climbing walls, and more. There are exercise classes for children as young as three, as well as child-care facilities at most locations.

Several locations offer summer, winter, and spring break camps. Birthday parties are also available with advance reservations.

Check the website for each location's fitness, camp, and pool schedules.