If your child has had several birthday parties already (the ones with DIY decorations and dozens of little ones running around the room you will eventually have to clean), you may be looking to do something a little different for their next birthday. Instead of a birthday party, consider a birthday experience! Birthday experiences are still parties, but they are less about the sugar highs and gifts and more about memorable experiences with friends and family. Here are some places in New Orleans that will be a whole lot of fun for the birthday child.

Visiting the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium, or Insectarium

Have a wild birthday experience at the Audubon Nature Institute, where you will get to encounter all kinds of cool animals. You can stroll through the Zoo’s free-flight aviary and hang out with the Sumatran orangutans; you can also check out the newly reimagined Aquarium and Insectarium, where your party can meet Titan, the newest addition to the Aquarium’s penguin colony, and your imagination will take flight in the Insectarium’s butterfly garden. audubonnatureinstitute.org

Louisiana Children’s Museum

Give your child the gift of knowledge with a visit to the Louisiana Children’s Museum. These fun, interactive exhibits engage all five senses for the best learning experience outside of school. Bond with your toddler in the Play With Me exhibits, learn about all things nature at Dig Into Nature, go grocery shopping and run a restaurant at Follow That Food, Go on an Outdoor Adventure, and so much more. After a day full of discovery, take a break at Acorn Cafe in the Museum. lcm.org

City Park

If it’s a beautiful, sunny day, why not spend it at New Orleans City Park? There are so many ways to have fun at City Park, from an enchanted playground, to putt-putt, and even an amusement park! You can also take a stroll through the botanical gardens and underneath the sprawling oak trees–which make great photo opportunities, too! After your celebration in City Park, you’ll want to substitute birthday cake with hot, fresh beignets from Cafe Du Monde. neworleanscitypark.org                                                                    

Sky Zone New Orleans

Take your birthday experience to the extreme at Sky Zone! Whether you want to compete against friends and family or swing on your own, everyone is guaranteed to enjoy this experience. You’ll be soaring to new levels on the zipline, trapeze, and silks, or you can shoot hoops at SkySlam or play a game of Ultimate Dodgeball. Then, swing by the birthday child’s favorite restaurant for dinner and dessert. skyzone.com

Adventure Quest Laser Tag

At Adventure Quest Laser Tag, your party will be put to the ultimate test in this 6,000 square-foot laser tag arena. Not only is there laser tag, but you can also play mini golf, take a ride on bumper cars, and make high scores in the arcade. The arena has pizza, chicken, ice cream, and drinks, so you don’t have to leave for a post-adventure snack. lasertagnola.com

English Tea Room

History buffs, tea enthusiasts, and aspiring royalty alike will love this one-of-a-kind experience at the English Tea Room in Covington. High tea at the English Tea Room includes your entire meal, such as the soup of the day, finger sandwiches, assorted fruits and desserts, and, of course, a pot of tea from the Tea Room’s extensive tea menu. Englishtearoom.com

The Escape Game New Orleans

At The Escape Game New Orleans, you will be able to explore multiple rooms in the same game, and your team will have an unlimited number of hints as you break free from prison, go on an art heist, uncover mysteries at a market, or pass the playground test. It’s located in the French Quarter, so you’ll have plenty of lunch and dinner options nearby! theescapegame.com

Sidebar for grandparents:

Grandparents can gift experiences to their grandchildren as well! Instead of buying them the latest and greatest toy, here are some things you can do together:

1. Teach them a new skill (baking, building, crocheting, fishing, etc.)
2. Take them to lunch and a movie
3. Go to the theater
4. Do an activity together such as hiking or swimming
5. Take a day (or weekend) trip to the nearest city you’d like to visit