Yummy Birthday Party Dessert Ideas

When it comes to planning a fresh and fun birthday celebration, there’s no rule that you have to go the traditional cake and ice cream route. We’ve rounded up a few ideas to make dessert a deliciously interactive piece of the party.

Cupcake Bar: It’s no secret that cupcakes’ dominance as the dessert du jour shows no sign of dropping off any time soon, making them the perfect way to modernize any celebration. Let kids unleash their inner baker by setting up a cupcake bar—simply prepare cupcakes in your fave flavor and lay out a spread of multi-colored frostings, seasonal sprinkles, and even toppers like gummy animals, and fresh berries.

Make-Your-Own Caramel Apples: While caramel apples are naturally suited to the autumn season, there’s no reason you can’t whip up this DIY dessert for birthdays year-round. We love the idea of cooking up caramel sauce (a great activity to do with older kids and tweens) and letting guests dip their apples in an array of toppings.

Chocolate Pizza: This sugary twist on a savory classic is sweeping birthday parties across the city—and luckily for parents, it’s as easy to make as it is fun to eat. Pick up some pre-made pizza dough and prepare it in the oven according to dough’s instructions (usually, rolled out on parchment paper and brushed with melted butter to bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes). Then set out toppings like Nutella, peanut putter, chocolate sauce, coconut shavings, nuts, fruit, and assorted candies and let the kids top the dough to their hearts content.

For younger kiddos, try a mess-free option by heading to Union Square for a Chocolate Pizza from Max Brenner. Their deluxe version is made with melted milk and white chocolate meteors and an ice cream snow ball. Include melting campfire marshmallows as a bonus treat. $7.50, maxbrenner.com.

To read about our movie-themed birthday party ideas, click here.

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Polaris Productions Theater Camp

<p>Kids will learn, rehearse, and perform the wonderful Maurice Sendak and Carole King musical, Really Rosie. For 10 weekdays, campers will take part in physical and vocal warm-ups and learn choreography, staging, and vocal parts. They’ll develop skills in acting, singing, character development, and more. This camp will ignite your child’s imagination and passion for performing, build their self-esteem, and help them form lasting friendships. They’ll have fun! At camp’s end, the kids will perform Really Rosie for family members and friends. Kids of all levels of experience, ages 8 through 13, are welcome to join.</p>

Asphalt Green

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Asphalt Green’s high-quality sports programs start at 4 months old. Two beautiful facilities in vibrant Manhattan neighborhoods provide the optimal space for children to learn the fundamentals, play for leisure, or compete at the highest level.<br />As the leading sports and fitness facility in Manhattan, Asphalt Green’s never-before- seen training methods focus on improving your mental and physical game. Whether participating in swim, soccer, flag football, martial arts, basketball, baseball, tennis, or volleyball, coaches instill values that set athletes up for success in life and bring out their full potential in sports.</span></p>

Play On! Studios

<p>Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games!</p> <p>Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun!</p> <p>Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show!</p> <p>During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we’ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us.</p> <p> </p>