By Tiffany Slowinski
Garden State Circle is supported by the businesses that partner with us, and Space Play Academy, Hillsborough is an authority partner. We interviewed Luis Pazmiño, who owns the academy, about how birthday parties there work. The partnership pays for the reporting; it does not decide the answers. Most of the answers below are not published anywhere else.
As a mom of three girls, I’ve planned more birthday parties than I can count. Some have been small celebrations with a handful of friends. Others have involved inviting what felt like half the elementary school.
One thing I’ve learned? Kids just want to have fun. Parents want them to have a great time without spending weeks planning every little detail.
That’s what makes indoor birthday party destinations so appealing. Having the activities, food and celebration organized into one experience can make planning a whole lot easier.
Space Play Academy in Hillsborough, New Jersey, offers several birthday party options for families looking to celebrate with friends, classmates and family members. With packages starting at $495, parents can choose a celebration that fits their guest list and budget.
I spoke with owner Luis Pazmiño to learn more about how the parties work, what’s included and how families can make the most of their celebration.
Two hours of birthday fun, all planned out
One of the nice things about hosting a birthday party at Space Play Academy is that the celebration follows a set schedule.
Each party includes 90 minutes of play, followed by 30 minutes in the party room for food and birthday festivities.
That means kids get plenty of time to enjoy the play area before everyone comes together to celebrate the birthday child.
As a parent, I appreciate having a plan. Anyone who has ever tried to organize a room full of excited children knows that a little structure goes a long way.
The party room is the final stop, so families can enjoy their food and cake before wrapping up the celebration.
How much does a birthday party at Space Play Academy cost?
Birthday party packages at Space Play Academy start at $495 for 10 children and 10 adults, with the Galactic Adventurer at $795 for 15 children and 15 adults and the fully private Intergalactic Legend at $1,895 for up to 64 guests. Parents can add children to a package for $40 each, and the Build Your Own option is $38 per child with a $380 minimum.
Whether you’re planning a smaller celebration with close friends or inviting the whole class, Space Play Academy offers several packages.
Here’s how the options break down:
- Astro Explorer: $495 for 10 children and 10 adults.
- Galactic Adventurer: $795 for 15 children and 15 adults.
- Intergalactic Legend: $1,895 for a fully private celebration with up to 64 guests.
- Build Your Own: $38 per child, with a $380 minimum.
Every package includes 90 minutes of play and 30 minutes in the party room.
The Galactic Adventurer is a popular choice for families planning a larger birthday celebration.
“The Galactic Adventurer includes 15 kids and 15 adults, and it’s about $840 with the taxes,” Pazmiño explained.
For parents inviting an entire classroom, the package can accommodate additional children for $40 each.
Pazmiño says parties with 17 to 20 children are common. A celebration with approximately 18 children typically comes to around $1,000, depending on the final guest count and extras.
Having that flexibility is helpful, especially when you’re trying to accommodate a classroom full of friends without automatically booking a fully private event.
For families planning a bigger celebration, the Intergalactic Legend offers the option of reserving the entire space for their group.
Pizza, party food and a few extra touches
Let’s talk about one of the most important parts of any kids’ birthday party: the food.
Space Play Academy plans pizza at approximately 1.5 slices per guest, including adults, and provides drinks for grown-ups.
Families who want to offer a little more can also add options such as chicken fingers, sandwiches, pasta trays and salads.
Pazmiño says extra food is one of the most popular additions, particularly for parties scheduled around lunchtime.
That makes sense. If you’re hosting a party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., you may want something a little more substantial for the adults who are staying.
Families can arrange additional food through Space Play Academy or bring their own for a fee.
I love having choices when it comes to party food. Every family celebrates a little differently, and it’s nice to have options depending on the time of day and who’s attending.
A celebration that brings everyone together
One detail worth knowing is that Space Play Academy includes both children and adults in its party packages.
For example, the Galactic Adventurer accommodates 15 children and 15 adults, making it an option for families who want parents or other family members to join the celebration.
Adults are expected to help supervise children during playtime, so the party is designed with family participation in mind.
When booking, it’s helpful to provide the total number of children and adults attending so the team can recommend the appropriate package and confirm the party room capacity.
Space Play hosts one party at a time, so families are not competing for attention. The party room is dedicated to the party from beginning to end. The last 30 minutes are for the celebration, but the room is available during the whole party for guests to socialize while snacking or drinking.
After all, birthday parties aren’t just about cake and presents. They’re about watching your child have the best time with the people they love.
What happens if your guest list changes?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of birthday parties, it’s that RSVPs are rarely an exact science.
Fortunately, Space Play Academy offers some flexibility when plans change.
Families can upgrade their party package up to 2 weeks before the celebration if their final guest count is bigger than expected. The smallest package serves as the minimum for reserving a party room.
There’s also a cancellation and rescheduling policy:
- Cancel at least one month before the party for a full refund.
- Between one month and two weeks before the party, the deposit is forfeited if you cancel, but rescheduling is available.
- Within two weeks, changes are at the manager’s discretion. Pazmiño says the team tries to accommodate rescheduling when possible.
It’s always a good idea to review those details when booking, especially when you’re coordinating schedules for multiple families.
Making birthday memories at Space Play Academy
At the end of the day, the best birthday parties aren’t necessarily the most elaborate ones.
They’re the celebrations where your child is surrounded by friends, everyone has a great time and you get to enjoy the occasion right along with them.
Space Play Academy gives Hillsborough and Central New Jersey families several ways to create that experience, from smaller gatherings to fully private celebrations.
With dedicated playtime, a party room, food options and packages for different group sizes, families can choose the celebration that works for them.
And speaking as a mom who’s planned plenty of these over the years, there’s something to be said for having a birthday party plan that doesn’t require you to figure out every single detail yourself.
Planning a birthday party in Somerset County? Space Play Academy is located at 315 Roycefield Road, Suite 123, in Hillsborough, NJ. Contact the team to explore available packages, discuss your guest count and find the best fit for your child’s celebration.
About This Article
This article is produced by Garden State Circle and is part of our local guides to Indoor Play Spaces in Somerville, NJ, Kids’ Birthday Party Venues in Somerset County, NJ and Things to Do With Kids in Somerset County, NJ.
Garden State Circle publishes local guides and business information to help New Jersey families discover places, services and experiences in their communities. Space Play Academy is a Garden State Circle authority partner.
This article is based on an October 2026 interview with owner Luis Pazmiño, who reviewed and corrected the information. Prices, packages and policies reflect information provided at that time and may change. Confirm current details directly with Space Play Academy before booking.
Written by Tiffany Slowinski, Co-Owner, Garden State Circle. Insights were provided by Space Play Academy, Hillsborough and reflect this market in October 2026.
This article is maintained. If anything here is wrong or has changed — a name, an address, hours, or whether a business has closed — tell us and we will check it. Businesses named here are welcome to write in directly. admin@gardenstatecircle.com