FAQs: Birthday Questions, Tips, and Advice from PlayLab

Have questions about hosting your party at PlayLab?

Our venue has been home to hundreds of parties, and so we know exactly what to do for every occasion. Use our expertise to help your party run as smoothly as possible, EXACTLY the way you want it.

If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, email us at events@goplaylab.com or call us at 323-616-3585.

When you’re ready to book, click here for Eagle Rock and here for Hollywood.

  • No two PlayLab parties look alike — this is your canvas, make it yours. We've hosted hundreds of celebrations, from reptile shows to puppy parties, and we'll help you plan whatever you're picturing.

    We work with each host to help figure out what they want and how they can use our space to make it happen. We also troubleshoot problems ahead of time so the event runs as smoothly as possible.

    Need a superhero, a face painter, a pony? Just ask. We'll even notice the stuff you forgot — like if you’ve brought wine but not a corkscrew- and lend you ours.

  • As well as indoor accomodations, Eagle Rock has a spacious outdoor area that includes a sun deck, sandbox, and play kitchen. Unrestricted parking is easy to find in the surrounding neighborhood.

    Hollywood has a larger indoor area with a small outdoor patio. (If you’re concerned about rain or heat, I’d recommend you choose Hollywood for your party.) Street parking is limited, but there is a public parking garage next door.

    Both venues are similar in size (about 2000 square feet) with the same guest capacity of 40 people. We can increase the capacity up to 60 people for an additional fee.

  • We offer 3 packages:

    • 3 hours for $500

    • 3 1/2 hours for $600

    • 4 hours for $700

    Pick any available block of time on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 8pm. Check Eagle Rock availability here and Hollywood availability here.

    We require a $100 deposit to hold your date and time. Book Eagle Rock here or Hollywood here.

  • Everything you need, already there: exclusive use of the space, a dedicated PlayLab team member all day, tables and chairs, a fridge and freezer, toys throughout, our Party Planning Tool, a Bluetooth speaker, and — at Eagle Rock — pop-up canopy tents for rain or heat. Bring your own food, cake, and decorations; we'll handle the rest.

    1. Go to our booking page‍ ‍(Eagle Rock or Hollywood) and select your party duration.

    2. Browse available dates and times on the calendar.

    3. Fill out the booking form, pay the $100 deposit, and you're done! Check your inbox for the confirmation email.

    4. Try the party planning tool, and we’ll send you a quote! We can’t wait to help you plan your event!

  • Sure! Tours are available any time we have open play (usually 9am-6pm, Monday through Friday).

    Just drop by. No reservation needed!

  • Easy! You can check our availability here for Eagle Rock and Hollywood.

    You may also call us at 323-616-3585 for Eagle Rock, or 213-676-2596 for Hollywood. Operators are standing by :)

    If the date is already booked, please email us and tell us what you’re looking for. We will reach out if something opens up.

  • Each party package includes 40 guests (both children and adults). You can host up to 60 people for an additional $10 per person over the 40 guest limit.

  • Sure! You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks.

    We suggest having catering delivered to save yourself a trip. If you need catering suggestions, just ask for our lists of local caterers, restaurants, and bakers.

  • Nope! All you have to do is wrap up on time, and we’ll handle the cleanup from there. Take whatever you’d like to keep (like decorations and leftover food) and then go home and rest! You’ve had a long day and deserve a break!


  • We highly recommend it! Even if you don’t need our help with rentals or décor, it’s good to chat about your party plans so we’re all on the same page. With the right communication, the space can be set up for you when you walk in the door.

    Use our party planner tool to decide how you’d like to set up the space:

  • We’ve created a fantastic party planning tool to help show you what’s possible in the space. Check it out for both venues below!

    Additionally, you can view floor plans for Eagle Rock and Hollywood at any time.

  • Most people book three hours, but we always recommend budgeting 30 minutes to set up and 30 minutes to wind down. This leaves the middle 2 hours for your celebration.

    For example, if you book from 10am-1pm, your schedule will look like this:

    • 10:00am — Arrive and begin setting up. (One or more of our team members will be here to help you.)

    • 10:30am — Your guests arrive. Celebrate and party for the next 2 hours!

    • 12:30pm — Begin winding things down.

    • 1:00pm — Vacate the space.

    If you suspect you’ll need more time, consider purchasing an additional 30 minutes for $100. You can even add it on the day of your event if it doesn’t conflict with another booking.

  • Yes! At least one PlayLab team member will be present throughout your entire party. Feel free to ask them for help!

  • Your start time is the earliest time that you can enter the space. There is no early entry.

    If you are using a decorator or event planner, please share this information with them as they won’t be able to access the space before your reservation starts. If they need more time to decorate, you can add time to your reservation.

  • Browse our party upgrades store for balloon garlands, coffee stations, place settings, backdrops, tablecloths, bubble machines, movie projectors, and more. We can even assist with booking outside vendors, like face painters and costumed characters.

  • Our banquet tables get the job done, but they need a little dressing up. We have a variety of colorful tablecloths available to rent for just $5 each.

    You are also welcome to supply your own. We recommend cloth coverings if your party is taking place outside as plastic coverings can fly away with a breeze.

  • Considering making your own balloon garland?‍ A few things you should know:

    1. Depending on the length of your garland, you’ll need 60-90 balloons of various sizes, so you’ll need an electric power inflator — your lungs will thank you.

    2. Do not over-inflate the balloons, or they will randomly pop during the party.

    3. Don’t use the perforated plastic strip tape included with most garland kits. Use a long skinny balloon to tie the clusters together — it’s MUCH easier to work with. If you use strip tape, the balloons tend to pop out of place and eject themselves from the garland.

    4. If you make your own garland, you are responsible for transporting it to PlayLab.

    If this all sounds like a headache, please consider our in-house balloon-garland-making services! We charge $20 per foot, and most garlands are 6-8 feet long.

  • Yes! Take advantage of our coffee and tea station for only $40. This is a popular option for parties, and we definitely recommend adding it for your adult guests :)

    Our coffee and tea station comes with unlimited coffee, cups, sleeves, lids, creamers, sweeteners, stirrers, and teas.

    Sure, you could get a couple of traveller boxes from Starbucks, which run about $25 each, but you’ll end up spending $50 and still need the cups, lids, creamers, and accesssories, plus you’ll have to make a trip to Starbucks to pick everything up…

    Or, you could just rent ours and walk in the door to find it already set up and waiting for you :)

  • Yep, we also offer this party add-on!

    Depending on the time of your party and what you plan to watch, we may advise you on the best way to use the projector to make sure the film or video you want to watch fits into your schedule.

  • In the event of rain or extreme heat, you may reschedule to another date at no cost, or transfer from Eagle Rock to our Hollywood location, which is almost entirely indoors.

    Additionally, if you booked at Eagle Rock and wish to keep your reservation, we will set up large pop-up tents, deck umbrellas, or a sun canopy over our patio for no additional fee.

  • Hey, things happen! I’m a parent too, and I understand how plans can be derailed.

    If you need to reschedule, contact us as soon as possible, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

    If you have to cancel, our policy is:

    • Cancellations with 15+ days notice receive a full deposit refund.

    • Cancellations within 15 days of event: deposit is non-refundable.

    • Cancellations within 48 hours: full balance is due, including any vendor or decoration costs.

    • PlayLab LLC will provide its playspace for a private event at the following rates:
      $500 for 3 hours, $600 for 3.5 hours, $700 for 4 hours.

    • During your reservation, you’ll have exclusive use of the space. No public visitors will be allowed. Your rental begins and ends at the times booked. For example, a 2:00–5:30pm reservation allows for your earliest arrival at 2:00pm and latest departure by 5:30pm. There is no grace period for setup or cleanup.

    • Extra time is available at $100 per 30 minutes, subject to availability.

    • Clients may bring their own food, cake, decorations, balloons, and candles, provided nothing damages PlayLab property.

    • All guests with children must complete our waiver. The host may share this link with guests for advance completion.

    • The space is designed for children under 5. Although older children are welcome, some equipment may not suit them. Please discuss event details with PlayLab staff to ensure we can accommodate your guests.

    • One PlayLab staff member will be present throughout your event for support and to handle clean-up.

    • Party capacity is 40 total guests (adults + children). Up to 60 guests are allowed at $10 per additional person.

    • Each child must be accompanied by a responsible adult. All attendees must follow PlayLab’s general rules, including no entry for visibly ill visitors. Noncompliance may result in removal from the premises.

    • To secure your booking, a $100 deposit is required; the remaining balance is due by the event date.

    • Cancellations made at least 15 days before the event are refundable. Cancellations within 15 days forfeit the deposit. Cancellations within 48 hours require full payment, including any costs for supplies or vendors.

    • Outstanding balances may be charged to the card on file or invoiced. To change or cancel your reservation, use the link at the bottom of your confirmation email or email events@goplaylab.com. No-shows will be charged the full balance.

    • A refundable $150 security deposit may be required at PlayLab’s discretion to cover cleaning or damages. This is separate from the booking deposit and will be refunded minus any necessary charges.

    • Clients are responsible for any damage or loss incurred during setup, event, or cleanup. If third-party vendors are canceled after PlayLab incurs costs (e.g., nonrefundable deposits), those expenses must be reimbursed by the client.

  • Yes. PlayLab is an indoor and outdoor birthday party venue in Los Angeles designed for babies, toddlers, and children ages 5 and under, with locations in Eagle Rock and Hollywood.

    Every party is private: you get exclusive use of the whole space and a dedicated PlayLab team member all day, with help from setup through cleanup.

    Parties start at $500 for 3 hours and include 40 guests, with a $100 deposit to reserve your date.

    Check availability and book online for Eagle Rock or Hollywood.