Kids' birthday party in Oslo: what to know first

In short: a kids' birthday party in Oslo is easiest when the activity, the room and the drinks are all in one place. At Megazone in central Oslo, our birthday packages are for children aged 6 to 15 (indoor paintball from 13). You get the hall and a party room to yourselves, a soft drink or slush for every guest and a present for the birthday child. Pizza is not included, but you can order it from Peppes when you book. You are welcome to bring your own cake, and parents can either join in or put their feet up with a coffee.

If you have recently moved to Oslo, Norwegian birthday customs can feel a little different – parties are often held at an activity venue with a whole class invited. Below we answer the questions parents ask us most, from age and numbers to food, cake and invitations. We have hosted birthday parties in the city centre since 1993 and welcome around 30–40 parties a week, so we have heard most of them before.

What age is an activity birthday party suitable for?

Our birthday packages are for birthday children aged 6 to 15. There is no fixed age limit for laser tag, but we recommend children are at least 6 – some families wait until they turn 7. The laser arenas have smoke, disco lights and fairly loud music, which can feel a bit scary for the very youngest. If you are unsure, you are welcome to pop in and have a look before booking.

For indoor paintball the age limit is 13, with no exceptions. Every player must have turned 13, and anyone under 18 needs consent from a parent (a text message or a note is fine).

How many children can come?

Birthday parties are sold as a package rather than per head, so the price is the same whether you are 10 or 24. We can have 24 players in the laser arena at once, and the party rooms are designed for a maximum of 24 people. If you are more than 24, book a 3 × 20 minute laser tag party: we split the group into teams and play slightly shorter rounds so everyone gets the same amount of game time. The room gets cramped with many more, so some families choose to eat elsewhere.

What is included in the birthday package?

• The activity, with a run-through of the rules before you start
• The hall to yourselves
• A party room after the activity (for 50 minutes)
• A soft drink or slush for each guest
• A birthday T-shirt as a present for the birthday child (you can add more if there are several birthday children)
• Plates, cutlery, cups, napkins, cake slices and water jugs at a self-service station

Choose between a laser tag party (the most popular), indoor paintball for older children, street curling at Fjellstua or the laser tag and street curling combo. Street curling and the combo can be booked Sunday to Tuesday before 6 pm.

Is pizza included?

No – pizza is not part of the package price, but you can order it from Peppes Pizza when you book, or later once you know how many are coming. Pizza orders must be in no later than 2 days before the party. A standard pizza is 40 cm and feeds roughly 2–3 people, and for children's parties all pizzas are served without vegetables. Gluten-free pizza and vegan cheese are available too. See food and drink and allergy information for details.

The pizza is put out just before the group finishes playing. Please note that you cannot eat before the activity – everyone plays first, then eats.

Can we bring our own cake?

Yes, your own cake is very welcome. Other food and drink brought from outside is not allowed, and neither are snacks such as crisps or popcorn. Candles that need lighting, confetti and party poppers are not permitted, and as the party rooms are hand-painted by an artist, you cannot put up your own decorations. If a guest has a serious allergy, they may bring their own food – we have a microwave to heat it up.

What do parents do during the party?

Our staff run the activity from start to finish. Parents can join the game if there is room – most actually do – or relax with a coffee in the parents' lounge at no extra cost. In the party room we put out the pizza and drinks, and you grown-ups take charge of the eating, the cake and the presents.

Checklist before booking a kids' birthday party in Oslo

1. Choose an activity to suit the age: laser tag from about 6, paintball from 13.
2. Pick a date and check availability on the booking page.
3. Download our birthday invitation (it is in Norwegian, which suits most school classes here) and send it out.
4. Order pizza once you know the numbers – at least 2 days ahead.
5. Ask guests about allergies.
6. Bake or buy a cake (without candles that need lighting).
7. Plan your journey: see directions and parking.
8. Remind the children to wear everyday clothes and proper shoes – it gets warm quickly.

How do we book and pay?

Everything is booked online. You will then receive a confirmation by email and text message – read it carefully, as it contains a lot of useful information. You will also get a payment link (Klarna/Vipps) where you can add extras such as pizza. Please do not pay until all extras have been added. Alternatively, you can pay at the till when you arrive.

On the day, it is a good idea for the hosts to arrive a little before the booked time to greet the guests. Arriving very early mostly means waiting around, so a few minutes beforehand is plenty.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a birthday party at Megazone cost?

It is a package price, not a price per child. It varies by activity and day, and you will see prices and available times when you choose a package on the birthday party page. Pizza is extra.

How long do we have the party room?

After the activity you have one of our party rooms for 50 minutes.

What should the children wear?

Ordinary, ideally slightly sporty clothes and shoes. Everyone must wear shoes while playing.

Is the laser dangerous?

No. The laser equipment is approved as harmless and the smoke is water-based. If a child has epilepsy, you will need to make your own judgement, as there are some strobe and disco lights. You will find more answers in our FAQ.