fequently asked questions!

How do I book a party?

You can request a party reservation through our online portal, call any Jam Time, or email party@jamtime.com. Parties are booked on a First Come, First Serve basis. Please take a second to check out our up-to-date calendars for all of our locations to confirm your desired day/time is available before submitting a request.

I submitted a request, now what?

Once we process your request, you’ll receive an email confirmation with an embedded link to pay the non refundable security deposit of $100.00. Your party is not confirmed until your deposit is paid. You have a maximum of one week, seven days, to confirm your interest in a Jam Time party by paying the security deposit. We will make multiple attempts to reach you before canceling your reservation and opening up the party spot. The balance of your party is due the day of your event and is subject to change due to alterations. You can make payments toward your party by calling any Jam Time and using any major debit/credit card. DO NOT USE THE LINK TO MAKE PAYMENTS. We do not recommend paying for your party in full before your scheduled party day. (See Cancellation/Refund Policy).

Can I tentatively hold a spot while I decide about my interest?

Yes. We can tentatively hold a spot for 24 hours. After that time, if we do not hear back from you, we will release the reservation and you will have to resubmit your request. You can not hold multiple spots while deciding between one or the other.

The spot I want is already booked. Can I be waitlisted for it, if they cancel?

We can make a note on the desired party with your name and contact information. If the previously booked party cancels, we will reach out to confirm your continued interest with a Jam Time party. If we don’t hear from you, we will release the party so another family can book it.

How far in advance should I think about booking a party?

From May - August, you can potentially book a party with about four weeks notice. During our busy season, September - April, the general guideline is 3 months notice. Please check out the calendar to confirm the day/time/location is available prior to submitting your party request.

What is your Cancellation/Refund Policy?

We have a very generous Cancellation policy. You have 24 hours after you make your initial deposit to change your mind and request a refund to the card used to make your payment. After that point, your deposit is nonrefundable and if you need to cancel your party (for any reason), your deposit is converted into a credit to use toward a future party at Jam Time. This credit does not expire and can be used at any Jam Time location, but solely for a future party booking. The only way you would lose your deposit is if you were to cancel your party and never reschedule.

Can I extend the length of my party?

It depends. We require 30 minutes between each party to flip the party room and allow our staff to sanitize the play floor, so certain parties cannot be extended.

Simply Perfect 10am -11:30am can be extended by 30 minutes only, but the party start time would be 9:30am.

Simply Perfect (at the Natick Mall) or Simply Private (all other locations) 12 - 1:30pm can not be extended.

Simply Private 2 - 3:30pm can be extended by 30 minutes only. The party would end at 4:00pm because the next party starts at 4:30pm.

Premiere 2 - 4pm cannot be extended.

Premiere 4:30- 6:30 and VIP 4:30 - 7:30pm can be extended as they are the last party spots of the day.

Can I buy out your public play time to convert a “Shared” party into a Private party?

YES! We base our buy-out rate upon our facility capacity and our drop in Public Play rate. Our standard rate per child is $15.00. Our facility capacity is around 100 people. $15 x 100 = $1500.

I’d really like a longer party but 4:30pm doesn’t work for my family.

The only way to reserve a longer party during the middle of the day would be to reserve two party spots. We can reserve two party spots and provide a discount on the first party as long as it is not reserved by another family. Please inquire further by emailing party@jamtime.com and we can try to accommodate your request.

How busy does the play floor get during a Shared Party?

It depends on the weather! If the weather is nice, you can almost have a private party for a shared party price!

I’d like to bring my own/supplemental/special decorations or have an outside company decorate for my party, is that possible?

Yes! If you would like to bring in any decorations for your party - we simply ask that all decorations be pre-assembled and dropped off to your location no later than the Wednesday before your party. If you have already purchased the balloon garland kit and would like us to assemble it, the fee is $65.

If you would like an outside company to decorate - we love to decorate - but if you have someone else in mind, that’s ok! Just with any venue rental, you are required to rent out the space for the entirety of the time needed to set up your party. This may mean that you need to reserve two party spots. Please email party@jamtime.com for further information.

What themes do you have? What do you provide for decorations?

We have over 100 themes to choose from and we are always adding to our list. If you would like to see a specific theme set up, just ask! We have been collecting images of party set ups for almost a year- if we have it, we’ll send you an example of what your party could look like!

All our parties come with wall decorations (bunting, banners, wall swirls, scene setters), table covers, paper goods for adults and kiddos, a balloon tower and two centerpieces for the kids tables. Our FESTIVE theme is a very cute, colorful rainbow balloon motif. A CUSTOM theme is one non-listed online and requires an additional fee of $50 instead of $35. You can add-on a balloon garland to any party package for $85.

Jam Time provides all the cutlery and serving utensils for the party! You just bring the cake!

Can I bring in my own food/drinks/catering? Where do you order your pizza from?

Yes, with some exceptions. All food/drink must be NUT FREE, SHELLFISH FREE, NON ALCOHOLIC, NO OPEN FLAMES (aluminum chafing dishes with gel stern-o burners are prohibited). Outside food must be brought with you to the beginning of the party- it can not be delivered. All pizzas must be ordered through Jam Time as this ensures proper delivery time. Electric hot plates, instant pots, and crockpots are all welcome. Of course, if someone in your party has dietary restrictions which our pizza vendors are unable to accommodate, you can bring in outside food for them.

We get our pizzas from local pizza shops! Norwood: Mustang Pizza, Natick: Brooklyn Pizza, Natick Mall: Pizza Plus, Maynard: MVP (Maynard Village Pizza) Shop

How many pizzas should I order?

Depends on whether you are planning to feed just the kids or kids and adults. The week of your party we will request an estimated headcount. This will help us decide how many pizzas will be sufficient for your guest list. All pizzas are 16-18 inches and come double cut into kid friendly slices!

Do you have a fridge/freezer to store my drinks/cake?

Natick, Maynard, and Norwood all have residential refrigerators/freezers which we store ice and our lemonade/water pitchers for our parties. The Natick mall has a small college-size refrigerator where we store mini water bottles and juice boxes for the kiddos. We recommend having the cake delivered at the start of/just before your party or brought with you to the party. We can not guarantee space in our refrigerator/freezer for cakes/icecream cakes or other beverages.

Private Play versus Private Party - what’s the difference?

Private plays and parties are vastly different. Private plays are exactly that. Play time. They do not come with access to the party room, party planner, decorations or celebratory food/fanfare. No singing “Happy Birthday” or providing cupcakes/cake/ice cream/gifts. The headcount is strictly monitored and babies over 1 and adults count toward your capacity. They are 75 minutes in duration and must be booked and paid-in-full within 24 hours of request submission. These are great for small play groups or families who aren’t ready for sharing indoor spaces just yet!

Private parties are a PARTY with a fully decorated party room, longer private play, higher headcount, celebratory food/fanfare, party planner and assistants to manage everything. Let’s celebrate!

Can I book a Party during the week? Can I book a Private Play during the weekend?

Parties during the week would need to be held during open play hours and are subject to manager/assistant availability. Email party@jamtime.com and we will try to accommodate your request.

Weekend private plays are only opened in the event a party does not book/cancels. Please check out the calendar for your location on Monday or email play@jamtime.com and we will try to accommodate your request.

Should I tip my party manager/assistants?

Our staff works incredibly hard to make sure our parties are memorable and effortless! Gratuity is optional but also appreciated. We love getting warm notes and rave reviews of our parties from families too!

What’s in your goody bags/party favors?

Our favors generally have 1 big item such as a reusable plastic cup, art set, backpack, stuffed animal, our custom Jam Time moose etc., along with 1-4 smaller toys such as a rubber duck, play doh, slime, noise makers, stickers, necklaces, sunglasses, silly straws, note books, small crayons, balls, bubbles, etc. Items will be tied up neatly in a fun cellophane bag. Though we can not guarantee specific items for a party, we can guarantee that we do super cute favors!

I’d like to add-on a SHOW to my party. Can you tell me a little about them?

You can add-on a Show to private parties which are 2 hours or longer only. Shows are booked entirely upon vendor availability. Once your party deposit is paid and you know which show you are interested in adding, we will reach out to our vendors and request a show on your behalf. If they are available, we will contact you for the additional show deposit. All shows require an additional $100 deposit to secure the vendor for your party with the balance being rolled over to your final amount due on the day of your party. Shows can range in price but are generally $400+ and pricing is subject to change per the vendor. Entertainers are usually tipped for their services the day of the event. We have several different options- here are brief descriptions of each:

Animal Show: a 40 min informative, interactive show where kids can ask questions, touch and learn about a bunch of different animals! Everything from snakes to birds can be covered! Specialty animals can be added for an additional fee. This show is great for older kids 4 and up as it can require kids to stay seated for an extended period of time

Magic Show: a super cute 40 show with age appropriate tricks, stories and audience participation! This show is great for kids ages 4 and up as it requires a bit more focus on the part of the kiddos

Jammin' Science: Put on your lab coat and get ready to have your very own science class with Mr Malcolm! Experiments galore: superhero science, weather, archeology - you name it, Mr Malcolm has an explanation. This show is great for ages 3.5 and up

Music Concert: depending on your party location, you can have a 40 min family friendly music concert from Mr. Vic with Music Together or Lucky Day Music with Stacey Peasley. Great for all ages!

When is the very latest I can make changes to my party?

General guideline for last minute changes is two weeks before your party date. It depends on what the change is, specifically. Final theme choice needs to be made with at least 30 days notice. Favors can be added on the day of (they will be a mix of festive and other themes - we can not guarantee they will all match or contain the same items). Extra time (if applicable) needs to be confirmed with the store location at least two weeks prior to your party to ensure sufficient staffing. Specialty Character visits are based upon availability and require at least two weeks notice when canceling/changing. If you reserve a specialty character and decide not to have the visit with less than two weeks notice, you may forfeit your add on cost of $55 (if applicable). Pizza orders are placed the Friday before your party.

What ages count toward my final head count numbers? Does this include the Birthday child(ren)?

When providing Jam Time with your headcount we are referring to kids between the ages of 1 - 12 years old. Babies UNDER 1 and kids OVER 12 do not count toward your final headcount because they are not likely going to require a table setting or goody bag/favor. The only time they will count is if you add on favors and would like the infant or older child to receive one. Your head count DOES include the birthday child(ren).

Adults do not count toward your final numbers either. Each Jam Time’s facility capacity is around 100 people- so as long as your guest list is UNDER 100- you’re good!

Can I have/Do you provide helium for balloons?

No. There is a worldwide helium shortage so Jam Time no longer provides helium for our decorations. You are welcome to bring in helium filled balloons the day of your party. Keep in mind, Natick Mall Jam Time does not allow for ANY helium balloons due to the ducts and vaulted ceilings.

Can I have a pinata?

Yes! Only pull string pinatas are allowed at the Natick, Maynard, and Norwood Jam Time locations. Pinatas are not allowed at the Natick Mall location.