I'm planning my two sons' (turning 8 & 6) birthday party mid-November. Does anyone have any ideas that are _not expensive_? We have a very small home so we have to "outsource". We've done Chuck E Cheese (ugh!) and Frying Pan Park in the past. I prefer to find something outdoors but need to take unpredictable, and possibly cold, weather into consideration. Frying Pan was great because we were able to be both indoors and out. Thanks!
Pump It Up in Manassas and Leesburg and Loudoun Sport Bounce in Dulles are two great options for older boys. There is also an arcade/pinball amusements seller in Herndon that rents out its store for parties but I can't recall the name.
Good luck!
A. Dorfman, CSEP
professional party planner
posh parties, LLC
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If your boys like martial arts, many taekwondo schools offer party packages. My soon to be 6 year old daughter is having her party at USTigers in Broadlands this November. They provide instruction, a moon bounce, pizza and drinks. We bring cake and party favors. The cost is $185 for up to 15 participants and a little more if additional kids show up. We love the Masters here as this is also where she has attended regular training for the past 2 years. There might be taekwondo schools that offer similar packages near where you live. C.
We have done House of Bounce. Great place.
http://www.houseofbounceva.com/
We held my son's birthday party in May at Hidden Pond Nature Center. If you haven't been there, the main floor has animals in tanks. There is a prty room downstairs and the "volunteers" bring snakes, frogs and turtles to the party room and let the kids see and touch. We were able to walk around the lake with a guide. There is a playground if the weather is good. We were even able to do a pinata. The weather was a little dicey - it rained as people were arriving but then cleared up. You can brings any kind of food and drink. It was fun and a little different.
Hi M.,
Jumping Jacks sports gym was one of the best party we had thrown for our daughter. For your sons, this might be a good idea so you don't have to clean up, they provide the food and drinks, and don't have to second guess the weather since it's indoors. The staff were superb also! This will definitely be better than Chuck E Cheese (yes, ugh!) They have a website also if you just google it, it's easy to find location close to you. Good luck!
Hi. We did Pump It Up. It is a little pricey but if you opt out of the pizza and bring your own cake it's not too bad. And the best part is we just walked away from the mess. No cake mashed into your carpet. No last minute scrubbing your bathrooms. If you do chose this place, I highly recommend opening the presents at home. Things get crazy there and toys get lost or broken.
p.s. House of Bounce is more expensive.
Hey M.,
I am sure your kids would have grown up now. Here are some themes that you may consider for their upcoming birthday. All these themes can be perfect for both indoor as well as outdoor parties and will be equally exciting in both cases. Hope you like them...
Pirate: Can plan for treasure hunt or a swordfight game outdoor in your backyard or any other open space. You can also have a hit and smash piñata game for the boys. Rest of the things such as food, decorations, etc. can be done inside so that you don’t have to bother about weather much.
Soccer/ football: Let the kids play soccer or football game and piñata game outside for some time and do the rest of the partying things inside. You may have the entire party outside in a stadium or may have everything inside by letting them play soccer online.
Camo: This is an evergreen theme for both boys as well as for girls. Let them dress up in their favorite Camo attire and behave like the responsible citizens of the country. This party can be planned equally well in both indoors as well as outdoors.
Here is a link that you may visit for some other useful themes and party ideas.
http://www.mybirthdaysupplies.com/
Hope this helps you.
You could try bowling or an indoor pool, like the one at Claude Moore Rec. Center.
