Winter class (specialized school) Bday?? Bowlero or other ideas?

[Anonymous]

So, we have a Winter Bday kid. We are at one of the specialized Non-Publics with a large population of Autistic students. The kids are 10/11 years old mostly pretty social fun kids, that all get along really well.

Is Bowlero Bethesda a good option for Bday parties for this group of kids?

We never did school bday parties in the past cause well we were worried no one would show up. But now being where we are life is so different for the better!

So, is Bowlero a good option??
I also saw a place called Lucky Strike come up?
We debated some type of arts & crafts based party, swimming or karaoke/music (not sure if this is any actual thing?)
Curious if you all have any advice or experiences to share.

I know all the places seem expensive to me $300-450 for 10 kids or less but that just seems to be the case in the area. While I wish it was more affordable I kinda don't mind cause we have never had a kids party before.

[Anonymous]

I'm so happy for your child that they want to celebrate with their friends!

It likely isn't possible to please everyone, so I would choose a venue where your child is comfortable. Birthday parties are hard, so make it as easy as possible for him.

[Anonymous]

Pinstripes at Pike and Rose has been a hit with my students. It's a less overstimulating environment than Bowlero and Lucky Strike, and they have a reasonably priced kids menu that has lots of things that appeal to kids with limited palates, which includes many kids with autism.

[Anonymous]

We had a party there it was great but - a few points - it's a big venue - make sure you have enough parental/adult supervision.
- because it's a big venue make sure you have a plan - the kids are going to lose interest in bowling at some point and want some arcade time. do not pass out the arcade cards until bowling is over. decide in advance whether ur willing to reload the cards or up the balance - they will nag you
- my kid still asks for their skillet cookie cake for their birthday every year!

[Anonymous]

Bowl America in Gaithersburg (now renamed) hosts the special olympics bowling team if you want to throw business their way. It is not dark like the newer-style bowling places and the arcades area is not as obvious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, we have a Winter Bday kid. We are at one of the specialized Non-Publics with a large population of Autistic students. The kids are 10/11 years old mostly pretty social fun kids, that all get along really well.

Is Bowlero Bethesda a good option for Bday parties for this group of kids?

We never did school bday parties in the past cause well we were worried no one would show up. But now being where we are life is so different for the better!

So, is Bowlero a good option??
I also saw a place called Lucky Strike come up?
We debated some type of arts & crafts based party, swimming or karaoke/music (not sure if this is any actual thing?)
Curious if you all have any advice or experiences to share.

I know all the places seem expensive to me $300-450 for 10 kids or less but that just seems to be the case in the area. While I wish it was more affordable I kinda don't mind cause we have never had a kids party before.

It sounds like you are near Rockville - there are a lot of places in the area where you can rent private karaoke rooms.

[Anonymous]

Happy for you! I would pick an activity your kid will like and do well with (bowling is noisy, for example) and assume many parents will stay. Visarts in Rockville does parties. You can rent a trailer that comes to your house and is full of arcade games. Or a person who comes to the house with reptiles! Zavazone is also a fun place for parties. I would probably not do ice skating or swimming because the kids who don't know how will need a lot of supervision and might get bored/hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, we have a Winter Bday kid. We are at one of the specialized Non-Publics with a large population of Autistic students. The kids are 10/11 years old mostly pretty social fun kids, that all get along really well.

Is Bowlero Bethesda a good option for Bday parties for this group of kids?

We never did school bday parties in the past cause well we were worried no one would show up. But now being where we are life is so different for the better!

So, is Bowlero a good option??
I also saw a place called Lucky Strike come up?
We debated some type of arts & crafts based party, swimming or karaoke/music (not sure if this is any actual thing?)
Curious if you all have any advice or experiences to share.

I know all the places seem expensive to me $300-450 for 10 kids or less but that just seems to be the case in the area. While I wish it was more affordable I kinda don't mind cause we have never had a kids party before.

It sounds like you are near Rockville - there are a lot of places in the area where you can rent private karaoke rooms.

We are not but the school is. About half the class is in DC & half are in MGC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Happy for you! I would pick an activity your kid will like and do well with (bowling is noisy, for example) and assume many parents will stay. Visarts in Rockville does parties. You can rent a trailer that comes to your house and is full of arcade games. Or a person who comes to the house with reptiles! Zavazone is also a fun place for parties. I would probably not do ice skating or swimming because the kids who don't know how will need a lot of supervision and might get bored/hurt.

Yes, we went to a petting zoo party. But, our house is not big enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bowl America in Gaithersburg (now renamed) hosts the special olympics bowling team if you want to throw business their way. It is not dark like the newer-style bowling places and the arcades area is not as obvious.

Looks like it is a Bowl America, now managed by Bowlero.

[Anonymous]

I find Bowlero overstimulating as a neurotypical adult, but my kid who is somewhat sensitive to light/sound (though not autistic) loves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a party there it was great but - a few points - it's a big venue - make sure you have enough parental/adult supervision.
- because it's a big venue make sure you have a plan - the kids are going to lose interest in bowling at some point and want some arcade time. do not pass out the arcade cards until bowling is over. decide in advance whether ur willing to reload the cards or up the balance - they will nag you
- my kid still asks for their skillet cookie cake for their birthday every year!

Half the class is in DC & half in MGC. I was thinking the Bathesda location might be a good location. But, I don't know if there are the big difference in locations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find Bowlero overstimulating as a neurotypical adult, but my kid who is somewhat sensitive to light/sound (though not autistic) loves it.

thanks for the insight. We might do a test run with the Bday kids and see if they actually like it prior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a party there it was great but - a few points - it's a big venue - make sure you have enough parental/adult supervision.
- because it's a big venue make sure you have a plan - the kids are going to lose interest in bowling at some point and want some arcade time. do not pass out the arcade cards until bowling is over. decide in advance whether ur willing to reload the cards or up the balance - they will nag you
- my kid still asks for their skillet cookie cake for their birthday every year!

Half the class is in DC & half in MGC. I was thinking the Bathesda location might be a good location. But, I don't know if there are the big difference in locations?

I am PP, and I was referring to Bowlero Bethesda. Seems a great location given where the kids live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a party there it was great but - a few points - it's a big venue - make sure you have enough parental/adult supervision.
- because it's a big venue make sure you have a plan - the kids are going to lose interest in bowling at some point and want some arcade time. do not pass out the arcade cards until bowling is over. decide in advance whether ur willing to reload the cards or up the balance - they will nag you
- my kid still asks for their skillet cookie cake for their birthday every year!

I am here for ALL the insider tips!

We were thinking Bathesda just based on it being kinda in the middle. But if one is better than another please share insight.

I was trying to figure out if the arcade cards listed are for each kid or just the bday kid. How far does a $10 dollar car go?

Is 5 kids on one lane too much waiting? maybe spring for an extra lane?

So far it seem typically 1 parent seem to stay at the party with the kids. Do you include parents in the bowling reservation prices if they might only help the kids? Or maybe just some extra food or drink ticket for parents?

Most have been low & at peoples home but we just dont have the space currently. With them becoming tweens we thought maybe this could be fun. but, have never planned any kids parties before.
Looking into art parties but the Bday kids seemed excited about this idea. I think we will go check out the location on a half day and see what they think.