Birthday party ideas for 40-50 kids

[Anonymous]

We rented out the Arlington Cinema and Draft house. They will let you show whatever movie you want (you just need to bring in a DVD) and you can bring in your own cupcakes. They offer popcorn and drinks and food if you want. They do the movie before any of their regular shows on Saturday or Sunday (so 9am). But for young kids it's not bad. No clean up or set up necessary! It cost us around $600 6 years ago. Plenty of space for kids and parents and it's no big deal if the kids run around during the movie.

[Anonymous]

I'd look into Pump It Up in Leesburg - they have big areas that you can take over.

[Anonymous]

holy crap.
This will be fun for no-one.


--mom of twins.

[Anonymous]

Oh God, do not do this! We had a party with 30 first graders and it was awful. Like, almost dangerous awful. Unless you have at least 10 parents to help, don't do it. At that age, the boys will be knocking everyone around (just playing, but still), the girls will be screeching - oh man, I'm getting flashbacks. There is no way in hell you can control that many kids. Don't do it. But if you do, please post a video

[Anonymous]

We just had a party for 20 kids (joint party for my 2 sons) at my house. It was chaotic but fun. I said "no gifts, please" and my boys didn't revolt (I was worried)! I had a face painter/ balloon guy. We did it all in our (large) basement, then they came upstairs for pizza and cake.

40 would be a disaster. I'd do 2 parties, or tell your kids in lieu of a party, you'll take a family trip to someplace like Great Wolf Lodge. You could put a bounce place, but I guess I don't really see how the kids will interact there to really make it seem like a party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my god. My only idea would be Xanax. Plenty of Xanax.

+1

[Anonymous]

You can rent out the carousel at national harbor

[Anonymous]

DS went to one huge party like this (40 kids?) and the parents rented out a karate studio and that worked well. You need to find a REALLY big one.

[Anonymous]

I know a family that recently rented out the Avalon movie theatre in NWDC for a morning birthday party. Otherwise, maybe a bigger trampoline or bounce U or something like that should accommodate everyone.

[Anonymous]

Why? Why would you even consider this? What's the purpose of inviting 50 children to a birthday party? That's just overindulgence at its worst. Have your kids each invite a few of their friends and have a birthday celebration that is actually meaningful to the birthday kids.

[Anonymous]

Dynamite could probably run a party that size (the facility is huge and we had a party for nearly 30 kids there without a problem). But it will be expensive. Of course, in general, a party that size will be expensive.

I did attend a party once in a community center where there were easily 100 people there (not 100 kids, a majority were adults). They brought in a bouncy thing and had some games for the kids too. So that might work.

[Anonymous]

People are going to hate on this but we did a combined class party for my older kid with kids from her old school and new school and family friends at the Chuck E Cheese in Takoma Park. They have huge tables, you can bring your own cupcakes and table decor. Prices are reasonable. Just hand them a cup of tokens and they are in heaven. Order drink cups for the adultsYes I am THAT mom. Won't be long til they

[Anonymous]

The very first and only time I was at a Chuckie Cheese was for my 5yo DD last year. I don't know if it was just luck but everything worked like a charm and it was the easiest party we've ever had (I have 2 older kids so no novice here!) Since she had changed schools and is a social butterfly we had almost 40 kids. In addition to DH my sister and 3 friends/parents of kids at party had agreed to stay ahead of time and probably 4 others stayed too but for the party part (pizza, cake, the little show) the staff did an amazing job. I dreaded this party but it was SO easy and the kids (and 2 of the Dads that stayed!) totally enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

Second for the Avalon. My kids have been to a couple of parties there and enjoyed them.

[Anonymous]

When we looked at Pump It Up, the parties generally include up to 25 kids. However, my twins were so excited on their birthday that they wanted more time. My suggestion is to do back-to-back parties. Have Child 1's class invited to the first window. then invite Child 2's class to the second window. You get just over half hour in the first bounce room, then you move to the second bounce room for just over a half hour, then a half hour in the party room. It's about 1:50 total time. I think it will be much more manageable for your family doing this and if your twins are like mine, they'll be fine with back-to-back parties and only getting half as many gifts (which is probably still going to be twice as much as they each need).