birthday parties

[Anonymous]

The best parties I've been to and thrown is when some of the birthday child's own relatives (dad, uncles, etc.) dress up and provide the entertainment. It's fun for the adults too (both the ones watching and participating). If you have family or friends who are game, it's the best and it's free! The kids get into the fantasy of it -- yes, they know it's the relative, but put everyone in costumes and face paint and they get swept away.

[Anonymous]

OP- been to both of (your inquiries) parties and both are completely different. I have to say, moms in the 2-5 range swear by Tumbles; and Tumbles definitely has my vote too. You get what you pay for, and the help is consistently entertaining, energetic and engaged.

I didn't see that with "the other one". Regarding the latter, we had more toys in our own home than their facility. And for birthday parties, it takes most of the burden off the moms, but they need to realize, as a business, that is not the only prerequisite.

I have no stake in either, but am a firm believer in word of mouth. It is so obvious when businesses put minimal effort into what they are trying to sell.

Someone mentioned a ballet party. I am SO excited to read on this thread that Ballet Petite is opening in McLean. To which I say - IT'S ABOUT TIME! We've experienced "the Arlington ballet place" (near Tumbles) and well, it absolutely sucks!

I've trained extensively in ballet, and have a business degree, but that doesn't mean I can open my own studio and steal parents money in exchange for a mediocre product.

That said, I agree that you can get by either fine or "exceedingly fine" with a friend/realtive dressed up. I like the idea of a dress up party (clothes for which you probably have at home).

This is a fun age - enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The JW Tumbles on Duke Street in Alexandria should be avoided at ALL COSTS. The two times that I have been there for a party a child has been SERIOUSLY injured -- one child got a rope burn to the neck and the other time a child had to be taken to the hospital because they fell on the UNPADDED FLOOR and hit their head. The staff are teenagers who pay little or no attention to the childern (thank GOD the parents were paying attention). Please, please, please do not have parties at this location.

A rope burn is a serious injury? The only area not padded is the entrance/shoe area. Why was a child climbing on something out there and why didn't their parent stop them?

I went to a JW Tumbles party for a three year old. There were two and three year olds in attendance. This is not the age when a child can be dropped off or ignored. Expect to watch your own kid.

[Anonymous]

YES! YES! YES! THANK YOU. I am SO tired of this not happening!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

We just had a party at Sport Bounce of Loudoun in Ashburn, Va for my 4 year old twins. They had a great time and the staff was friendly and very organized... You can tell they have birthday parties down to a science... but my birthday boys still felt special. It's not a quiet place, but there was a room in the back where my grandfather could sit and watch tv, so that wasn't a big deal. At the beginning of the party, they inflated a huge chair and took a group photo of all the party kids sitting on it... and I stuffed the pics into the goody bags I handed out at the end of the party. It was nice to be able to leave the mess behind and not have to clean my house up before or after the party. My boys and their friends were happily exhausted... so they were easy to put to bed that night. I highly recommend Sport Bounce. And they have a regular open gym schedule Mon-Friday.... perfect for when my kids have way too much energy! Anyway, here's their website: www.sportbounce.com

[Anonymous]

What does one do for a 1-year-old's party? Any of these options mentioned above work? How much do they cost? My DD is a winter baby and we live in as small condo so no room for a party. Not sure what I should do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does one do for a 1-year-old's party? Any of these options mentioned above work? How much do they cost? My DD is a winter baby and we live in as small condo so no room for a party. Not sure what I should do.

Personally, I would just have a very small party with grandparents or other relatives or very close friends if your relatives don't live nearby. We had a big party for my first born's 1st b-day at our house, and later I realized it wasn't really necessary. The 1 year old party is really for the parents.

[Anonymous]

andy's parties sucked! im sorry but the "entertainers,were rude!,lazy,and messy. We were suppose to have a party package with arts and crafts that the children could take home,when it was time for the children to go home, they left empty handed. My child never got a special present,and the children just ran around for 1 and 15 minutes of the party! and what made me even more mad,was at the end of the day when the children were leaving,3 children said this was the worst party ever