I went to a birthday party at Lifetime Fitness this weekend

[Anonymous]

and wasnt impressed.

I have no idea how much people pay for to do parties here but basically it was free play in a basketball court with hula hoops, skipping ropes and a few other toys, and then pizza and cake in a party room. There were 2 helpers but they only played one game, sharks and minnows and that was it. A lot of the kids didnt know each other so were just milling about playing by themselves.
It could have been so much better if they had done organized activities.

[Anonymous]

My experience is that they do what the parents request. We had our son's party at the Reston location a few years ago and we did a pool party. They kids ate first and after they finished eating, but before the pool, the helpers played games with them in the party room. Once in the pool they played with the kids (chased them, let the kids hang off of them, etc.).

[Anonymous]

The kids parties are for kids, not adults. So if the kids had fun it was a success. Don't be so judgey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The kids parties are for kids, not adults. So if the kids had fun it was a success. Don't be so judgey.

A lot of the kids didn't have fun, that's my point.

[Anonymous]

I understand, OP. They could have had the same experience for free at a playground.

I hope the hosts complained to the manager.

[Anonymous]

Well, if the kids didn't have fun in a gym with lots of options, they are to blame. And their parents are to blame for "organizing" them so often they have no idea how to entertain themselves even with lots of plainly obvious options.

[Anonymous]

Kids don't know how to play and have fun without adults organizing them and so the hosts should complain to the mgr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, if the kids didn't have fun in a gym with lots of options, they are to blame. And their parents are to blame for "organizing" them so often they have no idea how to entertain themselves even with lots of plainly obvious options.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand, OP. They could have had the same experience for free at a playground.

I hope the hosts complained to the manager.

Except they had an air conditioned venue that was not subject to rain cancellations. There is that.

FWIW, my kids would have both had a blast at a party like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand, OP. They could have had the same experience for free at a playground.

I hope the hosts complained to the manager.

Except they had an air conditioned venue that was not subject to rain cancellations. There is that.

FWIW, my kids would have both had a blast at a party like.

Sure, but it's not worth $300 or however much they paid.

[Anonymous]

Sorry you didn't like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand, OP. They could have had the same experience for free at a playground.

I hope the hosts complained to the manager.

Except they had an air conditioned venue that was not subject to rain cancellations. There is that.

FWIW, my kids would have both had a blast at a party like.

Sure, but it's not worth $300 or however much they paid.

These venues cost money. The kids had cake/ice cream, a game that was directed by staff and then the free play with the gym equipment.

Was set up/clean up also done by the staff? I think the only thing that I would have added is a pinata. Kids love those things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand, OP. They could have had the same experience for free at a playground.

I hope the hosts complained to the manager.

Except they had an air conditioned venue that was not subject to rain cancellations. There is that.

FWIW, my kids would have both had a blast at a party like.

Sure, but it's not worth $300 or however much they paid.

These venues cost money. The kids had cake/ice cream, a game that was directed by staff and then the free play with the gym equipment.

Was set up/clean up also done by the staff? I think the only thing that I would have added is a pinata. Kids love those things.

Liability concerns.

[Anonymous]

We are considering having ours at the Rio Gaithersburg location and the Mgr we spoke with said the host gets to choose activities such as basketball, swimming, kickball, dodgeball or even flag football. 7 yr olds mostly boys will like this and most will be his classmates. Discounted rates for members....

[Anonymous]

I remember very vividly when I was a kid back in the early 80s/90s the best parties were in those indoor play places with various obstacle courses. Definitely going to hold my kids' parties when they're at that age.