We did one winter party at the Providence rec center. Rented the big room that came with balls and ride on toys. We had a craft project - amke your own light saber - using pool noodles and duct tape of many colors - which became the party favor.

Anonymous wrote:What about a scavenger hunt at the Natural History Museum downtown, followed up with cupcakes and hot chocolate outdoors on the Mall?

What?! That place is absolutely mobbed on cold winter weekends. Not a place that a big group could stay together & spend time together.

OP I have two kids with winter bdays and I empathize but I don't think there's much alternative to rented indoor space or at home.

Anonymous wrote:Homemade cupcakes, individual bags of pirates bootie, capri suns. 1.5 hours in your house. Buy bubbles and glow sticks and host a rave style dance party 😁 cut down the guest list and enjoy.

Best idea yet.

Anonymous wrote:What about a scavenger hunt at the Natural History Museum downtown, followed up with cupcakes and hot chocolate outdoors on the Mall?

It's too cold for eating on the Mall.

Anonymous wrote:Nature centers in Fairfax and Arlington counties will do parties for around 200 dollars.

Long Branch Nature Center, Hidden Oaks, Hidden Pond and I'm sure others.

+1 We went to a birthday party at Hidden Oaks and it was great.

Pool party at Spring Hill Rec Center

Homemade cupcakes, individual bags of pirates bootie, capri suns. 1.5 hours in your house. Buy bubbles and glow sticks and host a rave style dance party 😁 cut down the guest list and enjoy.

You can rent a room at a rec center very inexpensively. You have to book far in advance because the rooms go quickly. Find one next to a great playground and have the kids outdoors playing, in for a game, craft, and/or piñata, then pizza and cake.

Some of the private swim lesson places have them for $200-250 for two hours. Bring your own food. We paid a bit more for a second lifeguard as we invited a ton of kids, basically the entire grade since it was all one price.

My town rec center (NOVA, further out from you) will rent the gym and a bunch of balls for parties for about $250. Come up with a few games, and provide snacks and cupcakes.

Are you opposed to hosting at home? Hire a reptile encounter company, or make it a craft party (either DIY or hire someone).

Check out Build-a-Bear. We're doing my five year old's birthday party there and it's reasonably priced. Food isn't allowed in the store so we're providing take home cupcakes at the end.

Anonymous wrote:What about a scavenger hunt at the Natural History Museum downtown, followed up with cupcakes and hot chocolate outdoors on the Mall?

Because parking or metro is easy for attending parents? And who wants to cart along hot chocolate from VA into DC plus cups.. and cupcakes?

Are you inviting the whole class OP? I’ve never spent $500 on a birthday party.
If your yard is big enough for a moon bounce you could rent one for a few hours and do s’mores and hot chocolate. Do it during a non meal time.

Nature centers in Fairfax and Arlington counties will do parties for around 200 dollars.

Long Branch Nature Center, Hidden Oaks, Hidden Pond and I'm sure others.

What about a scavenger hunt at the Natural History Museum downtown, followed up with cupcakes and hot chocolate outdoors on the Mall?

Looking for ideas for a winter birthday party - so park probably not an option- for a 5 year old. Can't bring myself to spend $500+ on one of the indoor playgrounds! For a boy interested in cars and dinosaurs in Falls church/Arl/Mclean area.