Idk what ages you're inviting, but we did a 3 year old party at Magic Ground in DC and it was awesome. The staff made everything seamless and it's a great space for that age group. Probably too small for older kids though.

I read the subject and thought of the Badlands in South Dakota! Ha! It's a bit too far for me.

Badlands has the best birthday parties IMO. Their hosts are well trained and really do take care of everything.
Over the last couple of years we've been to several parties there, it was really popular for the 4-5 year birthdays in my kids' class. I don't think it's too far; birthday parties are a way to teach your kid that you make the effort to celebrate your friend's special day with them.

Yes, too far. Don't make people drive more than 25 min to a kids party IMO.

Not at all! We had a party there for our DD and all of her guests showed up! It was a Saturday afternoon and not too crowded. The kids had a blast and the staff made for a stress free celebration!

We love Badlands because it’s not just a play space but they also do enrichment activities such as art/legos/building in addition to science projects. We live in NE DC by H St so it is a hike for us. So we don’t go regularly but will occasionally, especially in the winter and meet another mom friend with her DS there for the kids to play.

We would go to a bday party there. But I think many families would not where we live, especially if they have not been and don’t know much about it. I agree that if you live in upper NW, it’s more feasible.

Anonymous wrote:We went to a party there and live in DC proper. It was far, but really the problem was that the place was insanely crowded and ended up being stressful. I'd pass on that for a party and pick something less chaotic.

+1. They have four party rooms and so there might be four parties being held at the same time. Plus, the space is open to the general public as well.

We went from Arlington bc I wanted to check it out and we were good friends with the birthday kid. For NW DC folks it should be fine.

We went to a party there and live in DC proper. It was far, but really the problem was that the place was insanely crowded and ended up being stressful. I'd pass on that for a party and pick something less chaotic.

Depends on where in DC. We live in far upper NW right on the MD line, and had a party there with good attendance. For us it's only like a 25-min drive.

Too far

Too far and prob crowded on weekends.

My PACE group did it as a joint party for all of our kids who turned 2. All of us decided to make the trek. I wouldn't do it for my son's individual b-day party.

Anonymous wrote:People who have held parties there or been there, is it too far for most guests living in the city?

Yes and not worth it unless the majority of the party-goers (or you) live near there.

People who have held parties there or been there, is it too far for most guests living in the city?