Anonymous wrote:Chuck e cheese. I know there are haters out there, but they really have a varied set of activities. My kids always have a great time.

I second this. Although the 4 year olds will need help on all the games and swiping their cards. They won’t be independent.

Chuck e cheese. I know there are haters out there, but they really have a varied set of activities. My kids always have a great time.

What time of year? If the weather is nice, have it at a park or playground. Bring bubbles, balls, chalk. Maybe hire a musician or magician.

Nature center birthday parties can often cater to different age groups. You'd have to call around to check availability and if they'd do parties back-to-back. Or book a community room or two at a library, rec center, etc and bring in different entertainment for each party.

Scramble works for mixed age. There’s so much space and so many kids there, you don’t have to worry about the two age groups getting along.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - has anyone been to the new place in Fairfax? Holly Jolly or something like that? Is that something worth checking out?

It might be worth checking out. It’s very similar to scramble, but not as nice, bathrooms a far walk outside of the play area and no place for parents to sit. Well, maybe 4 tables. Scramble is better.

OP here - has anyone been to the new place in Fairfax? Holly Jolly or something like that? Is that something worth checking out?

I think that scramble could work for both of those ages.

Anonymous wrote:I have kids who are three years apart, and I don’t think those ages work well together for joint parties. I think the 7 year old is probably too old for jumping joeys, but my older one still goes from time to time and has fun, but he wouldn’t be excited about a party there. I think turning four is too young for bowling.
I think for this year it would be better to do the parties separately.

I said bowling because I remembered we went to one for a preschooler, but I forgot he was turning five. My three-year old did have fun bowling, though, but probably not all would.

I have kids who are three years apart, and I don’t think those ages work well together for joint parties. I think the 7 year old is probably too old for jumping joeys, but my older one still goes from time to time and has fun, but he wouldn’t be excited about a party there. I think turning four is too young for bowling.
I think for this year it would be better to do the parties separately.

Bowling

Anonymous wrote:Aren't those in Maryland?

Adventure theatre is just over the border.

Aren't those in Maryland?

Show at glen echo, adventure stage

Say we wanted to hold our 4 and 7 year olds' birthday parties in the same place either at the same time or back to back (in northern virginia), are there any places you would recommend that would appeal to 3-8 year olds? Our go to over the years has been Jumping Joey's, but I think my older child is outgrowing it, and also I don't think it's a good place for little and big kids to be jumping together (older kids have knocked my younger child down, etc.. and I don't want other parents worrying about it/dealing with it).