Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved my son's birthday party for age 4: swim and pizza party at a community center (February birthday). Along with the pizza I had other nice food. The party room was large and roomy and there was plenty of space. Swimming for one hour then party room for one hour.

I'm going to down vote this one! I don't want to put on a bathing suit and get in the pool at your 4 year old's bday party. Which is what I'd have to do since my 4 year old can't swim. Of course I'd just decline the invite, but still.

Another down vote! I hate indoor pool parties. Seriously, no one wants to swim in February, not the parents and not the kids.

THIS THIS THIS.

Yes! I'd be very unhappy about a pool party in February.

Sorry, but we've been to several winter parties at Cub Run Rec Center and the kids have loved them.

I hosted a 5 y/o winter birthday party at Cub Run Rec Center. At that time, my son was in his last year of preschool, and I invited the whole class, which was large. I made the rec center rules clear on the invitation (that parents would likely have to get in), but I invited people to bring the whole family. We had a good turn out, and overall I think it was a hit. I billed it as an adventure, and I think my guests were up for it

When my kids turn 3, I've historically held a glorified play date celebration. We've done pool, our house, and frozen yogurt. At 4, I've been doing a real party - one had a face painter/balloon maker party in our backyard, another had Little Gym in the winter. My youngest is turning 4 this winter, so we'll see what she wants to do. She might want My Gym. At 5, I had one party with a magician at our house / backyard party, and the other was Cub Run rec center above.

IDK where you live, but we enjoy Hidden Oaks and Hidden Pond parties as well.

The best bday party I have taken my preschooler to was a home party that invited the parents to stay on the invite and mentioned specific adult only activities. I was intrigued (and curious since it sounded a little more than PG rated). Turns out the host family lived in a beautiful house and had set up bounce houses, elaborate arts and crafts, obstical courses, you name it. Then they also hired extra babysitters to help monitor the party. Upstairs in their house they had a catered adult lounge with drinks, food and two people giving chair massages. With the extra babysitters the parents could chat without having to hover. We all came down for cake though. Way more money than I can spend, but my DD and I both had a blast!

Other ideas: duckpin bowling (small bowling balls and pins good for kids) in Silver Spring, Train party in Wheaton Regional Park

Anonymous wrote:We did a party at the local fire station. The kids still talk about it!

+1 Takoma Park fire station was a hit!!

Rhythm Street in Herndon does a really, really cute and fun princess party for little girls.

We did a sports place for my DS's 3rd birthday and it was great. They did obstacle courses, parachute, small bounce houses, and bubbles. I bought balls from 5 Below as party favors and the party room was big and open with air hockey tables and the kids ran around and played with the balls.

If our county did parties at the police or fire station I'd totally do that, too. I'll also admit, I really love our local Chuck E. Cheese...

Badlands, gymnastics or JW Tumbles. Assuming most of the kids are 3.5, I think that a place like Jumping Joeys would also work. Just tire them out, and please serve more than juice and cupcakes before you send them home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved my son's birthday party for age 4: swim and pizza party at a community center (February birthday). Along with the pizza I had other nice food. The party room was large and roomy and there was plenty of space. Swimming for one hour then party room for one hour.

I'm going to down vote this one! I don't want to put on a bathing suit and get in the pool at your 4 year old's bday party. Which is what I'd have to do since my 4 year old can't swim. Of course I'd just decline the invite, but still.

Another down vote! I hate indoor pool parties. Seriously, no one wants to swim in February, not the parents and not the kids.

THIS THIS THIS.

Yes! I'd be very unhappy about a pool party in February.

Sorry, but we've been to several winter parties at Cub Run Rec Center and the kids have loved them.

Oh yes, my 4 year old would love it. But my down vote was for ME not loving it. The same way my 4 year old would love if you gave out a puppy as a party favor, but I also would not encourage that.

Anonymous wrote:Pump It Up, Badlands, and Clark's Elioak Farm. Badlands is very pricey and Clarks is very cheap, but my kids are equally happy to go to a party at either place.

My kids have liked Pump it Up (different rooms, which gives a sense that the party was moving) and pool parties (I haven't liked getting in with the kids, but the kids thought it was great). Some "art" birthday parties where kids produce paintings/crafts at art studios have been a hit too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved my son's birthday party for age 4: swim and pizza party at a community center (February birthday). Along with the pizza I had other nice food. The party room was large and roomy and there was plenty of space. Swimming for one hour then party room for one hour.

I'm going to down vote this one! I don't want to put on a bathing suit and get in the pool at your 4 year old's bday party. Which is what I'd have to do since my 4 year old can't swim. Of course I'd just decline the invite, but still.

Another down vote! I hate indoor pool parties. Seriously, no one wants to swim in February, not the parents and not the kids.

THIS THIS THIS.

Yes! I'd be very unhappy about a pool party in February.

Sorry, but we've been to several winter parties at Cub Run Rec Center and the kids have loved them.

I'm not a fan of pool parties, but my kids love them!

Little Gym is great, but not cheap.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved my son's birthday party for age 4: swim and pizza party at a community center (February birthday). Along with the pizza I had other nice food. The party room was large and roomy and there was plenty of space. Swimming for one hour then party room for one hour.

I'm going to down vote this one! I don't want to put on a bathing suit and get in the pool at your 4 year old's bday party. Which is what I'd have to do since my 4 year old can't swim. Of course I'd just decline the invite, but still.

Another down vote! I hate indoor pool parties. Seriously, no one wants to swim in February, not the parents and not the kids.

THIS THIS THIS.

Yes! I'd be very unhappy about a pool party in February.