Kids only get one birthday a year. Parents want to make it special, but deciding on themes and décor, preparing food for a crowd and keeping a bunch of children entertained can make do-it-yourself parties overwhelming. Here are some of our favorite party spots that handle all the details, from decorations to activities and cleanup, for a unique and hassle-free celebration.
Fancy Fete
Great things come in light blue packages. That’s true at Cutesy Celebrations and Boutique, the Tiffany-blue painted party venue that specializes in spa parties and tea parties for toddlers to tweens. Spa parties include manis, pedis, white robes and flip-flops for each guest. Add-ons such as hair extensions and makeup are also available. At tea parties, guests decorate hats and dress up in pearls and feather boas. Everything is scaled for kids, with mini-pedicure stations and petite table settings. Other packages and themes are available, including painting, fashion and a 1950s diner with jukebox and milkshake decorations, and everything is customizable. Choose a party package ($395 and up) that includes sandwiches and lemonade, or bring your own food and cake.
400 Main St., #200 (Kentlands Market Square), Gaithersburg; 240-690-4150; cutesycelebrations.com
The Sweetest Thing
Henry’s Sweet Retreat is a dessert-lover’s dream. The 90-minute birthday parties, led by staff members at the retro-modern candy shop, include cookie decorating, photo booth props and a choice of crafts, games and sweets-related activities, such as guess the jelly bean flavor, or soda tasting flights with flavors like PB&J, bacon and “Dog Drool Orange.” Parties take place in the upstairs mezzanine, which seats up to 24, and start at $300. Add-ons such as a personalized birthday cake or cupcakes (baked in-house) and pizza are available.
4823 St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda; 240-483-0485; henryssweetretreat.com
Have a Ball
Birthdays are game days at Michael & Son Sportsplex. Parties at the sports center, which start at $150, include an hour of game time on an indoor court or field. Choose from soccer, basketball, floor hockey, flag football, dodgeball, kickball and whiffle ball. Referees or instructors lead the games, and party hosts can add other activities, such as relay races or a moon bounce. After the game, the party moves to a private decorated room for refreshments. There’s food available from the on-site Pizza Boli’s.
60 Southlawn Court, Rockville; 301-838-4455; rockvillesports.com
Get Creative
Budding artists can choose to paint pottery or canvas, create a tile mosaic or fuse glass at the Amazing Art Studio in Downtown Crown. There are dozens of options to choose from, and projects can be customized for specific themes—think unicorn figurines, coin banks shaped like footballs, and canvases painted with superhero comic book cityscapes. Smocks, brushes, paints and other supplies are provided; just bring your own food, drinks and cake. Ninety-minute parties take place in a private room that seats up to 24 kids and are led by trained staff. Parties start at $245.
115 Crown Park Ave., Gaithersburg; 301-355-6830; amazingartstudio.com
Jump for Joy
Kids can get their adrenaline pumping at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park, where two-hour parties include jump time, a private party room and pizza. Aside from the main trampoline area, there’s a dodgeball arena, a slam dunk zone, a rock-climbing wall and a place for stunts. Some party packages ($200 and up) include tokens for the arcade games and the candy vending machine, which looks like something straight out of Willy Wonka’s factory. The spacious venue also has comfy couches and even massage chairs for grown-ups who’d rather just observe the fun or tune it all out.
18620 Woodfield Road, Gaithersburg; 301-703-3707; gaithersburg.rockinjump.com