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Where to Have a Kid’s Birthday Party?

February 4, 2007 · 22 Comments

I received this question and I cant think of many recommendations so I will turn it over to you all …

I had a question and was wondering if anyone could help with some leads. My son is turning 3 this March and I was wondering if there are any decent venues other than Chuck E Cheese, one can use to throw a birthday party?

I would appreciate your help and input.

Thank you.

If you have any input, leave a comment.

~Guy~

Categories: Things To Do

22 responses so far ↓

  • Lou Hamilton // February 4, 2007 at 8:00 pm

    If the weather is okay, you could always use the shelters in Baker Park. We have gone to a couple of parties there and it has been fun for the kids, particularly the ones by the Pool on Fleming Avenue.

    Other places could be the major fast food joints like McDonald’s or Burger King that have the playgrounds.

    Hope that helps some.

  • Liz // February 4, 2007 at 9:38 pm

    How about Adventure World?

    We have been to kids parties at bowling alleys. They put the bumpers up in the gutters. They used to serve food too, like a choice of hot dog or pizza and ice cream for dessert. I think it was the one on East Street.

  • An Artist Not Called Prince // February 5, 2007 at 9:32 am

    Way Off Broadway Children’s Theatre is great for birthdays when kids are ages 5 to maybe 8 or 9.

    For younger kids? The duck pin bowling thing is good. I’ve been to Adventure Land USA only once, but it struck me as expensive–and probably better for slightly older kids.

  • TheShortFatKid // February 5, 2007 at 9:40 am

    There is the Little Gym, but I’m not sure what age limits are - http://www.thelittlegym.com/gym/programs.aspx?gymid=248

  • Rhonda // February 5, 2007 at 10:22 am

    How about “I Made This” in Frederick.

  • Becky // February 6, 2007 at 7:31 am

    If you want to travel just outside the Frederick limits, Boyds Bear is a good place.

  • Gail // February 6, 2007 at 12:16 pm

    One of the best parties we ever had when our son was little was at the local fire station. The firemen showed them the truck, let them climb inside, handle the hoses. We brought pizza, cake, and plastic fire hats. Just right for 3 year olds!

  • Mike // February 6, 2007 at 1:36 pm

    My son likes Shadowland in Gaithersburg if you are willing to travel there. But the miminum age is probably higher than 3. My daughter had a party at “I Made This” when she turned 5 which was pretty good but is probably better suited for 7+. Adventure Land Park is good but it is hard to keep track of the kids in the arcade area. Parents must stay. Bowling at the Mt Airy (small ball) lanes is always fun. They have bumper pads for the younger kids. We were told about a few bad experiences at Way Off Broadway Children’s Theater in Frederick so we decided not to try them. Good luck!

  • Mike C // February 7, 2007 at 10:07 am

    When my son turned 3, we had a party for him at Gymboree on Rt 40.

    They have a big parachute and games suited for 3 year olds. The staff there was great!

    He’s 7 now, and still mentions Gymboree occasionally…

  • Deana // February 9, 2007 at 5:35 pm

    For a three year old? They’re happy to have their friends and to have cake. I have 3 kids under 10 and have never had a party outside my house. And I’ve never hired entertainment. I don’t even give goody bags. But the kids have a blast.

  • David H // February 13, 2007 at 1:11 am

    My kids really liked my daughter’s birthday on the Walkersville Southern Railroad. You rent out the caboose and bring your own cake. Adults and kids both liked it.

  • TheShortFatKid // February 18, 2007 at 10:03 am

    Here is another suggestion from a FredNet reader.

    The Holiday Cinemas on Baughman’s Drive rents out its private viewing room to birthday parties, for about $25, plus cost of tickets. This comfortable glassed-in room has seating for about 20 people, a table to hold a cake and drinks, and a private adjoining restroom.

    With 20 kids attending, that works out to a per kid entertainment price of just over $4. Not bad! Plus, kids get to feel like VIPS, with their own sitting area.

  • Sukanya Bora // February 26, 2007 at 5:04 pm

    We decided to invite some of his friends over to the house for a party. Looks like its going to rain on saturday, the day of the party. So I think we made the right choice. But thank you so much for your suggestions.

  • Mikaela // March 9, 2007 at 3:09 pm

    Frederick Gymnastics is pretty good for kids parties. They’ll set up obstacle courses for the kids, let them jump on the trampolines and play in the pit. The kids I know who have had parties there have always had a blast. Hope that helped!

  • catherineineburg // March 9, 2007 at 7:10 pm

    Maybe the YMCA has something for parties…swimming and a room for the festivities (cake! and loot!)?

  • Denise // November 10, 2007 at 10:35 am

    I have 3 children…19…12…10 years of age. When they were that young I found a mini petting zoo was entertaining. In Maryland I would try calling several farms like Summers farm or Jumbos to see if they have this available. That age does not have a long attention span do to always finding new curiosity…smile. A simple party at home with a magician, clown [not too dressed up] with ballon making is always fun! The Disney store may have ideas as well. I hope this was helpful…have fun and good luck!

  • cmc // December 10, 2007 at 1:14 am

    Call Party Fun at 301-662-0889 for the best children entertainment. GUARANTEED!

  • momofthree // January 16, 2008 at 12:08 am

    try jeepers it’s an indoor amusement park way better than chuck e cheese there’s one in baltimore on mc clean blvd
    phone #
    (410) 665-0900 they have cool birthday party deals they even have jeepers sleepers sleepover partys the whole place to yourselves over night for large groups of 20 kids or more

  • DGurrie // January 25, 2008 at 10:17 pm

    I have created a website for just this reason. Have a look at http://www.tots2tweens.com - we have a directory where you can search by location for everything from Birthday Party venues and entertainers to Summer Camps and Dance lessons.

  • Darrell Russ // February 7, 2008 at 10:07 am

    I know Frederick has a Chuck E Cheese. Also I would recommend Adventure World in New Market. The other places mentioned out of town are great, but it depends on how far you want to travel.

  • meahern // February 28, 2008 at 7:03 am

    I’ll never take my kid to Chuck E Cheese again. One of his day care mates had a birthday party there last month. 2 days later, my wife had pink eye…hmmmm, I wonder where she might have picked that up? Then later that week, I had it too. Fortunately, we were able to shield our 2 1/2 year-old from getting it, but it was a pretty lousy week for the two of us. I suppose it may be unfair to single out CEC…I guess any place that caters to lots of kids is susceptible to that kind of thing, but even aside from the pink eye, it was just such a miserable, depressing place. Nothing but loud noises and flashing lights…not unlike the sensory overload you might experience at a Vegas casino. Environments like that just stifle imagination and creativity in my opinion.

  • Guy // February 28, 2008 at 9:24 am

    I agree about the craziness of CEC. Went there for a party recently and was really freaky. I almost felt like I was in a movie that was parodying CEC, but it was the real deal - from the parent/kid matching hand stamps, to the animatronics, to the cardboard pizza. All of it was a little sureal. But I must say, my son seemed to have a good time.

    Also, sorry about the pink eye :( but I can’t help but think of the scene from knocked up though. He-he.

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