Birthday Party Ideas

[missenky]

My daughter is turning 9 very soon. For the last 2 years we have rented out a huge room on the base. The first year, I made up games for the kids and we played those. That was very hectic trying to make sure everyone was having a great time. Last year, we had a Jazzercise teacher come in and do a Jazzercise class with the kids. That was WONDERFUL. She took control of them all and the kids had a blast. This year, I am looking for something for the kids to do. I am not looking to pay a fortune either. I have checked on magicians, face painters, and a mobile lazer tag company. All of these people want around $400 to come out. I just can not imagine spending that kind of money on her 9th birthday. I also looked into bowling and skating. She wanted to do bowling, but she can only have 12 kids. My daughter is very involved in things in the community and usually has around 20 or 30 kids at her birthday parties. Any advice and suggestions are extremely welcome for this years party. I have only lived in Southern Maryland for 4 years now, so I still don't really know what is out there. Please please help me!!

Thanks!

[vbailey]

I never gave my kids a big party every year for their birthdays.....the things they remember and enjoyed the most were the specail family things we would do on birthdays...maybe you should look into something specail just for your daughter & Family for that day...Maybe the "Great Wolf Lodge" get away weekend.....just an idea....

[Elle]

you can rent the movie threater on base for a private showing

[ketelone]

Originally Posted by Elle

you can rent the movie threater on base for a private showing

Yep...you will have the whole theatre to yourself. All you have to pay for is the refreshments. You can't bring food in though. Just cake and ice cream. I did this one year and brought small plastic cups and bought extra large popcorn and sodas and then divided them between the kids.

[getbent]

Did I hear right that contractors cannot rent/use those facilities on base? Movie theatre, bowling etc....?

[Elle]

Originally Posted by getbent

Did I hear right that contractors cannot rent/use those facilities on base? Movie theatre, bowling etc....?

From the MWR newsletter I just received earlier today

Children's Birthday Parties-Trying to figure out where to have the next birthday party? The Theater is available Monday and Tuesday evenings, Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon or noon-3:30 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Theater team will provide the movie of your choice from their library collection and will open the concession stand. Reservations can be made through the ITT Office. Open to station personnel and their family members. A $25 refundable deposit is required at time of reservation. This deposit will be refunded following the event.

[getbent]

Thanks. Am I right to assume station personnel is enlisted? What if I had someone who was enlisted, could they get it for me (I'd invite them to the party as well)?

[camily]

Originally Posted by missenky

My daughter is turning 9 very soon. For the last 2 years we have rented out a huge room on the base. The first year, I made up games for the kids and we played those. That was very hectic trying to make sure everyone was having a great time. Last year, we had a Jazzercise teacher come in and do a Jazzercise class with the kids. That was WONDERFUL. She took control of them all and the kids had a blast. This year, I am looking for something for the kids to do. I am not looking to pay a fortune either. I have checked on magicians, face painters, and a mobile lazer tag company. All of these people want around $400 to come out. I just can not imagine spending that kind of money on her 9th birthday. I also looked into bowling and skating. She wanted to do bowling, but she can only have 12 kids. My daughter is very involved in things in the community and usually has around 20 or 30 kids at her birthday parties. Any advice and suggestions are extremely welcome for this years party. I have only lived in Southern Maryland for 4 years now, so I still don't really know what is out there. Please please help me!!

Thanks!

We're going bowling on Saturday for my daughters 5th birthday. Not doing the bowling alley party. Thats about $12 per kid. We're simply bowling, then I'm stiopping to buy $5 Little Ceasar pizza on the way home. We'll have a nice little gathering here. The only kids coming are my kids, my daughters two kids, and one of her friends. Then again, she'll only be 5 and that is great for her.

[ketelone]

Originally Posted by getbent

Thanks. Am I right to assume station personnel is enlisted? What if I had someone who was enlisted, could they get it for me (I'd invite them to the party as well)?

I would assume so. They would have to assume the responsibility though. If something was broken or ruined, the enlisted person would be responsible.

Also, I have done this before and you have to clean the theatre before you leave. All tables have to be wiped down, floors swept, etc. I have found in the last couple of parties I have been to there, that is is easier to take the 3:30 reservation. If you take the 12:30 then you usually have the 3:30 reservation standing outside, waiting on you. If you take the 3:30 reservation then you usually have a little more time to clean up after the party.

They will also give you a list of movies that you can choose from.

[getbent]

Thanks for the info. It is hard to find something different to do for kids birthdays. Unless you have them drive to Waldorf or something. We've done the bowling alley, Nicoletti's, Flat Iron and a couple at home with the kids friends. I wouldn't mind having a girls sleepover but our place can't accomodate but a couple of kids and even they'd be fighting for floor space, .