Winter birthdays are (almost) always an indoor celebration— but even if you have the space to host, who wants to deal with the post-party clean up? Not us! Thankfully there are plenty of fun, action-packed places to throw a shindig in the DMV. Read on for the best places to throw a winter birthday party.

 

A Daredevil Afternoon
If you have an extreme sport enthusiast in the house, then plan a thrilling shindig with  iFly in Loudoun county. Packages start with a thirty minute session which accommodates 12 guests. Included in the price is pre-flight training, flying gear (i.e. flight suits, helmets and goggles) and a video clip of each flight to share on social media. Party goers will each receive a flight certificate.

20315 Commonwealth Center Dr
Ashburn, VA
571-446-4359
Online: iflyworld.com

photo: AMC Mountainside via Yelp

A Silver Screen Party
Many of the region’s movie theaters offer enticing birthday packages that elevate movie viewing to an all afternoon event. But why not keep things simple? Stick to the movie (and popcorn) for a hassle-free (and budget-friendly) party. Head to Reston’s Bow Tie Cinema where tickets are $6 every Tuesday or check out the Two-Buck-Tuesday deal at University Mall Theatres in Fairfax, VA. 

11940 Market St.
Reston, VA
703-464-0816
Online: bowtiecinemas.com

10659 Braddock Rd.
Fairfax, VA
703-273-7111
Online: universitymalltheatres.com

Mission Possible
Let your pint-sized spy celebrate their birthday with a an all-out sleuthing adventure. Kids 4 & up will explore the Laser Maze Obstacle Course before they set out on a code-cracking adventure through the museum. Kids under 4 will play a challenging game of I Spy. This party package includes a two-hour rental of a private room to enjoy food (pizza and beverages are included for children), cake and more. Also included is admission for 10 children and 10 adults. Birthday packages start at $400.

35 Market Pl.
Baltimore, MD
Phone: 410-727-8120
Online: portdiscovery.org

Arts on the Horizon
For children ages 1 to 6, 
try a theatrically themed party with Arts on the Horizon in Alexandria, catering especially to this age group. Book a Birthday Workshop where you choose the subject matter and your child and their guests create the adventure. Parties are led by qualified teaching artists and can be arranged at a venue of your choice, with customizable options. Packages start at $200.

1819 N. Quaker Ln.
Alexandria, VA
571-549-1270
Online: artsonthehorizon.org

Everything (But the Kitchen Sink)
If you can’t decide on a party theme – climbing wall? laser tag? rope course? arcade? — choose “all of the above” at Adventure Park USA in Maryland. Geared more toward the younger crowd (think 10 and under), this amusement park boasts both indoor and outdoor activities. In the winter, the roller coasters and other outdoor attractions are not operating. But there is plenty to do inside the Wild West themed building;  in addition to all of the “themes” mentioned above, you also find bumper cars! Birthday parties start at $159.62 for eight guests and includes  the use of the party room for one hour, pizza for all guests and access to indoor games and the arcade. Lucky guests may also get to meet Dustin the Cowboy and Tumble the Prairie Dog, Adventure Park’s resident mascots.

11113 West Baldwin Rd.
Monrovia, MD
301-865-6800
Online: adventureparkusa.com

Where the Wild Things Are
Petting Zoos used to be a party experience reserved for warmer weather. Until now! The Leesburg Animal Park recently added an indoor petting zoo to their grounds. Children can mix and mingle with exotic animals like camels and emus in the comfort (and warmth) of a fully heated indoor barn. Kids will also enjoy the indoor play space that includes seven distinct learning zones: a baby The Animal Park’s Safari package is available year-round and includes the use of a private party room for two hours, a pony ride for each child, a souvenir cup filled with animal feed and more. Party packages start at $359 for 10 kids (and 10 adults). For an additional $40, you can add a bounce house to your party room.

19270 James Monroe Highway
Leesburg VA
703-433-0002
Online: leesburganimalpark.com

photo: Magic Ground

Monkey See, Monkey Do
If you have a monkey for a munchkin, a jungle-themed party is in order. Tots who like to oo-oo-ee-ee their way around the great outdoors will enjoy an active, animal-filled birthday celebration at MagicGround. The DC-based indoor playground features a rock climbing wall, jumbo slides, a ball pit. a treehouse, a swinging bridge and more. The resident face painter can transform your party guests into jungle creatures like leopards, zebras and parrots. There is also a game room, a craft space and a toddler play area. Weekday packages start at $200 for 90 minutes of play for 10 guests.

3100 14th St. NW
Columbia Heights
202-370-6656
Online: magicground.com

Sound the Alarm!
Warm up a cold winter weekend with a party at the Friendship Firehouse Museum.Little firefighters will be mesmerized by hoses, ladders and shiny trucks of yesteryear. Party packages, which cost $250, include 90 minutes of hands-on, guided activities including firehouse-themed games and crafts. Each guest also receives a firefighter hat. After exploring the antique firehouse apparatus, head over to one of the two neighboring firehouses that will give your guests a tour of a modern facility (advanced reservations required).

107 South Alfred St.
Alexandria, VA
703-746-3891
Online:
alexandriava.gov

Ice, Ice Party
If your little one wants the beauty of a snowscape without the actual chill, head to Falls Church-based BusyBees. This indoor playground would make a polar bear feel at home; sleek, Arctic-white vinyl with touches of icy blue, mint green (with pops of pink) make this indoor play place picture-perfect for a Polar Bear party. Your guests can slide down frozen-looking slides that light up (like Northern Lights!) or waddle like a penguin through ball pits.  This polar-perfect party space also offers pre-planned party packages; prices start at $35 per child (there is a 12 kid minimum). BusyBees also has a location in Fairfax Corner.

6110 Arlington Blvd.
Falls Church, VA
703-584-5142
Online: busybeesplay.com

photo: Maria V. via Yelp

Let the Sun Shine
Unicorns are mythological and, let’s face it, so are warm, sunny days in the (often) dismal months of January and February. But celebrating your pint-sized Sunshine requires something light and bright, like winged horses and colorful rainbows! If your little dreams of a party dipped in glitter and topped with sprinkles, check out Host and Toast  a Reston-based party planning company that brings the level of detail and design usually reserved for weddings to children’s parties. If you want to tackle all things mythical and magical on your own, start with a bare-bones party room, like the one at Nook.  These rooms are a monochromatic white, offering a blank canvas to create your fanciful vision.

5649 Lee Hwy.
Arlington, VA
703-270-6388
Online: playatnook.com

Up, Up and Away
Let your child’s party soar with a birthday celebration at Dulles International Airport. Geared for children age 5 and up, IAD offers packages that let kids explore the many aspects of air travel, from scanning luggage to meeting working K-9s. Party packages include party space, free parking and group activities (prices start at $300). You can customize your party with options like touring the airfield ($75) or doing a plane-related craft. Decoration options are limited inside the airport (you wont’ be able to float balloons), but all the activity you’ll see in the skies is sure to make up for it!

1 Saarinen Circle
Dulles, VA
703-572-8296
Online: flydulles.com/iad/birthday-parties

photo: Fairfax Station Railroad Museum

Birthday Crossing
Whether your little one likes Thomas the Train or The Little Engine that Could, The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum is the ideal place to host a choo choo party. Little ones will enjoy exploring the railroad-themed rooms and the miniature train tables, and don’t forget the picture-perfect backdrop for your party pictures: the little red caboose! Audio visual equipment is available to screen your little one’s favorite steam engine. Party packages start at $200.

11200 Fairfax Station
Fairfax Station, VA

703-425-9225
Online: fairfax-station.org

Toddlin’ Off to Party
You’ll find Elemeno between the letters K and P (get it?!); it’s the perfect place for tots still learning their ABC’s. This DC-based play space and birthday venue caters to the under 6 set. Prices start for parties start at $476 (for members; non-members are an additional $119). Prices are steeper here than at other venues, but that fee reserves the entire space for your guests and family. The space can accommodate 60 people, so Elemeno suggests inviting 20 kids (since each comes with one to two adults). Parties are held early morning or late afternoon and last for an hour and a half.

709 8th St. SE
Capitol Hill
202-763-7629
Online: elemeno.com

—Megan Yudes Meyers and Carolyn Ross

featured photo: iStock

RELATED STORIES:

Beyond the Bounce House: 13 of the DMV’s Most Unique Party Rentals

Top 10 Birthday Party Ideas for DC Kids

5 First Birthday Party Ideas Guests Won’t Know Were Last Minute

 

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