Party

What’s the spread? Super Bowl eats, decor and more!

February 4, 2023

What is the Super Bowl without a party?! Fill out those football squares, order some decor and plan a delicious menu. Get ready to dance with Rihanna during the half-time show and watch some great commercials.

Super Bowl LVII will be the championship game for the 2022 NFL season. It will be played between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Who are you rooting for?

Decor:
-Kansas City Chiefs plates, paper lanterns and Philadelphia Eagles plates
-Football chili bowls
–Football squares board
–Generic football party supplies
-Or keep it simple with this tablecloth and grab a few of these cups

Food:
–Delish has a great 80+ list of Super Bowl food to make
-This is the dessert my kids look forward to each Super Bowl
-Use these fun football bags to serve snacks in
-Check out the Pinterest inspired food

Fun:
-Grab this free printable bingo card
-Surprise them with photo booth props and backdrop fun
-Everyone loves a piñata
-For the crafty person, Good Housekeeping has a list of Super Bowl DIY crafts
-Pure Wow has a great post 15 Super Bowl party games

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Birthday party ideas for older kids in and around Washington, DC

May 28, 2019

I love planning our Bambinos birthday parties but as our son has gotten older, his requests have gotten more precise and less intense. I do appreciate his taste for not having a big, blown out celebration and our bank account also thanks his simple request. This year he wants to have a sleepover, that’s it. I keep pushing something more exciting but that’s plenty of fun to him, so that’s what it shall be. The last two years he begged to just play a baseball game with his friends at a local park. After applying for the permit at the park, I decided to create a new birthday post in preparation of his future parties as well as for all of you with an older crew who have outgrown some of the ideas on previous birthday posts we’ve created (see bottom of this post).

Summit Ropes Indoor Adventure Park

The St. James

Invicta Sports Club Archery Party

American Parkour

ZavaZone: Trampoline & Indoor Adventure Park

Ninjabe

The District Chef

Shawdowland Laser

Bach to Rock (parties starting at age 4-10+)

Game Truck of Northern Virginia

The Baseball Zone

Kayak the Potomac and celebrate with cake at the Wharf

Rockville Sportsplex (Choose from Small Field Package (soccer or dodgeball), Inflatables, Court (basketball, soccer, dodgeball or hockey) or Field)

Mini-golf at East Potomac

Top Golf (Teens & Kids options available)

Washington Nationals game or local baseball game: Bethesda Big Train, Potomac Nationals, Bowie Baysox

Go Kart Track (Must be 54′ to drive by yourself)

ArtJamz

iFly Loudoun

Tea with Mrs. B
Or a tea party at one of these fancy hotels

Cake Pop Party at Baked by Yael

Cookie decorating at Henry Sweet Retreat

Monster Mini Golf

Pinstripes bowling

A Game of Rooms
(Age minimum 12 years old)

The Escape Lounge

The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School (Teens and adults alike will have a great time ziplining and climbing through the trees!)

My Gym birthday party

More Indoor Options that may host parties

Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake

June 19, 2018

Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake has been in operation since 2003 and consider themselves to be a premier attraction for families with young kids in Maryland, DC, and Virginia while being conveniently located in Annapolis with parking! The program has been tailored over time to keep kids engaged and immersed in an incredible adventure at sea. They are family owned and operated and their biggest asset is their incredible crew, some who have been with the ship for over 10 years. Their ability to bring out the personality in all their young charges is what keeps people coming back year after year and contributes to the reputation as a family-friendly destination. The Pirate Adventure is a great time for kids but also makes for an enjoyable boat ride for grown-ups. The cruise includes views of the Naval Academy and historic downtown Annapolis. We were treated to an amazing afternoon aboard ship and brought along our friends to enjoy the adventure together. Photos are courtesy of Stefanie Harrington, DC area photographer.

I can attest to the fact that they specialize in family fun and even more so just plain old fun for kids. The experience began with customized pirate themed face and body paint for the kids, a quick lesson in pirate talk and mateys dressing to the part if they so choose all before climbing on board. Once on the ship, kids learned they needed to find the map in order to start the cruise to find the treasure. No child needed the attention of their parents the entire hour and a half cruise. The crew kept them completely entertained; adults might as well have been back on land. It was a chance for parents to just watch their Bambinos interact and take part in the fun interactive adventure while siting back and taking in the views from the boat, which let’s be honest, we don’t get to do very often.

They also host field trips and groups, birthday parties as well as families. The indoor party room completes the experience at sea with a pirate ship theme and pizza and cupcakes can be delivered to keep the party going after the trip.

They set sail seven days a week, six times a day from mid-April through Labor Day and weekends only through Halloween.

Ticket prices are $22 per person, $12 for children 2 and under and they offer discounted tickets at certain sailing times and for special events.

Location: 311 Third St. Annapolis, MD. 21403 (Less than an hour from DC!)

(Photos taken by Stefanie Harrington)

Birthday party ideas, venues & entertainers in and around Washington, DC

December 21, 2017

Planning a party should be exciting and fun, but until you find a perfect spot for your Bambino it may be a bit stressful. I’ve put together a list (longer than I intended) to get you thinking about some great spots and venues in our area.

Indoor Party

My Gym Bethesda: Read my personal experience (Location also in Potomac)

Creative Youth: Sewing, Runway Fashionista, Fashion Design and more

Color Me Mine: Paint pottery, invitations and paper supplies included (Gaithersburg, Rockville, Silver Spring & Fairfax)

Michaels: Choose from themes or design your own celebration, use of craft supplies and party space.

Launch Trampoline Park

Circle Yoga: Parties taught by a Budding Yogis qualified yoga instructor. The party lasts 1 1/2 hours (1 hour of yoga, 1/2 hour for eating or gift exchange). Yoga parties can be coordinated around almost any theme.

The Escape Lounge: Include an escape game and one-hour celebration. Pizza and beverages included. Perfect for older kids.

All Fired Up: Paint pottery, 5 balloons, invitations and paper supplies included

Magic Ground: Indoor play with extra bonuses

Imagination Stage: See a show or have a workshop

Flying Kick Tae Kwon Do: Go to the studio or have them come to you

Adventure Theatre: See a show or have a workshop

Bubble Bounce: 2 hours, private party space, pizza and juice included

Capital Gymnastics: 1 hour of gymnastics on the gym floor with a qualified instructor, followed by 1/2 hour in a party room

Kidville: Fun in the gym, 2 party leaders, invitations, cake, pizza and paper goods included

Gymboree: Choose a theme and an employee with guide your party to fun in the gym, invitations, good bag sand party supplies included

DC JCC: Choose a theme and they do it all for you with an energetic staff member

Bounce U: Inflatables

Pump it Up: Inflatables

Badlands: Read about our experience here

Silver Stars Gymnastics

College Park Aviation Museum: Each party includes an aviation-themed craft, museum exploration, a private party room, and much more.

Build-A-Bear Workshop: Make and take home a furry friend, games, activities and a hat

Laser Tag & Arcade

YMCA

PB&Jack: 1hr & 15 mins in the gym, 45 mins of cake and celebrating, themed craft corner, juice and paper supplies provided

More Indoor Options that may host parties

Outdoor Party

American City Diner: Movie on the Deck with menu

Smithsonian National Zoo: Themed indoor party room and walking tour Zoo exhibits

Rock Creek Park: Picnic tables, some spots have grills, bring your own fun and be one with nature

Leesburg Animal Park: 2 hours with a hostess, private pony rides, petting zoo, goody bag and paper supplies included

Tinkergarten

Orchards and Farms

Outdoor Ice Rinks

Indoor and Outdoor Combo

Meadowside Nature Center: Room rental and a themed program with an outdoor activity led by Naturalist

Locust Grove Nature Center: Room rental and a themed program with an outdoor activity led by Naturalist

Glen Echo: Party space, ride the historic carousel, go to the playground

Wheaton Regional Park: Train, carousel, playground

Cabin John Park: Trains, playground and indoor party space

DC Parks & Recreation: Play at a playground, rec center, gym or pool. Apply for a permit well in advance

Our favorite musicians who will come to your home or venue

Mr. Gabe

Mr. Skip

John Henry, The Guitar Playing Man

Amber with Meadowlark Music

Baba Ras D

The Uncle Devin Show

Marsha Goodman-Wood

Entertainment/Decor
Reptiles Alive!

SenSations Party Designs

James Creel and his Balloonery

Captain Allstar

Vivi the Clown

The Amazing Kevin (Magician)

We’re Having a Party- Party Supply & Rental

Link to search and hire various entertainment and entertainers

Need a bounce house?

Total Party & Event

Talk of the Town

Birthday party ideas in Washington, DC

April 28, 2016