I love Birthday Parties and usually do mine at home. The advantage of doing it at home is that a lot of guests can come without adding a price person. The disadvantage is that you are stuck with the clean up and it can be very crowded. I also have a hard time denying entrance to uninvited guests and my daughter was upset that I allowed everyone to come in last year. We had 28 kids in the house.
My middle daughter Abigail wanted a birthday party outside of the comfort of my own house for years and this year I agreed to do it. However I am completely shocked of the greed of companies and the way they make money with a child birthday party. The lack of flexibility on certain party packages of some company is quite disturbing.
Here is the sum of my research.
The Fort Lee Pool
We celebrated my youngest birthday in the Fort Lee Outdoor Pool. I bought chips, fruit, cake, paper goods and cake. I googled games I could play in the pool. The Fort Lee Outdoor Pool is on the military Installation. Military Identification Cards are required. An adult military ID Card Holder was able to get up to three children in without military ID Cards. The costs were terrific. I paid two dollars per guest. I was allowed to bring in cake and food. The Life Guards were friendly and helpful. I didn’t reserve a spot but the pavilion was empty. We made some party favor bags and handed them out at the end of the 2 hour party. However the outdoor Pool is closed now and was not an option for my middle daughter.
Prince George County Parks
I checked into renting the Pavilion in Scott Memorial Park in Prince George. To my surprise I heard that it would have been free. However the parks were booked out every weekend in October. This would have been a perfect match since I could have planned the games with my daughter. And it would have been far enough from home that only INVITED guest would have shown up.
Fort Lee Community Center
Residents on Fort Lee have the ability to book the Community Center for a 250 dollar deposit. Upon turning the key back in one can have their 250 dollar check back, if everything is returned the way it was found! I booked a Halloween/ very belated Birthday party for my oldest in there. The building has been booked out for all weekends in October. The advantages are that I have more room that any amount of guests can come without creating any additional costs. The disadvantage is that everything has to be left spotless and I still have to do the Clean Up.
Fort Lee Bowling Alley
I was stunned to hear that 20 dollars per person would only buy one game, the shoes, the lane and the paper goods for the party. I still would have to buy the drinks and bring in the cake. With 17 invited guests that can be very expensive considering that if we were to go on a Sunday Bowling it would only cost us 6 dollars per person. The question is does 14 Dollars extra per person really just goes to the Paper Goods. This is ridiculous. So I asked if I could bring the cake in and just not book a party. I was not allowed to do so. The Petersburg Bowling Alley wasn’t any better in about the same price range.
Swaders
Swaders is probably the most popular Birthday Place in Town. It is located in Colonial Heights and is like a “look alike” Chucky Cheese without Chucky. Swaders is really well maintained and the children like it. However as a parent I don’t like the prices. Party packages vary from 12.50 dollars per person to 30 Dollars per person. Your minimum guest list has to reach 8 kids. The Kidzone Party sounded affordable for 99 dollars for 8 people and 12. 50 dollars for each additional guest but my daughter is a bit old for the indoor play ground and I asked if we could exchange it for the mini golf or the laser tag which normally cost 6 dollars per person just like the Kidzone. I was told I can’t do it and if I bring guests and just pay the 6 dollars I couldn’t bring the cake in. I decided to keep Swaders in mind for a family outing but not for a Birthday party.
Michaels
The craft franchise is located in Colonial Heights. Upon inquiring I couldn’t find out specifically what a Birthday party might cost there a person. I was told that it depends on the supplies and what my daughter wants. It left me a little bit confused. You would also purchase the material ahead of time and whatever is not used you could return it. However my daughter was worried that boys wouldn’t go for a craft party and I was a little bit cautious of uncertain price range.
Mad Science
The closest place is in Richmond about 35 minutes away. My children attended a Mad Science Event before with Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and loved it. Parys vary from 199 Dollars for 15 kids to 289 dollars for 30 kids at your home with additional travel fee. At the location 15 kids cost 259 dollars and 319 for 25 kids. This is way out of my budget even so I love the idea of science at a birthday party.
Inflation Nation
If your children like jumping castles, jumping places Inflation Nation might be the place for you. The disadvantage is that it is 40 minutes away but the prices are somewhat reasonable and are easy to understand. A 2 hour value party for 12 kids will cost you 89 dollars on the weekday and 139 on the weekend. The trick is that even so you have your own private party room and they provide paper goods you will have to purchase the drinks for them. But a pitcher which holds 6 small drinks cost 3 dollars. Outside products besides the cake are not allowed. The deluxe party includes pizza, drink, chips in addition to the jumping. Socks are a must and your party guest have to have a signed waiver in order to attend.
We have decided on Inflation Nation and we are hoping that Abigail’s party will be a success.