Any great Small Birthday Party Ideas? (Gainesville,Haymarket area) (Chantilly: hotel, house)

[theBIGstep]

I was wondering if anyone knows of places to have a small children's party (less than 8 children) in the Gainesville/Haymarket area.

Very unfamiliar with the area itself and looking for something small and simple. Nothing crazy and extravagant and I would like to stay away from a McDonalds party or chuck e cheese. Thanks so much for any input!

[HereinVA]

The Knack(SM) - Where Kids Discover(SM) - Birthdays In Store

I've never done one at Michaels, but it looks like they do them...

[idrive]

My SIL has been to Kid Drop Zone in Haymarket. Check out their website: kiddropzone.com.

[slduvall]

Don't know if you have a Silver diner out that way, but we are going to a party at one this weekend. Another option is a bowling alley.

[themommy]

Is hosting the party at home an option?

[JfromReston]

A friend of mine used to do a different take on the birthday sleep over. She rented two adjoining hotel rooms one for her and the other for the kids. Kids spend the afternoon at the hotel pool, order pizza for dinner in the room, and then watch movies. No cleaning up the house before or after the party!

[HEATHER72]

What is the age group of the kids?

[theBIGstep]

age group is 4-6 and I would love any ideas! Checked out Michaels but they don't have a party room in store. Would love to have party at home but can't this year.

[michgc]

Boys or girls? If you can't do one at home, you can have one at a local rec. center. There is often a room you can rent. I mostly do them at home, but have rented a room before. In either case, I usually do a theme and then have a craft, a couple of games, and pizza and cake. We've done Dora and had them go on an adventure for the game, along with a pinata, and a craft. We've done princesses where we did dress-up, pin-the-princess-in-the-castle, and a jewels bracelet craft. We've done "mock" sleepovers where the kids come in pjs, have pizza, make popcorn, polish nails, have a craft - do everything but the sleeping over. This weekend we're dong a carnival party with 5 carnival-type games, a craft, popcorn, pizza, tattoos, facepainting, and moonbounce.
We did a Cub Run swim party in Chantilly. They have slides and sprays. We did a mermaid theme with a craft and cake first in the room and then did the swimming. Most of these ideas take work and planning.

Other parties we have been to that are easier, but more costly since they are out of the house and at private locations - House of Bounce or something similar - we've been to one in Manassas, Michael's crafts, Chuck E Cheese, Gymnastics, The Little Gym, Gymboree, Build-A-Bear, swim parties, miniature golf, bowling. One more idea I've heard of but not been to is a pizza place where they give each child some dough to make their own pizza.

Hope some of these ideas help. I've mostly done girl parties since my son is only 2. Good luck!