Sometimes parents need a meal that’s not centered on mac and cheese, or want to see a movie that isn’t rated G. Happily these kid-centric venues offer parents’ night out events that invite caregivers to take a few hours off while children burn off energy, hone skills and make friends. Here are few options for the next time the sitter is busy.
Parent’s Night Out at Lubber Run and Walter Reed
Once a month during the school year, Arlington County’s Lubber Run and Walter Reed community centers host drop-off programs for kiddos ages 5-10 from 6-10 p.m. In between noshing on light snacks, kids can bop around in a moon bounce and participate in gym activities or arts and crafts such as painting birdhouses and decorating rocks. The cost per child is $35. Each session is capped at 30 kids. Find the full calendar here. // Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington (Buckingham), and Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th St., S., Arlington (Arlington Village)
The St. James
Want your kids totally tuckered out? Sign them up for four hours of splashing in a water park and conquering obstacle courses at The St. James’ “Super Awesome & Amazing” Friday Night Fun Camps. The $50 fee for kids ages 6-13 includes dinner and a kid-friendly movie. Camps happen on the first and third Friday of every month from 6-10 p.m. // 6805 Industrial Road, Springfield
The Little Gym
The Little Gym in Arlington keeps boredom at bay by offering a different theme for each of its monthly Parents’ Survival Night events. The next one is March 8 with a superheroes theme, while April 19 is all about pirates and princesses, and May 10 is sports-focused. Littles ages 3-12 will spend the evening (6-9 p.m.) flipping, swinging and climbing their way through the gymnastics equipment. The $65 fee includes a pizza dinner. // 2209 N. Pershing Drive, Arlington
KiPS Family Gymnastics
Kids will flip for the chance to spend an evening playing games and showing off their gymnastic feats. Open to ages 4 and up, the monthly Parents’ Night Out events at this mom-owned gym run from 5:15-8:30 p.m., cost $50 per child (15% off for siblings), and include pizza and a movie. The next one is March 21 with a theme of “Join Us Under the Sea.” // 7395 Lee Highway, Falls Church
Code Ninjas
Socialization and gaming at the same time? Kids won’t even realize they’re also learning something new at this STEM-focused monthly event. Pizza and snacks will keep those brain synapses firing, plus movie time will provide some downtime, too. The next event is March 28, 6-9 p.m., with a Super Smash Bros theme. The fee per child is $45. // 4694 King St., Alexandria
Parents Night Out at Kaizen MMA
This mixed martial arts studio scheduled its Parents’ Night Out events around special occasions, such as Valentine’s Day, Black Friday, Halloween, and Mother’s and Father’s Day weekends. Kiddos can be dropped off at 6:30 p.m. and picked up between 10 and 11 p.m. In between, they’ll play games such as laser tag and enjoy pizza and ice cream. // 2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church and four other Northern Virginia locations
My Gym McLean
Every third Thursday of the month from 5:30-8:30-p.m., kiddos ages 3 1/2 to 9 can spend time running relay races, overcoming obstacles, stretching their gymnastic comfort zones and refueling with pizza. The cost is $50 for My Gym members and $60 for nonmembers, with discounts for siblings. // 6825 Tennyson Drive, McLean
Educational Theatre Co.
Kids acting up? Let them act instead. Instructors lead students in drama and movement workshops, where they can learn to use their bodies, voices and imaginations to tell stories, according to the website. Plus, they will eat pizza. // Locations vary