Children's Science Center Lab — Attraction in Fairfax

Not worth it for a birthday party at all. It's way too expensive for what you get. They make it sound like you'll get this amazing team to give you an amazing experience but that was not the case at all. It really feels like the team is only there to rush you along. The time given for the birthday party Is not enough at all. The direction were unclear when the party started. The "party assistance" gave me a run down of the party plan and told me the kids would be given time to play first. Soon after she dissapeared. This was right before my guest arrived. We finished decorating right at 4:30pm which was the party start time. Once my guest arrived she was still no where to be found. So I just sent them all off to play. They did not explain anything to anyone so everyone was confused about what to do or where to go in the lab rooms. When we finally had everyone out exploring the labs, we had 20 mins left before the "science experiment" so they barely even had time to play. I finally found her and she was checking in at the door because the area is still open to the public during your party time. They soon called all the kids over to get started with the science experiment (magnetic slime). The experiment was also very very rushed. The kids were rushed through all the steps and barely had time to even finish their slime. The point of the experiment was for the kids to play with magnetic slime. The assistance handed everyone 1 small magnet each. Then showed them ONCE how the magnet stuck to the slime and collected them back up immediately as the kids were rushed out of the room. It was literally like "do this, do that, look it sticks, okay done, get out" no explanation, nothing. Once in the party room, the pizza ran about 5 mins late. In those 5 mins alone I was told up to 5 times how we needed to hurry because our time was running out. The party assistant was very antsy as if her ultimate goal was just to get us out on time. the pizza showed as they were about to cut the cake and started giving out the pizza instead, then I was told several more time how its almost time to cut the cake because time was running out. 30 mins for pizza and cake is not enough at all for kids between the ages of 3-9!! kids eat slow, they want time to enjoy with each other but instead they were being rushed into stuffing their face as fast as they could. I barely had time to take pictures! in the end we basically ended up paying $350 to use their room for 30 min and for a very small amount of "magnetic slime". Maybe go on any regular day but birthday parties are...

My son had his ninth birthday party at the science center. Of all of the birthday parties we've had over the years, it was by far the worst. A bad experience. Their schedule is to only allow the kids 35 minutes in the science center and almost an hour for the super boring experiment and food in the smallish, hot and stuffy party room. We had 15 but they allow up to 22, I can't imagine that. It was packed with 15 kids. The party helpers were not at all helpful and complained from the beginning at the kids for their behavior - too loud, not paying attention, not sitting in their seats, etc. My son became upset because the party was such a letdown. When I was out of the room with him, one of the helpers bawled the kids out; she later told her manager that my husband had told her to do it? She actually told my husband that the loudness was the problem and proceeded with her scolding, which was just an escalation from her previous behavior. Another one of the helpers threatened a kid that I wouldn't give him a goody bag if he didn't stop his poor behavior? It was unbelievable. I know they had a long Saturday of birthday parties but I felt like the party helpers were three more kids for me to manage. We would have been better off without their "help." I set everything up myself, served almost all of the food myself and had to specifically ask them to do any small thing they pitched in with. They did help clean-up, but probably just to get us out. When it was time to go, there were almost no parents to pick-up. Turns out, the lady at the front told parents who came at the right time to come back and pick up their kids 15 to 30 minutes after the party was over? Still scratching my head about that. It's a shame. I thought this was a great idea for a kid's party and...

I held my daughter's 10th birthday party here. We had 24 children and 16 adults. The staff, including Caroline, was absolutely amazing. The communication and itinerary ahead of the party was fantastic. Upon arrival for setup, the staff was helpful with setting up and storing food. Though we had brought our own, they had utensils and napkins ready just in case we ran out. The parents and kids got to explore the entire center. I did not have to worry about anyone breaking anything or making a mess. Their staff was helpful with engaging with the kids at the experiment lab and making parachutes. They made announcements and helped gather our guests for the science demonstration. During the mini elephant toothpaste experiment, the staff was plating up the food I had brought. When the kids sat down, the staff offered and served the food and cupcakes. The staff helped with packing up the gifts and making sure each of our guest got goodie bags on their way out. They were amazing with clean up. I had not lift a finger. I only wished I had cash to tip the amazing staff so I hope this review shows how much I...