Let’s face it, if you have young kids, chances are you are attending at least one birthday party every weekend. (We’ve got tips for how to survive that, too). But where should you go in Chicago when it is your turn to play host? If you’re like us and would rather not deal with the headache of planning your child’s birthday party in your own home, rejoice! We’ve put together a list of the 35 best birthday party places in the Chicago area including from indoor play spaces to outdoor venues. You’re welcome!
STEM Learning
Where: 1500 North Kingsbury Street, Chicago, IL
When: Flexible; request a date on the online form.
Cost: Packages are $525 or $825.
Includes: Hour-and-a-half party for up to 15 children ($20 for each additional child) includes an hour of hands-on activities, tableware, setup and cleanup. Science goodie bags may be added for $5 per child. Larger package rents out the whole space and includes goodie bags for up to 30 guests ($20 for each additional child, up to 45), a party manager and a gift for the birthday child.
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Digital Adventures 406 Linden Ave
Wilmette, IL
When: Weekends.
Cost: $399 for up to 8 children.
Includes: Two hours of a course of your choosing (options include Virtual Reality, Digital Apps and Awesome Machines and more!), cake and ice cream.
Culinary Fun
3. Whole Foods760 Waukegan Rd
Deerfield, IL
When: Typically Saturdays 11am or 1pm, but dates and times are flexible.
Cost: Base price $200 to $225 up to 10 children; each additional child $12.50.
Includes: Hour and a half of themed cooking party; choose from pizza, desserts, a “Top Chef”-themed party or “Top Chef” pizza party.
4. Sweet Pete’s
Sweet Pete’s
270 Market Square
Lake Forest, IL
When: Saturdays and Sundays 11:30am, 2:30 and 5:30pm.
Cost: $23 to $26 per child (minimum payment is for 10 children).
Includes: Hour and a half for candy-making experience, cupcakes, ice cream, lemonade and water, invitations, party room with party host, setup and cleanup, and tableware; add-ons include pizza, fill-your-own candy box, games, story time, cotton candy voucher, ice cream sundaes, yogurt bar and additional party attendants.
5. Kids Table
Kids’ Table
2337 West North Avenue
Chicago, IL
When: Flexible days and times.
Cost: Packages range from $375 to $850, depending on which location is chosen and number of children; 20% gratuity added to bill.
Includes: Hands-on cooking experience, from fruit kabobs to make-your-own pizza to tea party sandwiches; tableware; paper chef hats for decorating; food and drinks for children, including cake; coffee, tea and water for parents; take-home recipe cards; one-hour class pass for birthday child; invitations.
Where: 1047 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL
When: Flexible during open hours; extra fee for times when they’re closed.
Cost: Space rental for an hour is $75 for the party room and $100 for the patio; each ice cream is additional.
Includes: Private party space.
Add-ons: Build-your-own sundae bar; hot chocolate bar; a visit from Mr. Cone or Peppa Pig.
Get Active
1938 Raymond Dr
Northbrook, IL
When: Flexible days and times.
Cost: $300 up to 10 guests, each additional child $10; $400 up to 20, each additional child $8.
Includes: Hour and a half private party includes 60 minutes of guided obstacle courses, such as monkey bars and canvas nets, 30 minutes for celebrating. Cake is cut with a real sword; free downloadable invitations; birthday child gets one free week of Junior Boots program.
Pulse Gym
1892 1st St
Highland Park, IL
When: Flexible
Cost: $350 for up to 10 children, $15 each additional child
Includes: Hour of customized fitness-oriented and ninja warrior obstacle courses, plus a half hour celebration time.
2915 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL
When: Fridays 3:30pm to 9pm, Saturdays 10:30am to 9pm, Sundays noon to 7:30pm
Cost: Packages start at $395 for up to 15 children, $15 each additional child.
Includes: Two hours for obstacles, climbing wall, warped wall and dodgeball court, plus time in party room; tableware, T-shirt for birthday child, setup, cleanup and two party hosts.
10. Dovetail Studios
2853 W Montrose Ave
Chgo, IL
When: Flexible days and times.
Cost: Ages 18 months to 6 years: $350 for up to 15 children, $375 up to 24 children; ages 7 years and older $375 for up to 15 children, $400 up to 24 children, $450 up to 30 children.
Includes: Interactive ballet-themed party, tableware, water, crown for birthday child; add-ons include a visit and short performance from a ballerina.
Arts and Crafts
Wishcraft Workshop
3907 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL
When: Saturdays 10:30am, 1:30pm, 4:30pm; Friday evenings 7pm. Longer and/or off-site functions are available by request.
Cost: Party packages range from $435 for up to 10 children to $655 up to 25
Includes: Hour and a half of guided art, craft or sewing activity and games; custom invitations; party hat for birthday child; tableware; setup and cleanup.
Add-ons: Goodie bag items are available for purchase.
12. Kids Clay Room
Where: 2646 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
When: Flexible days and times
Cost: $350 for up to 10 children, each additional child $30 (maximum 12 for ages 3 to 4, maximum 16 for ages 5 and up).
Includes: Hour and a half for ceramic painting or wheelthrowing project and celebration, tableware; option to do both for ages 10 and up for additional fee; some projects add $5 per child.
Woodcrafters DIY Studio
28 S Evergreen Ave
Arlington Heights, IL
When: Flexible days and times.
Cost: $250 for up to 12 children, $15 each additional child (maximum 24).
Includes: Hour and a half of private studio time with two staff members for wood project and celebration.
14. Noggin Builders
Noggin Builders
3073 Dundee Rd
Northbrook, IL
When: Flexible times Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: Packages range from $375 to $475 for up to 16 children; additional children $10 to $16 depending on package.
Includes: Hour and a half of themed activity (construction crew, cupcake wars, pirates, under the sea, etc.), custom invitations, paper goods, setup and cleanup. Some party themes require two hours.
Add-ons: Lunch or dinner available for extra fee.
Lillstreet Art Center
When: Saturday afternoons from 11am-1pm, 2-4pm, or 5-7pm; Sunday afternoons from 11am-1pm, 2-4pm, or 5-7pm.
Cost: Packages range from $345 to $495.
Includes: Two hours of instructor-led projects (last half hour is for celebration); Invitations, goodie bags for each guest, two private rooms, teachers & assistants, project supplies, refrigerator and freezer, firing and glazing for all clay projects.
The Spotlight
Stages Performing Arts
Where: 1144 W Madison St, Chicago, IL
When: Flexible
Cost: Packages range from $350 to $875
Includes: Basic package includes up to 10 children and an hour and a half in the Imagination Children’s Academy; higher level packages add children, logistics coordinator, paper goods, birthday cake and mini water bottles; other packages include pizza, an interactive performances and extra play time.
17. Emerald City
Emerald City Theatre
Where: Offices: 2936 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL
When: Flexible days and times
Cost: At 2933 N. Southport Ave. location, packages start at $500 and can accommodate up to 20; at 929 W. Belmont Ave. location, packages start at $630 and can accommodate up to 30.
Includes: Hour and a half of themed party with two party instructors, themed craft, mini performance for parents, tableware; additional time available for a fee.
Add-ons: Custom theme.
18. Storytown
Storytown Improv
Where: 1225 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL
When: Saturdays 10:30am (come early for activities).
Cost: Tickets are $10 each ($2 discount per ticket for groups of 15 or more).
Includes: Children’s interactive improvisation performance, lobby space for celebration time before or after. Also available for an additional fee are one-hour improv workshops or custom two-hour parties.
Fun and Games
19. Pump it Up
Pump It Up
Where: 821 West Eastman Street, Chicago, IL
When: Flexible days and times.
Cost: Two-hour party packages range from $245 to $605 depending on day and inclusions.
Includes: Classic party includes party coordinator, time for inflatables and in private party room, invitations, tableware, setup and cleanup.
Add-ons: Pizza and drinks, balloons and goodie bags.
20. Razzmatazz
3900 S Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL
When: Flexible
Cost: Packages range from $489 to $689, with additional children $22.95 to $32.95, depending on package. Minimum 10 children Monday through Thursday; minimum 15 children Friday through Sunday.
Includes: Two-hour party includes one hour at choice of one or two party attractions depending on package (bowling, inflatables, turf field, sport court), one hour in party room, food and drink, game card, party host; top package adds goodie bags and ice cream.
21. Jump Zone
6374 West Howard Street
Niles, IL
When: Flexible days and times.
Cost: Packages range from $265 to $485.
Includes: Basic party includes one hour and 15 minutes in the play area (12 giant inflatables) and 30 minutes in a private party room; free invitations; tableware; party coordinator; setup and cleanup. Balloons, pizza and soda included in some packages.
22. Funtopia
Funtopia
Where: 2050 Tower Drive, Glenview, IL
When: Flexible days and times.
Cost: Packages $14.95 to $24.95 per child (minimum 8 children).
Includes: Two hours includes one hour at Fun Wall, caving system and ropes course, or jungle gym area, depending on package; and one hour in private party room. All parties include pizza or hot dog for each child, water, tableware and invitations;
Add-ons: $100 for each additional hour.
23. Putting Edge
4105 N Harlem Ave
Norridge, IL
When: Flexible days and times
Cost: Packages range from $179 for up to 10 guests, including birthday child (each additional child $17.90) to $239 (each additional child $23.90).
Includes: Two hours for 18 holes of blacklight, indoor mini golf and celebration time in private room; party host; invitations; game cards. Higher-level packages include pizza, soda, tableware and bonus game cards and e-tickets.
24. Exploritorium
4701 Oakton Street
Skokie, IL
When: Saturdays 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm; Sundays 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm
Cost: $200 for Skokie residents; $250 for non-residents; rent the whole space for $400 for residents, $500 non-residents.
Includes: Two hours for time in the play space, one hour in a private party room; maximum 32 people per party, including all children ages 4 and up and adults.
25. Little Beans Chicago and Evanston
Little Beans Cafe
430 Asbury Avenue
Evanston , IL
When: Private parties available weekends from 4-6pm, semi-private on weekdays and weekends.
Cost: Packages range from $175 plus $12 per child to $1,175.
Includes: 2 hours of play, celebration and three staff members; Some packages include goodie bags, paper products and food.
When: Semi-Private Monday to Friday; Private weekends.
Cost: Packages Range from $179 to $560.
Includes: Basic party package includes shared use of the play space, private use of the serving area for two hours for up to 15 kids and one staff member for set-up and clean-up; higher level packages include private use of the play space and serving area for up to 30 kids and two staff members, cheese pizzas, decor, food, paper products, goodie bags, wifi and unlimited coffee, and no extra charge for anything you bring including entertainment.
27. Sod Room
1454 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL
When: Semi-private Monday to Friday 3:30pm – 5:30pm; Private weekends 10am-12pm, 1-3pm and 4-6pm
Cost: Packages range from $200 to $875.
Includes: Basic private parties include 2 hours private use of play space for up to 15 kids, staff member and you can bring your own food.
28. Legoland
Legoland
601 North Martingale Road
Schaumburg, IL
When: Monday to Friday 4pm-7pm; Saturday and Sunday 10:30am, noon, 1:30pm, 3pm, 4:30pm.
Cost: Weekdays $13 per person; weekends $17 per person (prices include adults; minimum 20 people).
Includes: One hour in private party space; access to rides, exhibits, movies and play areas; party host, cupcakes and drinks; birthday crowns for all children.
Add-ons: Pizza and food trays, additional cupcakes, and party giveaways.
Museums
Kohl Children’s Museum
2100 Patriot Boulevard
Glenview, IL
When: Flexible days and times during open hours.
Cost: Packages range from $325 to $680 (discount for museum members).
Includes: The Classic package includes full-day admission for all guests, hour and a half in private party room, free parking; Deluxe package adds tableware, one cupcake per child and a party coordinator.
Adler Planetarium
1300 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL
When: Flexible.
31. The Field Museum
Jean Lachat, The Field Museum
1400 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL
When: 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm daily
Cost: Base price of $800 for up to 25 children ($15 each additional)
Includes: General admission, as well as access to the special Underground Adventure exhibit, craft or art project, two hours in one of three party rooms, and one free parking spot.
Add-ons: Tickets to a temporary exhibit, 3-D theater tickets, a live bug presentation, self-guided scavenger hunt and an hour of extra time in the party room.
Au Naturale
32. AquaMermaid
AquaMermaid
Where: 828 S Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL
When: Sundays, 11 am.
Cost: $300 up to 7 guests; $30 each additional.
Includes: One hour private mermaid-swimming course in the pool, mermaid tail rental for guests, games.
Add-ons: Extra pool time.
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL
When: Select weekend; time varies based on chose package.
Cost: Packages range from $325 to $650.
Includes: Basic package includes access to a private party room in the Learning Center, right next to the Nature Play Garden. Higher level packages include a train ride, lunch and guided activity.
34. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Where: 2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL
When: Flexible days and times during open hours.
Cost: Prices start at $550 for members and $625 for non-members.
Includes: Two hours in a private room, all-day admission for guests, half-hour Amazing Animals program led by a museum staff member
35. Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL
When: Flexible.
Cost: Weekends and holidays $325 member, $400 nonmember; Weekdays $265 member, $325 nonmember
Includes: Admission to the Arboretum for party guests, use of the picnic space for two hours (10am to noon or 1:30 to 3:30pm)
Add-ons: 30-minute activity.
