For many of us, our most memorable childhood birthday parties involved our closest friends and family members, plenty of pizza and birthday cake, and a fun activity like bowling, a sleepover or laser tag.
Nowadays, children’s birthday parties — and the venues that host them — have evolved to be more celebratory than ever. Kids can play at amazing indoor playgrounds, go bowling or mini golfing, soar at trampoline parks and so much more on their birthdays.
Whether you will host a small group of classmates or all of your child’s friends and family, these birthday party venues have amazing packages and rental options that will make your child’s day extra special. Plus, many of these spots handle the food, decorations and clean up for you!
On your child’s next birthday, throw them a birthday bash they’ll always remember at one of these cool party spots for Chicagoland kids.
Tips for planning your child’s birthday party
- Keep it simple.Enjoy the special moment with your child by giving them your attention and not worrying about everything to go perfectly.
- Ask the venue questions beforehand. Don’t hesitate to ask what the venue provides. Also if you’re hiring an entertainer, let them know anything about the birthday child such as if they are really shy or they love the spotlight.
- Arrive early to prep. If you plan on bringing your own decor, food, photo props or other special touches, be sure to arrive before your party’s start time so you have ample time to set up.
- Don’t forget about food allergies. Consider any food allergens you may have in your party. Many birthday party places have limited options (a.k.a. pizza) for those with dietary restrictions. Ask if you can bring outside food to accommodate all of your guests’ dietary needs.
- Take photos with gifts. If your child will be opening presents at the party venue, snap a photo of your child, their new gift and the friend that gave it to them. Not only will you capture a memory, but it will make it easier to remember who gifted what once it’s time to write thank-you cards.
- Avoid disposable party favors. How many times has your child come home from a birthday party with unnecessary candy and cheap plastic toys? Be thoughtful when giving out party favors — try consumable items that parents will likely buy their own kids, like coloring books and crayons, chalk, bubbles or Play-Doh.
City
Bubbles Academy
- Address: 2211 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, and 900 N. Michigan Ave. Level 6, Chicago
- Cost: $600
Your child’s birthday celebration at Bubbles Academy includes two hours of private play time in the play space and the party room. The birthday package can accommodate up to 18 children and 32 adults.
Parents must provide their own snacks, birthday desserts, beverages, ice and decor. Add a music, movement or imagination adventure activity for $100.
Freestyle Ceramics & Tufting
- Address: 2927 S. Archer Ave., Chicago, and 5127 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: $23/child
Host a birthday party for creative kiddos and crafty tweens and teens at Freestyle Ceramics & Tufting. After 45 minutes of festive snacks and birthday desserts — which parents must provide — parties will have just under two hours to paint ceramic pottery. Private tufting sessions are also available.
The Little Gym
- Address: 3216 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Packages start at $500
Jump, stretch and play at The Little Gym! The birthday package includes 90 minutes of gym fun for 15 guests with the option to add both additional guests and additional play time. Kids will enjoy planned activities and games, as well as free time to enjoy the facility at their own pace. For even more birthday fun, you can choose a party theme, like The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Royal Prince or Princess.
Birthday packages include party invitations, water, plates, forks, napkins and a special gift for the birthday child. Add on a pizza party package for an additional cost.
Lucky Strike
- Address: 1027 W. Addison St., Chicago, and 322 E. Illinois St., Chicago
- Cost: Starting at $35 per guest
Ages 4-19 can host a birthday party at Lucky Strike. This bowling alley birthday bash includes food, cookie cake, unlimited soda pop, bowling time, shoe rentals, arcade credits and more. Several birthday packages are available so you can customize your kiddo’s special day.
Note: Party package pricing may vary by location.
WhirlyBall
- Address: 1825 W. Webster Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Starting at $25 per guest
Older kids, tweens and even teens will always remember an action-packed birthday at WhirlyBall. Enjoy one hour of WhirlyBall — a wacky game that combines bumper cars, lacrosse and basketball — then feast on pizza, cupcakes and unlimited soda pop. Bowling and laser tag packages are available, too.
North/Northwest suburbs
Bubbles Academy
- Address: 1736 1st St., Suite 102B, Highland Park
- Cost: $600
Your child’s birthday celebration at Bubbles Academy includes two hours of private play time in the play space and the party room. The birthday package can accommodate up to 18 children and 32 adults.
Parents must provide their own snacks, birthday desserts, beverages, ice and decor. Add a music, movement or imagination adventure activity for $100.
Bowlero
- Address: 824 E. Rand Road, Mt. Prospect; 7333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles; 3111 River Road, River Groveand 316 Center Drive, Vernon Hills
- Cost: Starting at $26 per guest
Parents will win some serious points with their kiddo when they host a birthday party at Bowlero. Ideal for birthday kids ages 4 and older, the birthday packages at this bowling alley include everything you need to celebrate your special day: food, cookie cake, unlimited soda pop, bowling time, shoe rentals, arcade credits and more. Several birthday packages are available so you can customize your kiddo’s special day.
Note: Party package pricing may vary by location.
BumbleBee Play Café
- Address: 1015 N. Randall Road, Elgin
- Cost: Packages start at $325
Ideal for children celebrating their 4th through 10th birthdays, BumbleBee Play Cafe has two great play rooms and a party room to celebrate your child’s special day.
Play pretend at the cafe’s mini town, or get your play on with a jumping pad, climbing wall, air hockey tables and more. The party packages include food, drinks, two hours of play time and tableware. Parents may bring their own decor. No outside food or beverages allowed.
Color Me Mine
- Address: 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg
- Cost: $26 per painter
Color Me Mine is a fun birthday venue for kids who love arts and crafts. Guests can choose their own pottery piece from hundreds of items, including plates, mugs, banks, boxes and figurines. All pieces are glazed, fired and individually wrapped by staff and picked up by the birthday party host a week later. Parents can add on a pizza party package.
The Exploritorium
- Address: 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
- Cost: Packages start at $220
Ideal for toddler birthdays, The Exploritorium is an imagination playground where littles can play make-believe in a costumed dress-up station, get their hands wet in a water play area, climb a wall, play with trains, climb through tubes and tunnels and more.
Birthday parties are available on Saturdays and Sundays. Packages include two hours of playtime in the Exploritorium, a private party room and the support of a birthday party attendant. Parents may bring decor and food. See the facility’s birthday party FAQ page for more information.
Note: Book early! Birthday parties must be reserved at least 12 weeks in advance.
Get Air Trampoline Park
- Address: 723 W. Golf Road, Des Plaines
- Cost: Packages start at $200
Trampolines, pizza and pop — what more could a birthday party need? The basic package at Get Air includes two hours of jump and party time for 10 jumpers; a pair of jump socks for every guest; two large pizzas, soda and tableware; and a return jump pass for the birthday child so they can keep the fun going once their birthday is over.
Legoland Discovery Center
- Address: 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg
- Cost: Starting $29 per guest
An epic birthday party destination, children (and grown-ups alike) will enjoy exploring this two-story Lego-lover’s haven. Guests can build their own Lego creations, scope out iconic Chicago buildings made of Legos, snap a selfie with their favorite Lego characters, see 4-D movies, go on rides and more. All birthday party packages include a juice box and a cookie; parents can add on pizza.
WhirlyBall
- Address: 285 Center Drive, Vernon Hills
- Cost: Starting at $25 per guest
Older kids, tweens and even teens will always remember an action-packed birthday at WhirlyBall. Enjoy one hour of WhirlyBall — a wacky game that combines bumper cars, lacrosse and basketball — then feast on pizza, cupcakes and unlimited soda pop. A laser tag package is available, too.
Find even more birthday party places!
- Birthday Party Places near Schaumburg
- Birthday Party Places near Skokie
South suburbs
FunFlatables
- Address: 100 Chicago Ridge Mall, Suite D17, Chicago Ridge
- Cost: Packages start at $150
FunFlatables is an affordable venue for throwing a fun-tastic children’s birthday party. The package includes 2.5-3 hours of playtime and four picnic tables. Parents must bring all of their own food and tableware, but FunFlatables handles all of the clean up.
Kidsmania Party & Play
- Address: 15801 Oak Park Ave., Oak Forest
- Cost: Packages start at $450
Odyssey Fun World
- Address: 19111 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park
- Cost: Packages start at $410
Birthday kids and guests can get their game on at Odyssey Fun World, a one-stop shop for entertainment. All birthday parties include four full hours of unlimited rides — including a Ferris wheel, bumper cars and a rollercoaster — as well as two hours of a reserved party space and a round of laser tag. Pizza and pop will be served.
Space Golf
- Address: 15611 S. 94th Ave., Orland Park
- Cost: Packages start at $350
Space Golf provides birthday party fun that’s out of this world! Guests can challenge their friends on an 18-hole blacklight adventure mini golf course that features flying saucers, giant robots and space aliens. Keep the fun going with unlimited play in their small retro arcade, featuring classics like Air Hockey, Skee Ball, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Whack-A-Mole, Tron and more.
Fleetwood Roller Rink
- Address: 7231 W. Archer Ave., Summit
- Cost: Starting at $15 per person
For old school birthday fun, lace up your roller skates and hit the rink! Birthday parties include three hours of skating, skate rental, pizza, soft drinks, glow sticks, and a gift and special announcement for the birthday child.
Find even more birthday party places!
- Birthday Party Places near Tinley Park
West suburbs
Bowlero
- Address: 558 E North Ave., Glendale Heights; 7700 47th St., Lyons; 1515 Aurora Ave., Naperville; 1100 W. Lake St., Roselleand 1555 75th St., Woodridge
- Cost: Starting at $30 per guest
Parents will win some serious points with their kiddo when they host a birthday party at Bowlero. Ideal for birthday kids ages 4 and older, the birthday packages at this bowling alley include everything you need to celebrate your special day: food, cookie cake, unlimited soda pop, bowling time, show rentals, arcade credits and more. Several birthday packages are available so you can customize your kiddo’s special day.
Note: Party package pricing may vary by location.
DuPage Children’s Museum
- Address: 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
- Cost: Packages start at $250
Celebrate your child’s special day in a festive, stress-free environment. The DuPage Children Museum allows parents, children and friends to learn and play together. The museum has a private room and offers buy-outs, but the most unique birthday option is Exhibits-To-Go, where museum staff will bring hands-on experiences to your home or party venue.
Get Air Trampoline Park
- Address: 2010 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove
- Cost: Packages start at $200
Trampolines, pizza and pop — what more could a birthday party need? The basic package at Get Air includes two hours of jump and party time for 10 jumpers; a pair of jump socks for every guest; two large pizzas, soda and tableware; and a return jump pass for the birthday child so they can keep the fun going once their birthday is over.
Jo’s Footwork Studio
- Address: 1500 Walker St., Western Springs
- Cost: Call the studio for pricing
Celebrate your little ballerina at Jo’s Footwork Studio. Choose from a hip-hop party, Disney princess party or an all-out dance party! Parties can be customized to include cake, refreshments and other food options.
WhirlyBall
- Address: 3103 Odyssey Ct., Naperville
- Cost: Starting at $25 per guest
Older kids, tweens and even teens will always remember an action-packed birthday at WhirlyBall. Enjoy one hour of WhirlyBall — a wacky game that combines bumper cars, lacrosse and basketball — then feast on pizza, cupcakes and unlimited soda pop. Bowling and laser tag packages are available, too.
Find even more birthday party places!
- Birthday Party Places near Naperville
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