Birthday Party for a 2 Year Old - Chicago,IL

We just had a great party for my son who turned 3 at the Evanston McGaw YMCA. You can get a 2hr party -- one hour in the gym and one hour in a party room. They set up an "indoor playground" in half of the gym and the kids basically had free play on the equipment while the parents hung out (and shot baskets). There was a staff person, but basically just for supervision. We asked the parents about organizing a game, but all wanted to let the kids have what one kid called "motor room time" instead. Very low stress and easy. We brought the cake, balloons etc. You don't have to be a member -- we're not.

I second the recommendation for the Skokie Exploratorium. If you're on the west side, Wonder Works in Oak Park and the River Forest Community Center are both good places for preschool parties.

my son will be 2 this may and last year we had his party at our home but this year we are going to have it later in may (so that its alittle warmer) and im going to call the forest preserve on Irving Park Rd to see what i need to do about having his party there. I have a friend whos neighbor owns a place where you can rent those moon things (its like a big balloon and the kids can jump in it) will BBQ outside and play games the kids can run around and have fun(there not limited to a small space like chucky cheese.

You could host a party at build a bear at Navy Pier. Go on their website and check out what they offer. I know hte kids would love this. Or how about chucky cheese. Kids always love pizza and have a great time there. You could always have a party at home with an exciting theme like a firemen theme. Oh, I think there's a website that gives you different party themes adn they break up by age group. Just type in party ideas for 2 year olds and it should take you to the website. I found that website very useful and interesting.

This is so funny, because I asked this exact question in Feb for my 2 year old. The problem I had was that the other kids that would be attending were older so I wanted everyone to be happy. I got some really good advice from this site, but I ended up having a party at a skating rink. It was so much fun. My 2 year old daughter got a pair of "My first skates" as a gift so she eas excited to be able to go out with the bigger kids. It was also a lot of fun for the adults. We also had Elmo come and visit her at the rink. It was a hit for everyone. Elmo was great and he even tried to get out there and skate. The other visitors mobbed him, so he gave up, but the party was great. I live in the So Sub so we had it at Tinely Park Rink. It was $85 for 2 adults and 10 kids, but I ended up having about 8 kids and 12 adults.

P.,
There is the old standard Chuck E Cheese but personally I find it to be too loud but it doesn't seem to bother most people. Places like Gymboree, My Gym and Bubble Academy usually leave Sunday open for birthday parties but they do cost more.
D.

There is a Chuck E Cheese near Fullerton and Ashland. On weekday afternoons it is nice but seems to get crowded on weekends.

Hi there,
I was just looking at the most recent Chicago Parent magazine which is free and you can find at local children stores and I believe the library. In this latest issue, they have a smaller magazine insert that lists tons of places in Chicago. I don't think I have it anymore, but I believe it was in the April issue. Hope that helps.
S.

Hi P.....

Just a suggestion, go to chicagofun.com and they are a good source of many different ideas and party places for birthday parties.