Seeking a Fun, Affordable Birthday Party Venue in the City

Updated on March 11, 2008
T.C. asks from Chicago, IL
7 answers

Hi moms! I'm hoping you can help me... My daughter is turning 5 in a few weeks, and we would like to have a party for her. We'd like to do something fun, memorable, and at least sort of unique, but we don't want to spend an arm and a leg. We investigated the Nature Museum, but quite frankly, it's out of our price range. We also thought about having a party at one of the Park District facilities (e.g. Margate Park Field House)- and possibly hiring a Wiggleworms performer from the Old Town School of Folk Music. That remains a possibility, but two of her friends are having that same type of party within the next few weeks (hence my desire to do something different). I'm pretty anti-fast-food (my kids have never been to McDonald's or Chuck E. Cheese), so I don't want to go that route. We had her party at Gymboree last year, but by the time we paid for the venue, food and drinks for the kids and their parents, and little goody bags for the kids, we had spent over $600. (Am I the only parent who thinks that's INSANE?!?) BTW, we live in an apartment, which precludes us from having it at home...I would defintely do that if I could. Any ideas you could share would be much appreciated!!!

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C.C.

answers from Chicago on

I do not remember the price offhand, but I had my daughter's birthday last year at the Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview. I'm in the same boat with you regarding not spending to much, so Iknow it wasn't that expensive. Plus, while you do only have the party room for 2 hours, you and your guests have admission to the museum for the entire day. If you haven't been there, you should definitely check it out, but my kids love it there. It is alot of fun.

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D.W.

answers from Chicago on

My daugther attended a birthday party at a bookstore on Southport called Chicago Kids. It is a bookstore boutique and it's adorable. They would gear it towards your child's interests. It would have to be when the weather is a little nicer b/c they bring the kids outside in a private space to do arts and crafts, storytime and they provide pizza, cake and goody bags. Something different and would be good for 4 or 5 year olds.

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C.U.

answers from Chicago on

check out the elk grove park district.....they have cool parties

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M.F.

answers from Chicago on

YOu can always check out one of those places that let you pick out pottery that you paint and decorate, I know the name of one is CrackPots, I know there are a few locations so you would have to check on the web for the one nearest you. Good luck.

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A.A.

answers from Chicago on

Hey T.,

I have heard a place called pump it up is really fun. All inflatable things to jump around on. They cater to b-day parties and have packages. They are located in Lincoln Park. Not entirely sure about price, but their packages include alot. Here is the website. http://www.pumpitupparty.com/StoreHome.aspx?StoreID=100026

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K.K.

answers from Chicago on

Hi T. - my sister lives in the city and she had a great birthday party for her daughter that was turning 5 at North Beach off of North Avenue. There are multiple rooms with jumping jacks, volleyball, etc but her room had three(?) bowling alleys for the kids to play as well as a game room with airhockey, ping pong etc for the children to play. For 10-15 kids I believe the entire package was $300. That included pizza, drinks and maybe cake. Everyone had a blast and there is a bar for any of the parents that wanted to stick around. She also brought in a piniata and North Beach had some of their own games to play with the kids. My sister supplied her own goodie bags. Good luck with your planning!

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

Peterson Park, 5801 N. Pulaski
The gymasium rents out for 2 hours at $100. I've been to 2 parties there and kids (and adults) of all ages have a ton of fun.

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