Ideas for Kid's Parties in Chicago

Monkey Island

Located in nearby Melrose Park, Illinois, Monkey Island (playmonkeyisland.net), at 40,000 square feet, is Chicagoland's most extensive indoor playground. Kids will have a blast as they explore the facility's enormous climbing structure, slide down winding slides and bounce in the inflated jumping houses. Monkey Island offers three different party packages for up to 50 guests. Options include a party host, playtime, pizza and soda pitchers, plus paper products, setup and clean up.

The Chicago Art and Design Center (chicagoartanddesigncenter.com) is dedicated to getting visitors' creative juices flowing and to help them further appreciate art and design. Artists of all abilities are welcome, and kids will find the center is a welcoming and accepting area in which to explore their creativity. The birthday parties here promise parents no mess and no fuss, and children will have up to two hours to make themed art projects that they'll be able to take home.

For children suffering from cabin fever, Bubbles Academy (bubblesacademy.com) can give them open space to run around in, even in the middle of a chilly Chicago winter. Bubbles Academy was started in 2003 by Kristine and Gregoire Klees-Johnson, who aimed to create an establishment where children in Chicago could freely learn, create and play. Bubbles Academy offers pre-planned birthday parties, which include story time, dress-up, dancing and other creative activities. Bubbles Academy's event coordinators assist parents in the party planning and execution; they work to set up, clean up and cover the smaller details of the party. The center supplies the invitation, paper products, activity supplies and balloons for the party.

A Fairytale Ballet (afairytaleballet.com) is perfect for a girl's birthday party and encourages children's imagination and creativity. The center also encourages children to be passionate about dance by introducing them to the art of dance, music and costumes. When celebrating a birthday at A Fairytale Ballet, the guest of honor gets to choose her favorite fairytale, and the staffers will choose costumes, props and music to create a reenactment of the fairytale.