Where to Hold a Birthday Party in DuPage County

As someone with kids, I've hosted and attended many children's birthday parties. While having a party at home is always an option, it can be an unappealing one for many people. There's the preparation and decorating, the mess, and the burden of planning activities. And there's the worry that ten or fifteen kids hyped up on too much excitement, birthday cake, and ice cream might tear apart the house.

Sometimes it's just easier to take the fun elsewhere, and it may be a necessity if your child wants to invite everyone in his or her class. There just isn't enough room in most houses to accommodate that, and having a large birthday party at home can be a nightmare.

Fortunately, Chicago's western suburbs offer plenty of businesses and non-profit organizations that offer reasonably priced birthday party packages.

Last year, when my daughter wanted to invite 15 first-graders to her party, we booked it at the Glen Ellyn YMCA. For about $150-$200, we got use of their indoor play area, a large climbing structure, and a party room for two hours. To cover the cost of renting the venue, we compensated by limiting the food, which we didn't really need because the kids were too busy playing. At this party, a birthday cake from the grocery store and drinks will suffice. The kids all had a great time, and they were completely exhausted by the end of the party. This party would be ideal for kids aged 4 to 7.

Elmhurst's Pick a Pot n' Paint (915 S. York Road, 630-832-2308) is a pottery studio that offers birthday party packages for small and larger birthday parties. Costs for use of the space, which includes one object for the kids to pain and firing, start at around $11 per child. Kids paint a small ceramic piece made from a mold, and leave it behind when they are finished. The studio allows the pottery pieces to dry, and then fires them for the kids in their kiln. Pieces are ready about 1-2 weeks after the party. The host or the guests may pick up the pottery, which may become a nice keepsake for the guests' parents. This activity is best for older children, kids who can sit still, or girls.

Enchanted Castle, in Lombard IL, offers video games, arcade games, a children's climbing area, and other activities. It is a long-time favorite of kids in the Western Suburbs. Many parents in their 20's and 30's fondly remember parties at Enchanted Castle that they attended as children. As at the more familiar Chuck E. Cheese, kids may earn "points" or tickets that they can trade for prizes. Birthday party packages may include pizza and snacks, but parents usually bring their own cake. Group packages start at about $10.00 per guest, but there is a 25-guest minimum for these packages.

Each party is assigned one or more long tables in the Enchanted Castle's 600+ seat party room. Seatings for birthday parties are generally at set times, and parents should expect to share the party room with other children's parties. An emcee will encourage kids to step up and spin a wheel to earn more tickets for games, and generally work on promoting a festive atmosphere. Preschoolers may find Enchanted Castle to be too much for them, and the facility is a large open space where it is difficult to watch children closely. For that reason, it's best for school-age children.

Pump it Up has several locations in Chicagoland. In DuPage County, there are facilities at 684 W. Lake Street in Elmhurst and 4995 Varsity Dr. in Lisle. Though this is a chain with many locations nationally, it is a particularly appealing venue for preschoolers and very active children. Older kids may find Pump It Up a bit dull, if they have been there and done that, because it is a very popular place for parties. The main attraction at Pump It Up is the numerous inflatable slides and jumpers. After jumping and climbing for a set period of time, kids and the adults coming to supervise will move to a private party room for snacks, cakes, and gift opening. Because Pump it Up caters to children's birthday parties, packages, which are for a 1 ½ to 2 hour party, are available. The kids will fall asleep in the car on the way home.

At Classic Cinemas' York Theatre in Elmhurst, kids can enjoy snacks and cake in a private party room followed by a movie. The theatre will reserve seats in the theatre for the birthday party, so all the attendees can sit together. Packages often include drinks and popcorn to enjoy during the movie. The York Theatre is a particularly fun place to see a movie because of its old-school movie palace atmosphere. One of the theatres has a working organ, and the décor of the movie theatre is evocative of the past. The movie party is a good option for kids of all ages, because hosts can choose a movie that is appropriate for their group. For very large groups of 75 or more, private showings are available. The York Theatre is a popular venue for tweens on weekend afternoons, but I have seen preschoolers coming for a movie party.

Recently, my daughter particularly enjoyed a birthday party at the Lombard Roller Rink (201 W 22^nd Street). The girls in the group spent several hours roller skating and dined on birthday cake. There was really little need to provide much food, as the kids spent most of the time out on the rink. When I came to pick her up, she didn't want to leave.

This would be a good choice for school-age and older kids who enjoy being physically active. Although not all the kids could roller skate when the party started, most were cruising around the rink come pick-up time. Food is served on tables in an area shared with other patrons; there is no private party room.

Party packages include reserved seating in the shared dining area for 3 hours, admission, skate rental, a ride on a giant skate, pizza or hot dogs, drinks, and a free pass to return for each guest. Parties start at about $11.00 per child. Again, kids will be tired afterwards.

Safari Land bills itself as the Chicago area's largest indoor amusement park. It has video games, a bowling alley, amusement park rides, a shooting gallery, and a climbing area for small children. In keeping with its name, there is a jungle theme. As at Enchanted Castle, kids collect points that they can redeem for prizes. Party packages, which include use of a private room for 2 hours, admission to some or all of the amusements, and pizza and drinks range in price from about $15 per guest to $25 per guest. Outside food other than birthday cake is not allowed. Safari land is at 701 W North Ave, in Villa Park.