Best Themed Kids Birthday Spots in Chicago

Are you looking for kids' birthday party places that match their specific interests? Tired of trampoline parks and pool parties? We looked all around Chicago and the suburbs to find various choices for kids interested in everything from science and cooking to their favorite toys. From simple to extravagant, there's a theme to match every child's birthday dream on this list. So happy birthday to your kiddo! We hope you have fun.

For other fun birthday party ideas, check out these spots for toddler birthdays, these great tween and teen birthday party spots, and the best indoor birthday party spots in Chicago. 

Science and Nature-Themed Kids' Birthday Parties Places

1. Kids Science Labs - South Loop, Roscoe Village, and Northbrook

Little scientists will love these hands-on birthday party experiences, while parents love the convenient locations with free parking. Each party takes place in a classroom where kids can learn about things like making polymers or exploring the wonders of pressure. These creative and fun parties are for kids ages four and up

2.  Field Museum - Museum Campus

If your kid loves Sue the T-rex, they can party with her at The Field Museum for their birthday! Parties are held in the Crown Family Art Studio and include basic admission to the museum, access to Underground Adventure, and a themed craft: dinosaur masks (ages 1+) or adventurer hats (ages 3+). You can also treat your guests to a 3D movie ($8 per adult and $5 per child) or enhance your party with other activities.

3. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - Lincoln Park

Want to see a real live animal at your birthday party? Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum parties include a Critter Connection for you and your guests to meet one of their turtles. Kids will also make a craft, explore the museum, and play in the nature play space. The party includes admission for your guests for the day to the museum.

4. Mad Science Labs - Fulton Market and Northbrook

Interactive science parties in these laboratories include a take-and-make project for all attendees. Make slime, putty, or a bouncy ball, and enjoy a presentation and experiment based on the current theme the lab is exploring. These are shorter parties, clocking in at just under an hour, for up to 20 attendees.

 
Cooking birthday party. Event photo courtesy of Oui Chef

Cooking and Baking-Themed Kids' Birthday Party Places

5. Oui Chef - Lincoln Park

Little chefs can decorate aprons and learn to cook one of their favorite dishes at this kids' kitchen in Lincoln Park. Choose from pizza, mac and cheese, or quesadillas, or have your kids go with a very sweet cupcake party. Kids will have time to eat their creations, as well as birthday cupcakes, before the end of the party.

6. Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio - Wicker Park, Portage Park, and Oak Park

No need to bring your cake to these parties--kids will make their own, after preparing a main dish of their choice. Preschoolers can have parents stay with them for a little chef's party, or bigger kids can make donuts, pizza, pasta, or another customizable meal or snack to match their interests. Parents can bring their own decorations and juice boxes.

7. Junior Chef's Kitchen - Lincoln Park

Choose a recipe from the kitchen's birthday party recipe repository. Kids will work on knife skills, learn, prepare, and cook the recipe, make and decorate cupcakes, and sing Happy Birthday before enjoying the fruits of their labor. Choose from breakfast and brunch or lunch and dinner options. Kids over age 8 can also make their party a Top Chef-style competition.

8. Give Me Some Sugar - Roscoe Village

Does your kid just want desserts? Learn to bake or decorate cakes or cupcakes at this Roscoe Village baking studio. The two-hour parties vary a little depending on the kids' ages, but all include the equipment, ingredients, and instruction to make adorable cakes. Bring in your food for a buffet-style meal if you'd like!

Sports and Adventure-Themed Birthday Party Places for Kids

9. Hot Ground Gym - Arlington Heights and Libertyville

Does your kid love playing "The floor is lava"? If so, this expanded obstacle course gym with that same theme may be a great option for their birthday party. Parties include 60 minutes of instructor-led team-building missions, like bridge building and "buddy river" designed for kids in different age groups, and 30 minutes of party room time for food and cake. This is also a great way to support a veteran-owned business.

10. Lil' Kickers - Roscoe Village, West Loop, Roselle/Schaumburg, and Vernon Hills

While soccer is the name of the game at Lil' Kickers, sporty kids can choose soccer, multi-sport, or Nerf battle as the theme of their party at these city and suburban indoor sports venues. Parties include time on the field with a coach, inflatable play, and time for food and cake. The birthday kid gets a T-shirt to celebrate the occasion. 

11. Ultimate Ninjas - Roscoe Village, Glenview, Elmhurst, Naperville, and Libertyville

Learn to take on the ninja-themed obstacle courses at these gyms throughout the city and suburbs. Kids get 80 minutes of coached access to the climbing, jumping, and team-building obstacles before 30 minutes in a private party room. Ultimate Ninjas handles set up and clean up, and the birthday kid gets a commemorative shirt.

12. Hi-Five Sports Club - River North, West Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Old Town,  South Loop,  Bridgeport

Pick the Slam Dunk or the Grand Slam, or create your party package based on your favorite sport for up to 20 kids at preferred venues around the city. Hi-Five coaches can teach soccer, baseball, football, kickball, dodgeball, hockey, lacrosse, capture the flag, and more while coordinating with various venues for an indoor or outdoor party.

Arts and Crafts Themed Kids' Birthday Party Places 

13. Lill Street Arts Center - Ravenswood

Customize your party for any age of celebrant at this community arts center on the north side. Book at least three weeks in advance, and select a course in ceramics, metalsmithing, jewelry, textiles, printmaking, drawing, or painting. Classes can be as short as an hour or as long as a whole day. Some programs may also be available to be held off-site.

14. DIT Workshop - Elmhurst

Kids can get in on the paint-and-sip action at this suburban maker's studio. Create a board with a stenciled pattern, paint a planting pot with painter's tape, make a nail and string design on a board, or even get into a slime workshop. DIT allows families to bring in food and cake.

15. Freestyle Ceramics and Tufting - Bridgeport/Chinatown and Andersonville

Guests can paint boxes, dinnerware, banks, mugs, or animals with the birthday child at one of these 2.5-hour parties. The birthday kid receives a special plate with the signatures of all of his or her guests, and refrigeration is available for parents to store cake or other foods for the party.

16. Easel Art Studio - Bucktown or Ravenswood

The birthday girl or boy can look at samples from previous parties to create a custom craft with friends at these neighborhood art studios. The two-hour parties can include up to 35 kids and all the supplies and instruction they will need to make their piece. Have your own venue? Easel instructors will come out to your location to teach the class!

 
A fun LEGO-themed birthday party! Photo courtesy of LEGO

Parties Themed for Your Kid's Favorite Toy or Character

17. LEGOLand Discovery Center - Schaumburg

Have a bricktastic birthday with all-access passes to Legoland for each of your guests. Ride LEGO-themed rides, build with LEGOs, and party in a LEGO-themed room. Guests can even receive a LEGO party favor. Prices are relatively reasonable, starting at around $23 per child.

18. American Girl Store - Mag Mile

Bring your doll to celebrate your birthday at a signature event at the Magnificent Mile store. Kids enjoy a table activity of the birthday child's choice, signature cake and ice cream, doll crowns, goody bags, and a special gift for the birthday child. Add a signature meal themed around your favorite American Girl for an additional fee.