October 2011

In our popular Party Planning Guide, Celebrations, we have created an easy go-to list of 39 great places to have your child's next birthday party. We did the work collecting the contact information and descriptions, now all you have to do is book the party and enjoy the special day.

Show your little gamer how much you love them by throwing them a gamer's dream party, either at home or at one of the great gaming places throughout Chicago and the suburbs. These parties will have the party guests on their feet, cheering and having a blast.

Glam is where it's at for today's hip girls, though princess parties rule, too. My Party Princess in Schaumburg and the ever-popular Sweet and Sassy in Lincoln Park and Oak Brook are just two of the places ready to give the sweet thing in your life and her gal pals a dream party.

Not everyone is satisfied with a homemade, lopsided double chocolate birthday cake (gasp) and you can drive yourself crazy trying to create a cake that fits your party theme. Save yourself the hassle and check out the sweet masterpieces we've found.

Planning where to have your next birthday party might be a simple as visiting or calling your local park district. Many park districts have indoor and outdoor options for your bash. Best of all, you'll find a cost-effective, fun party place that is limited only by your imagination.

There's nothing like seeing the kids bouncing off the wall, except when they are bouncing in rooms fill with giant inflatables. For a perfectly bouncy birthday bash your birthday child will remember for a long time to come, check out our tips to fun.

Wouldn't it be great if you could throw your child an awesome party without all the stress and work? Imagine actually being able to enjoy the activities. Check out a few places that can make all that a reality.

Today's kids want to be the 'star' at their birthday party. Medieval Times, The Game Dudes, Adler Planetarium and the Bus of Fun are among the places that can make sure your child gets the star treatment.

The Notebaert wants to change our relationship with parasites in "EWW! What's Eating You?"

The Museum of Science and Industry is exploring the less well-known artwork of Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, including paintings, illustrations and political cartoons. They'll also get out the microscopes to explore microbial Seuss.