Bumper car fun! Photo courtesy of Whirlyball

Sporty Teen Birthday Ideas

Whirlyball—Lincoln Park, Naperville, and Vernon Hills

A combination of bumper cars, lacrosse, and hockey played with a wiffleball, Whirlyball is a goofy sport that doesn't require specific talents to enjoy. Each Whirlyball location also has laser tag, bowling, and pop-up games like Giant Jenga and cornhole. Classic party food is available, and you can book a private room for your group.

ClimbZone—Roscoe Village

Choose from dozens of climbing walls, a high ropes course, laser tag, bumper cars, zip lines, and an arcade at this fun north-side venue. There are lots of party packages for 10-20 guests, with options to tack on more guests for an extra charge. Kids can climb Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty and then enjoy pizza and cake.  

Go Ape—Western Springs

Located inside Bemis Woods Forest Preserve, this adventure park has aerial adventure courses featuring zip lines and Tarzan swings, a treetop playground, and axe throwing. The guest of honor gets in free, while all other members get a discount for groups of 10 or more. Special teen-themed goodie bags are available with the party.

Windy City Fieldhouse—Logan Square

One of the best sporty teen birthday ideas in Chicago, kids will love the opportunity to get together with friends to play basketball, flag football, capture the flag, dodgeball, and more at this Logan Square gym. Windy City Fieldhouse teams up with D'Agostino's Pizza to bring food to enjoy in the dining area. Parties can be up to 2.5 hours and host up to 25 kids.

Ultimate Ninjas Chicago—Chicago, Naperville, and Elmhurst

Party like a ninja with an hour of gym time in the ninja warrior gym and 30 minutes in the party room with pizza and cake in city or suburban locations. The gym focuses on teaching young people how to do what they didn't think was possible, giving tweens and teens the confidence to try new things.

Altitude Trampoline Parks—West Town, Skokie, and Lombard

Jump into your birthday with trampolines, a trapeze swing, basketball, extreme dodgeball, and wipeout. Parties at these city and suburban trampoline parks clock in at two hours including jump time, food and cake in a private party room, and goodies for all.

WickedBall Chicago—Lombard

If your teen enjoys wacky games, this is your place. Rent out the Yorktown Center venue for $30 per person to enjoy bubble soccer, laser tag, NERF wars, gladiator trials, a giant hamster ball, giant boxing, a wrecking ball, darts, or dodgeball. WickedBall can also bring the fun to you for varying prices per event.

Top Golf—Schaumburg and Naperville

Teens can enjoy 2-3 hours of open golf time at Top Golf. You can also order food from the venue, and bring your own cake, decorations, and more. There are also add-ons available such as lessons with a pro, gifts for guests, and organized games for the teens who love a challenge. 

 
Blue Man Theatre Group. Courtesy of Theatre in Chicago

Exciting Teen Birthday Party Ideas

Blue Man Group—Lakeview

The Briar Street Theater's Blue Man Group offers special party experiences that include a piece of art for the birthday celebrant, photo opportunities with a Blue Man after the show, party bags, and your name on the LED screen during the show. The pricing on this one might make it a small party, but it will be an unforgettable experience for those who can come.

K1 Speed—Addison and Buffalo Grove

Compete against your friends to see who can race Go Karts the fastest at these suburban indoor speedways. Party packages include a 12-lap qualifying race and 14-lap final with medals for the winners, catered food, and party room rental.

Escape Artistry—Bucktown/Wicker Park

These two imaginative escape rooms can be tailored to visitors of all ages. The Railcar experience in Bucktown's Flatiron Building has teams finding clues throughout a futuristic Blue Line car to stop comic book villains from overtaking the city, while the Time Gallery in Wicker Park lets teams ensure that time is maintained in the correct order after the invention of the time machine. Two adults must accompany each party of children under age 18.

Puttshack—Oak Brook

Enjoy indoor mini golf and music at this new venue in Oak Brook. Come just to golf, or get a party room with fancy appetizers or dinner to complete the evening. Just plan for an early event—guests entering Puttshack after 8pm must be 21 or over.

iFly—Lincoln Park, Rosemont, and Naperville

Birthday parties at these indoor skydiving venues include a flight class, two flights per guest, and party room time. Guest fly through a vertical wind tunnel that simulates the feeling of skydiving. 

Pinstripes—River North, Northbrook, Oak Brook, and South Barrington

Bowling, bocce, and fun foods are the highlights of a party at Pinstripes. The menu stands out with options like sliders, pigs in a blanket, chicken wings, and pepperoni flatbread. Rent a private room, or enjoy a few lanes for the evening at city and suburban locations.

Galloping Ghost Arcade—Brookfield

With more than 550 arcade games on hand, this is the largest working arcade in the United States. All the games are set to free play, so for just $20 per person, teens can enjoy all the games they can handle. While there's no formal party room, this could make for a great casual get-together for older teens past the pizza and cake phase.

 
Teen making art. Photo courtesy of the Lill Street Arts Center

Sweet 16 Birthday Ideas

Lill Street Arts Center—Ravenswood

Looking for an arty party option? Lill Street Arts Center has traditional painting party classes, or they also offer clay project parties for almost all ages and metal studio and screen printing parties for adults and older teens. Parties are unique and customizable.

Pamper Me Pretty—Chicagoland Location of Choice

Pamper Me Pretty is based out of the Western suburbs but they will travel to the location of your choice throughout the Chicagoland area. If your teen or tween prefers a home party or if you're renting out a venue for a sweet 16 birthday idea, this is a great option for a spa lover. While there are plenty of options for younger girls' spa parties, they can also cater to teens and tweens with manicures, pedicures, hair styling, facials, and make-up. 

Give Me Some Sugar—Roscoe Village

You don't even have to bring the cake for this one: Kids over age 9 will learn to bake and/or decorate cakes or cupcakes at this Roscoe Village bakery. Hosts can drop off food for guests to enjoy during class before they taste their delicious creations. 

The Skydeck—Downtown

Rent out Chicago's highest viewing point at Willis Tower for an exclusive private photo op on the Ledge, stepping out on the glass more than 100 stories above the street. Teens can enjoy catered food and a dance floor for their special night.