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Party planner

September 5, 2006

The backyard is out; destination parties are in. Here's what you can expect to spend around Chicago.

Venue: Fantasy Kingdom, 1422 N. Kingsbury, Chicago

Description: Kids aged 6 months to 6 years can play dress-up, put out a fire, grocery shop, and dodge dragons in this elaborate, indoor playground.

Price range: Party packages start at $195, and can go up to $795 for a two-hour party for 20 children and 30 adults.

Advantage: With higher-end packages, Fantasy Kingdom is closed to the public.

Venue: Pump It Up, with locations in Glenview, Orland Park, Crystal Lake, Vernon Hills and Lisle (www.pump itupparty.com).

Description: Kids bounce around in three rooms of giant inflatables.

Price range: At Orland Park, packages range from $185 to $245.

Advantage: Every detail is taken care of; parents even receive a "gift log" to keep track of who gave which present.

Venue: The #1 Blue Engine store, with locations at Water Tower Place, Navy Pier, Yorktown Mall and Highland Park (www.lossano.com/blueengine)

Description: A 90-minute party includes train tables, a video, hats, sheet cake, and more.

Price range: $29 per child.

Advantage: Unlimited rides on the Kiddie Train; guests receive a 10 percent off coupon for the store with the invitation

Venue: American Girl Place, 111 E. Chicago (www.americangirlplace.com)

Description: The birthday party package at the American Girl Café includes invitations with matching thank-you notes, a "fancy" two-course meal, cake, peppermint ice cream, and gifts. Dolls welcome.

Price range: $30 a person, plus tax

Advantage: Guests can take advantage of the American Girl gift registry when shopping for a birthday present.

Venue: Gymboree Play & Music (various locations; www.playandmusic.com)

Description: A teacher leads kids in games and songs geared to their age. Kids can also eat and go wild in the colorful playroom.

Price range: At the Arlington Heights location, it costs $349 to have a party for up to 24 children, with almost everything included (decorations, goody bags, etc.) Food is extra.

Advantage: Kids have structured fun time, with plenty of activity to wear them out for naptime.

Venue: Kohl Children's Museum (www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org)

Description: The party package includes 90 minutes in a private room, plus admission for a full day of exploring the museum. Food, balloons, invitations, goody bags all cost extra.

Price range: $215 for 30 people (non-members), up to $600 for 80 people (non-members).

Advantage: Museum members get a break on prices. And boredom is never an option.

Venue: Rainforest Café, with locations in Schaumburg, Gurnee and downtown (www.rainforestcafe.com)

Description: The "Wild Bunch" birthday celebration includes dessert, a treasure map and Crayons, a souvenir cup, invitations, and a souvenir photo for the birthday child.

Price range: At the Chicago location, $12.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity, with a minimum of 15 kids.

Advantage: There's no more popular, perennial theme for a kid's birthday party than wild animals.

The backyard is out; destination parties are in. Here's what you can expect to spend around Chicago.