We didn’t frighten Annie enough last weekend with the Easter Bunny or the vicious swimming gopher, so we decided to really give her a tiny toddler heart attack by taking her to Chuck E. Cheese’s. Well, it’s not like we came up with the idea spontaneously or anything – we went for a birthday party. And I knew she wouldn’t dig the main mouse himself, but I figured she’d like the rest of the place. What’s not to love? Games, rides, things to climb and injure yourself on – it’s a children’s wonderland.
Of course, Annie hated it.
We walked in, and she was overwhelmed. That’s to be expected, there’s a lot going on in there. We got our tokens and started trying to interest her in the games. I went for the gold right away – skeeball. I figured it was the perfect game for her. She could push the balls up the ramp, we’d cheer, it would be awesome. Well, first she tried to throw the balls overhand, which is totally cheating and also dangerous. Then she couldn’t push the balls far enough up the ramp. It wasn’t fun for her. On to the next thing.
We went over to the section with rides, thinking she’d SURELY want to ride on something. Nope. Didn’t want to get on the carousel, or climb the jungle gym, or ride in a car. She only wanted to be held.
And she hadn’t even seen Chuck E. Cheese yet.
At first I was bummed for her. I wanted her to have fun and not be scared. But then I realized I had a cup full of tokens, and it would be a shame if they went to waste. Annie watched us play skeeball, football toss, baseball toss, and water-gun races. We kept trying to get her to join in, but she was uninterested. More tokens for me!
Pizza time came and she warmed up considerably. She still wanted to sit with us, but she didn’t need to be held anymore. Things were going great…and then Chuck showed up.
So smug
We tried to shield the mouse from Annie’s view, but it was like she could sense his presence, and immediately curled into a tiny ball.
We tried to distract her with pizza, with moderate success.
He’s behind me, isn’t he.
Mike had more success distracting himself with baseball.
Luckily, cupcakes came out not long after, and Chuck E. Cheese himself could have delivered it to Annie, that’s how much homegirl loves cake. After the cupcake, she seemed to finally get an infusion of courage, and started walking around with the other kids. You know…right at the end of the party.
I’m looking at this as a good thing – she’s not going to beg me to go back there any time soon. On the other hand, I had a blast. If Chuck E. Cheese’s sold beer, I would totally throw my 33rd birthday party there. Every game is only one token! That’s pretty sweet.
edenland says:
I want to come to come. CANNOT BELIEVE Chuck-E Cheese is an actual CHARACTER?!
For so many years I have seen American movies where they go there. I believe you are taking me, kthks xx
Jenn says:
Well….at least YOU had fun & hopefully so did the birthday boy/girl!! ha ha We don’t have a Chuck-E Cheese where I live which by the sounds of it, maybe not be the worse thing in the world!!
Well…on to the next AvEnTuRe….only, hopefully this time isn’t doesn’t involve ANY type of Rodents…real or otherwise!!!!
chantelle says:
The Chuck E Cheese nearest where I live ( in Michigan ) has both beer and wine and I’ve considered more than once having a party for myself there. =)
kristen mcd says:
I was surprised to hear our CEC sells serves beer. It’s a two beer limit, whicbut yep. CEC sells beer.
MissPP22 says:
Considered yourself fortunate she didn’t like it, that place is horrible. That’s weird they don’t sell beer in that one though, that’s the only way the hubs and I even think of going back once every year.
Meyli says:
Do you have Dave & Busters in California? They are a grown-up Chuck E Cheese!
sarah says:
This is super weird that it’s not called Showbiz Pizza anymore. I feel so old.
Jenn says:
OMG, I had my birthday party at Showbiz pizza growing up!!! I didn’t think anyone else would remember that!
cynthia says:
I believe (from also being old) Showbiz and Chuck’s are 2 different places, albeit with the exact same idea behind them.
sarah says:
Whoa what!? I was sure they just changed names! I had my birthday there too Jenn. Wasn’t there like a country bear jamboree or something? Lol I’m too old to remember!
My mind is boggled if these are two different places though. I feel like you just told me Hello Kitty is actually Mickey Mouse or something. My brain scrambled.
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
I’ve never been to Chuck E Cheese, and that’s a record I hope to maintain for at least another 10 years…
TamaraL says:
Our Chuck E Cheese serves beer too! Maybe you need to petition to get beer on the menu at your CEC’s! I don’t drink beer and I always thought it was strange to serve beer in a child’s play place HOWEVER I am sure parents that are brave enough to take their kids there need a shot of something to get them through! (My kids are too old for CEC…darn…)
TonyaM says:
Poor Annie! Sometimes that place makes me want to curl into a ball also. Any Saturday I’ve ever been, actually. I do love CEC during calmer hours, though. And I’m cracking up at those who sell beer! That would SO not fly here in the Bible belt.
Heather says:
You mean to tell me there’s no beer at Chuck E Cheese in the US? Here in Canada they have both beer AND wine on tap. That’s some super classy means of handling the distribution of the later, I must say.
I feel sad for Americans, they are missing out on some fine CEC beverage options.
Meghan says:
Our CEC sells beer too…looks like you guys got robbed! Honestly though, be glad she hates it…there will come a time when she loves it and will want to go all. the. time. (BTW, you can get coupons for free tokens on HI-C juice boxes) I hate CEC with all my soul. My kids love it with all theirs…guess who wins THAT one. Sigh.
Jennifer says:
There is actually a documentary called “Rockafire Explosion” about the animatronic characters. I was surprised to see they still had some of the animatronic characters in your photos. The documentary is a must see. I believe we watched it off of Netflixs.
Courtney says:
Thanks for the tip! I just added this to my instant queue!
Jenn says:
Yes, our CEC sells beeer and wine as well. From what I have been told, it all depends on the city that it is located in and what their liquor license requirements are. I must say, it does help after being there for hours on playdates to be able to sit back and sip on a $5 glass of what is probably just boxed wine and let your kids have fun!
Becca says:
Where I life we have a barcade.. yup. That’s a bar.. and an arcade. It’s amazing. Skeeball, nintendo, super nintendo, pinball, knect (which is superfun with drink in hand), a photo booth and every other 80’s style video game you can imagine. The first time I went there I felt like I was walking into an alternate universe. Games were glowing all around me and the bartender announced “it’s half price Sunday!” – be still my beating heart!
Jennifer says:
I thought every Chuck E Cheese sold beer — that’s how the sucker the parents in!
Becky Campbell says:
We had a small get-together for my daughter’s 5th birthday at CEC…her idea! We thought it would be so much fun for her and she’d take a great nap on the way home!;) I even sprung for their $10 cake as a last minute surprise! Little did I know that when I gave the signal for “him” to bring it out…my daughter would scream in the most high-pitched, someone’s trying to kidnap her, kind of way and climb under the table and wrap her arms and legs around the pole and refuse to budge until he left! We all stood there like dorks, singing Happy Birthday anyway and blowing out her candles for her!:/ I accepted the cake, apologized, and then spent 5 minutes reassuring her that he was gone. Then, I laughed so hard I cried!;) She had managed to scare the living daylights out of everyone in the place! Several other parents were observed trying to drag their kids up from under their tables as well! My daughter wouldn’t even touch the cake. After the older kids finished theirs, I sliced it up and offered it up to everyone around us that had to witness that unfortunate event!;) That’s the only thing that saved me from having a mob of angry parents follow me out to the car! Just be glad your games worked! We can usually count on at least 1/3 of the games/rides at ours to be “out of service”…:(
Adrianne says:
One of our hilarious local morning show hosts threw her 30-something birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese’s a couple of years ago. Pretty sure she convinced them to allow beer though:)
Also, I’m sure Annie will love it more than enough one day to make up for her hatred of it now. And by then you’ll probably hate it, hah!
Lauren says:
Chuck E. Cheese is overwhelming for ME, so I can only imagine what it’s like for a 2 year old.
Daisy says:
I’m sorry but all I can think of is the time at BlogHer when you tried to make me go in the Chuck E. Cheese cash wind tunnel box thing and then JenBShaw tried to make me eat Chuck E. Cheese cotton candy. No thanks, I’m with Annie on this one.
Lanie says:
I am with Annie too – Chuck E. Cheese is overwhelming and I would take a princess over a life sized mouse any day :-). I am glad you had fun and that at least Annie got cake :-).
Lori says:
I love CEC!! We had a surprise party there for my friend’s 25th and we def did NOT sneak in drinks. Nope, no way, not us. They even gave the birthday girl a crown! I think that’s still her favorite birthday.
Gail says:
I went to a Chuck E Cheese party last Saturday and had a blast! Did they have the Wheel of Fortune game there? I was addicted. My husband bought tokens b/c he didn’t realize that we would be handed them, so I gambled away about $20, most fun I’ve had in ages!
MG says:
Too funny. Our Chuck E Cheese (in WI) DOES serve beer! Must be regional or vary by state. I always thought is was a little trashy (no offense to you or anybody). I just always pictures what COULD be if parents were sitting around drinking while their kids played at Chucks. My kids have never been afraid of costumed things but we were at a Culvers a few weeks ago and this kid screamed when the “giant ice cream cone” came walking around. Both funny and sad at the same time!
Sara Mc. says:
Too bad you don’t live in Oklahoma because Chuck E. sells beer here. Two beer max though. So maybe it’s good you don’t. LOL….If you do decide to try it again with Annie, take her in the morning when it’s not party time. They usually have tickets galore coming out of the machines (to make sure they are working) and they just leave them there for the taking. Again, that’s what goes on here in Oklahoma.
Sara says:
Im in CO and our chuck e cheese serves beer as well! Score for this auntie who has some chuck e cheese lovin nieces and nephew!!
Skye says:
When I was little I used to hide under the table when Mr. Cheese came around. He was so creepy! A giant mouse-man? Why?! Some kids thought it was cool to peek around the curtain at the animatronic animal band when they were dark and silent, too, which freaked the hell out of me. *shudder* My best memory of CEC is going there once in high school with my best friend! (Although I was actually 17 and it took some convincing for them to let me in, as I was an unaccompanied minor!)
Catherine Vu says:
CEC in Texas sells beer…. u need to MOVE!
Stephanie says:
Our Chuck E. Cheese does serve beer, but you can only get one an hour. And, yep, they time it! My nephew used to be terrified of the place but now he loves it, so enjoy this time!
Heather says:
They sell beer/wine at the one in Thousand Oaks Albeit gross, cheap wine, but wine nonetheless
val says:
I live in the greater LA area and every CEC I’ve ever been to has sold beer. You obviously went to the wrong one.
Auntie_M says:
OMG! The Easter Bunny, Giant Swimming Rodent, and Chuck E Cheese all within days!!! Poor girl is going to develop a phobia of ROUSes (Rodents OF Unusual Size).
I’m with Annie, keep me outta those places. I’d have been happy sitting outside~as long as they brought me a piece of cake!
Julie says:
Dave & Buster’s. The grown-up Chuck-E-Cheese. http://www.daveandbusters.com/locations/default.aspx
Mommy says:
Were you guys at the TO one? They do serve beer and wine!
I used to LOVE going there as a kid, but I despise it now! So loud, so busy, so many germs. Ugh. The things we have to endure as parents!!
I love your pics. You guys are such a fun family!
Heather G says:
Hate Chuck E Cheese. DH got food poisoning there once.
Do you have a Dave & Busters nearby? It is like Chuck E Cheese only geared more towards big kids & adults. Decent food and fun games.
Sleeping Mom says:
You’re lucky your little girl didn’t like it there! I’ve gone there for my nieces’ birthday parties and I just hope my toddler doesn’t get into it when he’s older. It’s too madness, and the kids always end up getting sick when they climb on the upper parts of the play area.
Love that picture of her wondering whether Chuck E is behind her lol.
Courtney says:
I had my 4th birthday party at CEC, and I have a picture of 4-year-old me, velcroed to my mom’s side, scared sh!tless of Chuck.
Brandy says:
What!? You mean your Chuck E Cheese doesn’t sell alcohol? Crazy state (or local) laws. The one we used to go to when we lived in Texas did. Thank goodness!
trishk says:
Our Chuck E Cheese in Florida sells beer and wine…..only way you can get me into that madness!!
Joanna says:
Dude… our Chuck E Cheese serves beer! & I’m with Annie, that mouse is hauntingly creepy.
Jamie says:
I think some CEC do sell booze, but I’m sure someone has already told you that.
My littlest doesn’t care for the rat..er..mouse either. She hides behind me and shivers until he leaves. She ODES love CEC minus the mouse. Her favorite is the game where you push a big, bone shaped plunger to feed a bulldog balls.
The five year old also throws skee ball balls over hand and it’s frightening.
Shan says:
Oh Lordy…I’m sorry Heather…but I giggled at poor Annie’s expense. It’s your fault…you are hilarious. On the other hand..I’ve seen kids rough old Chuck E Cheese up before..which was kinda funny too….bwahaha.
Jessica says:
Come to Ohio! Our CEC sells beer too. I’m sorry to the parents that find it appauling (sp??), but some of us parents need it to surivive a trip there! I agree with a lot of the previous commenters, find a dave and busters – they are super fun!! They don’t just serve beer and wine, but they have a full bar I’s for the “big kids”.
Annie Y says:
We have beer and wine as well at our CEC and I’ve never been told there was a limit.
Next time just bring a flask with you!
Jennifer Choate says:
I call that place “Pizza Hell”….they did serve beer when my kids were small…Thank God!!
Jeanie says:
My daughter WAS Chuck E. Cheese. That was her first job at 17 years old. True story. Now she’s an investigator at a DA’s office here in CA. Well, assistant investigator, but still.
Kelly says:
Our Chuckie Cheese does serve beer. Thank heavens.
When my oldest daughter was three, we took her for her birthday. She was also mortified by Chuckie. Didn’t want to have anything to do with him at all. She was perfectly content walking around, pretending to play games and such.
Chuckie, apparently decided that he had a crush on my younger sister. He followed her around everywhere that she went. He cheated on skeeball for her so that she would win. Actually stood up at the top, would catch her ball and drop it into the 50 slot.
The good news was, Mack got lots of prizes. My sister was mortified that a rat had tried to pick her up.
Beckie says:
Our daughters hated it the ONE time that they went. They never asked to go again. I am so grateful. They are 32 & 36, and no children of their own, so unless a miracle happens, we won’t ever have to go either.
Janelle says:
Chuck’s in KS sells beer. And don’t worry – it took my son until he was 5 before he had a coronary every time he went into the place.
Michele says:
ours sells beer too. and I had them host a 5 year old boys bday party there – and it was the best party ever! only time I was able to eat my kids’ cake at a party… during the party… and mine are now 10 and 8 – so… lotta parties… you gotta bring Annie here to east coast and party on with the mouse.
gorillabuns says:
We call it Chunky Cheese because there is always a kids who throws up at your table. We had Celia’s 6th birthday at Chunky Cheese a month after Thalon’s death. Luckily our hell hole serves beer and I drank copious amounts while a kid from our party threw up all over the table and on my mother-in-law. I hate that kid.
Marin D says:
My husband actually surprised me with a party there for my 30th. The backstory is that for our birthdays (his is in Feb and mine in July) we would pawn our kids off on someone for the weekend and celebrate with a staycation at a hotel (we live in Las Vegas so there’s plenty to see and do that we normally wouldn’t). This particular weekend was a surprise because I told him I didn’t need anything special. I thought we were just doing pedicures and lunch. Lunch turned out to be at Chuck E Cheese because he wanted me to be able to celebrate some of my birthday with our girls. He invited my parents, sisters and their kids. It was fun. I even did the ticket blaster thing. My nephews got a kick out of it. :o) I think ours serves alcohol. I don’t drink so I can’t say for certain but I swear it does.
AmyA says:
I live in Michigan and they DO sell beer at the Chuck E Cheese’s here!!!