Find 1st Birthday venues for rent in Chicago, IL

About Chicago

Chicago, located on the shores of Lake Michigan in northeastern Illinois, is the third-largest city in the United States. It is renowned for its bold architecture, buzzing nightlife, and vibrant music scene. The weather in Chicago is famously unpredictable; it experiences all four seasons throughout the year. Summers are warm and humid while winters are bitterly cold and sometimes snowy. From a regional perspective, Chicago is known as the Windy City as strong winds blow across its flat landscape.

Notable for its many nicknames (The Second City, Chi-Town), Chicago has plenty to offer visitors from across the globe; from museums, galleries, and incredible architecture to popular neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Logan Square with great restaurants and shopping options. Chicago also has the second-highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the US outside of New York City, totaling 29.

With many thrilling possibilities for birthday party fun, Chicago offers the perfect playgrounds to bring smiles and joy to your child's special day. Parents can easily customize their kid's birthday party according to budget, time constraints, desired theme, and the age group of the guests invited. Be it an indoor play center in the West Loop or outdoor venues along the Chicago River, birthday party venues can offer spectacular birthday packages suitable for children of all ages.

1st Birthday Party Options in Chicago

Photographers
Many different photographers in Chicago specialize in photographing private parties such as kids' birthday parties. They can capture important moments from the party, including posed and candid shots of the birthday child. Some studios also offer photo booths or on-site printing of the photos taken at the party.

Birthday Cakes
Custom birthday and baby shower cakes are a specialty of many bakeries in Chicago. These bakeries can design almost any style you can think of and will collaborate with you to make sure the cake is the best fit for your child's celebration and play space. A variety of other baked goods like cupcakes, cookies, and cake pops are also available at most bakeries.

Balloons
These businesses can provide everything from a few simple latex balloons to huge balloon arches and sculptures. Many companies also offer other services, such as helium tanks, balloon decorating kits, and delivery services. Your child's first birthday is sure to be a hit with the help of these expert balloon makers.

1st Birthday Party Vendors in Chicago

Smallcakes Chicago
Smallcakes Chicago, owned and operated by Don and Tonyia Moyer with a passion for serving the best cupcakes possible, bakes its treats from scratch every morning. The bakery's menu features seasonal and unique flavors created by Jeff Martin, the founder of Smallcakes. Nestled in the beautiful City of Chicago, Smallcakes not only offers customized cakes but also gourmet cupcakes, ice cream, and other sugary snacks—all provided seasonally and gluten-free so that there's always something delicious to try. They also have vegan options for those with dietary restrictions.

Balloons by Laura
At Balloons by Laura, they know that balloons can make any event pop! They provide unique balloon decorations for all occasions, big and small. From weddings to corporate events, and birthdays to bar mitzvahs, Balloons by Laura has the perfect balloon decorations to suit your needs. And their talented team of designers is always coming up with new and creative ways to use balloons to make your event extra special.

Liven It Up Events
Liven It Up Events is an event planning company with proven planning methods, innovative ideas, and cutting-edge resources, they can bring your vision to life from start to finish—and be by your side every step of the way taking care of all those pesky details. Liven It Up Events understands that great events start with great partnerships, so the team will always prioritize building a positive rapport with you. Services include event planning and production, meetings and conferences, experiential events, virtual event production, full-service planning, and partial planning consulting.

Pros and Cons of 1st Birthday Parties in Chicago

Celebrating your child's first birthday in the bustling city of Chicago is an experience unlike any other. However, to ensure a successful party, there are some things you should take into account before making this momentous decision to host it in The Windy City:

Advantages

There is no shortage of creative venues and vendors that specialize in children's birthday parties in Chicago. Many venues feature birthday party packages which might include fun activities such as laser tag, bounce houses, and access to a private party room where you can bring your own food, catering to dietary restrictions.

The city has numerous options for entertainment at the party including clowns and magicians as well as interactive activities like face painting and even science labs that are sure to keep kids entertained throughout the day.

Parents will have access to a variety of exciting nearby attractions to explore, giving them the chance to enjoy themselves while their kids revel in the party fun.

With its diverse range of cultural attractions, there’s always something new and exciting happening in Chicago making it easy to plan unique themes for 1st birthday parties that will stand out from the rest!

Disadvantages

The weather in Chicago can be unpredictable, which can make it hard to plan outdoor activities for the party.

Guests may struggle with traffic congestion or finding parking if they are coming from out of town, making it more difficult for them to attend the event on time.

Planning a successful birthday party requires significant amounts of time to be devoted to research, organization, execution, clean up, etc.

Tips on How to Organize 1st Birthday Parties in Chicago

If you're planning a first birthday party in Chicago, here are a few tips to help you get started:

Theme: Choose a theme for the party based on the interests of your baby. This can range from a character or color scheme to something that reflects the baby’s stage of development like crawling, walking, or reading stories.

Entertainment: Utilize Chicago-specific venues and entertainment for your little one’s special day. Look for places that feature bounce houses, play spaces, slides, and other activities to keep kids busy and entertained.

Photography: Consider booking an experienced photographer to capture all the moments of your little one’s first milestone birthday. Not only will you have memories to look back on, but you can also share them with family and friends who weren't able to attend in person.

Food and Drinks: Choose food that appeals to both adults and children. Great options include mini burgers, chicken fingers, pizza bites, fruit kabobs, and other finger foods that are easy for small hands to grab onto.

Have Fun: Take advantage of fun activities like face painting, balloon twisting, or caricature artists—just make sure they are age-appropriate! Have a few games planned out ahead of time like musical chairs or pin the hat on the birthday candles that your older kids can enjoy playing together.

Famous Locations in Chicago

The Magnificent Mile
As any traveler knows, some destinations are simply a must-see. And for anyone visiting the Midwestern city of Chicago, the Magnificent Mile is one of those places. This 13-block stretch of North has everything from world-class shopping and dining to iconic architecture and top-rated hotels. Whether you're looking to indulge in a new outfit or sample some of the best international cuisines, the Magnificent Mile has something for everyone.

Wicker Park
Wicker Park is a neighborhood located on the west side of Chicago, Illinois. The area is known for its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and nightlife options. The neighborhood has undergone significant gentrification in recent years, with new luxury shops and apartment buildings popping up along the CTA Blue Line subway. Despite the gentrification, Wicker Park still retains its hipster vibe and is home to many art galleries and boutique stores.

Boystown
Boystown is an exciting neighborhood located in West Lakeview. It has become an important part of Chicago's culture. People from all over travel to shop at the city's trendy boutiques, cute coffee shops, and cool record stores, which line its lively, tree-lined streets. It's no surprise that the area is a hub for LGBTQ+ culture and activism—it's where Chicago's Pride Parade has been held annually since 1971.