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 with great restaurants and shopping options. One interesting fact about Chicago is that it has a total of 29 Michelin-starred restaurants—the second-most-starred restaurants in any US city outside of New York City!

With a plethora of thrilling possibilities for birthday celebrations, Chicago offers the perfect playgrounds to bring smiles and joy to your child's special day. Whether it's an indoor play center or outdoor activities, there are marvelous venues suited to all age levels that will make their celebration memorable. So, with so many venues to choose from, parents can tailor their event according to their budget, time availability, desired theme, and age group of guests attending the party.

1st Birthday Party Options in Chicago

• Photographers
  Many different photography studios in Chicago specialize in photographing children's first birthday parties. They typically have a range of packages available, from just capturing the party itself to 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 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. 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 all the way up 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 not only provides amazing event planning and production services, but they also work to maintain strong relationships with their clients long after the event is over. They understand 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 1st birthday parties in Chicago, many of which offer packages with discounts on their services if you book multiple items at once.
  
  
• The city has numerous options for entertainment at the party including clowns and magicians as well as interactive activities like face painting and balloon animals that are sure to keep kids entertained throughout the day.
  
  
• Parents have 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 guests 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 Michigan Avenue is the beating heart of the city, where you'll find 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. And with so much packed into such a small area, it's easy to see why this bustling avenue is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
  
  
• 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. If you're looking for a unique shopping experience or just a great place to grab a bite to eat, be sure to check out Wicker Park.
  
  
• Boystown
  Boystown, located in West Lakeview, is a dynamic and lively neighborhood that has become a cultural landmark in Chicago. Its vibrant tree-lined streets are home to charming coffee shops, trendy boutiques, and cool record stores that attract visitors from all over the city. The neighborhood is perhaps best known for hosting Chicago's annual Pride Parade since 1971, and it's no surprise that the area is a hub of LGBTQ+ culture and activism. In Boystown, visitors can find an array of entertainment options, from unique comedy clubs and offbeat theaters to trendy cocktail bars and nightclubs that draw in young and hip crowds.