Toronto is a surprisingly popular city for families with youngsters, both as residents and tourists. As such, it goes hand in hand that the city would be a hotspot for hosting kids' events. Does this sound like you? Well, we’ve got good news. There are hundreds of fabulous party venues all over the city that are geared towards littles.
Want to make the city skyline the focal point? Consider a rooftop gathering with Toronto’s famous CN Tower in the backdrop. Prefer to have an at-home experience without the pressures of hosting at home? Check out our selection of private houses with big backyards.
Even better, we believe that giving your kids the party they deserve should never put you in a financial pickle. That’s why we have curated a collection of exceptional venues that will suit any budget. No need to stretch yourself thin!
Ready to plan the social event of your year? Trust Giggster with your most precious moments and book a venue for your kiddo’s first birthday party with us today!
It might feel like a challenge to find a space that’s accommodating of young families, especially if you prefer something a little more elegant and upscale. Don’t worry, the Giggster app is full of gorgeous party spaces like these:
Keep it casual and share a celebratory meal with the family on a pretty patio. Picnic tables, Edison lights, and good food—the perfect recipe for a laidback event.
The baby stage can be messy! Choose from one of our private houses for homestyle charm without all the stress. With full kitchens and cozy living rooms, these spaces are picture-perfect without the need to scramble and tidy pre-party.
Hang out on a Toronto rooftop for an elevated vibe while maintaining an unfussy outdoor atmosphere. From sunrise to golden hour, these city views are the perfect backdrop for grazing on charcuterie spreads and dessert tables.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From bright open spaces to attractions across the city with built-in entertainment, we’ve got you covered for kid's party spaces. We promise you'll find the ideal spot to celebrate your little one’s special day when you explore the Giggster app's selection of 182 party spaces.
Hassle-Free Booking: Gone are the days when you need to open your browser and search for hours to find the perfect venue. Simply head on over to our site and search for the features that matter most to you. For tons of young families, that means budget. Keep your wallet happy with our low-cost, high-style venues!
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Kids can be unpredictable and so are their schedules. We have a grace period that works to your benefit. You'll have free cancellation for a booking canceled within 24 hours of confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: Sign up for our optional protection plans and get rid of all your unnecessary stress. You can celebrate these once-in-a-lifetime milestones at one-of-a-kind venues like Studio Filled With Natural Light/ The Luna Studios, while our team promptly handles damage and liability issues behind the scenes.
Don’t forget to weigh the photos and cons of parties located in Toronto before booking! You can ensure everything runs smoothly by thinking ahead and working on solutions before problems crop up:
Advantages
Toronto is considered a stroller-friendly city, which is good news if you and a majority of your guests will have little ones in tow.
There are tons of family-friendly and affordable attractions in the city, and many are clustered together so you can walk from place to place.
Toronto has a ton of online mommy groups which are a treasure trove of city-specific advice, a place to purchase second-hand party supplies, and find community.
Disadvantages
Outdoor parties will be limited to the late spring-early fall, and even then it’s wise to have a rain date or backup plan in place.
Parking is expensive pretty much everywhere in Toronto.
Winters in Toronto are harsh and can make driving around very challenging.
Choosing the right venue is one of the biggest decisions you can make when planning a party, and it will also account for a large chunk of your budget, so you want to make sure you get it right. Thankfully, we’ve got the inside scoop on some of the most child-friendly locations in the city.
Soft-Hued Studios – Small, Chic Celebrations. Photography studios are actually a great option for intimate parties while kids are still little and don’t need as much space to run and play. With plush furniture in neutral tones and tons of natural light, you can dress them up or down to suit any theme.
Artsy Urban Lofts – The Soft-Hued Studio’s Quirky Older Sister. These spaces tend to be a bit larger, with more open space and a bit more of an eclectic personality than the photography studios we mentioned first. They boast high ceilings, exposed brick, and lots of fun seating for added charm.
Cutesy Cafes – Intimate, Laissez-Faire Events. Skip the itinerary for your next gathering and take some of the pressure off yourself. These gorgeous bistros have themes ranging from retro vibes to sensory-friendly pastels, and hardly require a single decoration. Here, you can serve lighter fare and a casual menu of coffee, tea, and baked goods.
Indoor Playrooms – Kid-Centred Spaces. Toys, a ball pit, a bouncy castle…oh my! Embrace your little one’s sense of wonder and curiosity and let them play their birthday away. Whether you want to go with 100% unstructured play or plan an arts and crafts project, these spaces offer safe, built-in entertainment for all stages of development, which is nice if you have family coming and a wide range of ages to account for.
Once you’ve found a location for your celebration, party planning will be in full swing. Managing all the logistics and creative decisions can be overwhelming, so here are a few simple tips to get you started:
Give Your Theme a Second Thought – Now this may be a little controversial, but to have a good guest experience, you need to know who your guests are. Your one-year-old might have a bunch of baby friends from the mommy group, and your family might have other small children. In that case, sure—go all out with the Peppa Pig decor. But if it’s going to be all adults in attendance, don’t feel the pressure to go overboard with kids' themes, balloons, etc. Permit yourself to throw a party you will enjoy while they are this little and add a few fun touches that are specific to them.
Come Up with a Fun Guestbook Idea – A first birthday is a major milestone, especially if you're a first-time parent, so come up with a fun way to commemorate it. Some like to create a time capsule, have guests sign a photo album of snaps from their first year, or a copy of their most-read bedtime story.
Think Long and Hard About the Itinerary – Not every common birthday party activity is a winner. Cake smash? These cause a big mess, require an outfit change, and frankly a lot of babies don’t like it, which can ruin the moment. Gift opening? While there are varying opinions on whether or not proper etiquette is to open in front of everyone, bear in mind that your baby won’t have big reactions to presents and will likely only want to play with the paper and boxes. This is time-consuming and not that entertaining for guests—it might be cute for a moment but will get old fast! Perhaps consider opening at home and sending personal thank you with photos of them wearing/playing with their gifts instead.
Hosting family celebrations isn’t cheap. Thankfully, the transparent pricing on the Giggster app makes it easier than ever to avoid additional fees. Here are a few extra tips to help keep your party low:
Dress them in a favorite outfit over a new one.
Okay, okay, we know it can be so tempting to shop for something tiny and adorable to match the party theme or commemorate the special occasion. But they grow so fast at this age that buying an outfit they may only get to wear once isn’t the best investment. Instead, plan for your kiddo to wear the outfit you love them in most. That way, you can guarantee you will have lots of pictures of them wearing it as you document their special day.
Skip the caterer.
If you and a few helpers can manage pre-preparing a simple menu, do that instead. Kids’ birthday parties can be super fancy but they don’t need to be. Most guests will be pleased as punch with a BBQ or appetizer spread. Heck, even a trip to the deli counter at the grocery store will suffice—they usually do up trays of wraps and salads for a reasonable price. Grab some little nibbles like chips and cookies and you’re set.
Acts of love can save you money.
Is acts of service your love language? Spending some time baking a cake, hand painting a banner, or crafting highchair streamers for your little one will take a chunk out of the budget, and it will also satisfy your soul. They may not remember it right now, but one day your kids will look back and see how much love you put into making their birthdays special.
From indoor playgrounds filled with games and toys to dozens of high-style lofts, Toronto’s rental scene is bursting with backdrops for your next memorable event. Come find the perfect fit for your baby’s 1st birthday party on the Giggster app!