I live in the city and am looking for a party room to rent. We are willing to have it in the South or Western suburbs since we have family in that direction. My husband and I both have large extended families, so we are looking at about 75 adults and about 30 kids. Since my daughter was born on Halloween, it will be a costume party and will need to be indoors. Any ideas?
We had our first son's birthday at Pompei in Oakbrook, but there is also a West Loop location, I believe. My second son will be turning 1 in Sept, and we had such a good experience the first time around, we're having this one at Pompei, too! Good food and it's much less expensive than any other place we considered. Good luck!
Maybe you can rent a space through a park district. We had my son's 1st at a restaurant...but with that many people, it would get rather expensive.
My daughter (almost 2) was also born near Halloween. I've thought about a costume party also...you may want to put something on the invites about no scary costumes. The last thing you need is for your daughter to have a nightmare b/c someone came wearing a spooky mask!
Hi E., Not sure if this place meets your Western suburbs but the Rob Roy Country club in Prospect heights was really nice. Entrance is on Camp McDonald Road. We had about a 100 people for a 75th birthday party & we were comfy.
Your local park rents out there buildings at a good price. I went to a Christmas party in Oak Forest and it was in one of there buildings, very nice.
Since it's her first birthday, I'm assuming most of the kids will be older. Although 30 is quite a few, I was going to suggest decorating pumpkins or bobbing for apples, but that's quite a feat to take on with that many kids. Maybe you could set up a couple craft stations and have some of your family volunteer to "work" them. You could do different halloween crafts/games like the ones I mentioned plus do cookie decorating, you can make ghosts out of tootsie pops (cover in tissue and eyes and mouth...so easy even the little ones can do it), etc. You can find a ton of ideas on Oriental Trading Co or US Toy ( I know there is a US Toy store somewhere in the suburbs, I just can't remember which one) Have fun!
... make any party you have, when it is NOT nap time. Otherwise, your child will be too tired/fussy for a party and be among lots of people & noise and get over-stimulated/fussy. The 'timing' of the party is very important. AND.. you also have to factor in clean-up time too.. .and putting away everything and I would... designate that you WILL need help with that... since you also have a 1 year old to care for. Otherwise, cleaning up after the party, will take as long as setting up everything... and that can take up a LOT of time. Plus with the actual party time.
DESIGNATE on the invitation... the "start" AND "end" time of the party. Otherwise, you will have a LONG drawn out party... and a tired 1 year old. Usually, parties at this age or even older kids, are 1 hours or 3 hours max.
Also, Halloween typically means, that families may have other plans with their own kids, their traditions, and going out in the neighborhoods, or going with their own friends and going to other classmate parties. As such, I would not plan the party for night time. So that it does not conflict with other kids/parents usual plans for Halloween....
Just a tip.
My Daughter, is born around that time.
all the best,
Susan
