For many of us parents who have kids with spring birthdays, we are scrambling to find new ways to make these occasions special during the coronavirus stay-at-home order. My daughter recently celebrated her 12th birthday, and in the end, it was nothing short of spectacular! In fact, she has asked for some of the new traditions we created at home to become part of her celebrations moving forward. Just goes to show how resilient kids truly are, with the innate ability to overcome changes thrown their way in a positive light. We’ve put our creativity to the test to come up with all kinds of fun ways to ensure the happiest birthday memories are made!
9/20 Update: Looking for in-person birthday party options? Check out our Updated Guide to Kids Parties! It has everything from venues to entertainers, bounce house rentals to balloons and yard signs… all in one place.
Ways to Celebrate Birthdays at Home
Yard Sign Businesses
- Card My Yard Naperville
- Card My Yard Western Springs
- Sign Gypsies (Bloomingdale, Elmhurst, Schaumburg and more)
- Flamingo Surprise (Bensenville)
- Sunshine Lawn Signs (Montgomery)
- A Front Yard Full of Fun (Hanover Park)
- Birthday Letter Signs (Western Springs, Hinsdale, La Grange, La Grange Park): contact form at the link
- The Sign Fairy (within 6 miles of Clarendon Hills)
- Wheaton Yard Greeting
- Say it with a Yard Card (Woodridge)
- Signs & Love (Downers Grove)
- Feel Good Yard Cards (Downers Grove)
- Happy Lawn DeSIGNS (within 5 miles of Westchester)
Virtual Partytime
Sparkles Entertainment
Sparkles Entertainment
(708) 301-7991
Website | Email
Sparkles Entertainment has been providing stilt walkers, creative balloonists, talented face painters, jugglers, unicyclists, amazing magicians, caricature artists, plus many more professional performers for over 20 years.
During this time, they are offering Miss Jamie Farm Sing-A-long performances, a visit from your favorite princess, magic shows, animal care shows, juggling and circus performances, family game show nights, and Zooms for private audiences with audience participation.
Princess Party Chicago
Princess Party Chicago
(630) 865-6067
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Princess Party Chicago Inc. is currently offering personalized pre-recorded videos and LIVE video calls with their most popular Princess and Superhero Characters! For a pre-recorded video, it would be $20 for a short video with a personalized message and sing-a-long, while a $35 package would include a message, sing-a-long, and story time! Video calls are $20 for 5-10 minutes, $35 for 10-20 minutes, or $50 for 20-30 minutes which can be done on FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. Fill out one of these forms to book a video package today: https://www.princesspartychicago.com/contact-us!
Miss Jamie Birthday Parties
Miss Jamie
(773) 609-5045
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Just because we’re being socially distant, doesn’t mean we can’t still be social. Miss Jamie has found a fun way to deliver her bright, colorful, and fun show to her farm fans while we’re all sheltered in place in our homes! Kids get to react to Miss Jamie, shout out their favorite fruits and veggies when they see them on-screen and all have a barnyard blast singing and stomping their boots just like they get to in her live show.
Whether you’re hosting a birthday party or just need a treat and a chance to hang with your friends virtually, Miss Jamie has you covered. With both one-price or ticketed models available, you and your friends can have a great time without breaking the bank!
The Dazzling Dayton Magician
The Dazzling Dayton Magician
(630) 359-1524
Website | Email | Facebook
With the implementation of Phase 3 in Illinois, The Dazzling Dayton can now perform at your events. He will follow any social distancing or sanitation procedures you desire and be sure to provide a fun, exciting, and magical time for all your guests. He can perform inside or outside. He has added new tricks and routines, updated his setup, and is still available at the same great price!
- Performed over 200 shows across Illinois
- Was recognized by the Society of American Magicians
- Has been performing for over 5 years
- Focuses on audience involvement
- Teaches everyone at the event a trick
- At age 15 young kids look up to him and pay attention
Zoom (Virtual Party via Video Conferencing)
The perfect way for your child to see their friends/family members via a virtual celebration. Organize a Zoom call to sing “Happy Birthday,” play a fun game virtually, or have a dance party. (Remember: to maintain privacy, don’t post the invite to social media and require a password.)
Skyzone (Virtual Trampoline Park Party)
Kids will get to see and interact with their friends through an online network as the Skyzone team guides them through 15-20 minutes of games, active play and singing!
Cameo (Virtual Celebrity Wishes)
How about a special birthday wish straight from your child’s favorite celebrity, sports figure, actor or rock star? Check out the variety of cool options on Cameo!
My Party Princess (Schaumburg)
Offering Zoom parties with their Princesses and Superheroes! They are creating packages as simple as a video messages, or as elaborate as a Zoom party with karaoke.
Kids Kustom Parties (Palatine)
Kids Kustom Parties is creating zoom packages with their princesses and their superheroes to help make you little ones birthday special!
Glitzy Girlz (Rolling Meadows)
Virtual birthday parties with glam, crafts, jewelry, music, dancing, and singing.
Amazing Tim Adamz
Magic mixed with comedy and audience virtual participation.
Happy Kids Chicago
Themed parties on Zoom for up to 100 people.
Indulge in Sweet Birthday Treats
Mary’s Morning Mix Up (Brookfield)
Tasty desserts of all kinds: cakes, pies, cookies, cinnamon rolls and donuts. Call ahead and pick up curbside.
Kirsten’s Danish Bakery (Burr Ridge)
Cookie kits available for your child to decorate cookies, as well as custom-made birthday cakes, both for curbside pick up.
Tate’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop (La Grange)
Order delicious pints/quarts of ice cream, custom ice cream cakes and milkshakes to go for the birthday girl/boy . Easy curbside pickup.
Wheely’s (La Grange)
Have a birthday kid who loves Nutella? Pick up a Nutella waffle curbside and pair it with a yummy smoothie.
4 Brothers Baking (La Grange Park)
Colorful cookie kits with icing and sprinkles available for pick up, or custom cookies made especially for your child’s birthday.
BB’s Donuts (Western Springs)
The most adorable donut trays and donut cakes that can be customized for pickup and delivery!
Kirschbaum’s Bakery (Western Springs)
Cute sugar cookie kits to decorate, and also cakes/sweets that can be ordered online for pickup.
Smallcakes (Western Springs)
Cupcake decorating kits with all the frosting and sprinkles — available for curbside pickup or delivery.
Delish Cakes (Bloomingdale)
Offering cupcake decorating, cake pop decorating kits, and cookie painting kits for pick-up or delivery to local customers. They even paired with Wolfden Brewery to pair beer (for you) and cupcakes (for them) to-go.
D’s Treats (Bloomingdale)
D’s Treats is offering free delivery to surrounding suburbs or porch pick-up at their location. They have cookie decorating kits, cookie painting kits, two and three tier cake kits. My kids loved decorating the Easter Cookie Kits and the Frozen cookie kits!
DeEtta’s Bakery (Naperville)
DeEtta’s has cookie kits available for pick-up, as well as a full bakery of sweets and treats to choose from for curbside pick-up.
Vanilla Sugar Bakery (Glen Ellyn)
Create your own cupcakes with at home decorating kits or order a full bakery assortment of cupcakes and birthday cakes. They offer curbside pick-up or delivery through Uber Eats.
Lezza’s Bakery (Elmhurst)
Full-service Italian bakery offering tasty Italian breads and cakes for delivery and take out. They also offer at-home cupcake kit that includes two chocolate cupcakes, two yellow cupcakes , two buttercream bags, and one pack of sprinkles for $12.99. They are also taking orders for superhero and spring cookie decorating kits. They offer curbside pick up, grab and go, and DoorDash.
Cakes by Design (Bartlett)
Cookie painting kits are a fun way to celebrate your birthday or just have fun. This local mom offers free local delivery, Bartlett only, or curbside pick up. The cost is $4 a cookie, including paint and brush.
Become a Pizza Chef
Capri Express (Burr Ridge)
Kid-friendly DIY pizza kits that includes pizza crust, marinara sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni and a veggie. Order online for your mini chef!
Enzo’s (Countryside)
All the fixings in a tasty pizza kit to make two pizzas. Curbside pickup or no-contact delivery.
Pisa Pizza (Countryside)
Each pizza kit includes parchment paper, pizza crust, pizza sauce, and mozzarella cheese: the perfect birthday pizza. Call for delivery.
Chickie’s (Hillside)
Order online to pick up or drive thru. Their DIY pizza kit includes pizza dough, mozzarella, homemade pizza sauce and pepperoni — yum!
Barone’s (Glen Ellyn)
Order Barone’s Junior Pizza Maker Kit including pre-rolled dough, pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and a junior pizza maker hat. So cute! Available for carry-out and delivery.
Alcentro Trattoria (Bloomingdale)
Pizza kits available for curbside pick-up and soon delivery. These pizza kits are only $10! To order, call (224) 353-6047.
Nick’s Pizza & Pub (Elgin)
Nick’s pizza is offering kid’s pizza kits for $5 each with delivery and pick-up options. There are three locations in Chicago, Crystal Lake, and Elgin.
Little Sicily Pizzeria & Bakery (Schaumburg)
Family-owned and operated pizzeria offering delivery and pick-up for their at home pizza kits. The kits are $10 including the dough, sauce, and cheese. Additional toppings are $2 each.
Rosati’s (Yorkville)
Rosati’s in Yorkville is offering $19.99 for all the supplies to make 2 (12”) pizzas. The kit includes everything you need to make 1 Cheese and 1 Pepperoni Pizza! Call and get one today! Call 630-553-5533
Rosati’s (Carol Stream)
Each kit comes with our authentic Rosati’s dough, cheese, pizza sauce, and cooking instructions! $8 per kit + $1.50 for each topping. Get yours today!
Brick’s Wood Fire Pizza (Wheaton)
Keep the kids busy at home making pizzas. Order online for pickup or delivery. Links to online instructions from Master Pizzaiolos coming soon.
Get Crafty Together
Compassion Factory (Brookfield)
Custom-made art kits can be picked up, based on what your child most likes to create artistically! Be sure to call to discuss options/availability.
The Henn House (Burr Ridge)
Have a family painting party with the most awesome DIY kits: think wood signs and Scrabble wall art! Pick up and delivery.
Color Me Mine (Burr Ridge)
Pick up a to-go kit to paint pottery with your child in the comfort of your own home. Everything you need to create a birthday masterpiece.
Adorn512 (Downers Grove)
DIY jewelry and bookmark kits shipped to you.
MAKEart Kits (Downers Grove)
Art kits are available for porch pick up.
Blue Ballon Shoppe (Glen Ellyn)
Take home wooden sign kits. The DIY wooden kits start at $20 for a kid’s 9″ x 9″ or 8″ x 14. They provide directions, tips, and even videos for your painting session.
Whim A Studio Space (Wheaton)
Take home pottery kits with painting brushes and products included. You can pick your pottery item to paint. My kids decorated a small salad plate each for something special. Drop back off your supplies and the owner cures your pottery.
Pinot Palette (Glen Ellyn)
Painting kits to make your own canvas or wooden artwork. Can be geared towards adults or kids with directions and stencils when needed. They also offer virtual classes.
Wheaton Nursery (Wheaton)
Little Gardeners’ spring kits are available for pick-up. You can pre-order and enjoy quality fun with the kids from your home. They are offering free delivery within 5 miles of Wheaton. Kit includes pot, soil, annuals, and a sign for your lawn. Get creative & come up with your own positive message to help spread joy during this time.
Decorate and Play Together
Anderson’s Books (La Grange)
Grab some great new books, toys, puzzles and/or games via curbside pickup. You can also call for guidance on what your child might like!
Anderson’s Books (Naperville)
Curbside service is available at all three bookshop locations. Monday-Friday from 9am to 12pm. Just give a call and they will run your purchase to your car. Books, toys, and gifts are available for curbside pick up. Puzzles available range from 36 pieces to 3,000 pieces!
Waterlemon (La Grange)
Curbside pickup and delivery options on the coolest collection of birthday balloons and sparkly decorations. It’s a birthday bash in a box!
Learning Express Toys (Countryside)
Arrange for curbside pickup/delivery for some new toy and game gifts. So many fun, yet learning-based items.
Learning Express Toys (Naperville)
Learning Express Toys! 25% off their favorite craft brands for curbside pick-up.
Learning Express Toys (Glen Ellyn)
Offering curbside pick-up and currently have the same promotion of 25% off spring crafts. They have great sidewalk chalk sets and new games to keep you busy.
Card My Yard (Naperville)
Surprise your loved one with your lawn totally decked out for their birthday!
Bring on the Music
Sidewalk Serenades by Roberta Wentling
In-person, socially distant visits from Roberta to sing and dance together for twenty to twenty five minutes to keep those babies smiling.
Miss Jamie on the Farm (Virtual Songs)
Free, custom birthday shout-outs and songs by the very popular Miss Jamie on the Farm!
Fender Guitar/Ukulele Lessons (Virtual Lessons)
For the birthday kid that has been wanting to learn a new instrument, how about the gift of guitar/ukulele lessons for three months? Free!
At Home Fun
There are loads of ways to make the birthday child feel really special right at home. Here are a few of our favorites:
Gift Scavenger Hunts
Create a custom scavenger hunt all over the house with clues for your child to follow leading to his/her birthday gifts. Such fun!
Baking & Decorating a Cake Together
The process of baking a birthday cake from scratch together can be such a sweet and memorable experience — complete with your own decorations.
Themed Dinner Celebration
Think about your child’s favorite things/activities, and create a whole dinner celebration surrounding it. Maybe it’s a sport, book, or movie series. (Check out this local family’s theme nights for inspiration.)
Favorite Foods Frenzy
Birthdays are always associated with food! Order in from your child’s favorite spot.
Bedroom Door Decorations
What fun for your kiddo to wake up on his/her birthday to a decorated bedroom door with homemade signs, streamers, and balloons.
Sweet Notes in Every Room
Leaving sweet surprise notes of reasons why you love your child in familiar places around the house are sure to bring on a huge smile.
Birthday Cards via Snail Mail
Who doesn’t love getting mail? Imagine the delight on your child’s face to opening up bunches of birthday cards sent from friends and family. Remind them in advance and ask if they’d like to send something.
Games, Games and More Games
Spend some time planning out your kiddo’s favorites games to play as a family! Maybe it’s charades, musical chairs, or pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey.
Move Together Outdoors
If the weather’s nice, engage in your kid’s favorite outdoor activity together! Play sports as a family in the yard or go on a family bike ride.
Build Something Together
For the kid who loves to build, this is another fun activity – from giant forts to beautiful terrariums to cool LEGO challenges, the whole family can participate.
For more at home fun inspiration, check out Kidlist’s At Home Bucket List! If you have ideas that we can add for innovative birthday celebrations at home, please share in the comments below. Stay well!
