How to choose a first birthday or toddler party venue on the Eastside, what it costs at Lulu, nap-friendly timing and a two-hour party plan.
Quick answer: For a first birthday or toddler party on the Eastside, Lulu in Kirkland (11909 124th Ave NE) has a private room for up to 45 guests and a soft play area for babies and toddlers. You can bring your own food and cake, and there is free on-site parking. Prices start at $300, and the $450 Weekday Special (Monday to Friday) includes two private hours plus a hosted workshop. Woodinville, Bothell and Redmond are a short drive away.
A first birthday is mostly a party for the grown-ups. The guest of honour will nap through part of it, eat cake with both hands, and remember none of it, while grandparents, aunts and new-parent friends fill the room. A toddler party for two- or three-year-olds is the opposite: lots of small, fast guests who need somewhere safe to burn off energy.
Both need the same kind of venue: private, easy to reach with a stroller, soft where it matters, and comfortable for the adults who stay. This guide explains what to look for in a first birthday party venue around Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothell and Redmond, what it costs at Lulu, and how to time a party around naps.
Why Lulu works for a first birthday or toddler party
- A safe place for the little ones. Hard floors and sharp table corners do not mix with crawling babies. Lulu has a soft play area with soft modules and padded edges, made for babies and toddlers.
- A private room. One-year-olds get overwhelmed by noise. At Lulu the room is yours alone, so the music, the space and the restroom are just for your guests.
- Seats for the adults. At a first birthday, adults usually outnumber children. Our room seats up to 45 people at tables, so grandparents are not perched on tiny stools.
- Your own food and cake. Toddlers are picky and some guests have allergies, so it helps to bring exactly what you want. At Lulu you can.
- Stroller-friendly arrival. Free on-site parking and a wheelchair-accessible entrance mean nobody is carrying a car seat across a car park in the rain.
- Climate control and a private restroom. These sound boring until you need to change a diaper mid-party.
How much does a first birthday party at Lulu cost?
At a first birthday most guests are adults, and the guest list grows quickly. That is why Lulu prices the room, not the headcount: up to 45 guests, one price for your slot.
| Option at Lulu | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Private room rental | From $300 | First birthdays with family and friends, up to 45 guests |
| Weekday Special (Mon–Fri) | $450 | Two private hours plus a hosted workshop, great for older siblings and cousins |
| Entertainment and extras | Quoted on request | Bubble show, face painting or a character program for toddlers |
| Decorations and goodie bags | Quoted for your theme | Balloon garlands, a backdrop for photos and themed goodie bags |
The final price depends on the length of your slot and any extras. We confirm the full quote when we confirm your date. Prices are current as of November 2026. For more on the weekday offer, see our guide to weekday kids birthday parties in Kirkland.
Timing a party around naps
The single biggest factor in a happy first birthday is the time on the invitation. Parties at Lulu can start any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., so you can build the party around your child's day instead of the venue's.
- One morning nap? Start at 10 or 10:30 a.m., after breakfast, and finish before lunch and the afternoon nap.
- One afternoon nap? Start around 3:30 p.m. so the birthday child wakes up rested and is in a good mood for cake.
- Keep it to two hours. For one-year-olds, two hours is plenty. Toddler parties work well at two hours too.
A simple two-hour first birthday plan
- 0:00–0:30: arrival and free play. Babies and toddlers head to the soft play area while adults find a seat and a drink.
- 0:30–1:00: food. Finger food for the little ones, something more filling for the adults.
- 1:00–1:20: one activity. A bubble show is a toddler favourite. For a mixed-age party, older siblings and cousins can do a workshop such as painting or slime.
- 1:20–1:40: the smash cake. Put the high chair in front of the scalloped wall, or a backdrop if you booked one, and let the birthday child make a mess for the photos.
- 1:40–2:00: gifts and goodbyes. Hand out goodie bags at the door so the exit is quick and calm.
Toddler party ideas for two- and three-year-olds
- Bubble show. No rules to explain, so every toddler can join in, and it looks great in photos.
- A beloved character. Our entertainment programs are built around your child's favourite characters and sized to the age group, so nobody is overwhelmed.
- Soft play and free time. With two- and three-year-olds, unstructured play is part of the plan, not a gap in it.
- A simple theme. One colour palette or one favourite animal is enough. We can add balloon garlands and a photo zone so the room is ready before guests arrive.
Getting here from Woodinville, Bothell and Redmond
Lulu is at 11909 124th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034, in the north part of Kirkland, close to I-405 and NE 124th Street. That makes it an easy drive for families from Woodinville, Bothell, Redmond, Bellevue and north Seattle. Parking on site is free, which matters when every family arrives with a car seat, a stroller and a gift. See the map on the location section of our homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lulu suitable for a first birthday party?
Yes. The private room seats up to 45 guests, which suits a family-heavy first birthday, and the soft play area with soft modules and padded edges is designed for babies and toddlers.
How much does a first birthday party at Lulu cost?
Private room rental starts at $300. On weekdays the Weekday Special is $450 for two private hours plus a hosted workshop. Entertainment, decorations and goodie bags are quoted on request, and you can bring your own food and cake.
What age is the soft play area for?
The soft play area is made for toddlers and the youngest guests, with soft modules and padded edges so little ones can crawl, climb and tumble safely.
Can we bring our own smash cake and food?
Yes. You can bring your own food, drinks and cake, including a smash cake. There is space to set everything out and to keep the cake cool until it is time.
What time can a toddler party start?
Parties can start any time from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For toddlers, a late-morning or late-afternoon start usually fits best around naps.
Is Lulu close to Woodinville and Bothell?
Yes. Lulu is in north Kirkland at 11909 124th Ave NE, a short drive from Woodinville, Bothell and Redmond, with free on-site parking.
Book your first birthday at Lulu
Pick a date in the booking calendar, tell us how many guests you expect and your child's nap time, and we will come back within 24 hours with availability and a quote. Planning a shower before the baby arrives? Read our guide to hosting a baby shower in Kirkland. Questions? Call +1 (425) 344-9885 or see the FAQ.
