My best friend has a little girl that will be 1 next month. We are both clueless as to what games and things we should do for the birthday party and how to kee small childre entertained. I have 2 children and I should know what to do , but i don't. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bubble Popping
Use either a bubble machine or get someone to blow bubbles so the children can catch and pop them by clapping their hands. If you have a cat that’s safe around small children, Put on some fun music and let the popping begin!
The best advise I was given was to keep the first birthday small and simple. Games really don't work well at that age unless you want to tackle an art project or something like that. When my son turned one, I just kept all his toys out for the other kids to play with and after we had cake and opened gifts we went to a local park to allow the kids to play.
This is a celebration of your baby's milestone - the first birthday. While she is really too young to remember anything or participate very much, there will be other guests at the party. If the other children present are 2 and up you may wish to consider some form of entertainment more for them then for your baby. Maybe a fun costumed character like a Winnie the Pooh or an Elmo that will dance to music and play musical games (head,shoulders, knees, and toes, hokey pokey, etc.) or someone that could do a puppet show for the kids and make balloon animals?
Try contacting www.dfwfunnybusiness.com These people do a great job with little kids birthdays.
At 1 the party is so much more for you than it is for them, honestly.
I second Bethany's suggestion of just clean up some toys and let the babies do their thing in the floor while the parents chat.
Do make sure that you keep it short, though, at that age melt downs happen fast and social interactions don't usually go well.
balloons and bubbles. works everytime.
At one, I wouldn't worry about games--it's like a playdate with extra decorations to kids that young. Opening presents and eating cake are the big activities. At one, it's really more for the parents anyway.
For both of my girls 1st birhtdays, we had a fun party at a playground. I decorated a table, brought a cake and a pinata (for the big kids, but I helped my daughter do it, and she had fun), and we played. I had a big blanket ont he ground, where they opened their presents (with a little help from her friends). It was so much fun!
Hi B.!
At my little girl's 1st birthday party, I just had lots of stuff for the kids to play with... bubbles, hoola hoops, playdough, etc. I had a cd player playing some fun kids songs like "The Wiggles" and different playhouse disney songs... as well as just typical kid music.
Another thing I did that was so fun was had a big piece of butcher paper on our fence in the backyard, with crayons and markers, so the kids could color/write pictures and messages for Emma's birthday. (Almost like a big mural.)
And here's my favorite: I have made a small scrapbook (with the 8x8 pages) for each of my daughter's birthdays (her 1st and 2nd). I'm planning on doing this for each birthday party. At each party, I've had scraps of paper that match whatever theme I've picked for the book, for guests to write little messages or notes on. I make sure that we get fun pictures of all the guests, whether they're staged or candid. At her 2nd birthday party (in October) I had her 1st Birthday Scrapbook out next to the little table with the supplies for her new scrapbook. The guests really loved looking at all the memories from her 1st Birthday, and it is really sweet to look back and see what everyone has written to her or wished for her. They both sit in her bookshelf in her room now, and she loves looking at them. (I included the invitations in the book, too.) I'm excited about continuing this tradition for Emma, and any future children. I think they will be really special later on.
Have fun at the birthday girl's special day!!!
-S.
We had a magician, lite lunch buffet, decorations and social time at our church' pellowship hall and we had an area set up for the kids to play with playdough and art sets if they wanted. we set up tables and it was a great party. I had a friend offer to cut the cake and serve so I was not having to do that so I would not miss his first cake time when we served cake. it was a great party. we had a table that we pulled out in front when we opened his gifts and he sat in his travel high chair when we opened gifts and "helped" open.
we had a magic show before gifts while everone was eating.
If you need invitations, thank yous or party favors give me a shout.
I just had my son's 4th and there were all ages of kids. The runaway hit of the day was a gallon of bubble juice that I mixed up with Dawn and water and gylcerin, and 5 dollars worth of bubble wands.
I agree with others, though, keep it simple. Cake, Ice cream, playing in the yard. I like the play-do idea.
Have a blast! I love the one year old "cake dive". I have a smart friend who made a "baby cake" and a cake for the guests, that way baby could destroy the baby cake and get all messy and cute and everyone else could have cake that hadn't been pummeled. Also, for your arm's sake, consider the little Blue Bell single serve ice creams. They come in 12 packs. Kids think they are special and you don't have to spend another 15 minutes up to your elbows in an ice cream container.
Enjoy. Take tons of photos.
With 1 year olds, they don't care about games. Get out some toys, let them socialize, feed 'em some cake and call it a day! They're easy!
B.,
love that name!
I also loved the responses and ideas you got. I ditto the no formal games aspect. Also, keep the guest list small. I heard somewhere that the guest list should be the same number as age old! But, for a one year old, that's a pretty short list! Go for more, but definitely keep the party short and skip the formal activities!
Balloons and bubbles are great! Just watch out for bursting balloons - the pieces can be inhaled by excited toddlers causing suffocation. Under blow them so they will be strong enough to not pop.
Another great idea: separate cake for baby (cupcake size?) It was hilarious to see my niece's twin boys and how they differently they approached eating their individual cakes. One was fastidious and one was like the cookie monster.LOL
Have fun!
A.
