First Birthday Advice

I'm planning my daughter's 3rd b-day in November and my son's 1 yr. in October. For my son we're just going to invite immediate family. Since the first birthday is more for the adults than the kids. One-year olds aren't at the point that they play with other kids or can do game (they just parallel play). Also, I'm trying to keep him in his two naps a day routine. Otherwise he's overtired and not happy. So we're just doing a cake and ice cream party after lunch, but before his afternoon nap. We did this with our daughter on her first and it worked out well. Plus it cut down on expense and the amount of gifts they get. Too many at one time gets overwhelming. Same goes at Christmas. For my daughter we've decided to do the family cake and ice cream thing this year too. She's still not into the party games and such. Instead of a big party with all of her friends, we're taking her to either the Brownsville or San Antonio Zoo. She's never been and we want to do something special that she'll enjoy. Last year we invited her 4 friends from Parent's Day Out to her party and it went well, but they were still not ready for games or a long party. I can also suggest that cupcakes are easiest to eat for little kids. They LOVE sprinkles!!! Good luck.

my best advice is to keep it simple! cupcakes are easier than cake, don't plan a bunch of games, you might even want to not have him open all his presents at one time (it's overwhelming for some kids). most one year olds will be happy just playing with the balloons and party hats and wrapping paper lol. i think all kids like pinatas too.

The Little Gym has great activities for 1-year olds... My son was invited to a party there and we had a blast... good luck.

I really think that is too many kids - you may be setting yourself up with that. I've always lived by two kids per year being celebrated (1yr old - 2 kids, 2yr old - 4, etc). UNLESS, a good portion of the children are much older and can entertain themselves.

We would just do the quick play, cake/ice cream, presents and more play. Pick your theme, maybe get goodie bags ready for each child to have also. Make sure you do NOT put anything like gobstopers or hard candy in for the little ones, stuff like that they will likely choke on at that age.

GOOD LUCK - and have fun.

When my son turned 1 we just had a little party at the house. We rented a moonwalk and that was the entertainment, they loved that thing. We had tables outside, decorated in Backyardigans, I made a Pablo cake, and we had Little Cesar's pizza. Very small, about 10 kids. We had a pull string pinata of Pablo and it was a smooth ride. All the way down to opening presents in his high chair.

My son turned one in June. We had a great party on a Sunday afternoon. Had hotdogs and hambugers. I got a normal cake for the guest and a small cake for him. HEB has some great small cakes for the little one. I got Elmo I know the red was messy but made for some great fun and pictures. I also got a few simple decorations and balloons at Party City and HEB. I think the whole party took no longer than an 1 and a half or so. It was fun for all! I hope these tips were helpful!

I find that Themes make the party easiest.
I use orientaltrading.com and get cheap themed stuff for a successful event.
HEB makes themed cakes if you don't make your own too.