1st Birthday Party Ideas

Here's some great 1st birthday party ideas to help you celebrate your baby's first birthday! Only a year ago your baby was tiny, and now your baby is getting bigger, smiling and laughing and getting into mischief now and again. What a year it's been!

First birthday partys are more for the mums and dads to enjoy and admire their baby! Structured toddler games are generally a little too advanced for one year olds. So the general idea of a first birthday party is for the parents and family to celebrate and admire their little one and for your little toddler to have some relaxed fun!

1st Birthday Party Ideas: Venue

Home is the best option for your baby's first birthday party. Your baby will feel relaxed in their home environment, you will too and you know where everything is. If your home is too small then try a relative's or friend's house. However, if you're at home you won't need to worry about making a mess of someone else's house - always a plus! Hiring a venue is not really necessary for your toddler's first birthday as they will probably be quite clingy to you in an unknown environment.

If the weather permits, then an outside birthday party works really well. The children will be able to play on outside toys, in the sandpit, paddling pool, as well as do the activities that they would do inside. If you do not have a garden you could have a party and picnic in the park.

1st Birthday Party Ideas: Timing

Think about having a 1st birthday party for about 1 to 1.5 hours and schedule after your baby has had either his morning or afternoon nap. That means that you should be able to do last minute preparations whilst your toddler sleeps and your toddler will be wide awake for the party.

Also you won't need to prepare a meal for the adults - you can just offer light refreshments and snacks. It can be very helpful to find a friend or family member to help with tea and coffee and offering food around.

1st Birthday Party Ideas: Guests

It's best to have a small party so that your toddler is not overwhelmed. Keep the guests to close friends and their babies and a few family members. If that could be too many people then perhaps have a separate family party.

First Birthday Party Invitations

One idea for an invitation is to have a photo of your baby on the card and there you have a momento of the special day already! Alternatively you can buy ready made invitations and send them out as usual or make some with clip-art or pictures.

1st Birthday Party Ideas: Making The Day Special

To make the day special in years to come you could make a First Birthday Book where you have photos of your baby. On one side of the page you have photos of your baby's party and on the other you have special messages from all the guests at the party. Your child will love looking at it in years to come.

Be sure that your camera is loaded and has space on it's memory card! Also, you might want to video the party.

First birthday party supplies

You can easily buy lovely first birthday merchandise to make the day more special. Ideas are:

• special birthday hats
• birthday bibs
• birthday banners and decorations
• a birthday pack complete with plates and serviettes, streamers and banners and tablecloths

With these products you can usually choose a theme such as Winne The Pooh, Thomas The Tank Engine, Disney Princess, etc.

1st Birthday Party Ideas: Presents

Choosing presents for a baby is fun as what you can buy or make are so cute. Your toddler is likely to love toys that make a noise when they push a button, cuddly toys, toddler books, clothes and walk-along toys and ride-ons. However, when your child opens a present he may be more interested in tearing the paper as that's great fun too!

1st Birthday Party Ideas: Food

Prepare some snacks and finger foods and of course the birthday cake, homemade or shop-bought. Prepare some snacks such as bread sticks, little sandwiches, cubes of cheese and other finger foods. Chocolate is best avoided as it will get very messy but biscuits without chocolate are likely to be popular. When you prepare the food bare in mind that the babies and toddlers will probably not eat very much and the adults will be happy to finish it off!

With the cake, be careful with the candle as your baby is likely to want to grab it rather than blow it! Help her blow the candle

First Birthday Party Bags and Themes

For a first birthday party your toddler is probably not aware of particular characters that she or he likes. Your baby will enjoy colours and sounds more. If you want to give a party bag or a favour then ideas are a little cuddly toy, a toddler book, a little hair brush, a little cup, etc.

First Birthday Party Activities

Your baby is likely to play with the toys around him. You can also try the following little toddler games and activities:

• Blowing bubbles and popping them
• Peek A Boo - with yourself and toys
• Guessing Where The Toy Is (so easy and kids love it!)
• Chasing and tickling
• Dancing to music they know
• Singing songs together that your toddlers know e.g. Incy Wincy Spider, This Is The Way The Farmer Rides, Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush, etc.

Balloons are best avoided in the early years as if they pop the children are likely to get a shock and start crying. Popped balloons are also a chocking hazard.

More Tips For Your Baby's First Birthday Party

• Babies are likely to play on their own rather than join in organized party games so keep chunky, baby-friendly toys near to hand
• Have an adult "helper" to help with food, hosting and to take photos
• Check that your house is baby-proof with stair gates and put away any breakable ornaments and belongings
• If you have pet, keep them out of the way for the party
• Have a nappy changing area which is ready to use - clean, equipped and welcoming
• Keep it simple so that you and your partner can enjoy this special occasion

Enjoy and congratulations!