Babies first birthday....not a debate :)

Brandy - posted on 04/14/2010

At my daughter's first birthday, we didn't do a craft. There were way too many people and with all the kids being aged 6months to 3 years, there was no way we would have been able to slow them down long enough for a craft. They all had fun just playing with each other and the toys. She is turning 2 in a couple weeks and I was lost for a craft so I searched online and found an idea I like. You go to the hardware store and get some plain white 6x6 bathroom tiles. Then on the birthday, you get each child to put a handprint (and whatever else they want to draw with their fingers in paint) on it in children's paint and let it dry for a few minutes then coat it with quick-drying sealer. Put it aside to dry, then at the end of the birthday, they can take it home and their moms can use it for putting hot pans on in the kitchen. Next year, we will be decorating t-shirts.

Good Day! - posted on 04/14/2010

After I wrote my previous post, I was thinking of other simple, cheap favors. You can find coloring books at any dollar store. And kids love stickers.

And if you do a pinata, that is your game, craft and favor all in one. Buy glitter, stickers, feathers, googly eyes, pipe cleaners and paper bags. Let them decorate the bags. Then let all the little kids hit the pinata first then the big kids. If a big kid hits it first and breaks it, its not so fun for the little ones. Then they fill their bag with whatever candy and trinkets are in the pinata.

And really, don't stress. Simple is better. You want to enjoy the party! Plus if you are stressed, your son probably will be too. You want him to be happy at his party!

Good Day! - posted on 04/14/2010

Keep it simple!!!

Have the party near a playground. That is your game.
Have white paper as your table clothes and give the kids crayons. Craft
Let the kids hit a pinata, give them bags to fill up. Party favor.

Actually for my daughter's party last year the party favor was water guns. The kids loved it. I got really big ones for $1 each at the Dollar Tree.

Doesn't have to be elaborate for the kids to have fun!

LaCi - posted on 04/14/2010

there were no kids at my sons first ;(

Jennifer - posted on 04/14/2010

Pass the parcel is a legend =] It was my favourite party game apart from pin the tail on the donkey which my mam adapted for halloween to pin the wart on the witchs nose or pin the stump on the pumpkin lol!

Heather - posted on 04/14/2010

I love this pass the parcel game! And yes, we have musical chairs here in the US :) I also love the one with the chocolate...what fun! Thank you!

Jennifer - posted on 04/14/2010

OMG pass the parcel must just be a UK thing then!!! I only ever won pass the parcel once =[

Lady - posted on 04/14/2010

You get a prize - a small toy or pack of pencils something like that then wrap it up in layer after layer of paper putting a sweet or something small like a sticker in each layer also use two different types of paper and alternate each time. then you get the children all to sit in a circle and play some music - while the music is playing they pass the parcel from on to the next and when the music stops the person with the parcel takes of one layer of the paper. Then the music start again and off the parcel goes again. The little prize is so each child doesn't feel dissapointed at not getting the main prize when the last layer of paper gets taken off. You are supposed to do it with your back turned so you don't know who is getting it but you actually need to look so that you can be fair. There is another version where the parcel is only wrapped in one layer and when the music stops the person holding the parcel has to leave the circle until they're are only two left. then they sit back to back and pass it round and round from one hand to the next, but this is usually for older children who have more of an understanding about loosing. Do you do musical statues/chairs or is that a UK on as well? My favourite game for parties is the one where you have a dice a bar of chocolate and a big bag of hats, gloves and scarfs. Each take turns rolling the dice and when someone rolls a six they put on a hat scarf and gloves then has to cut of a square of chocolate using a knife and fork. They have until the next person rolls a six to do this, Again though this a good game for slightly older children.

Heather - posted on 04/14/2010

I am not familiar with pass the parcel....how is that played?

Lady - posted on 04/14/2010

It a new thing doing a craft at parties - my kids have been to a few now where it's done. Yep you usually give prizes for the games just little things like a pack of crayons or sticker or hair grips, something like that. And in pass the parcel you put a little sweet or sticker in each layer of the paper and make sure each child get to open a layer to get the a turn each - you can do more than one parcel though.

Heather - posted on 04/14/2010

Jennifer, it could be an American thing, but I honestly didnt know about it either :) My friends who all have older children informed me that my party would be just plain boring without games, crafts, and goodie bags...I was just planning food and cake lol So needless to say...I have been in panic mode since the party is only 3 days away!

Heather - posted on 04/14/2010

Gillian, I would have never thought to decorate cookies...that is also an excellent idea! Hmmm...have different color frostings and candies and sprinkles...I know my nephews would loooove that... they are little cookie monsters lol
Thank you so much ladies...I feel my anxiety level dropping already :)

Jennifer - posted on 04/14/2010

Aww how I loved Simin Says! I was absolutely crap at it like but nevermind always good fun! I've never been to a party where you do crafts...maybe it's an American thing or maybe I was deprived of crafts at parties lol but I love the idea =]

Heather - posted on 04/14/2010

Stephanie...WOW! :) you should be a party planner! What wonderful Ideas you have! I love the sensory party theme...I think I want that for MY birthday lol
Izzies party is going to be indoors since it is going to be cold and rainy this Saturday...I really love the mystery box game! It is going to be at my parents new home, so I dont think we can do anything too messy (white carpet lol) so that game would definitely work!

Jennifer...I love the bowling Idea...that would work well in the basement and its not messy...and what kid dosent like to knock things over! hehe

One other question...do I give prizes for these games? Or are the goodie bags like the prize?

Lady - posted on 04/14/2010

You could decorate cookies kids always love that and it's something all ages can do. I agree with Jennifer, I always do pass the parcel and musical statues. Simon says is a good one too. And ballon games are always fun, racing with it between their legs round a chair and back to the start. Hope you have loads of fun. Happy Birthday for the day!!

Jennifer - posted on 04/14/2010

I have some more game suggestions - pass the parcel, musical statues/chairs, or if it's ncie weather you could do outdoor games like bowling - needn't buy a set either just paint some pop bottles, weight them with sand and throw a ball at them. They could make hmmm...it depends on the ages of the children invited...painting is always fun but very messy and for older children making masks perhaps, how I love arty crafty stuff!!!

Stephany - posted on 04/13/2010

Where are you having the party? If you are having it in a public place (like a park or pizza place or whatever) it may be hard to have several games and a craft. If it's at your home you probably will want to have something to keep the kids entertained. How long do you want the party to last? Most babies turning 1 can't handle a party that goes for hours and hours. I would say 2 hours tops, IMO. You want to have a craft that even your guy can do. There are some really good homemade finger paint recipes online that don't stain and are made out of food products, so they are nontoxic. That might be fun! You could buy a roll of butcher paper and cover a table or a patio or whatever and let the kids go at it. That's something all kids in that age range could handle. I've always liked the mystery bix game for younger kids. Gather 5 shoe boxes and put something different in each one (like a rock, or rice, or beads- things that make a distinct sound). Tape them closed (you could even decorate them if you fancy doing so). Each kid gets a chance to shake the box, then after they have all had their turns they each guess what's inside. You could even just ask them to describe what the sound is like ('is this a quiet sound, or a loud sound?'). Keep in mind that most kids these ages will not have the attention spans necessary to handle some games that have a lot of rules or instructions. Last year my youngest son's party was all about sensory play (I told hte parents to dress the kids in swimsuits or clothes that could get dirty)! I filled a kiddie pool with play dough that I made in all different colors (the kids went crazy over that!). I made tubs and tubs of fingerpaint and we covered one end of our back yard in butcher paper so the kids could either pain the paper or themselves. I had a whole table covered in small rubbermaid boxes with different funny-feeling things in them (like cooked spaghetti, dry rice, cornstarch clay, gak, etc) and the kids could play with all of it. There was mud, too, for the kids to play in. We had a "Kid Wash" area set up, with the 'wash cycle' (a changing station with a tub of warm, soapy water), the 'rinse cycle' (a separate tub with clean, warm water), and the 'wax and buff cycle' (lotion and powder). The goodie bags included (amongst other things) fun wash clothes and silly bars of soap.

Goodie bags are fun and easy. I usually just go to the party supply store or pick up favors here and there. I rarely include edible things. For my oldest son's most recent party, the goodie bags were individual pinatas that I made with lunch-sized paper sacks, stickers, and crepe paper. I filled them with key chains, stickers, pencils, yo-yos, whistles, bubbles, and glow sticks. I handed them out as the kids left, so they weren't a distraction during the party itself.

Above all- have fun! Not only is this your son's first birthday, this is also your first Mommiversary! Sorry this is so long- I love throwing parties for the kids, and I have so much fun with it. Happy birthday to your little guy!