Does anyone have any ideas for 1st birthday party activities?

Erin - posted on 02/28/2010

hi, i have 3 girls and what i have learned about the 1st birthday is you don't need to go to big, Theresa Gallant had a great idea! i think the carnival duck game is perfect for this age group. also, if you were to hire a character to entertain, the older kids may enjoy it, but at one year old this may frighten your child, or not. i know mine would be scared, just something to consider.

Shannon - posted on 02/28/2010

Play-do; treasure hunt; taveling petting zoo; decorate sugar cookies; musical chairs, obsticle courses; let them go nuts with riding toys in the driveway; coloring; Easter egg hunt? One organized game may be plenty. Stations may work better. Good luck!

Courtney - posted on 02/28/2010

Finger painting? Its a little messy but they seem to like it..

Theresa - posted on 02/28/2010

Do you remember the duck pond game from carnivals when we were kids? There's a pond with ducks, you pick one out, you get a prize no matter what. Do something like that, buying rubber duckies to float in a tub or wading pool (great for a summer birthday) and give everyone who picks a duck a prize as well as the duckie they picked. Finger painting can be fun as well, and if you have some extra money, buy those plaster handprint cast kits. For your little ones first birthday it will be a memorable keepsake, too!

Julie - posted on 02/28/2010

For my son 1st birthday we just had a family bbq. We bought noise makers and sidewalk chalk. Honestly the kids just mostly wanted to run around and play together. Maybe play some easy games that the older kids can understand and let the littler ones give it a try. Red light green light, bean bag toss, pin the tail on the donkey, duck duck goose. Maybe give out little prizes or stickers after every game Or maybe have them build a craft they can take home. .

Erin - posted on 02/28/2010

To be honest anything would be fun for a one year old lol. Do you have a Chuck E Cheese's around you? The 3 and 4 year olds would love that. Good luck and have fun!!

Ashley - posted on 02/28/2010

That's a great idea, thank you!

Ashley - posted on 02/28/2010

Thanks for your ideas. There are places around here to have parties but I don't think they are anything that my one year old would be able to enjoy but the hiring a character thing seems like something that would be good!

Darci - posted on 02/28/2010

I did a slide show of pictures from my son's first year and added little characters to each picutre and had the older children find them to win a small prize : ) It was fun, just make sure that every child leaves with something! Good luck

Lauren - posted on 02/28/2010

I've been to parties where the parents have hired characters, ie. barney, elmo, dora. They sing, dance, interact with the kids for a period of time and then leave. Great for the age range of your group.



I've personally rented and inflatable jumping pit and put it up in the back yard...kids love that, but depends on your location. I did that during the summer.



If you don't want to have the party in your home, I'm sure there are plenty of play centres around that can accomodate your 1 year old and the others.



Good luck!