First Birthday: Celebration Ideas
A first birthday is fun but shouldn't be overwhelming--for either the child or the parents. Set up a budget ahead of time so you don't get overwhelmed by all the ideas you see and feel like you need to buy too much. If you're having a large group of people over to celebrate, keep the food simple and light. Finger foods and easy beverages will be enough, especially if you're having the party in the morning when most young children are at their better behavior. If you want to serve a meal at the first birthday, one of the best birthday tips is to make it something you can make ahead of time and let guests help themselves. Lasagnas, tacos, and sandwiches work well. Do as much ahead of time as possible so you can relax and enjoy your guests and the first birthday as well. Take some pictures of the birthday child and relax and enjoy yourself.
Kid Party Away From Home
For a kid birthday, you can balance the cost of having the party away from your home versus the clean-up time of having it at home. If you're thinking of having the party away from your home, scout out a unique location that will be memorable. Train rides at a train park are a big hit. Some farms are set up to offer parties if you're looking for something different. Check out your local nature centers or children's museums and inquire about parties. Some craft stores offer parties as well and will have staff on hand to teach the kids how to make the chosen craft. Some parents even opt to have sleepovers at a local hotel, where the kids can enjoy a swimming pool and have pizzas delivered.
Less is More
Keep that wise saying in mind when planning for your toddler?s birthday party! The less fuss and worry, the more fun and excitement for the parent and the child!
Saying Goodbye
One of the greatest challenges of a birthday party comes at the end. The children?s play has reached a fever pitch, and so the last thing the birthday child wants to do is stop and walk each child to the door. The solution is to hold the goody bags in reserve until each child?s departure, and put the birthday child in charge of doling each one out.
Adult Refreshments
Don?t forget the adults accompanying those toddlers! Be sure to provide some "adult" refreshments, like a pot of fresh coffee or flavored seltzers and a bowl of popcorn.
Stay or Go?
For children three and under, an adult should stay for the party. It?s a good idea to include the parents on the invitation if you think there could be any confusion. And be sure to plan extra food, etc. for those extra adults.
Kid Party: Toddler Ideas
Most toddlers have definite ideas about what they want to do at their birthday party. You'll find a birthday party theme easy to pick when you talk to your child and get some idea. A kid party of 2 to 3 hours is good a toddler's birthday party. Decorate the house or park around the theme of the party but don't go overboard. Activities such as blowing bubbles, playing pin the tail on the donkey, and playing with large bouncy balls will be a hit. Rather than giving each child the small container of bubbles that might be easily spilled, fill a large dishpan or two with bubble solution and supply a variety of items that can be used to blow bubbles.
Keep It Simple
Toddler birthday parties can sometimes get away from you! Always remember that this is their party not your own. Most toddlers would be completely happy with a piece of cake and some room to play! Maybe forgo the hired clown and pony until they?re a little older!
First Birthday: Take it Easy
There's really not too many activities you can do for a first birthday, so relax! For an easy afternoon or morning party, invite a few friends with kids of the same age and serve some easy finger food. For brunch, bagels, scrambled eggs, and a fruit salad work well. You can also choose to meet at a local tot park instead of having it in your home. You can pack some sandwiches and juice and just let the kids play. Instead of a big birthday cake, bring cupcakes instead. Take some group pictures if you can round everyone up together. *Once they're older, your child will enjoy seeing who knew them that first year. Most parents find it best to plan on no more than a 2 hour party. Try to plan it around your child's naptime and don't expect too much.
Opening Gifts
Be prepared for toddler tantrums, especially when struggles break out over the birthday gifts. Parents recommend opening presents right away (and then hiding them) or at the very end of the party, handing out favors at the same time so everyone gets something at once.
Kid Party: Alternatives to Birthday Cake
Cupcakes make a fun alternative to large cakes for a kid party. You can avoid the panic of breaking the cake getting it out of the pan to decorate it. For small children, cupcakes are probably a bit easier to eat than messing around with a fork. You can easily put some decorations such as sprinkles or candy on top. They're generally much less messy than dealing with a cake at a kid party. If you do want a cake and want to bake it yourself, consider making an ice cream cake so you can avoid the sticky mess of dishing up ice cream. If your kids don't like cake, consider buying some small ice cream treats, sandwiches or popsicles or small dishes of ice cream. This limits the amount of work you have to do when all the kids are clamoring for dessert and makes the cleanup much easier.
Kid Birthday Party: Guess the Number
A good way to start out a kid birthday party is to a large see-through container or jar filled with small items or candies. Have each child guess how many items are in the jar as they arrive. They can write their guess and their name on a slip of paper and drop it into a nearby shoe box with a slit cut out of the top so the guesses remain private. At the end of the party, whoever has the closest guess gets to take home the jar as their prize! You can fill the jar or container with candy, small toys, marbles, beads, or other small items. Make sure you count the items before the party and hide the answer somewhere so you don't forget!
Number of Guests
Limit the number on your guest list if this is not a family party. The commotion of a lot of children and adults can cause the one-year old to become cranky.
Child Party: Alternate Years
Looking for child birthday party advice? Don't feel like you need to create an extravagant child party each and every year. Pick a few special years or do a party every other year. Some families like to alternate doing a big child party one year and then the next having an outing with one special friend to celebrate. Children are adaptable. If you are consistent and have a plan so they know what to expect each year, each year can be something special in a completely different way. If the party or outing is on a weekend day and not on the exact birth day, remember to celebrate with your child on their actual birthday. Let them pick their favorite dinners and be exempt from the usual daily chores. No matter how old the child, make them feel special.
First Birthday Around the World
Different countries around the world have different traditions for a child's first birthday. In Malta, Korea, and other countries parents lay a variety of items on the floor or in a basket near the child. Each item is representative of a different career or future. Whatever the child picks up first is supposed to foretell their future. Often a child is dressed up on their first birthday and presented to family members. In Korea, the child is given money gifts. Create your own birthday traditions and some that you do every year. Decorate the birthday child's chair at the dinner table, let them pick the dinner menu, and have a special plate that's only used on birthdays.