1St Birthday Party - Activities

At this age I just let them Run around and around. Their attention span isn't long enough for much else. Unless you want to try things like. London Bridges is falling down. In which case you sing the song and when you say We all fall down see if they can follow. It might take a few times. Then they catch on. I doubt this keeps their interest for long.
I would just let them run LOL I have five children so this sorta makes me a pro. After the first and second children's first birthday,I sorta gave up intil age three. LOL

I wouldn't worry about anything structured just yet. Given the age range of your guests I'd simply do what you're already thinking, have some toys available, run a movie or play music the kids will enjoy and just let them enjoy each other. For my kids first and second birthdays we had a wide range in ages too. I made a cake and let the kids play every time. I think on my son's second birthday I had a video in the background for any of the kids who didn't want to just play. The parties always went great and the best part was, we all enjoyied ourselves. I wasn't too stressed over the party prep/clean up and the kids had a blast playing... everyone wins! :)

We just had my daughter's first birthday party a few months ago, and I had the same questions! We didn't do any structured activities- we just let the kids play together and they had a great time. The parents chatted and we all ate snacks and cake. I used helium filled balloons with bubbles as the weight for the favors. They doubled as decorations, so it worked out well. You can get scented bubbles at the dollar store for cheap (I think it was 3 for $1). I bought a bunch of the toys you use with the bubbles so we could go outside and (with parent's help) play with the bubbles, but it was a tad cold and everyone decided they were having enough fun inside. We did sub sandwiches, chips, cake, ice cream, etc. for food and it went over well. Have a great party!

The family fun web sight has some great ideas, but for that age, if you have balloons no one will get board; they just bounce off each other.

For my daughters first birthday the party went by so quickly. We rented the YMCA (we are members and got a great deal on the facility/ party room) they did the set up and tear down. We had the option to order food in or cook something and bring it in. We even got I think it was an hour of swim time. I think that is what the kids liked the most. It was fun. No matter what you do, dont stress over it to much and just try and enjoy the moment. Good luck!

When my daughter turned turned one I just let the older kids do what they wanted. I didn't really plan games. I felt it was much more fun to watch a bunch of of one years olds and how the interacted with each other. At one i don't think you could plan games that a one year old would stay interested in long enough. Just let her have fun. Hope this helps.

Yep, I agree w/the other moms, I wouldn't worry about any activities at this age either. I suppose the coloring table and baloons sounds good if you really feel the need to do something. Bubble are messy and at that age they WILL get spilled. You can give the bubble to go home as a goody or put them in a goody bag.

Good luck and have fun!

S.

At that age, I would just make sure you have a couple bigger balls, a movie or even some Disney music they can dance to. They pretty much just run around, they can't really follow directions well enough for activities at that age. Good Luck

At that age they really won't be able to do much as far as games. They will have fun being in the same room and them all playing. With my kids we just had lots of toys and played a movie(which no one ever sat down to watch) had lots of food and juice and it was a great time. Good luck and have fun

for my daughter we didnt plan anything structured for her first or second birthdays, and she and everyone had a blast. she was just excited to see all of the people around. the adults just chit chatted and ate and loved watching the birthday girl. i did make up a photo album of her for people to flip through during a dull moment. i feel that structured activities like games, etc...just add to the chaos and stress. youre definitely not going to get all of the children to agree on the same things at the same time. just set toys out, snacks for all ages and maybe have a movie playing. or pass out little party favors like horns and hats so all of the kids can play with them.

Relaxe...they mostly like to hang out and play. Have arts and craft table if you want (just like markers/crayons and paper). If you can have multiples of things that would be great. Your working with an age group that doesn't really understand sharing, except for the older ones, and they all seem to want to use the same color or play with the same toy all at the same time. I know that's not always possible but it's a suggestion. If you do activities make it a game that everyone wins at...so they each get the same prize. ENJOY!

I'm a newbie here....jumping in. I think that if you have baloons for them to play with, bubbles, maybe a coloring table, you will be fine. Enjoy the day. I photographed a party a few months ago that was just a few activities and it was great! They filled some baloons and the kids all had pictures when they left....something for mom and dad for coming. HTH

T. S.