My daughter's first birthday is coming up in a few months, and I am trying to plan somthing that would be fun and not too expensive for us to get our friend's and family together for. My husband and I don't really want to have everyone over at our house because that seems like it could get to be too hectic. So I was looking for ideas for a first birthday party.
I rented a local pavillion. It was maybe 25 dollars. Savannahs birthday is in February, so there isn't much to do, but at least it wasn't at my house. I made a big batch of mastacolli and garlic bread and salad. It was nice that it could stay warm as people dropped in.
My daughter's birthday was last August, and we decided to go to a lake and let the kids swim (last time we were able to before it got to cold) and we grilled and everyone had a blast. So if you have a local park/beach and its the right time of season, that would be my advice.
BTW We have huge birthdays every year, I know its expensive, I have three kids, but to me its worth every penny. We have tried McDonalds, but I don't think you get your money's worth. It was lame.
Chuckie Cheese was a huge hit with the kids, and thats what counts.
We hired a clown for my daughters birthday and everyone enjoyed that.
Hope you find something that is right for your family.
When my daughter was one we planned to have here birthday at a local park. We got the permit and everyhing looked good but then it started to rain and we all ended up at my house anyway. We have an annual potluck where everyone brings a dish to pass and we supply the hotdogs, hamburgers, and brats. It's really not that hectic for me because all of the cooking is done by my hubby or others bring the food.
IMO First birthdays tend to be overdone and mostly done for the parents' sake. For the child a big birthday party is overstimulating, confusing, and even scary. For my son's 1st party, we kept it small (just grandparents and cousins) and we had it at our house in the backyard. We had a picnic and the kids just hung around playing in the yard. I had a sand/water table, a plastic sandbox filled with plastic balls, and a little kids slide, etc.
Hi,
I am a mother of 2 boys. Alex turned one last year and we found that the easiest and most inexpensive thing to do is a BBQ.
i just had a birthday party for my daughters 3rd birthday at a hotel. my mother was renting a room anyways so we just talked to the hotel about having the party there. i worked out great. we ordered party subs and the rest of the time we were in the pool. its still was hectic. i felt like i barely talked to anyone for more than a second. i had my daughters godparents with her in the pool while i took care of the other things. her first birthday was at one of my friends house. everyone brought a dish. that was a bit crowded. her second was at disneyworld. the pool party was fun for everyone except for those who didnt like to swim. oh and even know the pool was heated my daughter got cold easy so make sure there is a hot tub too.
I'd suggest renting a park pavillion-Thompson Park WSP $80 all day with $50 deposit, going to a community center if they have a water park-Veterans Memorial in IGH around $100+ for 12 people including adults, an indoor play area like in Woodbury. Thay have this tree house play thing along with a bouncing cage. It's in the same building as the YMCA off Radio Dr. but this is not private and you have to share with other customers. Maybe a local church will let you reserve their kitchen entertainment room. WSP has chuck-e-cheese but that's for older kids I think.
My kids' 1st and 2nd birthdays are pretty low key. It's their birthday, not everyone elses so why bother with all the entertaining. We just have Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles & Cousins come to the house. You can even do it between lunch and dinner so their's no meal, or else get some pizzas. Get her a little cake that she can demolish and that's about it.
Half the time they are worn out half way through because of all the excitement and attention. Don't wear yourself out because at this age she could care less who's there and what you're doing :o)
Happy partying!
J.
Hotel water parks , or chuck e chesses goes over well in my family
We rented a park pavillon for our son's first birthday! It was great, because there were toys already there and I could throw all the garbage away and not transport it all home! It was very roomy and everyone had a blast!
If the weather permits for ya just go to a local park and have a potluck or a small bbq. It works wonder and all the kids can play without making a huge mess. One with a sandbox is perfect for 1 yr olds. Wal-mart or the dollar store usually have little sand toys u can get and maybe even have that be one of her presents that she opens first and she will love to try them out. She is one all she will remember about it is what she sees in the pictures when she is older. I tell my kids when I show them the pics "look how many people love you and came to see you get older" They think its the greatest how different people come throughout the years.
