Entertainment for Baby's First Birthday

Balloons or balls are great. First birthday parties are more for family and a photo op with baby getting cake and frosting all over himself. They need a short party, not during what would be nap time or meal time. Preferably when he is awake, but well-rested and fed.

Too much and he may become overwhelmed. Presents should be already assembled and loosely wrapped. I actually started a rip in the paper for them.

There was a balloon for each guest and the birthday boy (with extras in case of 'accidents.' A small ball from the dollar tree for each child (about the size of a large grapefruit)

They played with the balls, ate cake, unwrapped and played with the toys and it was all over. Birthday boy gets a quick bath and he is ready to nap.

With a wide range of ages, it may be difficult to keep everyone entertained. We just had a 3rd birthday party and I rented a bonce house (ages 2.5yo-8yo). I had a piñata, so one of the crafts was coloring the bags. I bought color paper bags at the dollar store and washable markers. You could also have stickers (foam stickers) to decorate the bags. I bought one coloring book and a box of crayons. Tore the pages out of the book and set everything out on a table. I also bought some balls at the dollar store and threw those in the bounce house (I also was going to throw a bunch of ballons in there, but ran out of time). It was a 2 hour party and it was great. We ended about 10 mintues late, but that was ok. Gifts were not opened as that takes so much longer. (I debated the time 10-12 and no lunch or 11-1 with lunch. Went with the latter and got a few pizzas). Keep it simple.

I just had my son's first brithday on Saturday. I had it at my sisters home but she has a pool and a play structure. I was going to get a bounce house but decided no. The kids had a blast with what was there. My advice would be the park if you can not find the swing set (have you tried Craigslist?). Kids can have fun with just about anything.....a big appliance box is always a great time. If you decide to do it at home you could get a few big boxes and have them decorate their own and create. It entertaining and they get to use their creative energy. You could go to a craft store and get supplies.

I just did my sons first birthday and I had a bubble table and a hard plastic pool filled with balls and they both were a great hit and it helps that I live next to a park and that kept them entertained!

A park would be the easiest. The kids could all play and you could serve lunch or dinner. Have a cookout or make sandwiches etc.

A 1st is really about taking pictures of the birthday boy with his face covered in icing, and a silly hat on his head...he is too young to reall understand what is going on.
I would vote for the park, have cake and ice cream. As someone else suggested, go to the dollar store and buy some bubbles, balls,things like that to give to the other children. Don't plan too much because you are dealing with such young children that they aren't going to cooperate anyway.
And hour or so is plenty of time...don't stretch it out too long or you will have a bunch of unhappy, tired children on your hands!!
Happy birthday to you son!