Seeking Advice for Economical 1St Birthday Party

I've been to alot of first birthdays at Gymboree and my kids had so much fun. It is indoors, structured play with a "teacher" that leads them in games and activities, and it included a cake. My friends told me that it was pretty inexpensive. The parents just sat around and talked and the kids had a blast.

Not that the birthday boy would really care one way or the other, but Recreation Unlimited is a nice place to a have a party for kids. You get a party room for a couple hours and the guests can spend the time running around playing on all the playsets/swingsets/houses they have set up on the display floor. We've gone to many birthday parties there.

I would check with a church or library to see if there's a room you can use. It's only the 1st birthday.. no need to spend alot of money. Just wait a few years until they are demanding more specialized, expensive things for their birthdays!

Just my 2 cents, but that sounds like an awful amount of people for a first birthday party. I've been to several 1st birthday parties with more than 20 people... every single time the birthday boy/girl ends up crying and fussy and completely overwhelmed and miserable. :-( We only had a handful of close friends and family attend the first parties for our kids... and they had fun. Not like they remember them anyways. :)

Check with your church. They may have a room you can use. Just make sure you have plenty of games or centers for children to play with and be occupied. Usually churches won't charge or the fee is small.

No it doesn't, if there is snow, go sledding! Then head someplace for hot cocoa :)