What are some good ideas for my son's first birthday party?

Question

There won't be many small children there, mostly adults and elderly people, save for a few young cousins. I don't really have any ideas except to eat cake and open gifts. His party is going to be at a park. Should I just do the gift and cake thing then let everyone play in the park? Or should I have games and activities? Working off no real experience as it is my first baby and my sister's child only had a cake for his party

Answer 1

You don't really need any games, as your son is only one. These are more for when he's in school, and his friends will want to play games. Just remember, boys with birthday parties is much easier than girls. And less expensive!

For a family party, all your main responsibility is to feed everyone, open presents, and send thank you cards afterwards. And since it's in a park, that's a great place for the kids to play anyways. I wouldn't do any more than that.

And besides, if you purchase a lot of stuff, chances are it'll be a windy day anyways. I would just keep it simple. That's the great thing about family parties - everyone just sits around, talks & eats, & tell you what a gorgeous boy he is.

Answer 2

For my son's first birthday it too was only adults and elderly people there. Although it was held at our house we had a rubber duckie theme, (cake and wrapping paper) we did not do party hats and all that b/c no adult wants to wear them. All we did was open presents and as he played with the boxes that his new toys came in the adults all chatted as some us us did not see each other often. I think that having it at the park it would be fine to only do presents and cake then let the few children play. The adults would probably rather just chat with each other and play with the children then to play games and if the children are mostly young ones they won't really be interested in the games but playing on the slides instead. Hope it helps and Good Luck!

Answer 3

Here's what I've learned from my experience with my first two children (number 3 due in August!):

For a first birthday it's good to make it a family/friend affair rather than a big party with lots of children. They just aren't that social at 1 and feel more at ease with a few familiar faces around. My children loved the cake and ice cream - let them "have at it" and keep a camera handy!

Opening the presents was really enough as far as activities were concerned because my children would typically seize upon a favorite gift and just want to play with it. I didn't want to force them into a game or activity that they probably wouldn't be interested in anyway.

Your plan sounds like a great one!

Answer 4

Well you could have games that the adults could play too. He is only one and will probably not rember his 1st birthday but I know that it is speacial to you. Buy him his own little cake and let him put his face and hands in and buy a big cake for all the adults. My sister did that for my nephew and he loved it. Get it all on camra if you can. Also just have lots of balloons and whatever his favorite thing or the theme of his room is have that as the theme of his party.

Answer 5

Keep it simple. Eat cake, open presents. Take lots of pictures. He's not going to remember it. Just spend time with your friends and family and have a good time. Don't plan on doing anything elaborate until he's at least 5. Before that kids have such a short attention span that they just get frustrated. Especially one year olds, he'll just be happy to play with the wrapping paper.

Answer 6

at one year old he won't be doing much of anything...he doesn't know what a birthday is or that it's his. since you're having the celebration at a park, there's no need for extra games and activities but you all will need to keep an eye on the children. cake, some hot dogs, chips, punch and a disposable birthday table cloth are all you need.

Answer 7

do the activities, gifts, games cake thing, and let every one play at the park.

Answer 8

first birthdays dont need games and activities. They dont really know whats going on anyway. since it is at a park you might want to bring a ball so that the other kids can play with it.

Answer 9

Go ahead and make it an adult party !!.. Create a fun theme (color and sytle, ie...Hawaiian) make non-alcholic refreshments, bite size treats, etc.

Gingery Iced Tea Recipe

1 1/2 tablespoons green tea or black tea

1/2 cup sugar

1 bunch fresh mint

1 oz fresh ginger, peeled, thinly sliced, and lightly crushed

Mint sprigs and crystallized ginger slices (optional), for garnish

RECIPE METHOD
Bring a teakettle full of water to a rolling boil. Rinse out a 3-cup or larger teapot with boiling water. Fill with tea, sugar, fresh mint, and fresh ginger. Fill with boiling water and let steep until cool. Place a sprig of fresh mint in each tall glass, fill with ice, then pour in tea. Cut a slit in slices of crystallized ginger, if using, and fit onto rim of glasses.
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Whatever you do....make sure you take lots of pictures- this will be a good way your child will be able to relate to the moment later. And have FUN!!

Answer 10

i say did the gifts and cake thing but maybe have like 2or3 little games like duck duck goose and Simon days or something like that.
Good luck with the party and tell your son i said happy b-day.