Help with child's party?

Question

My son just turned 1 yesterday and we have a party planned

We have invited some friends and family and there will be some kids here as well. The kids ages range 9, 4, 3, 2 &1....I would like to not have any organized competition games....just free play....please help with some ideas...other than bubbles because I already have that covered.

I asked this question before and I got a lot of responses with opinions that I should not have a party for my one year old and that it would be a waste of money and time...blah blah blah. I'm not looking for those responses. Please let me worry about MY son and MY SON'S party and how much TIME and MONEY we will spend. I do not mean to be harsh...but you ask a simple question you should be able to get a simple answer...not someone trying to run your life.

Answer 1

My son just turned one too! We also had alot of children their from ages 1-14 years old! All we did was let all of them join the games, I got all my stuff from the dollar store its the best and most cheapest, because the kids are going to either ruin it or not care about it after a day! Play baseball!! (or tee-ball) involve your son to try to hit the ball! I know alot of people say dont worry about your kids first birthday, but hey now its a one in a life time that they turn one and enjoy what a birthday is so they can look forward till they turn 2! Have fun and enjoy yourselfs! Happy Birthday to your son!

Answer 2

Since there will be children of many ages, some of the older ones can help the younger ones in activities you hold. I agree with your sentiments on the party. In my family we have a huge, extended family party for the children's first birthday. It's true that the birthday child doesn't really do too much at the party (except eat his own little cake and smear it all over his face), but it's about the celebration and the festive atmosphere for the whole family to mark this special day. If you are having a party theme it would be easier to plan the activities. We did a number of things that would just get all the kids and the adults laughing. They were games and could have been a bit competitive except that there was to be no real winner and everyone got little prizes at the end of every game. We made it clear that the point of the game was the fun to be had. One that we still laugh about was two teams lined up trying to pass handfuls of popcorn from one end of the line to the other to empty one giant bucket and re-fill one empty one. It's messy, but there's no cleanup involved because the birds will eat the popcorn out of the yard the next day. If you have a nice flat sidewalk, you could pass out colored chalk and let them all do chalk art. We even had some adults plop down and draw with chalk! You'd be surprised how inexpensively you can rent carnival atmosphere machines to use, and everyone will LOVE them. You can get a cotton candy machine, a popcorn machine and a snow cone machine. It's really festive. Painting rocks is great fun for kids. If you have a table set up with some really nice (pre-washed) rocks or assorted sizes and shapes and an assortment of paints and brushes, kids can sit at stations at the beginnig of the party and paint their own rock pet, or rock car, or rock funny person. It will be dry by the end of the party. Be sure to tell all the parents that you want their kids to come in play clothes not party clothes because there will be tons of messy, fun activities. If you can get your hands on a karaoke machine, even a two year old will be happy to have a chance to grab the mike and babble a song for everyone's entertainment. I hope you have a super party. Happy B-day to your little one!

Answer 3

If the party (or part of it) will be outdoors:
fishing game - I purchased this at the dollar store. get a bucket or baby pool. Not competative and preschoolers love it, kids as young as one can play too
sandbox, bubbles, bouncy balls, sidewalk chalk are fun too

Inside - set up an arts & crafts table. Colorific markers, glue sticks, construction paper, etc. Parents or older children might need to assist the little ones but it will keep them busy & they'll have fun.

If you are only having 5 kids, make up their own individual treat bags, something age appropriate for each of them. They can play with their new stuff during the party.

Answer 4

You could rent a Moon Bounce. Those are always alot of fun for kids especially at 9, 4, 3, 2 & 1. You could also have the kids decorate their own cupcakes instead of having a huge birthday cake. Anyway, those are just a few suggestions.

Answer 5

Don't you just hate when people try to tell you what and what not to do with your own child! Anyway my niece turned 1 in April and my sister threw a bash for her. It was a hit and the kids had a range of games. Get some balloons. Kids love them...put slip knots on them and give them to each child. Try musical chairs. They are not too young for this. Also try dancing...kids like this. If you really want them to have fun order one of those bounce houses. You can rent them by the hour....they will bring it, set it up, and disassemble it also.

Answer 6

For my sons first b-day we went to a water park cause my son loves to play in the pool. All the kids ran around the park and played how they wanted we had some party favors for them to play with and a pinata. The kids told me when they wanted to do it. There really isn't too much I can think of to do on a first b-day cause ur child cant tell u what they want or what they want to do have fun and take lots of pictures!

Answer 7

Is there a place to do sidewalk chalk? Throw/kick a ball around, coloring, plant some flowers in cups to take home, use water colors to paint stonewalls, side of the house, sidewalk, or driveway. Paint rocks to make pet rocks. Some kind of creative arts and crafts. Have kids sort things like shapes or colors. younger one usually enjoy sorting things. Hope these help. Good luck take lots of pictures.

Answer 8

I don't know what you mean by something to do that is not organized. Maybe give them a ball or two to throw around out in the yard? Maybe a frisbee........or kites.......... (the 9 year old could help the other kids) That's a tough question! Everything I think of is organized. Sorry

Answer 9

First remember that the child will forget his birthday quickly. Children have poor memories. That also works to your advantage as blackmail material later in life.

What I suggest is a movie or long music video rather than a typical party. Make your kid the star of the movie/video. You could even film the kid in front of a blue or green screen (remember to not have blue or green around the kid himself) and then have somebody else add in the atmosphere.

Answer 10

Having a first b-day is not a waste of money or time...people are crazy granted the baby won't remember but that's what camera's and video camera's are for! It's his first birthday he's supposed to have his own cake! lol....that's the fun part.... My son's first birthday was at a park.... lots of kids they got to play and have fun! my son couldn't do much but the kids played with him and he still had a blast! Good Luck!