1 Year Old Bday at the Park

I would bring along some balls, bubbles and maybe a jump-rope or hula hoop. Don't stress. It will be fun

Sidewalk chalk is good for parks too.

Another idea, and great for any age... is get a huge roll of "banner" type paper (or large sized poster board)... and bring tempura paints. No paint brushes needed.
Just let them all finger paint, make their hand-prints on it, write their names (the adults too), and be SURE to put the date and time and party location on it. (so also bring a permanent marker to write on the banner).

Then, have everyone hold up the completed painted "banner", and take photos of it.

It will be a GREAT souvenir for your daughter when she is much older, AND you would have gotten some great family photos of it too, and for your scrapbook.
And, you could also hang it up on your wall too, as "art."

It will be a great memento, and a totally fun activity for EVERYONE to join in on, children and adults alike, AND for you as her Parents too... (your girl will enjoy seeing what Mommy & Daddy painted too, on her 1st birthday, years from now!)

Good luck,
Susan

my daughters first bday was at the park also. it was great we had it at a toddler park so all the kids could play (we had a range of 1-8 year olds). i made goodie bags for the older kids with little party toys from the dollar store. i bought a helium tank to fill baloons up at the park (and even gave a few to some little kids that were walking by :)) i got fun little balloon weights from the dollar store too and all the plates cups table cloths from there too. then i just had child friendly foods - burgers and hot dogs, cracker and chips, water and punch (soda for adults), a BIG bowl of grapes and other cut up fruit. i brought a blanket to sit on to open the gifts :). i also had a friend bring her play yard so we could corral the smaller kids that couldnt play on the play ground. it worked out nicely and the party lasted about 3-4 hours.

No stress parties always turn out the best. I just threw my son a party a few months back for his third birthday, and it's the best party I've ever been part of. We had a mud party at my parents house. Kids just want to play. There's no need to schedule anything, but the ideas I saw others give were real good. Just normal things you would bring for a park playdate will do.

Hi S.!!

I had my daughter's 1st birthday at a park and I didn't do any favor bags. The game we played was "pin the tail on the donkey". We had a pinata and balloons (we got all of it at the dollar store, including the candy inside the pinata and the donkey game). All of the kids played in the playground that was close by while the adults hung out by the food. They all had fun, at least no one complained.

Don't stress too much!!! Your daughter only turns 1 once. Might as well enjoy the party rather than stress out over everyone having fun.

Good luck!!

L.

S., I have to agree with Sophie. I had my oldest daughter (now 2 1/2) first b-day at a park, with a crowd similar to what you describe, and everyone loved it.

I got lots of balloons, sandwiches, drinks, a cake, and little snacks (some fruit, and some fish crackers in bowls, along with little paper cups for little hands). It was more than enough.

I did bring a big turpet that a fried had at home and ended up being a big plus, b/c it rained the day before (not too expensive, you can get them at home depot or Lowes). We also brought a picnic table to supplement the park's and disposable table cloths. And lots of balloons (as many as my MIL could fit in her car already inflated :)

Two beach balls and being at the park entertained the older kids. We got bubbles for the youngest ones, and 'age safe' party favors that were opened on the spot and used for play. That was it. Everyone loved it.

Good luck, and enjoy the b-day :)

We've had our daughter's past 2 parties at the park, and they've worked out wonderfully! We had a wide range of ages, and all of the kids had a great time. if you want to do something else, just go to Target and get a couple cheap balls and hula hoops (things you can use again) - that gives them a little something extra to do, and you guys will have them available for other time!

Have fun!

We had my daughter's first birthday party at a park and everyone had lots of fun! (the kids ranged from about 12 months to 5 yrs old). For "fun" I had bought a big white cardboard (like .50 cents at Walmart) and some crayons, a couple of beach balls, and a couple of toys that were ok to bring outdoors. The kids had fun just running around really! It doesn't take much at that age! I think there is way too much pressure on parents nowadays to have these big spectacular parties, when really, isn't the most important thing just to be with friends and family?! I'm sure you guys will have a great time! Don't worry about it ;)