I know this is a common question...but I'm going to ask it again. We are planning my son's 1st bday this December. It is going to be held in a church basement so that we have a lot of room. We are inviting about 60 adults and 20 kids ranging in age from 1 to 13. Do I need to have activities/games to keep everyone busy? If so, what? Pinata?
Do people still give out goodie bags? If so, what do you put in them? Do I open gifts there with so many people? Thanks for any input! I'm clueless!!
My son's b-day is in December and I had it after the holdiays becuase things were so crazy. Goodie bags are a bonus and you can fined cute things at the dollar store. Pinata' are great to candy, little play doe's. We had my son's b-day in October this year and had a fall/holloween theme.
The birthday parties I have been to lately have all had goodie bags. You can get cute stuff at the dollar store.
As for the pinata, I recommend the pull string pinata if you are going to have young children so no one gets whacked in the head. Factory Card Outlet/Party City have them.
As for the presents we tried this at Connor's party and he was just too little to be interested and people lost interest because he wasn't having any fun. However, I know a lot of people like to see their present being opened. So that is a tough one.
My friend has a big home birthday for her daughter every year (now age 10) and has always kept the traditional birthday party games as the entertainment. She does the same ones every year with kids ranging in all ages and it always works out great.
There is always a pinata and every kid gets a swing or two. They line the kids up youngest to oldest - youngest goes first. She always does musical chairs and water balloon toss (you would have to change this to something for friendly for indoors) and limbo. All the kids participate (the older ones seem to enjoy acting young again). The adults sit around and eat and drink. She makes all her own food (with a little help from some family).
I love that she keeps things simple and fun. I have heard of a nice simple goodie bag good for most ages - just a rice krispie treat wrapped cutely in a decorative bag.
Opening presents there is personal preference. I know plenty of people who do it at the party and plenty that don't. There are benefits to both options.
I know that some people have done a pinata in place of goodie bags. It all depends on what you have money for. When I have a family party for my kids, I send home a large sugar cookie (happens to be my business) that goes with the theme of their party. Last year for my sons 2 yo party I handed out sugar cookies that looked like chocolate chip cookies with a bite taken out. It was a cookie monster theme. My daughter, who was 5, for her friend party I gave the kids a throw away sectioned paper plate with 3 colors of icing, an aray of sprinkles, and 2 cookies each to decorate! It kept them busy for 30 mins.! I had a 2 yo up to a 12 yo. It was a lot of fun and something that would be easy to do. When they were done, I placed them in little cookie boxes I bought at Micheal's. If you want some ideas based on the theme, email me and I could try to help. Good Luck! Oh and the gifts....if you want to open them there, I would let each child, one at time, open a gift for your child. First off they all want to be in on the action and a 1yo could honestly care less usually. They are more interested in cake and people making a fuss over them. =)
I would give out age appropriate goodie bags for the younger children. They always love them, nothing expensive, just a few things and throw in some candy also.
