Daugther's First Birthday

My oldest's birthday is the end of June so I know what you mean w/ trying to plan something for everyone. She is a bit young yet but for sure as she gets older do the water party idea I did it one year for our son and it worked Great so we did that for a couple yrs (till we moved away from most all our family and friends due to DH work). I put out the kiddie pool and we got a slip and slide one yr, we bought some cheap water guns (those were also the only guns our boys were allowed to play w/). It worked really well, the kids hit the slip and slide and several of the adults gravitated towards the kiddie pool where the water guns were floating. Everybody just had a Ball!!! GOOD LUCK!!

Hi A.,
I have my own mommy-owned business call Good Times Invitations. All my invitations are 30% off for the month of June. I have so many adorable 1st birthday invitations. Let me know if I can help. My website is goodtimesinvitations.cceasy.com and I also have more available in my albums that I can email to you if you are looking for a theme. Thanks
D.
Good Times Invitations
Oak Lawn, IL

With her birthday in August I'd do some kind of kiddie pool or water activity. What's always a hit is bubbles. We got one that uses batteries and continues to blow bubbles. This is always big hit.

Hello A.

I have a beautiful 3, soon to be 4 year old and her birthday is August 27th. We have had all of her parties outside. For her first birthday, we rented one of those inflateable jumpies, which is always a hit with all the kids, Some adults even get in and jump now and then! They have alot of different themes to go with whatever party theme you are planning. We also had hired Elmo who came with a face painter and balloon maker. We had bean bag games and a Margarita Machine which entertained the Adults. If you have the space you may want to look into renting a tent. August can be quite hot. I also hired some one to help me inside the house. It was the best money spent. She cleaned up all the food and put out desserts ect.. I actually got to enjoy my daughters party. Instead of doing dishes all day, I was outside with my daughter.
I hope this helps you. Have fun planning your daughters 1st birthday!

My sons party is in 2 weeks and even though we have a pool and trampoline-- we had to keep all ages in mind. We are putting out a water table, and a baby pool. We are also putting out ladderball and bean bags. We have a bubble machine and bought a whole bunch of those big balls and beach balls to throw in the yard. If you have kids ages 3 and up a really good idea is a bean or rice table. Might sound funny but they will play in it for hours. If you get a little baby pool and fill it with dry uncooked rice or beans and get one of those sand/water wheels and some bowls/measuring cups they stay so busy. If you know someone with one of those blow up water slides that would keep them busy too. I also bought a whole bunch of rubber ducks to put in the baby pool--you could even make a game out of it with prizes like at carnivals. If you live close I have a lot of things you can borrow. Kids have such great imaginations and whatever you provide them with they will be happy- Good Luck

A simple hot dog bbq and outdoor activities are always a smash with all, even parents. Small pool, sprinkler area, piniata filled with soft squirt guns. balloons to halffill with water for toss accross game, etc. Gosh I wish I had a grandchild to do this for; I miss those days. Have a ball. Don' forget small boxes of chalk in piniata with a place for kids to chalk-up.

DO very little for your daughter. Have the requisite cake or cupcakes and go for pleasing the adults. The first birthday is really all about the parents anyway, it is more of a celebration of "we made and didn't do anything detrimental to our child in the first year HURRAY! " (OK so a little cynical, but somewhat true). I have planned many kids parties and I know all about organized games activities etc....BUT all the kids ever want to do is play with each other and eat cake. My first child's 1st birthday entailed lunch cake and a nap for her...whoopee.
Save the crafts, party games, petting zoos until the child even knows to ask for them (after the age of three).
Congratulations for making it through the first year, it is a tough job, but so awesome!

The new Parents magazine has some great ideas for a Carnival-themed party! Very simple and cost-effective ideas!

Hope it helps!

Hi A.-with four kids, we seem to be having parties all the time! For your child's 1st b-day, i would have to agree with the majority, keep it simple, too much activity could back fire on you and you will just have a crabby birthday girl. I know in this day and age it is hard, everyone wants to out do the last person's party( i am guilty of this as well) and we tend to lose sight in what is really important---the child and this incredible first year that you just spent together, learning about the world together, and growing together!!! The miracle that is your child and the many blessings she brings!!! There will be MANY more birthday parties to come, and those you can go all out for if you wish, but this is her first and it will be full of firsts, focus on her digging into her cake for the first time (have another outfit picked out in case a bib doesn't cut it!) and her opening presents!- take lots of pictures and enjoy her! Have the younger guests bring bathing suits and turn on the sprinkler or set up a little pool! Open a bottle of wine (or two) and toast to a successful and amazing year! You did great!
Cheers! T.

My oldest's birthday is in august and I just need to warn you...It is hot. We've done bouncy houses(moon walk), swimming pools, sprinklers, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, swirt guns, pinatas. Just remember that she is only one and all of the effort and expense is for you and your guests. You can't make the teenagers happy unless they want to be. Just have a great time!

Hi A.,
She's only one so you don't need to make a huge or expensive effort. If you make the party a big production than it takes away from you enjoying her day. Keep it simple. If you are going to do it outside, I would suggest a park party. Just choose a nice park in the neighborhood that has bathroom facilities. You can give sand pails & shovels as the party favor & let the kids have fun at the park. You may also want to choose a park that has water sprinklers. It gets really hot that time of year & kids love it.

Hi A.,

I know how special a daughter's first birthday can be, especially if she is your little miracle. I am so happy for you and your family.

I started my own business called Party Impressions and specialize in giving attention to all the details to make an occasion like yours a memorable one. We have a nice rental game kit that includes Pin the Tail on The Donkey (large inflatable), birthday toss and musical spheres that is very popular for children of all ages. I can also create a spectacular party table to fit your special occasion!

I have listed my business on Mamasource. Let me know if I can help you out.

Hi!
We had a few outdoor things for the kids to climb around on. Those blow up things are a bit hit, but we decided to buy something instead so we'd have it for years to come. It's a series of tunnels that connect to these ball pits. You can rearrange them in different ways and add more balls so the pit is more full. You can buy small or large sets of these and the kids really liked them. You may want to have some coloring books or things on hand in case of bad weather. We also did loot bags for the kids. Make sure to have juice and snacks onhand for the kids and LOTS of water in case it's super hot. Have fun!

K.

Isn't it funny that when we were kids, there was no entertaining from the adults. We played together and found things to entertain us. We do not usually have organized activitied for the kids. They play dress up or out in the yard with sand, water, swingset ect...

Hi A.!! Let me tell you I wish my childs bday was in the summer. His is in November and we have to cram in the house and think of inside things to do. I think people do a good job of entertaining themselves in the summer. I would suggest maybe a volleyball net and bean bags for older children and adults. I learned from my sons first birhtday that we could only keep the kids attention for 2 or 3 games. I would say hot potato(water ballon), sack race, maybe hulla hoop?? What did you do when you were little?? Musical chairs. Keep it simple for your no one else but your self. I also designated my sisters to a job. One took pictures. One was in charge of games. It helped me to give more attention to my guests and to my son so I did not miss anything. THat was the best thing I did. Good luck. Don't let it stress you. Remember what it is about.