Entertainment Ideas for a 1St Bday Party??

Updated on October 06, 2006
L.L. asks from Chicago, IL
10 answers

Hi Moms. My little man is turning 1 years old next month. I have planned a big family and friends party for him at a park district recreation center and I am getting catering. I really hadn't thought of getting any type of entertainment because I thought he is too little for that. But a friend said I should be getting a clown or something to entertain the other children at the party. ( I am getting little party bags for all the kids)

I don't like clowns. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations of what I can do for his bday??

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

You were definately right, he is too young. Trust me- the kids being together are all the entertainment that's needed. It seems you have plenty of expenses with having a 1 year old's party catered and gift bags for all. If you are at the park, they will run and play and never even notice that they didn't also have a show. Just bring a few balls and a pinata and you're good to go! My daughter just had her 4th birthday party yesterday, all 4 with no "entertainment" and mixed age groups from infant to 14yrs, and just playing together was more than enough for the kids. Nobody asked "When does the show start" and they all went home happy.

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Lena,

Hi, I have a home based business that is perfect for birthday parties and much more. We are a traveling animal stuff n fluff company. I come to you. Where ever you have the eventI bring all the ingredients for the children to make their own new animal collectible. Check out my website below.

www.noahsarkworkshop.com/jodigilbert18

Noah's Ark Mascot is Mojo the monkey, crew members also have a life size costume and I do go to parties with Mojo in attend for a fee.

If you would like to contact my I can be reached at ###-###-####.

Thanks,
J.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.O.

answers from Chicago on

i would say that you are correct in that he is too young. when you think about it the party although in name is for him its really your party since he wont remember a thing except in pics and videos (not a bad thing). i way overplanned and thought about the older kids that would be there, the younger kids that would be there, etc. but like someone said, other kids are all the entertainment you will really need. i bought all typical bday party games like, bday bingo, pin the tail, etc. but the only one we ended up using was the pinata. i think the best part is just sitting back and seeing all the people that attended who love your child! happy bday to your baby boy. mine turns 2 this sunday-time flies. oh, the other thing is you can never take too many pics so click away!

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B.O.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Lena
I don't think you need to provide any kind of entertainment for a one-year old's birthday party. And I agree with you that clowns are a bad idea. I have seen many young children be very frightened by clowns (both my kids included). The child-rearing books usually recommend that you invite the number of kids that your child is years old. I think this is a sensible rule. But since moving to the North Shore, I've found that birthday parties are these big public extravaganzas. It's so unnecessary. What's important is that your family and your close friends celebrate the life of your little one. Don't lose sight of that.

Good luck, and happy birthday. B.

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A.

answers from Chicago on

I think you could do something yourself (or recruit a friend/cousin/relative/high school kid) to help. Play some kids music and have musical instuments for the kids to play and/or have them do a craft project - make and decorate crowns/party hats etc. Ask the park district if there is a rec. leader you could have help with the craft activity etc. The 1 year olds in the room are not going to care if there is entertainment - so you are really doing this for the older kids.

Are there any toys at this park that the kids can play with (i know my park does a mom/to porgram so they have a ton of toys).

Just some thoughts. Why go nuts? Wait until he is older and will appreciate the entertainment etc.

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R.M.

answers from Chicago on

My friend also had a teacher from Wiggleworms (the Lincoln location), her name was Stacy. She was very good, but she did mention to me that the party was so busy that it wasn't as "fun" to have a children's singer as she'd hoped it would be.

If you are already expecting a large number of family and friends, there is probably enough activity and people to keep the kids busy. It's almost like a wedding...everyone you love is there and you have no time to talk to any of them like you wish you could.

Enjoy the party! They're only 1 once.

Mom of 13 month old cutie.

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C.J.

answers from Chicago on

My baby will turn one next week. We are having his music teach come and sing to everyone. She is AWESOME. She is through Carematch at Elmhurst hospital. Her name is Kathleen Kelly. I'm sure kids of all ages will enjoy. I hope that helps. C.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

Crafts! Kids LOVE to do any kind of craft - find something that goes along with your party theme (invites, gift bags, etc.) They don'thave to be anything fancy - foam door hangers or picture frames they can glue things on or write things on with glitter glue. For my daughter's 2nd birthday we did the Seasame Street thing and everyone got to make their own monster mask out of paper plates/markers/yarn/glue and a popsicle stick to hold it up with. Wander around Hobby Lobby for an hour and I'm sure you'll get some ideas and it won't break your budget. If you want more though,let me know - I love that sort of stuff.
Good luck and have fun! ~ K.

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C.U.

answers from Chicago on

If he has a favorite character you can always rent a costume and recuit a friend/family member to dress the part!!!
C.

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S.H.

answers from Chicago on

I've been to a few 1st (and 2nd) birthday parties that have someone from the Old Town School Wiggleworms come and play songs for the kids. They usually bring along shaker toys and tamborines for the kids to play along and bubbles and parachutes, depending on the singer. I think it's pretty pricey, but worth checking into. Good luck with the party and Happy Birthday to your little one.
S.

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