Where to Have My Daughter's Birthday--park, or Friend's Back Yard?

Depends on how many people you intend to invite, and the ages of the other kids. If some of the kids are older, you may enjoy going to the park where the kids can run more, and are not so confined to the yard. You also may want to think, will your guests be going inside your friends house, to use the restroom? I wouldn't be very comfortable with that, unless everyone knows everyone. And if you are going to, say, bbq food, it might be easier at your friends house so you don't have to carry so much stuff to the park, plus the baby and all her stuff too. Whatever you decide, hope you have a great time!! Happy 1st Birthday to your daughter!

Hmmm, the park sounds like a nice neutral place. Accommodating everyone of all ages.

I agree with Jane, it really dos depend on who you're inviting - the ages and the number of people. A great resource for some party ideas is www.birthdaypartyideas.com too.

With that many kids, I would go for the park----more playscape for them to play on and less you would have to plan activity wise. I would do the party either late evening or about 9:30am with it being so hot.Make sure the kids stay hydrated!!You may also have to make sure in advance that the playscape is not too hot for them to play on at whatever time of day you choose. The advantage to your friend's house would be going in the house for a bit to get out of A/C---adults will appreciate this! You could also have a mister set up on a hose perhaps to cool people down. Kiddie pool for kids? .

K.:

So many things factor into this decision...

1. how many people are you inviting?
2. are there going to be a lot of kids?

I personally - would do the park - then you don't have to worry about restrooms or things getting broken at a friends house or parking.....

This is more for you than it is for her....she won't remember it....do what feels right for you...

Parks are public areas and subject to people sitting down at the next table and smoking, using bad language, wearing dirty or nasty clothing, maybe even a a homeless person. Even if the area is reserved by your family it can't be policed by anyone if it's after hours so who is going to make them leave, it is after all a public place. You can't believe how many times kids in my town find needles, glass, sharp items, drug paraphernalia, etc...in the sand under the climbing equipment at the local parks. Plus animals use public parks sand as litter boxes and they die in it and get buried....EWWW.

So, I say since the party is for a little one to do it a someones house.

Since there will be older as well as younger kids, the park would certainly be easier. Only prob with that is that the park will be shared by other kids who are not in your party. So, it may loose some privacy.
So, since the food and decorations are easier for you at the backyard location, that my be the better choice. It is so hard to manage life with a 1 year old...but if you just have some balls (think Target) and maybe water balloons (two kids toss one between them, taking steps backward until the balloon pops), that may satisfy the older ones. Nice if it's hot. A long rope for jump rope? I thnk that would be plenty to keep the older ones happy.
Congratulations on turning 1, little one!
B.