When your baby turns one, most mums are desperate to throw a truly special party you remember forever.
Whether that’s a low key thing with a few tiny tots, or a bigger affair for family and friends, here’s our guide to a fun-filled first birthday party your baby will love.
At a glance
- Whatever you choose your baby won't know what's going on so just make sure they have fun
- Consider babies schedules and if older children will need to be picked up from school
- Take lots of photos to remember the day
Easy customer!
The first rule of babies’ birthday parties is remembering one thing - whatever you choose, your tot won’t really know what’s going on. What really matters is how they feel. And by having a party – big or small - they’ll pick up on the excitement and know they’re the centre of attention.
Keep it simple
The good thing is babies are super-easy to entertain! You can make them super happy by inviting a few fun friends, playing tot-friendly music to clap hands to and blowing up colourful balloons for them to bounce around. Keep it full of fun and love, and your baby will have a gorgeous time.
A bigger affair
Or if you want to include a big network of doting family and friends, there are endless great options for birthday venues. Look out for tot-friendly halls or a local soft play zone. If it’s a summer birthday, why not have a picnic in the park or a fun party that spills out into your back garden - a bubble machine will go down a storm!
Joint party?
A joint party means you can halve the cost and effort, and double the fun. Why not ask local friends whose babies have birthdays around the same time – your antenatal class is a great place to start.
Keep it short
Parties are incredibly stimulating for babies, so best keep it short and sweet - one-and-a-half to two hours max. This means you can stop just before it all gets too much for the star of the show.
Timed for babies’ schedules
Timing is everything with babies’ parties. So pick a time that slots in well with babies’ finely-tuned schedules. And best avoid 3ish if you have friends with older children who need to be collected from school.
Nap first
A well-rested tot is a much happier host: try and get them to have a nap before the guests arrive so there’s more chance of smiles than tears.
Food for babies
Think bite-size snacks for the tots: chopped grapes, raisins, rice cakes, mini muffins and breadsticks are great. And why not can grab a few extras for any older siblings coming along too?
Food for grown ups
There’ll be at least one adult with every tot, so you might want to prepare a few extra nibbles, like sausages, crudite or crisps with dip. For drinks, tea and coffee are always welcome, or you could treat your friends to bubbly for a birthday toast.
Cake
Shop-bought or home-made, babies love eating cake. And what matters most is a candle to blow out while everyone claps like mad!
Invitations
Even if it’s just a small party, invitations sent by email or post, help make it more of an occasion. You can make them using a cute picture of your one-year-old or even their hand print if they’ll play ball.
Charge that camera!
Whatever way you do, remember to charge that camera battery so you can capture the event. And when your 1 year old is a bit older, they’ll love seeing themselves at their very first birthday party.