One of the biggest milestones in a child's life is his first birthday. He's been developing at a rapid pace, so he'll probably enjoy the center of attention, regardless of what you do to make his day special. Choose a theme and use it for invitations, decorations and refreshments. Don't forget to take pictures and home videos as he takes the first bite of cake and rips into his presents. The Kids Party Fun website recommends keeping the first birthday short---approximately one to two hours long.
Cupcake Party
Almost everyone enjoys cupcakes, so use it as a theme for the first birthday party. Find invitations with pictures of cupcakes or make them yourself using construction paper. Decorate with construction paper cutouts of cupcakes and colorful streamers. A 1-year-old child doesn't need party games, but if you have older children, you might want to have a couple of games to get them into a partying mood and keep them occupied when they first arrive. Refreshments can be a cupcake bar with plain cupcakes on a tiered platter with bowls filled with icing, sprinkles, small candies and other decorations. Serve fruit punch or juice. Have everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to the 1-year-old, then present her with a decorated cupcake. As soon as she takes her first bite, applaud to let her know this is her special day. After she finishes eating her cupcake, clean her up and put her on the floor so she can open presents.
Zoo
Use party invitations with animals on the front to let guests know they're invited to a birthday party at the zoo and make sure all parents understand they must attend. Give explicit instructions on how to get to the zoo. The Amazing Moms website recommends that one of the host parents should arrive early and pay for guests, set up the refreshments and make sure everything is ready. You may or may not want to decorate, depending on the policies of the zoo and how much time you have. Provide safari hats for each child and parent in attendance. Because this party is outdoors, serve refreshments first so the icing on the cake doesn't melt. If the children aren't too tired after touring the zoo, you can have the birthday child open gifts before everyone goes home. Chances are, most of the kids will need a nap, so it's OK to open gifts later, after the birthday had his own nap.
Disney Character Theme
Purchase Disney themed invitations to send to guests. When the parents call to R.S.V.P., ask who their child's favorite Disney character is. Give each child mouse ears, her own bottle of bubbles, and her favorite plastic or stuffed character. After all the guests have arrived, start the music and dance around the floor with the children. When the children get tired of dancing, serve refreshments of Disney themed cupcakes or a cake and fruit juice. Have the birthday child open gifts, until the children get squirmy. Enlist the help of other parents and teenagers to help the children blow bubbles.
