baby's first party

toddler birthday parties

Throwing a birthday party for your baby or toddler doesn't have to be a headache. You'll want to reflect and marvel at how your baby is growing up - not to rush around doing the washing up or preparing complicated party food. Here we show you how to keep things simple for a fun, festive birthday that you and your little one will enjoy!

baby's first birthday party: "The Big One"

Hard to believe it's been a year! And so much has changed. Your enchanting and mystifying infant is now sitting, crawling, maybe even walking - and full of personality. Your baby is turning one. This is the most momentous birthday ever, short of 100!

First Birthdays are very, very special because they only happen once in your baby's life. But don't forget that the first birthday party will probably be more special to you than to your baby. It won't matter to your little one whether you throw a catered party for the whole neighbourhood or just invite close family over for a barbeque. The trick is to create a wonderful event that is memorable for you!

Don't forget you will have your hands full entertaining guests while trying to monitor your cruising birthday babe! It might be a good idea to arrange for help from a reliable friend or family member who can help care for your baby while you play hostess.

when to have the party
Keep the party short. One to two hours is about the most a 12-month-old can handle without getting over-stimulated and cranky. Make sure you schedule the party around nap times of your baby and any baby guests! Late morning parties allows for an early morning nap, while late afternoon parties allow for an early afternoon nap. Bear in mind that weekend parties usually work better for parents and other adults.

who to invite
Realistically, most first birthday parties are for the grown-ups in your child's life - so your best bet is to invite only close friends and family. Keep it to a manageable number of guests for you and your chosen party location, as the commotion of too many children and adults can cause crankiness.

Most babies this age are going through a combination of stranger and separation anxiety, so a guest list of anything more than 10 might be overwhelming to your little guest of honour. Parents of other babies should be included in the guest count so they can assist their children and you if necessary.

food
Although it is not necessary to provide a full meal, simple festive finger foods are always welcome at any party. Make sure to check with ALL parents regarding any food allergies. A simple party food solution is to make or buy a colourful birthday cake. Your baby will love looking at the cake as much as eating it! Be sure to have extra bibs, napkins, and wet wipes on hand to clean up little hands and faces.

baby proofing
As with any occasion, make sure you baby-proof the party space. Toys and party favours should be at least the size of an adult fist. Birthday balloons need to be tied up away from the babies, and any popped balloons must be quickly removed from the floor to prevent choking. If you must use balloons, it's best to buy helium ones and make sure to dispose of them carefully after the party. It's also a good idea to ensure the venue is smoke-free.

gifts
You'll want to commemorate your baby's first year with the perfect birthday gift. Birthday presents should be fun and amusing for the baby, but also safe and age appropriate.

toddler birthday parties

Unlike the first birthday, toddlers know what's happening when it comes to their impending birthday party and can actually communicate excitement about the approaching event. "My birthday? For me? Tomorrow? For me?" Believe it or not, your baby's first birthday will probably be the easiest celebration of all your child's future birthday parties. So, here are some fun ideas and survival tips for throwing a stress-free birthday party for older toddlers. Don't forget this is mainly about celebrating your little one's special day - as ever, keep the party simple so you can do just that!

games
The golden rule for successful parties for lots of young children is having plenty of fun games and activities to keep them occupied. Keep in mind that toddlers do not fully understand rules, have little capacity to wait their turn, have short attention spans and constantly want to move around! Despite this, here's some fantastic party activities that are not competitive - no winners, no losers!

bubble chase:
Ask the grown-ups to blow bubbles into the air and let the children chase after and pop them.

edible play dough or clay:
Most toddlers would rather eat their art supplies than create a work of art! Before the party, make up a batch of edible play dough or clay.

balls in bucket:
An easy activity and one that will go on and on. Provide a bag of play balls and set up a target such as a large tub or bucket. Let toddlers toss or walk up and drop the balls into it.

go fishing:
Set up a "fish pond" behind a blanket and have the children stand in front of the blanket. With the help of an adult, children drop their fishing lines (use sticks, rope and a clothes peg for a hook) in to the lake or ocean. Another adult behind the blanket clips a prize to the "hook".

sand treasure:
This is a great outdoor game. Provide a large pail or rubber container filled with sand. Bury small prizes all around under the sand and let each toddler dig until he/she finds a treasure.

gifts
At this stage of development, it's hard to go wrong choosing a fun birthday present for your toddler. Here are more winning ideas for great gifts:

• Aural/visual toys that make sounds and have flashing lights are always popular with the one and over crowd.
• Colourful Ride-on toys are always appreciated by the newly mobile!
• Enjoy choosing children's clothes while you can! There are only a few years left before your child might not always let mum select her wardrobe!