24 March 25 - TIPS FOR HOSTING A 1st BIRTHDAY PARTY AT A VENUE

To host a memorable first birthday party at a venue, plan ahead, choose a theme, keep it short and sweet, and focus on safety and fun for the baby and the guests. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of tips for hosting a first birthday at a venue:

Planning & Preparation:

• Set a Budget: Determine your budget early on to ensure you can afford all the key aspects of the party, including venue rental, food, decorations, entertainment and other party essentials.

• Choose a Venue: Book in advance as popular venues can fill up quickly on weekends. Select a venue that is safe, child-friendly, and has enough space for the number of guest you anticipate AND the activities. Community Centers, Parks w/covered areas, etc.

• Create a Guest List: Decide who to invite and send out invitations well in advance.

• Choose a Theme: A theme can help create a cohesive and fun atmosphere.

• Plan the Activities: Consider soft play and other activities that are age-appropriate and engaging for both the baby and the guests.

• Plan the Food: Offer a variety of food options for both adults and children, and consider any dietary restrictions or allergies.

• Baby Proof the Venue: Ensure the venue is safe for the baby, by childproofing the space and providing plenty of supervision.

• Consider a Cake Smash: A cake smash can be a fun and memorable part of the party, allowing the baby to interact with the cake and create some fun memories.

• Plan for Photography: Capture the special moments with photos and videos or hire a photographer.

• Plan for HELP: Delegate specific tasks such as set up, clean up, photographer, hostess to handle vendors, guest, gifts, catering, etc. This can be family or a high school student in your neighborhood.

• Timeline: Schedule activities such as character visit, cake cutting, etc. The time will pass quickly!

During the Party:

• Keep it Short: Babies can get overstimulated easily, so keep the party short and sweet, ideally no longer than 2 hours.

• Time the Party: A late morning or early afternoon party usually works well.

• Welcome Guests Warmly: Visit with them and thank them for coming, share funny baby stories.

• Supervise the Play Area: Make sure the kids are safely playing in a safe environment.

• Have Fun: It’s a celebration for the family! Show yourself some grace and be sure to endulge in every moment.

After the Party:

• Clean Up: Ensure that you start this process with enough help and time clean up the venue by breaking down tables, stacking chairs, take trash out, etc.

• Exit the Venue on Time: Plan to be out of the venue 10 minutes before your time expires. Thank your guests for coming and start the clean up, breakdown and loading the car.

Additional Tips:

• DIY Decorations: Determine your budget early on to ensure you can afford all the key aspects of the party, including venue rental, food, decorations and entertainment. Practice set up at home, inflate balloons at home, open Amazon boxes at home, so there are no surprises on event day.

• Plan Age-Appropriate Activities: Organize activities that are suitable for the age of the children attending, such as soft play, sensory play, bounce house, games, etc.

• Party Favors: Consider giving guests small party favors as a thank you for attending.

• Keep it Simple: Decide who to invite and send out invitations well in advance.

• Delegate Tasks: Ask for help and do as much as you can at home, packs weeks in advance, create a task list, etc.

• Focus on the Baby: Consider soft play and other activities that are age-appropriate and engaging for both the baby and the guests.

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