Fun 1st Birthday Party Games
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 Photo courtesy of: Suchitra Prints |
1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES
BABY OBSTACLE COURSE - Create an age-appropriate obstacle course of pillows and cardboard box tunnels. Have an older child serve as the leader to show the little ones
how to climb over and through the course.
BALL PIT - Make a ball pit with a blow-up pool filled with plastic balls and let the little ones freely play inside the pool. To avoid a "fall" on a hard surface, it is best to put the pool on grass or carpet rather than cement.
BEAN BAG TOSS - Line up 4 or 5 colorful baskets or plastic pails and secure them to a board so they won't fall over. Have the little ones try to throw colorful bean bags into the containers.
BUBBLE BLOWING - Have the adults blow the bubbles while the babies chase after them, trying to catch or pop them.
BUBBLE ENCASEMENT - If weather permits, fill a wading pool with a bubble solution. Place a hula-hoop in the pool and have the babies take turns getting into the center of the pool, while an adult slowly lifts the hoop up to encase the baby in a great big bubble.
BUILDING BOXES - Cover square empty tissue boxes with colorful paper and decorate with numbers, letters, and shapes. Let babies build with the boxes. In the alternative, provide building blocks, stack n' sort cubes, alphabet nesting stacking blocks, etc.
DANCING - One year olds love to dance, move, and have fun with music. Just put some music on and let them freely dance.
FOLLOW THE LEADER MUSICAL STYLE - Play music in the background. An adult serves as the leader and the little ones do as the leader commands and demonstrates. For example:
- Crawl
- Touch your toes
- Touch your nose
- Touch the top of your head
- Touch your knees
- Touch an elbow
- Reach up
- Reach down
- Wiggle your fingers
- Shake your hands
- Roll over
- Sit down
- Stand up
- Fly like a bird
- Bark like a dog
- Meow like a cat
HOKEY POKEY - Have the little ones stand in a circle with a parent or older child serving as leader. The leader will sing the song and make the movements while the babies try to imitate the body movements.
You put your left leg in,
You put your left leg out.
You put your left leg in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.
Repeat the above using right leg, left foot, right foot, left arm, right arm, left hand, and right hand.
MUSICAL ANIMALS - Play some music and when it stops, have the toddlers move around the room acting like one specific animal with sounds and movement. The adults can help by demonstrating the sounds and movements for them.
PARADE TIME - Have the little ones put on a birthday parade for the parents. Give them each little musical instruments like horns, shakers, bells, cymbals, chimes, cowbells, drums, tambourines, etc. Line them up and have them follow the leader (parent or older child) through the house or yard, while playing their instrument. Periodically let them exchange instruments so they each have an opportunity to try a new one. If you want to do it up right, have them all dress up as their favorite cartoon character.
PUPPET SHOW - Enlist some of the parents' help or hire high school drama students to put on a puppet show. Use your baby's favorite book or DVD as your guide. To keep the little ones' attention, remember to use silly voices, lots of expression and movement with the puppets.
PUZZLES - Have little ones put together age-appropriate chunky puzzles with various themes like farm animals, fish bowl, construction, dinosaurs, jungle animals, house pets, shapes, cars, etc. You can pair up an older child or parent with each baby to help and encourage completion.
RING AROUND THE ROSEY - Have all the babies stand in a circle, hold hands, and walk around in a circle while singing:
Ring around the rosey,
A pocketful of posies,
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down!
After everyone "sings" "We all fall down!" the babies all fall to the ground.
You can change the last line of the verse and have the babies do the stated actions. For example:
We all sit down!
We all stoop down!
We all squat down!
We all bow down!
TREASURE HUNT - Hide extra-large plastic Easter eggs around party room or outside and have the little ones find them.
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MONEY-SAVING TIP
Before you purchase anything, be sure to check out the 1st birthday party games that are being offered on eBay. Many times, you'll find great new games at a fraction of the retail price.
PARTY FAVORS FOR 1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES
No matter the age, little ones love to receive presents. Here are some great party favors. Click on the 1st Birthday Bear Favor Set below to view 10 different favor packages that are perfect for your little 1-year-old guests.
1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES CONCLUSION
1st birthday party games are a perfect way to create a great party. Just remember to have enough adults to help out, plan your time accordingly, and implement a good mix of 1st birthday party games for a well-rounded affair.
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