First Birthday Party Games That Are Perfect For Your Little Ones!

Photo courtesy of: Chris P.

Fun first birthday games that are perfect for your little one's first party. They are sure to make that first birthday extra special and more memorable. Parents will enjoy spending time with their little youngsters as they watch them explore, experience, and learn through the various activities.





FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES

BABY OBSTACLE COURSE - Using pillows and cardboard box tunnels, create an age-appropriate obstacle course. Have an older child demonstrate how to climb over and through the course.

BALL PIT - Fill a blow-up swimming pool with plastic balls to create a ball pit. Then let the little ones freely play in the "pit." To cut down on injuries, place the pool on grass or carpet rather than cement. That way if someone falls, they probably won't get hurt.

BEAN BAG TOSS - Secure four or five colorful plastic pails or baskets in a line, to a board so they won't fall off or fall over. Then have your little ones try to throw colorful bean bags into the containers.

BUBBLE BLOWING - Have the adults blow bubbles while all the little ones chase after them. They will enjoy trying to catch or pop them.

BUBBLE ENCASEMENT - Assuming you have good weather, fill a wading pool with a bubble solution. Then place a hula-hoop inside of the pool and have the little ones take turns standing in the center of the pool while an adult slowly lifts the hula hoop up, thus encasing the child in a huge bubble.

BUILDING BOXES - Create some fun "building blocks" by covering empty, square tissue boxes with colorful papers. Then decorate the boxes by gluing numbers, letters, and various shapes made out of contrasting papers. You can also use other small boxes for a little variety. Then just let the little ones cut loose and build. As an alternative, you could provide alphabet nesting stacking blocks, building blocks, Stack N' Sort cubes, etc.

DANCING - Since one-year-olds tend to love music and enjoy movin' and groovin', just turn on some music with a good beat, sit back, and enjoy the show, as your little ones dance their hearts out.

FOLLOW THE LEADER MUSICAL STYLE - Mom, Dad, or an older child shall serve as the leader. Start by playing some soft music in the background. The leader will then demonstrate for the little ones what they need to do. The object is to try to get everyone to do the same thing at the same time, most likely this won't occur, but they'll have fun trying. Examples:

• 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 Mom, Dad, or an older child serve as the leader. Have the little ones stand in a circle. The leader will then sing the Hokey Pokey song and make the appropriate movements while the kids 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 in the background, something like Old MacDonald would be perfect. When the music says a particular animal makes a particular sound, the adults or older kids can demonstrate the sounds and movements. Have the little ones move around the room trying to sound and act like one specific animal with sounds and movement.

PARADE TIME - Have your little ones put on a birthday parade for the parents. Give all the kids a little musical instrument. Things like tambourines, bells, cymbals, chimes, cowbells, horns, drums, etc. work well. Line the kids up and have them follow the leader through the house or yard, while playing their instrument. A parent or older child can serve as the leader. Periodically, have the kids make an exchange, so they may each experience the sound and feel of a different instrument. If you want to enhance the parade theme, have all the kids dress up as their favorite cartoon character.

PUPPET SHOW - Use your child's favorite DVD or book as your guide. Enlist the help of parents or hire your local high school drama students to put on a puppet show. To hold the little ones' attention, remember to use lots of expression, silly voices, and movement with the puppets.

PUZZLES - Chunky puzzles are always a favorite of one-year-olds, as long as they are age-appropriate. Spread out various puzzles with shapes, cars, pets, fish, animals, construction, dinosaurs, jungle animals, etc. and have your little ones put them together. To keep things on track and avoid frustration, pair up an older child or parent with each little one to help and encourage the completion of their puzzle.

RING AROUND THE ROSEY - Have all the little ones start by standing in a circle and holding hands. Then have them 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!" be sure your little ones follow the instructions and fall to the ground.

You can change the last line of the verse and have everyone 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 your little ones find them. Be sure to put a little prize inside of each one, taking care not to fill them with anything that they could choke on.

No matter the age, little ones love to receive presents. Here are some great party favors. Click on the first Birthday Bear Favor Set below to view 10 different favor packages that are perfect for your little 1-year-old guests. You might consider handing them out after you play your first birthday party games.

First birthday party games are a perfect way to round out and create a great party. Just remember to have enough adults to help out, plan your time accordingly, and implement a good mix of first birthday party games for a well-rounded affair.

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