Many families choose large celebrations for their baby’s birthday, especially for the first fantastic birthday party ideas when they introduce their little one to a wider circle of friends, colleagues and family.

But it’s also alright to opt for a simpler celebration with your baby as your focus. In fact your baby might enjoy a simpler celebration better because the crowds, noise and movement of a large party can all be overwhelming for him.

The truth is, your baby will not remember his first three birthdays. But if you want them to be enjoyable for him, simpler is probably better. A fun-time that your child enjoys.

You might feel pressured to follow along if you notice many families around you celebrate with themes, at upmarket birthday party venues, and with expensive return gifts. Your house is the best party venue with the young ones, as they feel secure in their house environment and you don’t have to worry much about keeping a watch over them as they are well aware of the surroundings.

But a growing number of families choose to have more modest celebrations, for various reasons ranging from environmental and social consciousness, to budget constraints.

Here are a few ways you can make the day special for your baby:

Fantastic birthday party ideas of decoration

Your baby might not understand what a birthday is yet, but you do. Simple things like balloons, paper or cloth streamers, or something more personal like a wall collage with pictures of your baby’s milestones, can give a special look to your home and put the family in a celebratory mood.

Make the day different in little ways that add up to something special

In everything from clothes to food and activities, you can help the whole family feel it’s a special day. Once your baby learns to talk and express himself, you can say ‘yes’ to as much as possible and fill the day with things your child loves.

Food art can be a fun activity with a toddler as can an outdoor trip to the zoo or amusement park for example. You could invite a few of your child’s friends to join in these activities.

If your child is into dressing up, and imaginative play, you can find a special outfit and complete it with a mask or crown made at home. Outfits for the whole family with time set aside to role play with your baby will really make for some wonderful memories and photos. Involving him in the handmade accessories can be all the more fun.

Start a birthday tradition

A birthday tradition is something you do each year on your child’s birthday. You can create this tradition to teach your child environmental or social values. Planting a tree every year or organising a trip to an orphanage, old age home or a charity organisation are some ideas. It’s a great way to teach empathy and sharing.

Your tradition can also be something more personal if you prefer. You could for example take a handprint of your baby and other family members to see how his grow and even overtake yours one year. Or make a collage with your favourite birthday pictures that you add to each year this adds to fantastic birthday party ideas

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Kids birthday party

A birthday party doesn’t have to be a huge affaire. But at this young age, any other children of your baby’s age will come with an accompanying adult.

You could plan one structured fun activity and then let the children have free play. If it’s your baby’s first birthday, know that at this age, babies rarely play together. They each busy themselves in their own activity and play alongside each other, also known as parallel play. So for the free play time, see that there are enough toys for all the babies around.

Here are some ideas of games and activities the children can do at home or outdoors during the party:

Bubbles and balloon games such as bursting the bubble, catch the balloon or balloon art.

Art and craft activities appropriate for your child’s age. These can include anything from simple colouring-in pages to creating paper animals with cut outs or paper bags. Painting flower pots or decorating wands and masks are other fun craft activities.

Treasure hunt

Depending on the age of your child and his guests, you can make the treasure hunt easier or more complex. Use colourful chart paper to cut out pug marks, footprints or circles. Tape these to the floor and have your child follow the trail. He can jump from one circle or footprint to another – a fun game for kids. At different places along the trail the kids can do a game, dance or exercise. And at the end of the trail, have a few little treats for the kids.

An hour at the neighbourhood park with ball games or pass the parcel.

Share the day with loved ones

If you want to keep the group at the party limited for your baby’s sake, you can still help other family members feel part of your baby’s special day. You can send them a card with a photo of your child and his hand print with a few heartfelt words.

You could even send them a short video showing how your baby grew over the last year with a few words at the end for them. This is a sweet way to help family members who live far away follow your baby’s milestones and growth too.

In short, with the amount of photos and digital tools we have today, it’s easy to make something personal and touching for you to share with your loved ones, even if you don’t invite them all for a party.

Ideas for birthday return gifts

If you are having other children over for a party, you’ll find that for most little guests, the return gift is the biggest attraction of a birthday invitation! Here are some return gift ideas that kids would enjoy that don’t need a large budget:

Seasonal vegetable or fruit plants like strawberry, tomato or lime

Gardening set with seeds

Terracotta piggy banks (gullak) with a paint set

Goodie bags with a mix of different toffees, candy and small toys

Finger puppets

Puzzles

Personalised jute bags using glue and glitter to write the children’s names

If you want age specific celebration you can visit our blog year by year birthday party ideas.

Whatever you decide on, the most important ingredients to make your child’s day special are your love, attention and time. So whether or not you have a party, or go out, take some time out that day to give your undivided attention to your child.

Don’t forget to take lots of photos to record these memories and share with your child when he’s older. Looking for more tips and advice? Connect with other mums in helpful parenting forums or join your Birth Club and exchange ideas with parents who are in the same stage as you.

The Funpad can help make your child’s birthday even more special by providing entertainment at your child’s birthday party. The Funpad is a fully refurbished double-decker bus, fitted with the highest quality soft play equipment that comes to YOU, wherever you are, rain, hail or shine. Fully climate controlled, The FunPad provides you with a safe, unique and fun entertainment option, designed for children 3-12 years.

Give teachers a well-deserved rest!!  Let us share some load.
The Funpad provides a unique incursion experience that can entertain kids for hours.
Explore, Discover, Grow
● Developing core skills of movement enhances confidence, flexibility and coordination; all while the kids are having fun and being active.
● Movement can also play an important role when kids are learning and growing. It assists with concentration, focus and engagement along with building their self-esteem.

 Happy parents, happy party guests, happy you

• Corporate are always looking for options for family events where kids can play safely. The Funpad can entertain your guests aged 3-12 years on board. This gives parents a rest or the chance to look around and enjoy the event, knowing the children are being well supervised and are safe.
• Guest can also have peace of mind as kids are burning their energy on the bus rather than keeping their parents engaged

Are you looking for a unique entertainment option for your youngest guests?

● The FunPad can entertain your guests aged 3-12 years on board.
● Children will be able to play the day/night away.
● Full time supervisor on board minding the kids, keeping them engaged and managing the queues by sending them on rotation basis in a group of 20 kids at a time

Give a unique wedding entertainment option for your youngest guests!!

• Make your party a special one by giving both kids and parents time to enjoy with their friends.
• The FunPad can entertain your guests aged 3-12 years on board for hours.
• Children will be happily occupied in a safe environment, under supervision.