First Birthday Party

Creative ideas from CHILD readers who made special mementos and memories with their kids.

... that was made at her first party. Serve dessert in recycled baby-food jars. Chocolate mousse, ice cream...Put your baby's cute face on the invitation. Have her hold a sign that says "It's my birthday... works best. Put your baby in his birthday suit. Decorate a simple one-piece T-shirt with stamped...

If your baby's first birthday is fast approaching, consider the following factors when planning the party.

.... If there will be other young kids, keep the party short -- an hour or two is plenty. If you want to decorate... and of Baby in his birthday outfit before the guests arrive. Don't force Baby to be social. With all... relative to stay with the birthday baby when he needs a break. Consider doing the fun part the night before...

Celebrate this major milestone with an intimate gathering of friends and family.

... together with silver fasteners. Write party details on the body and add googly eyes and silver chenille...-in-the-dark necklace as they enter the party galaxy. Use fishing line to hang metallic cardboard stars (partycity... foil, tape, and stickers. Food: What would this party be without cool robot cupcakes? For lunch, serve...

These gorgeous birthday cakes are a snap to make using your favorite cake mix and simple white icing.

A party and cake are great. But there are many other ways to infuse a little magic into your child's birthday. Try celebrating with a few of these timeless, low-cost traditions

Your baby's officially a toddler -- and we've got the presents she'll love.

..., available at merimeri.com Give your little guest a fun felt party had for the birthday bash Felt stripe... in the May 2009 issue of Parents magazine. Check out these two slideshows for more birthday party fun! ... lot of bang for your buck with this affordable and versatile party material. Cool Dot-Com Decor...

...Keep the first party simple and elegant. A special party hat, perhaps a few decorations, and a... could be more fun than hosting your child and his friends for his first (mock) sleepover? Plan the party... for a game of your child's favorite sport. Show your birthday child who's first in your eyes...

...) craft projects. And don't miss our very own Birthday Party Planning Tool. It asks a series of questions... the age of the birthday kid. * Serve the sweets in the last half hour of the party. Have adult.... * For an active sports party, hand out treat-filled personalized water bottles with a coach's whistle. * Staple...

...; Norwalk, Conn.; $225 for a 25-person birthday-party package for nonmembers or group admission rate of $6...-Pot Hill Orchards; Stow, Mass.; $95 for ten children. Birthday guests make a furry friend from scratch... studio. Sample price tag: All Fired Up; Burlingame, Calif.; party packages starting at $15 per child...

Playtime with your infant is more than just fun and games -- it also teaches your baby valuable life lessons.

A little something special.

Break out these fun and creative ideas when you're cooped up indoors.

... pictures. It's hard to do everything yourself. --Susan 34. If you really want to make the first birthday.... --Margie 35. For my daughter's third birthday, we had her party at a local park. The shelter had... daughter's first birthday, we rented out a pool-side hotel room. The hotel allowed family and friends...

.... Then let the kids decorate their doghouses. At the end of the party, give dog-themed goodie bags: a tiny... into the party spirit by dressing up their cuddly stuffed animals. Then give the children time to do what... the party. Make puppets from socks or Styrofoam balls. Decorate with pipe cleaners, yarn, googly eyes...

...Fashion a classic cootie catcher into a birthday party invitation. Use the inside flaps to reveal... for non-crafty party planners. At poseprints.com, design a look-alike character to match the birthday... it to the party to help solve the mystery. (Have a duplicate puzzle on hand in case of no-shows.) Send an invite...

These party-worthy cupcakes contain hidden fruit or veggies, good-for-you oils, and whole-grain flours.

Start your ovens for treats your whole family will love.

... birthday party. For my daughter's first birthday, I wanted a special memento. So I took my favorite photo...'s first birthday party, we had a barnyard bash. I had a craft table set up so when the kids arrived... invitations with the birthday child's picture in the frame and the party information in the section for "stats...

Forget shelling out for a designer cake. You can create an impressive cake at home with our step-by-step instructions for a pirate ship, a basketball, a dollhouse, and more.

The best Web sites to help you organize your child's next party.

When your baby first starts solids, offer him 1 to 2 tablespoons of food once a day, then add a second meal after he's responded well for a week or two.