Birthday party etiquette

[wasthataburp]

My baby is about to turn 1 soon. I am going to have a party for family at the house on day of party then was going to have a little party a few days later at the local soft play as they have a party room etc. AIBU to only invite her friends of same age and not older cousins etc? What's the norm? My family a little put out that I suggested only her baby friends at the soft play party and not her cousin who is 6 years older.

I'm not sure that there is an etiquette - or if there is maybe I get it wrong - but I do separate parties for my DC. I do similar to what you have suggested, a family one and one just for friends - with no exceptions.

Would a 6/7 year old not get more use or have more fun in soft play?

I have a family party and and activity party where I invite friends and cousins. But have never been to a soft play party for a 1 year old. 3 has been the youngest soft play party I have been to.

The soft play we are going to has a specific section for crawlers so is suitable for babies

How many cousins would you need to invite?
If it's only a few then invite them, not worth dealing with the fallout.

A one year olds party is really not about them so much as all the people who love them. They won’t care.

I have done both.
1 st bday I didn't a party at home, friends and babies first and then everyone else later

2bday I just did little kids with two older cousins
Depends how many there I I suppose and the nature of the soft play as you don't want the big kids ruining it for the little ones

Does the soft play have an age limit?