Suggestions for 1 year old bday? House is too small (and most attending would be adults!)

[Jellybabie3]

DS first bday is fast approaching and we are stumped what to do as people want to see him and keep asking for our plans. We want the actual bday to ourselves (sunday) so can do something on the Saturday with family. But his bday is october so unpredictable weather and we really cannot fit people into my house. We would hire somewhere but it will literally be my ds and a tiny cluster of babies and a cousin (hes youngest in our family by miles).

I was going to suggest meeting somewhere like a petting farm as my son loves animals but some of my family are also pregnant...

Suggestions please??

We just hired a small hall. Got some drinks and snacks and a cake. There was a small soft play set for the toddlers but not essential if you don’t have (m)any of them, you could take a few play mats and toys for the babies.

Just book a family meal at a beefeater, tell everyone it's pay your own and can they let you know numbers.
At one your child neither knows or cares.

“At one your child neither knows or cares.”

I’m pretty sure the OP knows this.
First birthday parties are for the adults. We didn’t have a christening (not religious) and wanted to celebrate surviving the first year!

Is there a nice pub with a little play area anywhere near you? You could reserve a corner and pre order some sandwiches and bowls of chips if you wanted.

Hmm pub may be possible thanks.

And yes, well aware DS doesn't know but we do and so does the MIL 😂

I split it up and did one gathering on DD's birthday with my parents and neighbour and then the following day had her two baby friends around and their parents. She enjoyed both and it was nice and low key at home. I know that if I'd organised a party I would have ended up not spending as much time with DD as I'm prone to neglect when I'm trying to get stuff done

I know that if I'd had a bigger gathering there were people who wanted to come but I'm afraid I just said 'I've decided to keep parties for when she's old enough to want one'. No one was offended as far as I'm aware.

Once you get into hiring a hall I think these things tend to gain traction and turn into big events!

“At one your child neither knows or cares.”

"First birthday parties are for the adults."

As the parent of a 1 year old who has been to a lot of first birthday parties, statements like this really irritate me. Yes, ok - the child is not going to know that it's their birthday; nor are they going to remember it. But they're old enough to play, to interact, to need stimulation. We went to some "for the adults" parties where the babes weren't thought of at all and they were clearly bored stiff.

Not suggesting you go all out with the kid's activities - especially if most of the guests are grown ups. But don't lose sight of who the party is for - if you're going to have one, it should be enjoyable for them even if they don't get the concept of a "birthday" yet.

LittIe
I disagreed with the comment about the 1yo not knowing or caring but I stand by my comment that the party is for the adults; you can acknowledge that while still ensuring that the children are happy and entertained. As I said in my first post, we had a small soft play set and toys for the children. But the main point of the party was for the adults to meet up and celebrate. DS enjoyed it but was a bit overwhelmed at times and certainly wouldn’t have known any different if we hadn’t had a party!