Party Games for Baby’s First Birthday

Whether the past year has been the longest or fastest year of your life, it’s finally here – your baby’s first birthday! Here are some fun activities and games that will be perfect for your child’s special party.

Photo Board

Attach a photo of the birthday boy/girl to the center of a poster board, and let the guests leave messages on the board with markers. After the party, frame the board and hang it in the nursery or playroom as a memento.

Catching Bubbles

Hand out disposable cups, turn on a bubble machine and challenge the kids to catching as many bubbles as they can! Even if your baby doesn’t entirely grasp the concept, he’ll be happy to just play with some bubbles. If you don’t have a bubble machine, have some of the older kids blow bubbles for the little ones to catch.

Circle Time

Have the children and their parents sit in a circle on the floor. Lay out plush animal mats so the children can either sit on them or their parents’ laps. Put on a playlist with children’s music and pass around kid-friendly instruments, like maracas. The children will love making noises with the instruments as you sing and play along!

Wagon Rides

Decorate a kids’ pull wagon with streamers, balloons and the like. At the beginning of the party, have the younger guests help decorate a sign saying “Just Turned One!” Later, place the birthday girl in the wagon as guests cheer, wave and play the musical instruments. Afterwards, the other children can line up for their turn at a wagon ride.

Newborn Gift Packages as Unique Baby Shower Gifts

Have you ever attended a baby shower, browsed some of the gifts and wondered, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Suddenly, the cute onesie you bought or the toy you purchased appeared impersonal in comparison to the handmade blankets and hand-embroidered outfits that other guests brought. Or worse—someone showed up with the same exact gift as you!

Most mommies-to-be want the items they’ve added to their gift registry. However, you can’t register for something handmade, thoughtful, or crafted. Handmade gifts are typically favored over the name-brand onesie or toy, as there is simply nothing else like it.

However, you may not have enough time on your hands to create a customized gift. Not to mention, the cost of materials such as ribbon, onesies, thread, and other supplies you may need to create a custom gift can add up quickly.

At our baby boutique in Philadelphia, we can help you give a special baby shower gift for the mommy-to-be in your life. Our newborn gift packages are packed with a wide assortment of keepsakes, and the personalization is sure to make a lasting impression. From baby shower gifts for girls or boys, monogrammed baby blankets and gift baskets galore, we have everything you need.

Popular Nursery Themes for Baby Girls

If you decide to go with a theme when decorating your baby’s first room, your options are limited only by your imagination and creativity. There are endless nursery decorating themes out there; however, the following are currently some of the most popular for baby girls.

Princess

Just like mommy, little princesses love some indulgence. Ornate canopy beds are perfect for an elegant girl’s room, as well as castle-themed accents. No worries if you don’t prefer pink; purple and white personalized nursery décor will complement a princess theme just fine.

Owls

Owls are back and hooter (ahem, hotter) than ever. Incorporated into bedding and wall décor, owls are whimsical creatures that lend a homey feel to nurseries and bedrooms.

Unicorns

Little baby girls are magical, and they should have a nursery to match! Unicorns may just be a figment of her imagination, but that doesn’t mean that her room can’t come alive with all things sparkly and mystical.

Mermaids

A mermaid nursery is the perfect way to bring deep colors and whimsical decor together into a wonderful space for your little one, especially if you love beach-inspired designs and deep jewel tones. For a touch of shimmer, add in gold or rose gold accents in the decor and accessories.

Driving Long Distance with a Baby or Toddler

Traveling with your baby can be challenging, especially if you’re making a long-distance trip. You can keep your trip or move organized and less stressful with some simple preparations.

Before the Trip

Carefully plan your route to your destination by identifying stops such as playgrounds and family-friendly restaurants along the way. Find emergency clinics as well, just in case your baby needs such attention during your trip. Also, have your baby checked by your physician before you depart to ensure he or she is in good health and okay to travel. This includes having his or her vaccinations up to date.

What to Bring

Grab your toddler’s monogrammed kids’ duffle bag and fill it with the essentials, such as:

·         Baby food/drinks

·         Bottles

·         Diapers (double the amount you think you’ll need!)

·         Changing mat

·         Baby wipes, powder

·         First aid kit

·         Sunscreen

·         Clothing for any changing weather
·         Toys
·         A CD of soothing sounds or light classical music

Try mitigating departure-time stress by packing the car the night before the trip. Use an app such as Wunderlist to assist you with packing, and remember to keep basic items such as bottles and pacifiers in arm’s reach. Only pack the trunk with the stroller and other bulky necessities.

Avoiding Illness with Clean Baby Toys

While no parent wants their child to get sick, it’s almost inevitable that their toy and play areas can quickly become filled with invisible germs that may lead to illness. By following these practical tips at home, you can clean your baby’s toys safely and effectively.

Soap & Water

Common toys like rattles and teethers can easily be cleaned in the sink with soap and water. However, you should avoid this method if the toy includes any batteries, lights, or other components that could be damaged by excessive moisture.

Dishwasher

Many of your child’s trinkets such as stacker toys or bath toys are likely labeled as dishwasher safe. The heat from the dishwasher will help to sanitize them even more than rinsing them in the sink.

Disinfectant Wipes
Disinfectant surface wipes are a great way to clean plastic toys that cannot be submerged in water. Just be sure to let the toy air dry for several minutes before giving it back to your baby.

Washing Machine
Plush animals and baby dolls can be cleaned in the washer in dryer. Place them in a pillowcase first to avoid wear from repeated washings. In any case, check the labels on plush animals before washing them.

Babies can become sick simply by touching a toy that has germs on it, then touching their mouth (or putting the toy in their mouth). To ensure that your child’s toys stay clean, wash them after every use. Between uses, store them securely (check out our precious personalized toy chests!) rather than leaving them strewn about so you can limit their use solely to playtime.

Should You Bathe Your Baby in the Kitchen Sink?

For generations, babies have been getting their baths in the kitchen sink. It’s simply easier on a parent’s back than hunching over the bathtub, and cleaning up is simpler, too. However, our kitchen sinks are also filled with germs; in fact, a Lysol-sponsored study  has down that almost half of all kitchen sinks harbor high levels of illness-causing bacteria.

If you do prefer to bathe your baby in the kitchen sink, but don’t want to place her right in this germ-ridden area, you can invest in a sink tub, bath cushion, or bath sling. Any of these options will keep your baby supported during bathtime on a surface that’s free of germs (without you having to give the entire sink a full scrub-down beforehand).

Regardless of the bathtime solution you choose, make sure it can be easily cleaned. Even gentle baby soaps can build up easily, and your baby may even have a bath-time potty accident, so you’ll want to be able to clean that up easily.

After bathtime, you’ll want to have some quality hooded towels on hand. Remember that babies get cold quickly, so they should be wrapped up quickly with their heads covered so they don’t get the shivers. Personalized hooded towels from our boutique with fun patterns or critters will make your baby look forward to this bonding moment even more!

Teaching Your Toddler the Value of Saving

There are plenty of ways to teach children the value of money, as well as the importance of saving it. You can start teaching children these concepts when they’re as early as two years old, and one of the most effective ways is to introduce them to the iconic piggy bank.

When children put coins through the slot of their piggy bank, the practice of keeping money inside it until its full will excite their imagination. It also develops the sense of putting value on money, and how even saving small coins makes an impact. Then, as an exciting reward, your child can look forward to buying a new toy, book, or shoes with the money they’ve saved. Your child will be even more excited to save their coins when they have a personalized piggy bank that’s been made just for them.

There’s no question that teaching a child to save money can help define his or her outlook on spending at an early age. However, no lesson about money is complete without some discussion about charity. You can help teach your child how to put money in perspective by reminding him or her than there are many other things, such as family, that are invaluable.