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1st Birthday Theme Ideas

candle

-- 1st Birthday Theme --

A 1st birthday is in my opinion the most special of birthdays and it really is your chance to show off your gorgeous baby and how he or she has developed and grown.

However, a birthday party for this age group can be quite overwhelming for them. All that noise, all those new faces and all that attention can be quite scary. So my advice is to not go overboard.

Keep the birthday party fun and simple.

So whether it's a party for a 1st birthday boy or a girl first birthday, just follow this way and let me show you what you can do…..

This may be your first every birthday party that you have organized and so it may all seem a bit daunting. Trust me though, you really don't need to do anything fancy as the main attention will be on your child and not on the decorations!




Top Tip:...Keep the party length to no more than 2 hours maximum and try and fit it around nap and meal times.

1st Birthday Theme Invitations

There are many shops with ready made 1st Birthday Theme party invitations but you can also make your own and it's not difficult.

Birthday in a Box
Cupcake 1st Birthday Girl Personalized Invitation

Birthday in a Box
Boy's First Party Personalized Invitation

Your invitations could go something like this:

Little X is turning 1
It's time to celebrate and have some fun
We'll clap and dance and sing and play
So I hope you make this special day.
Mums and dads can come with you
And don't forget a diaper too!

  • Write the details on a square piece of paper and then fold it just like you would a cloth diaper. Secure with a small safety pin. Simple but cute.

  • Write the invite on a plain luggage label and tie to the end of a rattle or other small baby item.


  • Write the details on a plain wooden building block and tie with a ribbon to represent a gift.

  • Decorate plain card invites with pictures of your baby or images cut out from magazines. Sprinkle with a little glitter and baby talc to give that nice fresh baby smell.
Top Tip: Don't invite too many unfamiliar faces and try to keep the numbers quite small. Too much attention could lead to anxiety and fretfulness.
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1st Birthday Theme Costumes

Your baby is never going to have so many photos taken of him/her so you want to make sure s/he looks as cute as can be. Baby costumes have never been so cute and you have a mammoth choice. How about these for starters:

BuyCostumes (US)Buy Costumes

Fancy Dress Outfitters (UK)

Jokers Masquerade (UK)

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1st Birthday Theme Party Decorations

Top Tip: Burst balloons are a choking hazard for children and babies. Make sure that you throw away broken balloons straight away. Babies will put anything in their mouths that looks bright and interesting so be on your guard.
  • Depending on whether you are having a particular first birthday theme, balloons and streamers always go down well with the younger kids but there is no need to over do it. Buying 1st birthday party supplies.
  • A special feature could be a growth wall whereby you have a frieze with photos of your child from birth to one. You could also highlight milestones such as first tooth, first step, and first word and so on.
  • Set up a soft play area and also a quiet room space for those that will need a nap or some quiet time.
  • Have an area/toys for toddlers.
  • Make sure you have a clean and safe space for heating up baby food and bottles and plenty of kitchen wipe!
Birthday in a Box
Boys 1st Birthday Centerpiece
Birthday in a Box
Barnyard 1st Birthday Mylar Balloon
Pooh's 1st Balloon Centerpiece
Pooh's 1st Birthday
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1st Birthday Theme party food

One year olds don't eat that much and they don't have a hugely varied diet – adults do though! Therefore cater mainly for the grownups and any older siblings that will be at the party.

One year olds are not tidy eaters so make sure you have a dedicated food area and try to avoid too many foods that are 'fun to play with' such as jelly.

If it is a nice day, it might be an idea to eat outside. Set up a big picnic rug so the kids can eat and move about as they wish. If the weather is cold or wet, you could still set up a picnic area in your house.

Top Tip: Some babies will have a mouthful of teeth and others maybe only one or two so make sure you cater for both.
  • Cupcakes
  • Cheese straws
  • Carrot and cucumber sticks
  • Bread sticks
  • Ice cream, fruit mousses, mini yoghurts
  • Shortbread Cookies
  • Cubes of cheese and fruit
  • Cake Ideas
    For something really simple, prepare a basic cake using a packet cake mix or my all-in-one cake recipe. and bake in a shaped tin. When cool, decorate it with frosting and smarties. So simple but so effective!
More kid party food ideas
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1st Birthday Theme Games and Activities

  • Musical games
  • Nursery rhymes and songs
  • Peek a Boo
  • Clapping games
  • Name that Baby
    This is a game for the adults! Ask them in advance to bring a photo of their baby and of themselves as a baby and then see if you can guess at whose baby is whose.
  • Hand prints
    Have the baby guests make a hand print on a large sheet of paper and then have their parents write a few words for the birthday child. Roll it up and keep it safe until their 18th birthday!
Top Tip: Keep the party fairly low key and simple. Too much activity and change can be rather overwhelming and frightening for little ones.

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1st Birthday Theme Party Favors

  • Small soft toy or cuddle cloths
  • Chew toys
  • T-shirt printed with a printed personal message on it
  • Bibs and small clothing items
  • Photo frame
Birthday in a Box
Boy's First Birthday Favor Set
Birthday in a Box
Barnyard 1st Birthday Favor Set
Birthday in a Box
1st Birthday Favor Set

My Top 1st Birthday Theme Party Suppliers

UK flag UK suppliers

Party Pieces
Fun and original site. Check out the 1st birthday cake kits which will help you make the perfect cake.
Party Box
A great party supplier. Lots of choice and excellent service.
Jokers Masquerade
One of my favorites for party costumes. You'll definitely get something here.
Party Delights
Another very good party supplier. Worth checking out.

US flag US suppliers

Birthday in a Box
One of my favorite party supplies sites. Always up to date and really good value.
Birthday Express
Big choice and big value. Worth a look.
Birthdayz by Shindigz
Also in my list of best kids party supplies sites. Huge choice of everything!
Buy Costumes
This site is the king of costumes. If the costumes not here then it's probably not anywhere else either. You'll be drooling over the costumes.
Makes Parties
If you are on a tight budget, this site is for you. Below is a selection - there's much more online.


Other 1st Birthday Theme Party Resources

Need a place to go for information, support, or just to have a good laugh? Check out Celebrate Motherhood where you'll find encouragement for moms of all ages and all walks of life.

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Party Themes for ages 5-12 years





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