100 Party Themes
First Birthday
Favorite Birthday
Favorites by Age
Invitations
Decorations
Party Favors
Planning Guide
Checklist
Games & Activities
Fun Food
Helpful Hints
Party Directory
1st Yo Gabba
1st Girl Safari
1st Safari Boy
1st Princess
1st Prince
1st Cupcake Girl
1st Sweet Ladybug
1st Elmo
1st Mickey Mouse
1st Birthday Invitations
Personalized Banners
Party Favor Boxes
Pull-String Pinatas
A 1st Birthday party is primarily for family and friends. If you have family who live near you, invite them over for a family celebration. If your child regularly plays with other children, you may wish to include them and their parents in your family celebration or invite them to a small, separate party (a play date with cupcakes).
1st Birthday themes can focus on the #1 or characters that are popular with young children, such as Sesame Street, Baby Einstein, Barney, and Winnie the Pooh. A favorite toy (teddy bear, doll, or truck) might also suggest a fun party theme.
Celebrate Express sells cute 1st Birthday partyware (paper products, decorations, favors, etc.).
The best locations for 1st Birthday parties are places your child is familiar and comfortable with, such as your home, a friend's or relative's home, or a playground your child frequently visits.
Keep the party short (1-2 hours) and plan for a time of day when your child is usually at his best. Morning parties work well for many young children.
Fun Invitations for a 1st Birthday include:- Cut a large number 1 from bright colored paper. Write your child's name on the front of the number and the party details (time, location, etc.) on the back of the number.
- Make reprints of a recent photo of your child and tape or glue to a slightly larger piece of paper. Write "Look who's turning 1!" above or below the photo and write and the party details on the back.
- Tie one birthday candle to your invitations.
More Invitation Ideas and Tips!
Fun Decorations for a 1st Birthday Party include:- Personalized 1st Birthday banners
- Large number ones cut from brightly colored paper and hung around the party location.
- Favorite photos of the birthday child (from infant pictures to current).
- Stuffed animals
- Happy 1st birthday banner or poster for guests to sign and add their best wishes.
- Helium balloons and streamers to match party theme.
More Decoration Ideas and Tips!
Fun Games & Activities for a 1st Birthday include:- Story time (read or tell a favorite story)
- Show home video of 1st year (limit to 10 minutes!)
- Ball rolls (have children sit in circle with legs apart and roll large ball to each other)
- Wagon rides (decorate a wagon and pull children for rides)
- Free play area (blocks, stacking toys, pull toys, and other young favorites)
- Box yard (decorate several large cardboard boxes and allow children to climb in and through boxes)
- Pull string pinata (even very young children can play)
- Finger painting
- Paint with water books (ink is printed on page)
- Handprints in plaster or clay
- animal crackers or other small cookies
- peanut butter & jelly or cream cheese sandwiches
- applesauce
- cupcakes (less messy than cake), cake with #1 candle,
- ice-cream
Include additional foods for the adults, such as:
- cheese and crackers
- cut fruit
- raw vegetable platter with dip
- pretzels
Fun Party Favors for a 1st Birthday Party include:
- beach balls
- blowing bubbles
- picture book
- finger puppets
Special Resources for a 1st Birthday Party include:
- Celebrate Express
- Kids' Party Fun Directory (entertainment, rentals, and places)
- First Birthday Fun
Related Party Themes include: