100 Party Themes
First Birthday
Favorite Birthday
Favorites by Age
Holiday Parties
Invitations
Decorations
Party Favors
Discount Coupons
Planning Guide
Checklist
Games & Activities
Fun Food
Helpful Hints
Party Directory
A 1st Birthday Party is primarily for family and close friends. If you have family who live nearby, invite them 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 Yo Gabba Gabba and Sesame Street. A favorite toy, such as a doll, teddy bear, or truck, may also suggest a fun party theme. Visit our sister site First Birthday Fun for dozens of first birthday party theme ideas, including birthday princess, animal jungle, barnyard, construction and more.
The best locations for first 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
Tiny Prints sells super cute 1st birthday invitations that can be personalized with your child's photo and party info. Or make your own invitations with a photo of your child and the caption "Look who's turning 1!". Another fun idea is to cut a large number 1 from brightly colored heavy-weight paper. Write your child's name on the front of the number and the party details (date, time and location) on the back of the number. If you're handing out invitations, instead of mailing, add a 3D touch by tying or gluing one birthday candle to invitation. More Invitation Ideas and Tips!
Cut large number ones from brightly colored paper and hang around the party location. Display favorite photos of the birthday child (from infant pictures to current) along with stuffed animals and other cute toys. Make a "Happy 1st Birthday!" banner or poster for guests to sign and add their best wishes or purchase a personalized 1st birthday banner. Buy colorful helium balloons as decorations and then send a balloon home with each child. More Decoration Ideas and Tips!
Fun Games & Activities
You may not be able to get very young children to participate in organized games, but try a ball rolll where children sit in circle with their legs apart and roll a large ball to each other. Read or tell your child's favorite story. Decorate a wagon with streamers and balloons and pull children for wagon rides. Set-up a free play area with blocks, stacking toys, and pull toys. Decorate several large cardboard boxes and allow children to climb in and through boxes. Buy a pull-string pinata, so even very young children can play. If it's mostly a family party, show a short home video of your child's 1st year. More Games & Activities!
Creative Arts & Crafts
Set-up finger painting supplies or if you'd like less mess, buy paint books that have ink printed on the page that children "paint" with water soaked brushes. Make each little guest's handprint in plaster or clay. More Arts & Crafts Ideas!
Fun Foods
Serve animal crackers or other small cookies, bite size peanut butter & jelly or cream cheese sandwiches, applesauce, cupcakes (less messy than cake) and ice-cream cones. Provide additional food for the adults, such as cheese and crackers, cut fruit, raw vegetables with dip, pretzels or chips and salsa. More Fun Food Ideas!
Fun Party Favors
Purchase 1st birthday favor boxes, beach balls, blowing bubbles, or picture books to give as party favors. Avoid small items that could present a choking hazzard, as well as favors that are too messy or frustrating for very young children. More Party Favor ideas!
Special Resources
Visit First Birthday Fun for more 1st birthday party ideas. Receive $20 off your order of $100 of 1st Wishes party supplies with promo code KidsPartyFun. More Party Resources!
Related Party Themes
Similar party themes include Teddy Bear, Doll, Favorite Character, Favorite Animal and Picnic. More Party Themes!