Need help with 1st birthday party ideas? Explore 1st birthday themes, food ideas for kids and adults, games, gift ideas and places for a 1st birthday party.
By the time they have reached their first birthday your little guy or gal has become quite adept at responding to what people expect of them and at communicating what they want.
So, why throw a party for someone who won’t even remember it?
The one year old has a year of life under his little belt now (or his diaper pins?)! That’s a big deal!
His life’s journey has just begun and that deserves a celebration! Consider it a “ribbon cutting” for launching this new promising life into one wondrous year after another.
1st Birthday Party Ideas to Getcha Goin’
- How about a joint party with 1, 2 or more parents celebrating their child’s 1st or even 2nd birthday on or near that of your own little one.
- Plan a lunch or afternoon party of 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
- Keep the party short and flexible for when the little ones start exhibiting those, “I’ve had enough” signs.
- Make sure the birthday honoree is napped and fed 1/2 hour before party time so he can remain a good little host for as long as he can muster.
- Let the birthday boy or girl enjoy his favorite toy or entertain guests in his own special way while you serve beverages and munchies to spectating moms, dads and family members.
- When it’s time to open presents your one year old will need some gift opening training as this will become an annual job. Don’t worry . . . they catch on quick! Remove promptly from your curious toddler’s reach any ribbon, bows or small objects of interest.
- Have a friend or family member assist you by describing the gift from its respective giver on the inside of the corresponding birthday card for those soon to follow thank you notes.
- Baby-proof the party room making sure breakable objects are out of reach. Watch out! they’re tricky even after just one year experience. If you haven’t already; install stair-gates, outlet covers, and be sure curtain cords are out of reach.
- Do not serve any hard candies, nuts, popcorn, baby carrots or hot dogs or any other choking hazard qualifying foods.
- Make sure your pets are feeling comfortable with the situation. In other words, be sure they are not the focus of your party. If they are, or if they become a nuisance, give them their own space in a separate room.
An Appropriate 1st Birthday Theme
What’s more appropriate for 1st birthday party ideas than this: Firsts!
Your little one’s life so far has been made up of exciting firsts! For example, first breath, first step, first words, first tooth, first bath.
Including this 1st birthday!! It is perhaps more momentous for Mom and Dad than baby at this point so splurge, pamper yourselves, you deserve it!
Your child’s memories of his first birthday will come from pictures, videos, 1st birthday cards you save, etc.
Indeed, I still have my son’s first birthday candle — Sesame Street’s Big Bird holding the #1. I’m pretty sure I get more nostalgia out of it than does he.
1st Birthday Party Ideas: Food!
State in your invitations whether or not you will be providing child friendly snacks or if you prefer the parent provide their child’s food. Otherwise . . .
- Banana slices
- Teething cookies
- Cheese cubes
- Cheerios
- Graham crackers or saltines (I’ve discovered they prefer saltines or fishy crackers)
For the accompanying adults who may need to eat one-handed as they hang onto their little ones with the other:
- Finger foods served buffet style
- Pizza
- Fruit chunks, veggies and dips
- One scoop salads; such as potato, macaroni, coleslaw, etc.
- Chips and Salsa
- Water, pop, coffee, tea; whatever you like, your guests will likely like.
It pays to hire an older sibling or baby-sitter, volunteer friend or family member to keep an eye on the little birthday bunch while you serve up the food, cake & ice-cream to the grown-ups.
Party Game Ideas
Games & Activities for the 1 to 2 bunch:
- It’s not recommended to hire an entertainer for short-attention-spanned humanoids. Specifically, you want to avoid the fright factor from a flamboyant, unfamiliar visitor.
- Organized games for a one year birthday party are not expected or even necessary. Alternatively, I recommend breaking out the CD player, putting on some fun kids’ tunes and play a few rounds of Ring-Around-the-Rosy, or Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.
I have never met a child, no matter the age, who was not fascinated by and drawn to music. With this in mind, I borrow or rent a bubble machine (or just blow bubbles), and send them aloft as the kids dance around to the music while popping or trying to catch the bubbles. They LOVE it!
If you have older kids, there are dozens of fun kids birthday party games to explore!
1st Birthday Party Themes
As daunting as it may seem, birthday party themes for kids do not have to complicate your life, or your party. You can create party themes from the very simple to absolutely seismic.
Hey, there’s another idea: Earthquake!
Take a look below, put your creativity cap on and get started. If you don’t own a creativity cap, let us make it easy for you.
Just click through to step-by-step instructions that will make your job easier.
|
Firsts (as discussed above) |
Li’l Prince or Princess for the Day | Li’l Rebel (boy) |
| First Birthday Diva (girl) | Cowboy/Cowgirl | Li’l Sailor |
| Airplanes | Ballerina | Fairy Princess |
| Baby Bugs | Li’l Slugger | Cars & Trucks |
| Baby Animals/Zoo | Dolls | Yogabba Gabba |
| Dr. Seuss | Safari | Barnyard/Farm |
| Dinosaurs | Winnie-the-Pooh | Disney Characters |
| Monkey | Sesame Street | Beatrix Potter |
| Li’l Angel | John Deere | Noah’s Ark |
Party Location Ideas
For the 1st birthday party crowd, home sweet home is often your best bet. It is much easier to keep an eye on the little ones and the hazards are (hopefully) under control already. Specifically, child-safety measures are in place for your 1 year old.
If there are lots of older sibblings involved, or attendees with older kids, here are a few good ideas to keep everyone happy (is that possible?).
| The Zoo | Children’s Musem | Your Local Park |
| Amusement Park | Family Fun Center | Safari Sam’s |
| Child-Geared Restaurant | Swimming Pool | Mall Play Area |
| Library – Kid’s Section | Indoor Playgrounds | Photo Booths |
| Aquarium | An Accommodating Farm | Nature Park |
| Community Center | Home Sweet Home! |
Gift Ideas for 1st Birthdays
What are the chances your 1 year old will even remember the gifts they received on their momentus 1st birthday party? Slim. Very slim.
The following list includes the commensurate 1st birthday party gifts, including toys and stuffed animal ideas. In addition, also included are a number of very practical items that will (hopefully) be appreciated “down the road” a few years.
Actually, parents will immediately appreciate some of the more practical items.
For example, my grandparents’ 1st birthday gift to my daughter was an ornate wooden high chair. After nearly 2 decades, the high chair is still in use – serving as a plant holder! Ah, the memories of our fights over zucchini and other fun dinner selections.
| Rocking or Toddler Chair | Savings Bond (that’s practical!) | Large Blocks or Lego®s |
| Texture/Tactile Books | Sound & Light-up Toys | Anything Teething Pleasing |
| Baby “Gyms” | Age-Appropriate Educational Toys | Clothes: 1 or 2 Sizes Larger |
| Large Trucks or Trains (boys) | Stuffed Animals | Diapers or Diaper Service |
| Babysitting “Gift Certificate” | Baby Supplies; Shampoo, etc. | Gift Certificate at Any Store |
| Jumper/ Entertainer | Exer-Saucer | Ride-on Toys |
| A Wagon | Outdoor Swing | Mini Play Structure w/Slide |
| Sites and Sounds Table | Sit to Stand Activity Walker | Baby Einstein DVDs |
| Toddler Swim Lessons | Stacking Toys | Music Stations |
| Little Pim: Fun With Language | Pop-up Toys | Toy Phone |
| Floating Device for the Pool | Bedding/ Towels | Toddler Swim Lessons |
| Soft Climbing Blocks | Large and Small Balls | Toy Stroller or Pushable Toys |
Need More Ideas?
Have you heard of crowdsourcing? It basically means you are “outsourcing” a problem to a group, a network of people or the “community.” In other words, ask the crowd!
If you have some fun, helpful, creative or practical (you get the idea) 1st birthday party ideas to contribute, please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. In fact, if it has anything to do with birthdays, we would love to hear from you!
What’s your favorite kids birthday party idea?
If you have a great kids birthday party idea, theme, or the perfect place to celebrate, share it!
M&Ms Birthday Cake Photo Credit: http://Photo by Pratiksha Mohanty on Unsplash
