The first year of your baby's life is one of the most important. It’s not only a time of growth and development but a time to bond with your baby. That’s as good a reason as any to celebrate!
1st birthday parties are perfect for getting everyone you love into the same space to celebrate your bundle of joy. To help you plan a gathering as lovely as your newborn, we’ve collected over 20 1st birthday party ideas for both boys and girls.
Choose one of our themes or mix and match ideas to create a unique birthday party.
22 1st birthday party ideas
1. Babies first rodeo
Throw your little one their very own rodeo. This is an adorable 1st birthday party idea for both boys and girls. Make cowboy hats and boots the dress code and serve an outdoor BBQ for your guests.
There are so many sweet extras you can make for this theme too. Create a ‘Pick a Pony’ station and fill it with different cuddly horses for your guests to take home. You could also name your drinks station the watering hole!
Sophia Marie Paperie sells these cowboy-inspired photo banners which are perfect for decorating.
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2. Party animal 1st birthday party
Image credit: Megan Foster Photography
Take the party animal theme literally and decorate your baby's 1st birthday party with wild animals. Zoo animals wearing party hats are bound to be a hit!
Think jungle animals, leafy decor and a ‘One Wild Year’ photo board full of baby pictures. You can easily DIY many of the decorations, just use our tropical garland template and our upcycled animal jam jar tutorial.
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3. A berry sweet birthday
Throw your little one a party that’s as sweet as they are by choosing a berry theme. This is especially great if they love a specific fruit like strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.
Opt for fruit juices, flavoured cupcakes and a summery outdoor setting. Red balloons can be turned into strawberries with some paper spots and green tops.
Brighton the Day threw the cutest berry birthday for her daughter. Just look at her little strawberry dress! Her blog is full of 1st birthday party idea inspiration.
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4. Up, up and away 1st birthday party
@omgisra never thought i’d be the one to throw my one year old kid a huge birthday party but here i am🤷🏽♀️ there were so many fails and disappointments😂 but overall i’m so thankful to be able to celebrate with so many loved ones🤍 #babyfirstbirthday #firstbirthdayparty #firstbirthdaydecor #firstbirthdayideas #firstbirthdayphotoshoot #firstbirthdaydiy #firstbirthdaytheme #firstbirthdaygift #babybirthdayparty #boybirthdaytheme #boybirthdayideas #boybirthdayparty #hotairballoonparty #hotairballoonpartytheme #upupandaway #airballoonparty #ohtheplacesyoullgo #firstbirthdayparty🎉🥳🎂 ♬ Lo-fi hip hop - NAO-K
Soar among the clouds with this wholesome 1st birthday party idea. Omgisra created an incredible 1st birthday party for her son, featuring a hot air balloon prop!
Use blue and white as your colour scheme and keep the decorations light and airy. Paper clouds, handmade bunting and marshmallow treats all fit the theme.
You could also DIY your own 1st birthday party invitations using our free hot air balloon printables.
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5. Colour explosion 1st birthday party idea
It’s proven that bright colours are brilliant for babies' development, making it a lovely 1st birthday party idea for any gender. Confetti cakes, rainbow bunting and multi-coloured party hats are a must.
For a DIY approach, make some fabric pom pom bunting and a colourful DIY tablecloth.
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6. Mini circus 1st birthday party
Twinkle Twinkle Little Party is the go-to site for 1st birthday party ideas and we especially love this circus theme. They have so many fun circus ideas including red nose place card holders, a Ferris wheel of cupcakes and popcorn bags.
For the final finishing touch, use our free carnival printables to handmake your little one’s birthday card.
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7. Afternoon tea party
Guests of all ages will love an afternoon tea party theme. Set up a long table outside with flowing tablecloths, cake stands and pretty crockery.
Personalised sugar cookies make lovely birthday treats and our cupcake cross stitch DIY cake toppers are the perfect finishing touch.
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8. Puppy 1st birthday party idea!
There’s nothing cuter than your one-year-old and a fluffy puppy party theme. This 1st birthday party idea is ideal for dog owners too as they can get involved in the celebrations.
For decorations think paper paw prints, toy dogs and dog house dens. Guests can dine on edible bone biscuits, pup cakes and hot dogs. Don’t forget the doggy bags (party bags) too!
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9. Welcome to my crib
We absolutely love this hilarious 1st birthday party idea from Style Me Pretty. Celebrate the Notorious B.I.G style with a DIY crib table, plenty of bubbly for the adults and a gold chain cake.
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10. Sugary sweet birthday party
Your little one is cute enough to eat! Throw them a sugary sweet 1st birthday party that’s full of delicious treats and delectable decor. Our paper ice cream pinata would make a fun, on-theme activity too.
Oh Happy Day's free printable candy birthday banner will look great hanging above the party food.
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11. Smiley 1st birthday party idea
Bring a smile to all your guest's faces with this 1st birthday party idea! Full of sunshine yet very affordable, this idea is great for those on a budget. Draw smiley faces onto yellow balloons, store-bought cakes and paper yellow plates.
Almost Makes Perfect made this theme for her daughter's birthday and the results were beautiful.
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DIY your little one’s 1st birthday party
Our collection of DIY party decoration ideas includes loads of beautiful handmade projects that will add a special touch to your baby's birthday celebrations.
12. Teddy bears picnic
Kara’s Party Ideas is full of brilliant and unique 1st birthday party ideas including this teddy bear picnic theme!
We absolutely love the book and bear party favours and the little bear ears for the kids to wear. Use her blog as inspiration and take your baby bears on their very own bear hunt by hiding the teddies around your garden.
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13. Cookie Monster 1st birthday party
If your little one is a Sesame Street fan or just a fiend for cookies, this is the perfect girl or boy 1st birthday party idea. Decorate your space with blue decorations and Cookie Monster memorabilia. The mini jars of cookies are just adorable!
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14. A very Bluey birthday
Bluey is one popular pup and we know many kids that would love having a Bluey-themed birthday.
Design your party based around a puppy theme then add Bluey party decor throughout (for example figurines, printouts and paper plates). We love the cow print milk bottles and Bluey bunting they’ve used here.
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15. Sweet as honey 1st birthday party idea
Dress your baby up as a fuzzy little bumblebee and give them a bee-day to remember! Home with the Hookers pulled off a gorgeous bumblebee birthday complete with sticky treats and yellow decor. This theme will make the cutest family photos.
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16. Minimalist 1st birthday party
Image credit: Simply Lifted Shop
The chances are your little one won’t remember their 1st birthday so keeping it a simple, laidback affair is completely fine! Pick up or make a personalised banner, pop on some party hats and celebrate with those you love.
The biggest gift your baby will receive is love from those around them so keep the decor to a minimum and celebrate through kisses, hugs and quality time.
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17. Space-themed 1st birthday party idea
Shoot for the stars with this space-themed 1st birthday party idea. Ideal for any gender, celebrate your baby's first year around the sun with star decor, planet cupcakes and astronaut accessories.
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18. Prince or Princess 1st birthday party idea
Your baby is royalty in your eyes so why not throw them a party fit for a king or queen?
For your baby girl’s 1st birthday party, throw a princess ball with dress-up costumes and magical make-shift wands. If they have a favourite Disney princess then theme the party around them.
For a little boy’s 1st birthday party, decorate with dragons, DIY paper crowns and cardboard castles for them to play in and draw on.
Of course, any gender can have any theme, if your little boy wants a princess party then go for it!
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Hosting a festive get-together?
Explore our 12 Christmas party themes and plan a winter wonderland event.
19. It’s all about them!
@katymcbride_ absolute favorite part of my baby’s birthday decor 🎂💕 #momtok #momsoftiktok #sahm #firstbirthday #firstbirthdayparty #firstbirthdayideas #firstbirthdaydecor #birthdaycraft #craftideas #cupcaketoppers #firstbirthdaytheme #berryfirstbirthday #berry1stbirthday #birthdaydecor #birthdaycake ♬ Belong Together (Sped Up) - Mark Ambor
Make your baby the shining star of their party with plenty of photos, funny handmade bunting and DIY cake toppers. Fill your venue with photos of them throughout the year and print photos of their face to turn into bunting, cake toppers and even masks!
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20. A blooming birthday party
Celebrate a whole year since your little flower came along by throwing a floral 1st birthday party. Go the fresh route with an outdoor gathering, fresh flower crowns and a table filled with bouquets.
Or opt for the paper variety. Make paper flower party hats, paper flower garlands and even a pretty cake topper like this one by Ich Liebe Deko.
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21. Autumnal woodland party
Turn your home into an enchanted forest with this 1st birthday party idea. Perfect for boys and girls, this theme can be more forest creature-based or more magical with fairies and elves.
Find decorations featuring your favourite woodland animals (foxes, hedgehogs, squirrels) and add fairy lights for a warm glow. You could even sew our kid’s animal masks as a fun gift for older children.
Oh It’s Perfect recreated this theme brilliantly for their son Enzo.
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22. One-derful 1st birthday party
Finally, throw your precious baby a birthday party as one-derful as they are. Inspired By This created a summer birthday party for her daughter and it’s safe to say it was a hit!
You can raid your summer stock for this party, bringing out beach balls, deck chairs and even the BBQ. Use our free summer on the beach patterned papers to make your invitations, place cards, thank you notes and more.
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Give your baby the best start in life with our 1st birthday party ideas
Throwing a 1st birthday party for your little one is a great way to make memories and bring the family together.
Choose an idea which suits your budget and style then invite your nearest and dearest over to celebrate. We just know your baby is very lucky to have you in their life.
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