1st Birthday Ideas

Need fun and fresh 1st birthday ideas for your little one's big day? From the theme to the venue to the party menu, there's a lot to consider for your child's all-important first birthday party. Below are some things to keep in mind as you embark on your first birthday party planning.
 
  • Choose a Theme: To start planning your child's first birthday party, choose a kid-friendly party theme. Some popular 1st birthday party ideas for themes are monkeys, jungle/safari, rubber duckies, the circus, or carnivals—all cute, animal-friendly themes. Whether you choose a monkey theme or a rubber ducky theme, you'll be able to find first birthday ideas, party supplies, and first birthday invitations to match your theme. 
 
  • Venue: Another thing to keep in mind when evaluating baby's 1st birthday party ideas is where you want to have the party. The benefit of hosting the party at home is convenience. Your child will likely receive lots of 1st birthday presents, so if you're at home you won't need to transport anything. However, if your one year old birthday party will be mostly adult friends and relatives, you might want to consider taking everyone out to dinner or going to brunch.

  • Activities: If you have lots of friends with young children and you expect to have lots of little ones attend the party as well as adults, make sure you consider activities for both groups. One 1st birthday idea that combines both parents and kids is to have a photo booth or designated photo shoot area where parents can take pictures of the little ones with different props. Props can include fruit, toys, and unusual objects like hula hoops, vases, etc. Take pictures of the kids together as well as family portraits.  If you use an old Polaroid and get some cute frames, the activity turns into fun 1st birthday party favors.

  • Gift Ideas: More first birthday ideas include having guests bring a certain type of gift. For example, ask guests to bring books for your child that they can read as they get older. Have guests write a message to your child in the book so the birthday boy or girl will forever know who gave them the book.
All of these ideas will help you kick of your first birthday party planning. And, don't forget, when it comes to first birthday ideas, make sure you have the camera ready for the money shot — that first piece of birthday cake!
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