These first birthday party themes will give you a good starting point to decide on the theme for your baby’s celebration. I’ve rounded up a bunch of ideas for parties and some decorations and edible treats that you can include.
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Groovy one theme.
This cake topper from Wood, Wit & Whimsy is for a “Groovy One” party theme for a first birthday. This is a fun theme that you can really go crazy with as far as using colorful retro decorations. With a 60’s/70’s throwback vibe, you can have your guests dress like hippies and have a costume contest along with other party games.
- Create a balloon arch in groovy shapes and colors with smiley faces or daisies.
- Use shades of orange, pink, yellow, and teal.
- Include peace signs, daisy flowers, rainbows, and tie-dye patterns. Hang retro banners with phrases like “Stay Groovy” and “Peace, Love, and Turning One.”
Winter one-derland.
There are a lot of “Onederland” themes that go along with first birthdays, and this is one of the most commonly used ones. Winter wonderland lends itself nicely to a first birthday party with a lot of snow decorations and sparkle.
- Theme colors using soft whites, icy blues, silver, and hints of pastel pink or lavender.
- Use snowflakes, frosted trees, icicle lights, and fake snow to create a magical atmosphere. Hang banners with phrases like “Welcome to ONEderland” and “Snow Much Fun!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a fluffy snowflake onesie or a white-and-silver outfit with a matching crown or headband.
- Set up a station to decorate mini snowflake ornaments or “paint” winter scenes with washable glitter glue.
- Get a snowflake-themed cake with white frosting, edible glitter, and “Winter ONEderland” written on it.
- Serve snowball-shaped cake pops, marshmallow snowmen, powdered donuts (snowballs), and frosted sugar cookies shaped like snowflakes and mittens.
- Offer a hot cocoa bar with toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, and peppermint sticks, plus a “Polar Punch” for kids.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
This is a classic childhood theme, and you can decorate using lots of star-themed paper products, from the invitation to the thank you notes afterward.
- Use soft pastels like blush pink, baby blue, and lavender, accented with gold and silver.
- Use hanging stars, moons, and cloud cutouts. Incorporate fairy lights, star-shaped balloons, and a starry backdrop with “Our Little Star Turns One” written on it.
- Include sparkly tablecloths, star confetti, and gold plates with matching star-shaped napkins.
- Dress the birthday baby in a star-themed outfit, like a onesie with gold stars or a glittery tutu with a celestial crown or headband.
- Get a tiered cake with fondant stars, clouds, and a moon topper. Add “Twinkle Twinkle Little One” as the inscription.
- Provide a constellation guestbook where guests can sign around star designs and leave messages for the birthday baby.
Wild one jungle safari.
Wild One is a fun theme that can go in the safari direction, or in the wild animals direction. Incorporate a lot of tropical plants, green leaves, and jungle animal decorations to set the mood.
- Use shades of green, brown, gold, and pops of animal print (leopard, zebra, etc.)
- Use faux greenery, hanging vines, and animal cutouts (lions, monkeys, elephants). Add signs like “Welcome to the Wild One” and “Let’s Get Wild!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a safari romper, animal onesie, or a “Wild One” shirt with a crown or headband.
- Hide small animal figurines around the party area for kids to find on a “jungle safari.”
- Let kids make their own animal masks or decorate binoculars for their safari adventures.
- A tiered jungle-themed cake with fondant animals, leaves, and “Wild One” as the topper.
- Serve “jungle vines” (green licorice), “tiger stripes” (chocolate-dipped pretzels), and fruit skewers labeled as “monkey treats.”
Sweet one candy theme.
Who wouldn’t love a candy-themed party? Don’t stop with the birthday cake, have an entire candy buffet. Give out bags of custom candy as the party favors, and serve customized cookies and sweet treats throughout the party.
- Use colors like pastel shades like pink, blue, yellow, lavender, and mint, with pops of white and gold.
- Use oversized lollipop props, candy cutouts, cupcake stands, and ice cream cone garlands. Hang a banner with “Our Sweet One Turns One!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute pastel outfit, like a tutu or romper, with a “Sweet One” shirt and a headband or party hat shaped like a cupcake.
- Get a cake decorated like an ice cream sundae, donut tower, or candy explosion, with “Sweet One” written on top.
- Serve mini cupcakes, macarons, cake pops, cotton candy, and chocolate fountains with fruit and marshmallows for dipping.
- Create a “Sugar Rush Soda Bar” with colorful sodas and sparkling lemonade in mason jars with candy-striped straws.
- Give guests treat bags filled with candy, mini jars of sprinkles, or dessert-shaped erasers with a tag saying, “Thanks for making our day sweet!”
Little Prince/Princess.
This theme can incorporate a lot of crowns and gold. Set up a photo booth where guests can post with royal props, and hand out paper crowns for the kids.
- Theme colors for a prince: royal blue, gold, and white. For a princess: blush pink, gold, and white, with hints of lavender or silver.
- Use crowns, castles, and ornate frames. Add banners with phrases like “Our Little Prince Turns One” or “A Royal Celebration for Our Princess.”
- Dress the birthday baby in a prince outfit (satin romper, crown, and cape) or a princess dress with a tiara and soft glittery accents.
- Kids can decorate their own crowns or scepters with gems and glitter.
- A castle-shaped cake or a tiered cake decorated with gold accents, edible pearls, and a royal topper.
- Serve “Royal Jewels” (colorful fruit skewers), “Castle Cookies” (castle-shaped sugar cookies), and “Golden Nuggets” (chicken bites or donut holes).
- Play Fairytale Princess bingo and give out royalty-themed prizes.
Our Little Sunshine.
This is a sweet theme that’s gender neutral and cute for any baby. There are a lot of sunshine-themed invitations and party accessories that can go with this theme to set up a nicely-decorated party room.
- Use yellow, white, and soft pastels like baby blue, peach, and pink.
- Use sunflowers, sunshine cutouts, and cloud-shaped decorations. Hang banners with phrases like “You Are My Sunshine” and “Our Little Sunshine Turns One!”
- Create a cheerful balloon arch for photos with yellow, white, and pastel balloons, and add sun or sunflower-shaped accents.
- Dress the birthday baby in a sunshine-themed outfit, like a yellow romper, tutu, or a shirt with a sun and “One” printed on it, paired with a matching headband or hat.
- Get a sunshine-themed cake with yellow frosting, a smiling sun topper, and “You Are My Sunshine” written on it.
- Serve “Sunshine Pops” (yellow cake pops), “Golden Rays” (lemon bars), sunflower-shaped cookies, and fruit skewers with pineapple, oranges, and yellow melon.
- Give guests sunflower seeds, yellow rubber ducks, or jars of honey with tags that say, “Thanks for brightening our day!”
Teddy bear picnic.
Teddy bears are a classic, and they’re perfect for a first birthday.
- Use soft pastels like beige, brown, pink, and blue, accented with red-and-white gingham for a classic picnic vibe.
- Use picnic blankets, wicker baskets, and plush teddy bears as centerpieces. Hang banners with phrases like “Our Beary Special One” or “Welcome to the Teddy Bear Picnic.”
- Dress the birthday baby in a teddy bear onesie, gingham outfit, or a shirt that says “Beary Cute” or “One.”
- Provide small stuffed bears for kids to “adopt” and take home.
- Get a teddy bear-shaped cake or a classic tiered cake with picnic-themed decorations, like gingham patterns, bears, and honey pots.
- Serve mini sandwiches, bear-shaped cookies, “Honeycomb” cereal cups, fruit skewers, and cupcakes with bear toppers.
- Send guests home with mini jars of honey, teddy bear-shaped cookies, or small picnic baskets filled with treats. Attach a tag that says, “Thanks for coming to our picnic!”
Vintage carnival.
Vintage carnival themes are fun if you like a brighter color scheme.
- Use classic red, white, blue, and gold with vintage accents like stripes and polka dots.
- Incorporate red-and-white striped balloons with vintage carnival-themed shapes like popcorn boxes, carousel horses, or circus elephants.
- Dress the birthday baby in a ringmaster outfit, a clown-inspired romper, or a classic onesie with suspenders and a bow tie.
- Include mini carnival games like ring toss, bean bag throw, and a duck pond game with small prizes.
- Get a tiered cake with vintage carnival designs, such as a carousel, popcorn, or circus tent, with “The Greatest Little Show on Earth: One Year Old!” written on it.
- Serve classic carnival foods like popcorn, cotton candy, mini corn dogs, pretzels, and animal crackers.
- Give guests carnival-themed goodies like mini popcorn bags, lollipops, or clown noses, packaged in red-and-white striped treat boxes. Add a tag that says, “Thanks for joining the greatest party on Earth!”
Barnyard bash.
A “Barnyard Bash” first birthday theme is perfect for a fun and lively celebration with rustic charm and adorable farmyard details.
- Red, white, and yellow, with accents of green and brown.
- Use hay bales, wooden crates, checkered tablecloths, and farm animal cutouts (cows, pigs, chickens, etc.). Hang banners with phrases like “Oink, Moo, Cluck, [Name] is Turning One!”
- Dress the birthday baby in overalls, a plaid shirt, or a dress with farm animal prints. Add a cowboy hat or a “Little Farmer” headband for extra cuteness.
- Let kids decorate farm animal masks or paint wooden farm animals.
- Get a barn-shaped cake or a tiered cake decorated with fondant animals, a tractor, and “Barnyard Bash” written on it.
- Serve “Piggies in a Blanket” (mini hot dogs), “Chicken Feed” (trail mix), “Moo Milk” (milk cartons), and cupcakes topped with animal faces.
- Hand out small plush farm animals, mini jars of honey, or farm-themed coloring books with a tag that says, “Thanks for visiting our barnyard!”
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Woodland one-derland.
A “Woodland one-derland” first birthday theme is enchanting, with earthy tones and cute forest elements.
- Use earthy greens, browns, rust, soft yellows, and touches of cream or ivory.
- Use wooden crates, faux greenery, mushrooms, pinecones, and woodland creature cutouts (foxes, deer, owls, squirrels). Hang banners with phrases like “Welcome to [Name]’s Woodland One-derland!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute woodland animal onesie (like a fox or deer) or a rustic outfit with a floral crown or animal ears headband.
- Let kids decorate animal masks or make leaf crowns using paper leaves, stickers, and glitter.
- A cake shaped like a tree stump, with forest creatures around it, or a layered cake with “Woodland One-derland” written on top, decorated with edible mushrooms and leaves.
- Serve “Forest Fruit Cups” (fruit salad with berries), “Woodland Trail Mix” (nuts, dried fruit, and seeds), acorn-shaped cookies, and cupcakes with animal toppers.
- Give guests small potted plants, nature-themed wooden toys, or animal figurines. Include tags that say, “Thanks for visiting our Woodland One-derland!”
Under the sea.
An “Under the Sea” first birthday theme is perfect for a fun and magical aquatic adventure, with vibrant colors and sea creatures.
- Use shades of blue, teal, aqua, coral, and soft seafoam green.
- Use seaweed streamers, paper fish, jellyfish lanterns, and seashells. Hang a banner with “Under the Sea, [Name] Turns One!
- Dress the birthday baby in a fish, mermaid, or little sailor outfit. Add accessories like a seashell crown or a fish headband for extra cuteness.
- Set up a “fishing” game where kids can “catch” prizes with toy fishing poles and plastic fish.
- Let kids decorate seashells or create their own underwater creatures using stickers, foam shapes, and glitter.
- Get a sea-themed cake shaped like an ocean wave, a mermaid tail, or a sea turtle, decorated with edible fish and coral.
- Serve “Seaweed Snacks” (crispy green chips), “Fishy Crackers,” blue jello cups with gummy fish, and cupcakes topped with ocean-themed toppers.
- Give guests small shaker jars filled with sand, glitter, and seashells, mermaid or fish figurines, or sea-themed bubbles with a tag that says, “Thanks for making a splash at [Name]’s party!”
For more ideas about Under The Sea First Birthday parties, click here for a more detailed article.
Bee-Day (Bumblebee theme)
A “Bee-day” themed first birthday party is buzzing with cuteness and charm, making it a fun, bright celebration.
- Use yellow, black, white, and hints of gold.
- Use honeycomb patterns, paper lantern bees, yellow flowers, and buzzing bees hanging from the ceiling. Hang a banner with “Buzzing with Joy, [Name] Turns One!”
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable bumblebee outfit with wings, or a yellow tutu paired with a “Bee Mine” or “One Sweet Bee” shirt.
- Set up a “honeycomb hunt” where kids search for hidden bee toys or prizes in a designated area.
- Get a bee-themed cake shaped like a beehive or a bee with fondant details, and “Bee Sweet” written on it.
- Serve “Honeycomb Treats” (rice krispie treats shaped like honeycombs), “Bee Cookies” (honey-flavored cookies shaped like bees), and cupcakes topped with bee toppers.
- Give guests bee-themed treats, like honey jars, bee-shaped cookies, or small plush bees. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for buzzing by!”
Flamingo Fun.
A “Flamingo” themed first birthday party is vibrant, fun, and full of tropical flair.
- Use bright pink, coral, turquoise, white, and gold accents.
- Use flamingo cutouts, tropical leaves (like palm fronds), and oversized paper flowers. Hang a banner with “Flamingle with Us, [Name] Turns One!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute flamingo onesie or a tutu in shades of pink and gold, paired with a flamingo headband or a crown.
- A fun twist on “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” where kids try to pin a beak on a large flamingo poster while blindfolded.
- Get a flamingo-shaped cupcake cake, or a layered cake decorated with tropical flowers, palm leaves, and a flamingo topper.
- Serve “Flamingo Fruit Skewers” (pineapple, strawberries, and watermelon), “Tropical Popcorn” (coconut or pineapple-flavored popcorn), flamingo-shaped sugar cookies, and cupcakes with flamingo toppers.
- Offer “Tropical Punch,” “Pink Lemonade,” or a fun “Flamingo Fizz” (sparkling lemonade with fruit).
- Give guests flamingo-themed party favors like mini flamingo figurines, tropical drink stirrers, or sunglasses with flamingo frames. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for joining our flamingo fun!”
Our Little Wildflower is Turning One.
This is a cute theme for a Spring or Summer birthday party for a baby girl.
- Go with soft pastels colors, or brighter ones to create a colorful palette.
- Dress the baby in a floral outfit with a flower headband.
- Use dried flowers and ferns as decorations, or have a lot of daisies and other wildflower-type flowers in vases.
- Set up a station where people can make their own potpourri using dried flowers and floral essential oils. Give them little mesh bags to take it home in as their party favor.
- Play “flower bingo” with cards that you make that have different flower photos on them.
- Serve flower cookies and a cake that’s covered in buttercream flowers, or cupcakes that have piped buttercream flowers on them.
- Have a floral drink station where you have lavender and rosewater-infused drinks.
- Put a guest book together where guests can press flowers and write a message for the baby. Put them away to dry, then when they’re ready make a scrapbook with the birthday wishes and the pressed flowers as a keepsake.
For wildflower themed baby shower ideas, click here.
Elephant parade.
An “Elephant Parade” themed first birthday party is full of charm and playfulness, with adorable elephants and vibrant colors.
- Use soft greys, pastel blues, pinks, and yellows, with accents of gold or silver.
- Use elephant cutouts, circus tents, and parade banners with “Join the Elephant Parade, [Name] Turns One!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute elephant onesie, tutu, or a costume with elephant ears and a trunk, or a pastel-colored outfit with an elephant parade theme.
- Set up a fun carnival-style game where kids can throw rings onto elephant trunk-shaped targets to win small prizes.
- Get a cake shaped like an elephant or decorated with elephants in a parade, with “Elephant Parade” written on top and pastel-colored icing.
- Serve “Elephant Sandwiches” (cut into elephant shapes), “Parade Popcorn” (decorated with colorful sprinkles), animal crackers, and cupcakes topped with elephant toppers.
- Give guests elephant-themed goodies like plush elephants, elephant-shaped cookies, or mini circus-themed toys. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for joining the Elephant Parade!”
Some bunny is one!
This cute theme can incorporate rabbits and pastel colors, and would be good to do during the Easter season.
- Use soft pastel colors (pink, lavender, mint, and baby blue) with floral and bunny accents. Add balloons, bunting, and a “Some Bunny is One” banner.
- Use pastel tablecloths, floral centerpieces, and bunny figurines. Add place settings with bunny-themed plates, napkins, and cups.
- Scatter faux carrots and bunny footprints on tables. Include small stuffed bunnies as table decor.
- Carrot-shaped sandwiches, bunny-themed cupcakes, and a cake decorated with fondant bunnies and flowers.
- Decorate bunny sugar cookies or a craft station to make bunny masks.
- Fresh fruit skewers, bunny-shaped pancakes, and a cake with a bunny hiding in “grass” (green frosting).
- Set up small hoops or cones for kids to “hop” through like bunnies.
- For favors, use pastel gift bags with bunny stickers. Fill them with bunny-shaped cookies, mini carrot-shaped crayons. small plush bunnies or bunny figurines.
Little Butterfly.
A butterfly themed first birthday party is delicate, colorful, and full of natural beauty. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the first year of life with soft pastel colors and garden-inspired details.
You can use slogans like “Our Little Butterfly is Turning One” or something similar for the main theme phrase.
- Use soft pastels like lavender, pink, mint green, and yellow, with accents of white, gold, and light blue.
- Use paper butterflies hanging from the ceiling, floral garlands, and soft greenery like ferns or ivy. Hang a banner with “Fluttering by to Celebrate [Name]’s First Birthday!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute butterfly tutu or a soft floral onesie with butterfly wings attached. You could also opt for a headband with butterfly antennae or a flower crown.
- Let kids create their own butterfly wings using paper, markers, and stickers, or decorate butterfly masks.
- Hide small butterfly figurines or paper butterflies around the party area for a fun scavenger hunt.
- Get a soft pastel-colored cake shaped like a butterfly or decorated with delicate flower and butterfly icing. You could also have a tiered cake with butterfly toppers or edible butterfly decorations.
- Serve “Butterfly Sandwiches” (cut into butterfly shapes), fruit kabobs with pastel-colored fruits, flower-shaped cookies, and cupcakes with butterfly toppers.
Autumn One-derland.
An “Autumn One-derland” first birthday party brings the cozy beauty of fall together with whimsical touches. The theme features warm tones, falling leaves, and magical, woodland-inspired details.
- Use warm fall colors like burnt orange, deep reds, golden yellows, browns, and touches of green.
- Use rustic elements like burlap, wooden crates, and mini pumpkins. Incorporate autumn leaves, acorns, pinecones, and fairy lights to create a magical atmosphere. Hang a banner with “Welcome to [Name]’s Autumn One-derland!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute fall outfit, like a pumpkin patch onesie or a fluffy sweater with autumn-themed accessories like a leaf crown or a headband with mini pumpkins.
- Let kids create their own leaf prints, decorate mini pumpkins, or color autumn-themed coloring pages.
- Hide small plastic pumpkins or fall-themed toys around the party space for the kids to find in a “pumpkin patch” game.
- Get a whimsical cake decorated with fondant leaves, acorns, and pumpkins.
- Serve “Autumn Apple Slices” with caramel dip, “Pumpkin Pies” (mini pumpkin pies), “Crispy Fall Chips” (sweet potato chips), and cupcakes decorated with tiny fall leaves or acorns.
- Give guests autumn-themed goodies like mini pumpkins, fall-scented candles, or small jars of apple butter. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for celebrating our Autumn One-derland!”
Little pumpkin.
A “Little Pumpkin” themed first birthday party is perfect for fall, featuring adorable pumpkin motifs and cozy, harvest-inspired décor.
- Use warm pumpkin orange, creamy whites, soft greens, and golden yellows.
- Use miniature pumpkins, gourds, burlap, and rustic wooden signs. Incorporate fall leaves, fairy lights, and plaid accents for a cozy, harvest vibe. Hang a banner with “Our Little Pumpkin is Turning One!”
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Little Pumpkin” onesie or outfit with a cute pumpkin hat or a headband with a little pumpkin on it. For a more whimsical touch, opt for a pumpkin-shaped costume or a pumpkin patch-themed dress.
- Let kids decorate mini pumpkins with markers, stickers, glitter, or paint.
- Get a cake shaped like a pumpkin or decorated with fondant pumpkins, vines, and fall-colored icing.
- Serve “Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes” with cream cheese frosting, “Pumpkin Pies” (mini pumpkin pies), “Pumpkin Patch Popcorn” (caramel popcorn with orange sprinkles), and pumpkin-shaped cookies.
- Give guests small pumpkin-themed goodies like pumpkin-shaped cookies, mini pumpkins, or tiny potted plants. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for celebrating our Little Pumpkin!”
Spring has sprung.
A “Spring Has Sprung” themed first birthday party celebrates the beauty and freshness of the season with vibrant colors, flowers, and cheerful vibes.
- Use soft pastel hues like lavender, mint green, light pink, yellow, and pale blue, accented with greenery and floral patterns.
- Incorporate floral garlands, paper flowers, and springtime elements like butterflies, birds, and nests. Use floral tablecloths, pastel balloons, and small pots of spring flowers like daisies or tulips. Hang a banner with “Spring Has Sprung, [Name] Turns One!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute flower crown, a floral onesie, or a spring dress with little animal accents (such as bunnies, birds, or bees). You can also add a cute headband with a butterfly or flower to match the theme.
- Let kids and adults create their own flower crowns with faux flowers, ribbons, and floral wire.
- Get a cake decorated with soft pastel colors, floral designs, or a butterfly topper. You can also go for a floral cake with edible flowers and spring-inspired decorations.
- Serve “Flower Cookies” (butter cookies shaped like flowers), “Bird’s Nest Cupcakes” (cupcakes topped with edible nest designs and candy eggs), fruit salad with spring berries, and mini quiches.
- Give guests small pots of flowers, personalized seed packets, or flower-shaped soaps. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for celebrating Spring with us!”
One in a melon.
A “One in a Melon” watermelon-themed first birthday party is sweet, refreshing, and full of vibrant summer fun!
- Use bright watermelon hues like pink, green, red, and white, with accents of black and yellow for seeds.
- Use watermelon slice cutouts, paper lanterns in the shape of melons, and table settings with watermelon-themed plates and napkins. Hang a banner that says “You’re One in a Melon, [Name] Turns One!”
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “One in a Melon” onesie, a watermelon-shaped costume, or a watermelon-themed tutu with a cute headband featuring a mini watermelon or melon slice.
- For older kids or adults, have a friendly watermelon seed-spitting contest! You can use actual watermelon seeds or create a fun game with fake seeds.
- Let kids create their own watermelon slice or fruit basket craft using paper, markers, and watermelon-themed stickers or pom-poms.
- Get a watermelon-shaped cake or a cake decorated like a watermelon slice with pink frosting, black candy “seeds,” and green frosting around the edges.
- Serve watermelon slices, watermelon pops (frozen watermelon chunks on sticks), watermelon-flavored gummies, and melon balls (melon salad with various types of melon).
- Give guests watermelon-themed party favors such as mini watermelon-shaped toys, watermelon-scented lip balm, or watermelon-flavored candies. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for making our little one feel ‘one in a melon’!”
Sunny One-derful day.
A “Sunny One-derful Day” themed first birthday party is bright, cheerful, and filled with sunshine and joy, making it a perfect celebration for the little one’s milestone.
- Use bright yellows, soft oranges, whites, and pastel blues, with touches of gold or silver for a sparkling, sunny effect.
- Use sun-shaped cutouts, cloud decorations, and rays of sunshine. Incorporate playful elements like sunflowers, fluffy cotton clouds, and light, airy fabrics. Hang a banner that says “Sunny One-derful Day!” or “The Sun Shines Bright on [Name]’s First Birthday!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute “Sunny One-derful” onesie or a sunny-themed outfit, such as a sun-shaped tutu or a yellow dress with cloud or sun headbands.
- Let kids create their own sunshine hats or sun ray art using paper, crayons, glitter, and stickers.
- Get a bright yellow or golden sun-shaped cake, or a tiered cake decorated with sunflowers, clouds, and sunshine rays. You can also opt for cupcakes with sun toppers or yellow icing with sprinkles.
- Serve “Sunshine Fruit Salad” (with pineapple, orange slices, and yellow melon), “Cloud Cookies” (soft sugar cookies shaped like clouds), “Sunflower Pretzel Bites” (pretzels shaped like flowers), and “Sunny Lemon Bars.”
- Give guests sunshine-themed goodies like mini sun-shaped toys, yellow sunglasses, or small bottles of lemonade. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for celebrating [Name]’s Sunny One-derful Day!”
Tropical One-derland.
A “Tropical One-derland” themed first birthday party is full of vibrant colors, exotic flavors, and a relaxed, island-inspired atmosphere.
- Use bright tropical hues like turquoise, coral, pineapple yellow, lime green, and pink, with accents of gold or white for a beachy, luxe vibe.
- Incorporate tropical flowers like hibiscus, palm leaves, and plumeria. Use flamingo, pineapple, and coconut decorations, along with tropical fruit garlands and tiki torches (battery-operated for safety). Hang a banner that says “Welcome to [Name]’s Tropical One-derland!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute tropical onesie, a pineapple-shaped costume, or a beachy dress with a flower crown or a headband with mini tropical fruits or flowers.
- Let kids make their own leis or tropical crowns using artificial flowers, string, and beads.
- Set up a coconut bowling game where guests can knock down “pins” with a coconut ball.
- A tropical cake shaped like a pineapple, or a tiered cake decorated with tropical flowers, palm leaves, and fruits like coconut and mango. You could also opt for cupcakes topped with mini umbrellas and edible flowers.
- Serve “Tropical Fruit Salad” (pineapple, mango, papaya, and kiwi), “Coconut Macaroons,” “Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes,” and “Mini Tacos” (to play off a tropical beach vibe).
- Give guests tropical-themed party favors such as mini pineapples, coconut-scented candles, or leis. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for joining us in [Name]’s Tropical One-derland!”
Berry first birthday.
A “Berry First Birthday” theme is a sweet, colorful, and delicious way to celebrate your little one’s first year. Think of juicy berries, vibrant colors, and a fun, fresh mood for the party.
- Use rich berry tones like raspberry red, blueberry blue, strawberry pink, blackberry purple, and accents of green to mimic the leaves and vines.
- Use berry-inspired elements like garlands of faux berries, berry baskets, and large paper berry cutouts. Decorate tables with berry-themed centerpieces, such as mason jars filled with fake berries or small berry wreaths. Hang a banner that says “Berry Sweet First Birthday!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute “Berry Sweet” onesie, a berry-themed dress or shirt, or even a fruit-inspired costume (like a strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry). Add a berry crown or headband for an extra touch of fun.
- Let kids create their own berry-themed crafts like berry basket decorations, painting or coloring pictures of berries, or making berry-shaped fruit stamps with sponges.
- Set up a “berry picking” activity where kids search for small fake berries hidden around the party area, or even candy berries as part of a scavenger hunt.
- Get a berry-themed cake, such as a tiered cake decorated with fresh or faux berries, or a cake shaped like a berry, topped with raspberry or blueberry icing. You can also have cupcakes decorated like little strawberries or berries, complete with berry-colored frosting.
- Serve a variety of fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. You can also offer “Berry Tartlets,” “Berry Jam Sandwiches,” or “Mini Berry Muffins” for a sweet treat.
- Give guests berry-themed goodies like small jars of homemade berry jam, berry-scented candles, or berry-shaped candies. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for celebrating [Name]’s Berry Sweet First Birthday!”
Apple of my eye.
An “Apple of My Eye” themed first birthday party is a charming and sweet way to celebrate your little one. This theme is perfect for a cozy, fall-inspired party.
- Use red, green, yellow, and touches of white or brown, to evoke the colors of fresh apples and an orchard feel.
- Use apple-shaped cutouts, apple baskets, and rustic elements like burlap and wooden crates to create a farmhouse orchard atmosphere. Decorate with apple garlands, and include small potted apple trees or artificial apples as table centerpieces. Hang a banner that says, “You’re the Apple of My Eye!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute “Apple of My Eye” onesie, a red apple-themed dress, or a tiny apple costume. Add a fun apple headband or a leaf crown to complete the look.
- Set up a crafting station where kids can create their own apple-themed crafts, like apple stamping with red paint, apple pie-making with pretend ingredients, or decorating paper apple cutouts.
- Create an “Apple Toss” game where kids toss bean bags or soft apples into baskets or apple-shaped targets.
- Get a cake shaped like an apple, or a layered cake decorated with apple designs, with a “You’re the Apple of My Eye” topper. You can also have cupcakes decorated as mini apples with green stems and red icing.
- Serve “Apple Slices with Caramel Dipping Sauce,” “Apple Pie Bites,” “Apple Chips,” “Mini Apple Cinnamon Muffins,” or “Apple and Cheese Skewers.”
- Give guests apple-themed goodies such as mini jars of apple jam, apple-shaped cookies, or small apple-scented candles. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for being the apple of [Name]’s eye!”
Alice in One-derland.
An “Alice in One-derland” first birthday party is a whimsical, fantastical way to celebrate your little one’s big day, inspired by the enchanting world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The theme offers endless opportunities for fun, colorful, and creative décor, food, and activities.
- Use classic Wonderland colors like royal blue, red, white, black, yellow, and touches of gold, with pops of vibrant pastels for a whimsical feel.
- Use oversized playing cards, clocks, teapots, and tea cups to create the Wonderland atmosphere. Decorate with vintage-inspired floral arrangements, mushrooms, and whimsical signs like “This Way” and “That Way.” Hang a banner that says, “Welcome to [Name]’s Wonderland!”
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Alice in One-derland” onesie, a mini Alice dress, or a cute white dress with a headband featuring a bow or playing card designs. You could also add a crown or a tiny tea party hat to the outfit for extra flair.
- Set up a tea party station with small tables, mismatched teacups, and saucers. Guests can enjoy tea (or juice for the kids) with cute finger foods like mini sandwiches, cookies, and fruit.
- Set up food and drink stations with labels like “Eat Me” (for cookies, cupcakes, or mini treats) and “Drink Me” (for juice or tea in whimsical bottles).
- Let kids create their own Wonderland-themed crafts, like decorating mini tea cups, coloring pages of Alice or the Cheshire Cat, or making their own “Eat Me” tags.
- Get a whimsical tiered cake with a playing card design, a teapot topper, or the iconic “Eat Me” cookie theme. You could also have cupcakes topped with tiny fondant tea cups, roses, or clock faces.
- Serve “Eat Me” cookies (sugar cookies shaped like hearts or stars), “Mad Hatter Sandwiches” (mini finger sandwiches), “Cheshire Cat Macarons,” and “Mushroom Cupcakes” (with mini cupcakes shaped like mushrooms).
- Offer “Drink Me” punch (fruit punch served in teacups or whimsical bottles), “Alice’s Tea” (iced tea with fruit slices), or “Cheshire Cat Lemonade” (pink lemonade with fun swirls.)
- Give guests Wonderland-themed party favors like mini teacups, “Eat Me” cookies, pocket watches, or small toys featuring characters like the Cheshire Cat or the White Rabbit. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for making [Name]’s Wonderland one-derful!”
Dr. Seuss “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”
You can get officially-licensed “Oh the places you’ll go” themed Dr. Seuss invitations on Zazzle. Choose a pink or blue theme and customize them with names and party details. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Seuss’s beloved book, this theme is perfect for a whimsical, adventurous celebration.
- Use bright and bold colors like red, yellow, blue, green, and white, along with stripes and polka dots, which reflect the playful and imaginative world of Dr. Seuss.
- Use iconic elements from the book, like hot air balloons, whimsical trees, and winding paths. Decorate with Seuss quotes, such as “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” and “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute onesie or dress that says “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” or features an illustration from the book. You can also create a Seuss-inspired look with a mini red and white striped hat or fun Seuss-style socks.
- Set up a craft station where kids can make their own hot air balloons using colorful paper, tissue paper, and string. Let them decorate their “balloons” with fun stickers and paint.
- Get a colorful, whimsical cake with stripes, polka dots, and a hot air balloon topper. You could also create a cake shaped like the famous Seuss hot air balloon or include fun quotes from the book on the cake.
- Serve “Thing 1 and Thing 2 Cupcakes” (cupcakes decorated with fun blue frosting and candy eyes), “Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham” (mini scrambled egg cups or green jelly), “Wacky Fruit Salad” (a mix of bright fruits like kiwi, strawberries, and pineapple), and “Red Fish, Blue Fish” (colored fish-shaped crackers).
- Give guests Dr. Seuss-inspired goodies like small books of Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, Seuss-themed toys (like mini Cat in the Hat figurines or Thing 1 and Thing 2 plush toys), or fun Dr. Seuss hats. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for going to [Name]’s party, and remember, oh, the places you’ll go!”
Fairy tale forest.
A “Fairy Tale Forest” themed first birthday party is a magical way to celebrate your little one, drawing inspiration from whimsical forests, enchanting creatures, and classic fairy tales.
- Use soft, natural colors like forest green, lavender, soft gold, pale pink, and blush, with accents of white and cream to create a fairy-tale vibe.
- Incorporate elements from fairy tales, such as twinkling lights (to represent fairy dust), woodland creatures like deer or owls, flowers, vines, mushrooms, and soft lanterns. Add forest-themed props like wooden crates, moss, and greenery. Hang a banner that says, “Welcome to [Name]’s Fairy Tale Forest!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a magical “Fairy Tale Forest” onesie or a soft, fairy princess dress with a crown or flower headband, or go for a woodland creature look with a cute animal costume.
- Set up a station where kids can make their own fairy wands using craft sticks, ribbons, glitter, and stars.
- Provide fairy tale-themed coloring pages with animals, fairies, and enchanted forests. Add crayons or markers for the little ones to create their own magical designs.
- Get a magical woodland cake decorated with edible flowers, mushrooms, and forest animals like foxes or deer. You could also opt for a tiered cake with a forest backdrop, or a cake shaped like a mushroom or tree stump.
- Serve “Fairy Tale Forest Fruit Salad” (a mix of berries and apple slices), “Woodland Creature Cookies” (cookies shaped like animals or leaves), “Enchanted Mushroom Cupcakes” (chocolate cupcakes with white icing to resemble mushrooms), and “Fairy Dust Popcorn” (popcorn dusted with edible glitter).
- Give guests whimsical favors like mini fairy wands, flower crowns, woodland animal figurines, or personalized fairy-tale books. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for celebrating [Name] in our Fairy Tale Forest!”
Rainbow unicorn party.
A Rainbow Unicorn first birthday party is a magical, vibrant, and whimsical celebration that’s perfect for a little one’s big day.
- Use bold rainbow hues like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, with accents of silver, gold, and pastel shades to enhance the magical feel.
- Use a rainbow color scheme throughout the party, incorporating unicorns, clouds, stars, and sparkles. Hang rainbow streamers, unicorn-shaped balloons, and paper lanterns with glitter. Create a backdrop with a large unicorn head and a rainbow or use a glittery “Unicorns are Real!” sign. Add touches like unicorn figurines, rainbow-colored garlands, and iridescent elements.
- Dress the birthday baby in a sparkly “Rainbow Unicorn” onesie or a pastel tutu with a unicorn headband. Consider adding a unicorn horn headband or a colorful mane accessory for an extra magical look.
- Set up a craft area where kids can make their own unicorn horns using glittery paper, stickers, and ribbons, or create rainbow bracelets with beads.
- Create a game where guests toss rings onto cone-shaped unicorn horns or small unicorn figurines. You can also set up a “Pin the Horn on the Unicorn” game for the little ones.
- Get a multi-layered rainbow cake with vibrant, colorful frosting and a unicorn topper. Alternatively, create a unicorn-shaped cake or cupcakes with pastel-colored frosting, edible glitter, and a tiny unicorn figurine on top.
- Serve “Unicorn Popcorn” (popcorn with rainbow-colored candy coating), “Rainbow Fruit Skewers” (fruit arranged by color), “Unicorn Cookies” (cookies shaped like unicorns or rainbow-colored star cookies), and “Sparkle Cupcakes” (cupcakes with iridescent sprinkles).
- Give guests fun, colorful unicorn-themed party favors such as unicorn stickers, rainbow crayons, plush unicorn toys, or unicorn-shaped cookies. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for making [Name]’s day magical!”
Cloud nine.
This theme brings to life a soft, serene atmosphere with fluffy clouds, pastel colors, and magical touches, creating a sense of joy and happiness.
- Use soft pastel colors like light blue, blush pink, lavender, mint green, and white, with accents of gold or silver for a touch of sparkle.
- Incorporate fluffy cloud elements, stars, and dreamy skies. Use cotton or fabric to create hanging clouds around the party space, and add delicate string lights to mimic stars. Decorate the tables with cloud-shaped napkins, fluffy pillows, and light, airy fabrics. Hang a banner that says, “Welcome to [Name]’s Cloud Nine!” and incorporate little touches like cloud mobiles or fluffy cloud-shaped balloons.
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Cloud Nine” onesie or a soft pastel tutu dress with a cloud or rainbow design. You could add a fluffy, cloud-inspired headband or a cute cloud-shaped bib for a playful touch.
- Set up a craft station where kids can create their own clouds using cotton balls, glue, and sparkly stickers. Alternatively, provide cloud-shaped cutouts for kids to decorate with crayons or watercolor paints.
- Get a fluffy cloud-shaped cake or a multi-tiered cake decorated with cotton candy, cloud frosting, and pastel rainbow accents. You can even add a “Cloud Nine” topper or edible gold stars.
- Serve “Cloud Pops” (marshmallow pops dipped in white or pastel-colored chocolate), “Cotton Candy Clouds,” “Cloud Bites” (mini cupcakes decorated with cloud-shaped icing), “Fluffy Fruit Salad” (a mix of light fruits like pineapple, strawberries, and watermelon), and “Sky-high Popcorn” (popcorn dusted with edible glitter or powdered sugar).
- Give guests dreamy cloud-themed party favors like fluffy stuffed animals, cloud-shaped cookies, mini bottles of bubbles (to represent floating in the sky), or soft, pastel-colored blankets. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for celebrating [Name]’s Cloud Nine moment!”
Magical mermaid.
A Magical Mermaid themed first birthday party is a beautiful, enchanting celebration filled with underwater magic, shimmering sea creatures, and vibrant colors.
- Use soft pastel shades like aquamarine, seafoam green, lavender, pearl white, pink, and accents of iridescent gold or silver for a magical, oceanic feel.
- Create an underwater world with shimmering seashells, fishnets, and mermaid scales. Decorate with pastel-colored streamers and garlands to mimic seaweed and coral. Incorporate elements like seashells, starfish, pearls, and glittery fish. Use blue, green, and purple tones to mimic the colors of the ocean. Hang a sign that says “Welcome to [Name]’s Magical Mermaid World!”
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute “Magical Mermaid” onesie, a pastel tutu with a seashell pattern, or a mermaid tail dress. Add a shell headband or a tiara with little pearls for extra sparkle and cuteness.
- Set up a crafting area where kids can make their own mermaid crowns with seashells, starfish, and glittery beads.
- Fill a small pool or container with colored water, toy sea creatures, seashells, and soft fabric (like tulle) to create a magical underwater sensory bin for the kids to explore.
- Get a mermaid-inspired cake decorated with shimmering scales, seashells, and edible glitter. You could also create a cake shaped like a mermaid tail or an ocean scene with a sandy beach.
- Serve “Under the Sea Cupcakes” (cupcakes decorated with blue icing and edible pearls), “Mermaid Tail Cookies” (cookies shaped like mermaid tails or seashells), “Ocean Fruit Salad” (a mix of tropical fruits like pineapple, watermelon, and blueberries), and “Fish and Chips” (fish-shaped crackers and mini potato chips).
- Give guests mermaid-themed party favors like seashell necklaces, mermaid tail keychains, bubble wands, or mini bottles of sand and seashells. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for diving into [Name]’s Magical Mermaid World!”
Donut Theme.
With its whimsical vibe, this theme revolves around donuts in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, and you can use playful puns like “Donut Grow Up,” or “It’s Sweet To Be One.”
- Use bright and playful colors like pastel pinks, blues, yellows, and sprinkles of white and gold to keep things fun and sweet.
- Incorporate giant donut cutouts, donut-shaped balloons, and donut-themed banners that say “Donut Grow Up!” or “Sweetest Day Ever.” Hang pastel-colored streamers, and use donut-shaped confetti or sprinkle decor on the tables. Add donut-themed centerpieces like donut towers or vases filled with colorful mini donuts.
- Dress the birthday baby in a “Sweet One” onesie, a donut-patterned tutu, or a donut-shaped costume. Add some fun accessories like a donut hat or bib to complete the look.
- Set up a station where guests can decorate their own donuts with a variety of toppings like sprinkles, icing, chocolate chips, and colored sugars. For younger guests, you can have pre-decorated mini donuts ready for them to customize with easy-to-add toppings.
- Create a simple game where kids can toss rings onto a large donut-shaped stand. The rings could be hula hoops or donut-shaped cutouts.
- Get a large donut-shaped cake decorated with sprinkles, pastel icing, and a fun “Donut Grow Up” topper. Alternatively, you could opt for a tiered cake designed to look like stacked donuts, or even a donut tower!
- Serve “Donut Holes” (mini donuts), “Sprinkle Popcorn” (popcorn tossed with colorful sprinkles), “Donut Cookie Pops” (cookies shaped like donuts), and “Donut Muffins” (mini muffins with donut-like toppings).
- Give guests cute donut-themed party favors like mini donut plush toys, donut-shaped erasers, sprinkle-filled jars, or donut-scented candles. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for helping [Name] ‘Donut Grow Up!’”
To see more ideas for donut first birthday parties, click here.
Ice cream social.
This theme brings together a classic favorite—ice cream—with a playful, interactive atmosphere that will delight guests of all ages.
- Use soft pastel colors like pink, mint green, lavender, pale yellow, and creamy white, with accents of chocolate brown or sprinkles of color for a fun vibe.
- Use ice cream cones, sundaes, and sprinkles as the main motifs. Hang paper lanterns or balloon garlands shaped like ice cream cones or ice cream scoops. Decorate the space with bunting featuring different ice cream flavors or ice cream parlor signs that say “Ice Cream Social” or “Sundae Funday.” You can also place ice cream cone centerpieces or glass jars filled with colorful sprinkles, maraschino cherries, or candy toppings on the tables.
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Ice Cream Social” onesie, a cute ice cream cone dress, or a pastel tutu. Add a cute ice cream cone hat or headband with a cherry on top to make them look even sweeter!
- Set up a DIY ice cream sundae bar with different flavors of ice cream, toppings like whipped cream, sprinkles, hot fudge, cherries, and various candies. Let guests build their own sundaes or mini cones, choosing from a variety of fun and delicious toppings.
- Set up a station where kids can decorate their own ice cream cones with toppings like colorful sprinkles, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and candy. You can also use cupcakes that resemble ice cream cones for younger guests to decorate.
- Create a ring toss game where guests toss rings or hula hoops over cone-shaped targets.
- Get a cake designed to look like an ice cream cone or an ice cream sundae, with layers of “ice cream” made from different colors or flavors of cake. Alternatively, create a multi-tiered cake decorated with ice cream cones, sprinkles, and whipped cream.
- Give guests ice cream-themed party favors like mini scoops of play-dough, ice cream cone keychains, sprinkles-filled jars, or ice cream cone cups. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for making [Name]’s Ice Cream Social sweet!”
Milk and Cookies party.
Milk and cookies are a popular treat for all ages, and there are a lot of possibilities when you do a cookies-themed party.
- Use soft browns, whites, and creamy beige tones, with accents of pastel colors like pale pink, light blue, or mint green to add a playful touch.
- Create a warm, inviting atmosphere by using cookie and milk-inspired décor, like oversized cookie cutouts, cookie jar decorations, and milk bottles as centerpieces. Set up a “Milk and Cookies Bar” sign for your treat station, and use gingham or burlap tablecloths for a cozy feel. Hang string lights or fairy lights to add warmth and ambiance.
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Milk and Cookies” onesie or a cute cookie-themed outfit. Add some fun touches like a milk bottle-shaped bib or a cookie-shaped headband to make them extra sweet.
- Set up a table with plain sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies and a variety of fun toppings, like icing, sprinkles, chocolate chips, and candy pieces. Let guests decorate their own cookies to take home or eat right there.
- Create a fun game where kids try to toss plastic rings or hoops over milk bottle targets or aim for cookie-shaped targets with bean bags.
- Set up a cookie relay race where kids or adults balance a cookie on a spoon and race to the finish line without dropping it. You could even make it a relay with a milk bottle passing challenge!
- Get a cake designed to look like a giant cookie or a milk carton. You could also make a multi-layered cake with cookie-flavored layers (chocolate chip cake, for example) and milk-themed frosting. Another idea is a cake shaped like a milk bottle or cookie jar, with cookie decorations on top.
- Serve “Mini Milk and Cookies” (mini cookies with small cups of milk), “Cookie Pops” (cookies on sticks decorated with icing and sprinkles), “Cookie Sandwiches” (cookies with a filling like frosting or ice cream), and “Milk Dipped Cookies” (cookies that are partially dipped in white or milk chocolate).
- Give guests adorable milk and cookies-themed party favors like cookie cutters, milk bottle cups, cookie bags, or milk chocolate bars with custom labels. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for coming to [Name]’s Milk and Cookies Party!”
Lemonade stand.
This theme is perfect for creating a cheerful atmosphere with bright colors, zesty flavors, and a playful, vintage vibe.
- Use bright yellows, soft lemons, pastels like mint green and coral, with accents of white and pale blue for a fresh, summery vibe.
- Use lemons and lemonade stand imagery throughout the space. You can create a DIY lemonade stand out of wood or cardboard, complete with a chalkboard sign that says “Fresh Lemonade” or “Squeeze the Day!” Add lemon-themed banners, garlands, and vintage lemonade stand signs to create a fun atmosphere.
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Lemonade Stand” onesie or a cute lemon-themed outfit, like a lemon-printed dress or a onesie with a lemonade graphic. Add a cute lemon hat or bib for a little extra zest!
- Set up a small “Lemonade Stand” station where guests can “sell” and “buy” lemonade with play money. Provide lemonade stand props like aprons, cups, and pitchers for the little ones to play pretend.
- Create a DIY lemonade-making station with fresh lemons, simple syrup, water, and cute cups for kids (or parents) to make their own lemonade. You can also offer flavored lemonades, like strawberry lemonade, for added variety.
- Get a lemon-flavored cake decorated to look like a lemonade stand or a lemon slice, with a bright yellow icing and citrus-themed decorations like fondant lemons and limes. Alternatively, create a tiered cake with lemon designs and fresh lemon zest.
- Give guests lemonade stand-inspired party favors like mini mason jars of lemonade mix, lemon-scented candles, lemon-shaped soaps, or personalized lemonade cups. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for making [Name]’s Lemonade Stand sweet!”
Sweet as pie.
With its cozy, rustic vibe and focus on “sweetness,” this theme can incorporate delicious pies, pastel colors, and lots of warmth.
- Soft, warm tones like pastel pink, light brown, cream, and peach, with accents of mint green or lavender for a playful touch. You can also incorporate touches of rustic elements like burlap or gingham patterns.
- Create a “pie bar” with signage that says “Sweet as Pie” or “Life is Short, Eat the Pie!” Decorate the venue with pie-inspired décor, such as paper pie cutouts, mini pie tins, and pie charts with playful messages. Incorporate pie-shaped balloons, flower garlands, or even a pie stand centerpiece for added charm.
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Sweet as Pie” onesie or a pie-inspired outfit like a tutu with a pie graphic or a little dress with a pie print. You could add a pie-themed bib or headband to complete the look.
- Set up a station where guests (especially older kids) can decorate their own mini pies or pie-shaped cookies with icing, sprinkles, and candy toppings. You can use sugar cookies shaped like pie slices or mini pies for easy decorating.
- Get a cake designed to look like a delicious pie, such as a cherry pie, apple pie, or even a lemon meringue pie. You could also create a tiered cake decorated to resemble pie crust with fondant pie designs.
- Serve a selection of mini pies like apple pie, blueberry pie, lemon meringue pie, or pecan pie. You can also offer a variety of pie-inspired cupcakes, like “pie-flavored” cupcakes with pie topping decorations.
- Give guests adorable pie-inspired party favors like mini pie tins filled with treats, pie-scented candles, mini pie slice keychains, or personalized pie-themed aprons. Include a note that says, “Thanks for making [Name]’s celebration as sweet as pie!”
Cupcake cutie.
This theme is all about fun, frosting, and adorable details, making it perfect for a joyful and festive atmosphere.
- Use bright, cheerful colors like pastel pink, blue, mint green, lavender, yellow, and peach, with accents of white, gold, or silver to add a touch of sparkle.
- Decorate the space with cupcake-inspired elements such as cupcake liners, giant cupcake cutouts, and oversized cupcake toppers. You can use cupcake-shaped balloons, paper lanterns in the shape of cupcakes, or a cupcake stand to display treats. String lights or fairy lights can add a whimsical touch.
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Cupcake Cutie” onesie or a cupcake-themed outfit, like a tutu with frosting or sprinkles designs. You can add a cupcake-shaped headband, bib, or bow to complete the look.
- Set up a cupcake decorating station where guests can decorate their own mini cupcakes with colorful frosting, sprinkles, candy, and cupcake toppers. You can provide cupcakes in various flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry for them to decorate.
- Create a cupcake toss game where kids try to toss soft foam cupcakes into a basket or bucket. You could also make this a relay game, where participants run to a target and toss a “cupcake” into a cupcake-shaped basket.
- Get a cake designed to look like a giant cupcake with colorful frosting and sprinkles, or a tiered cake with a cupcake topper. You can also make a cupcake tower with cupcakes stacked on a tiered stand, decorated with fun, bright frosting and sprinkles.
- Serve an assortment of cupcakes with various frosting flavors and decorations. You can have classic cupcakes with buttercream frosting and sprinkles, as well as more elaborate cupcakes shaped like cupcakes (miniature cupcakes within cupcakes) or topped with cute fondant toppers.
- Give guests cupcake-themed party favors like mini cupcake-shaped candles, cupcake-shaped soaps, cupcake cookie cutters, or cupcake cups. You could also give out cute cupcake-shaped erasers, cupcake-themed stationary, or a small cupcake mix for them to bake at home. Include a tag that says, “Thanks for celebrating [Name]’s sweet day!”
Up, up and away!
This theme is inspired by hot air balloons, clouds, and sky-high adventures, making it perfect for a bright and fun atmosphere.
- Use soft sky blues, pastel pinks, light yellows, and whites, with pops of bright colors like red, orange, or teal to represent the balloons. You can also add accents of gold or silver for a dreamy, elevated feel.
- Set the scene with hot air balloon-inspired decorations, such as hanging paper lanterns or balloon arrangements that look like hot air balloons. Use cloud-shaped cutouts, floating balloon installations, or even a large hot air balloon photo backdrop. Incorporate plenty of cloud decorations, bunting, and whimsical banners that say “Up, Up, and Away!”
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Up, Up, and Away” onesie or outfit, featuring hot air balloon designs, fluffy clouds, or a cute sky pattern. Add fun touches like a cloud-shaped bib or a little pilot cap for a whimsical twist.
- Organize a balloon pop relay where participants race to pop balloons in a specific order, with some balloons containing small prizes or messages.
- A fun twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” where kids try to pin fluffy clouds onto a large poster of the sky.
- Get a cake shaped like a hot air balloon or decorated with clouds and flying balloons. You could create a layered cake with pastel-colored frosting and a fondant balloon topper. Alternatively, make a cake with a cute sky and cloud theme, with a fondant hot air balloon on top.
- Serve “Cloud Popcorn” (fluffy popcorn tossed with white chocolate or powdered sugar), “Balloon Cookies” (cookies decorated like hot air balloons), “Sky Jello Cups” (blue Jello topped with whipped cream clouds), and “Cloud Cake Pops” (cake pops decorated to look like fluffy clouds).
- Give guests balloon-inspired party favors like mini hot air balloon toys, cloud-shaped soaps, or small jars of “Sky Dust” (colored sugar). You can also offer personalized balloon cups or mini kite keychains as a sweet memento from the day.
Choo choo train party.
This theme brings in the excitement of trains, tracks, and travel, making it perfect for a lively and interactive celebration.
- Use classic train-inspired colors like red, blue, yellow, black, and white, with accents of green and brown to represent tracks and scenery. You can also use pops of gold or silver for a more celebratory feel.
- Decorate with train-related elements like wooden train tracks, miniature train cars, and railroad signs. You can create a fun train station entrance with a large “Welcome” sign, paper lanterns shaped like train cars, or a giant cardboard train as a photo backdrop. Add train station signs, train whistles, and vintage suitcase props around the party area for a nostalgic touch.
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute “Choo Choo Train” onesie or outfit, featuring train graphics or even a train conductor-inspired outfit with a little cap. Add a playful touch with a train-shaped bib or a mini train whistle for added cuteness.
- If you have the space, create a small train ride using a toy train, ride-on train, or a toy train set where kids can “board” and go on a mini adventure. For older kids, set up a “train track” play area with a play mat that has train tracks they can use to roll toy trains along.
- Create a train-shaped cake, or decorate a round cake with a “train track” design on top. You could also make a train car-shaped cake and use candy or fondant to design the train cars. Another fun option is a layered cake decorated to look like a train station or with “rails” made from chocolate.
- Serve cupcakes decorated to look like mini train wheels or train cars. You could also offer train-themed toppers, like little edible train tracks or fondant train conductor figures.
- Give guests train-themed party favors like toy train whistles, mini train cars, train stickers, or personalized train cups. You could also hand out train conductor hats or toy train sets. Include a note that says, “Thanks for riding along with us to celebrate [Name]’s big day!”
Airplane adventure.
This theme brings the excitement of flying, travel, and exploration into a fun, imaginative setting.
- Use sky blue, cloud white, and airplane-inspired colors like red, yellow, or navy blue. Add pops of metallic silver or gold to evoke the feel of shiny airplanes and airport glamour.
- Decorate the space with airplane-themed elements, such as hanging paper clouds, paper airplanes, and hot air balloons. Use airport-inspired signs (“Departure” and “Arrival” signs), and create an airplane runway out of tape or fabric. Hang up framed photos of airplanes or iconic landmarks from around the world.
- Dress the birthday baby in an adorable “Airplane Adventure” onesie, complete with airplane prints or designs of clouds and sky. A pilot cap, a little scarf, or a mini aviator jacket would be a cute touch to complete the look!
- Set up a craft station where guests can make their own paper airplanes. Provide paper, markers, and stickers so they can decorate their planes. You could even host a contest to see who can make the best flying airplane!
- A twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” where blindfolded kids try to attach a propeller to a large airplane poster.
- Create a cake shaped like an airplane, or decorate a round cake with clouds, sky, and airplane designs. You could also have a layered cake with a fondant airplane topper or a “runway” of cupcakes arranged in the shape of an airplane.
- Offer “Airline Soda” (flavored soda or sparkling water in fun colors), “Sky Smoothies” (smoothies served in airplane cups), and “Cloudy Lemonade” (lemonade with cotton candy on top for a fluffy cloud look).
- Give guests airplane-themed party favors like mini toy airplanes, paper airplane kits, small airport bags, or personalized luggage tags. You could also give out airplane-shaped cookie cutters or cloud-shaped stickers. Include a thank-you note that says, “Thanks for flying with us to celebrate [Name]’s big day!”
Camping One-derland.
This theme combines the charm of the outdoors with cozy elements of camping, creating a whimsical and fun atmosphere.
- Use earthy tones like forest green, brown, beige, and burnt orange, with accents of bright colors like yellow or red for a playful twist. Consider incorporating plaid patterns and elements of nature, such as wood, leaves, and twigs.
- Create a woodland-inspired space with faux trees, pinecones, and camping gear like lanterns, sleeping bags, and mini tents. Hang up fairy lights or string lights to mimic stars or a cozy campfire ambiance. Consider using wood slices as table centerpieces, with little figurines of animals or forest elements.
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute “Camping One-derland” onesie or outfit, featuring forest animals like bears, foxes, or deer. For a fun twist, add a little camping hat or a “mini explorer” vest to match the theme.
- Set up a craft station where kids can make their own “campfire” crafts using orange and yellow tissue paper for flames, wooden craft sticks for logs, and other art supplies to create their own campfire scene.
- If you have the space, create a mini tent or teepee where kids can sit and play, or even use a large blanket to make a cozy tent fort. You can also add some plush woodland animals for kids to “camp” with.
- A no-fire s’mores station with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate pieces for guests to assemble their own s’mores. You could also have a “decorate your own cookie” station with cookies shaped like camping items (tents, trees, animals) and icing.
- Get a cake shaped like a camping scene or decorated with forest and camping elements, such as a mini tent, tiny trees, and a fondant campfire. You could also make a log cake (yule log style) with forest-themed decorations.
- Serve “Bear Bites” (animal-shaped crackers or cookies), “Campfire Popcorn” (popcorn mixed with chocolate or caramel), “Trail Mix” (mix of nuts, dried fruit, and cereal), and “S’mores Bars” (s’mores-inspired bars or cookies).
- Offer “Campfire Cocoa” (hot chocolate served with marshmallows), “Pine Needle Punch” (a fruity green punch), and “Woodland Water” (water in bottles with rustic labels).
- Give guests camping-themed party favors like mini flashlights, woodland animal figurines, personalized “camping cups,” or s’mores kits. You could also give out little compasses or miniature campfire-themed toys.
Around the world.
This theme lets you explore various cultures, countries, and landmarks through decor, food, and fun activities.
- Use bright, vibrant colors inspired by flags and countries around the world, including reds, blues, yellows, greens, and whites.
- Use international elements such as globe centerpieces, maps, world flags, and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, and the Great Wall of China. Hang up string lights to represent different countries or continents. You can also create a “world map wall” where guests can pin or mark places they’ve visited or want to visit.
- landmarks or a miniature travel outfit, like a tiny explorer vest and a mini suitcase prop. You could also consider a globe-themed birthday outfit with a “traveler” vibe, complete with a small hat or backpack.
- Set up a station where guests can decorate their own “passport” (using simple construction paper or cardstock) with stickers or stamps from various countries. Kids can collect stamps as they “travel” around different stations during the party.
- Organize games inspired by different countries, such as a Mexican piñata, an Indian ring toss, or a Chinese dragon dance. You could also have a “cultural treasure hunt” where kids search for objects that represent various countries, like tiny Eiffel Towers, mini globes, or toy animals.
- Create a cake shaped like a globe, or decorate it with the flags of various countries. You could also go with a multi-tiered cake that has different international landmarks on each tier, or a simple world map cake with cute airplane or suitcase toppers.
- Serve cupcakes with different country flags as toppers, or cupcakes decorated with small edible images of famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and the Great Wall of China.
- Provide a selection of candies or sweets from different countries. For example, you could serve Swedish gummies, British chocolate bars, or Japanese mochi.
- Give guests fun travel-inspired favors like miniature globes, passport covers, travel journals, or small flags of different countries. You could also give out travel-sized bottles of bubbles, stickers from different countries, or mini souvenirs from famous landmarks.
First Trip around The Sun.
This theme is inspired by the concept of a “journey around the sun,” filled with celestial decorations and a sense of adventure.
- Use soft gold, silver, white, navy blue, and pastel colors for a dreamy celestial look. Add touches of yellow, orange, and pink to represent the sun’s warmth and energy.
- Decorate with sun, moon, and star motifs. Hang paper lanterns in the shape of stars or moons, and use sunburst patterns as focal points around the space. You can also incorporate a “solar system” vibe by hanging planets and stars from the ceiling.
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute “First Trip Around the Sun” onesie or outfit with a sun design or galaxy print. You can accessorize with a small sun hat, a star headband, or a cozy moon-and-stars themed blanket.
- Set up a craft station where kids can create their own sunburst hats or decorate “planets” using foam balls or paper cutouts. Use stickers, glitter, and paint to make it a fun, creative experience.
- Make a cake shaped like a sun, or design a round cake with a sunburst pattern in yellow, orange, and gold. You can also create a cake featuring planets or stars.
- Serve “Sunshine Fruit Cups” (a mix of bright yellow fruits like pineapple, mango, and bananas), “Planet Popcorn” (popcorn with colorful sprinkles or edible glitter), “Rocket Dogs” (mini hot dogs shaped like rockets), and “Moon Pies” (marshmallow-filled cookies).
- Create sun-shaped sugar cookies decorated with bright yellow icing and a smiley face or sunburst designs.
- Give guests sun-themed or celestial-inspired party favors such as star-shaped sunglasses, glow-in-the-dark stars, mini telescopes, or sun-shaped stress balls. You could also give out personalized mini planet figurines, little sun hats, or “moon dust” (sparkly glitter) in small containers.
Click her to see a pink First Trip Around The Sun birthday collection that you can customize on Zazzle, and a blue collection too.
Rookie of the year.
This sporty theme is filled with energy, competition, and fun, and it’s perfect for a little MVP (Most Valuable Player).
- Use bright and bold colors like red, blue, yellow, and white, inspired by sports team colors or your favorite team’s jersey. You can also use gold accents to highlight the “rookie” aspect, symbolizing a winning season.
- Decorate the space with elements inspired by sports like footballs, basketballs, baseballs, soccer balls, and even trophies. Use pennants and banners with “Rookie of the Year” or “MVP” signage. Consider using foam fingers, team jerseys, and stadium-style seating for guests to feel like they’re at a game.
- Create a “trophy” table with a mini version of a trophy and a plaque that reads “Rookie of the Year.” You can also use this table to display party favors or food items that play into the sports theme.
- Dress the birthday baby in a “Rookie of the Year” onesie, personalized with their name or favorite sports number (like “#1 Rookie”). You can also make a custom onesie with a fun sports logo or print of a ball and “First Season” on it.
- Set up different stations for kids to try their hand at various sports activities, like shooting basketballs into a hoop, kicking a soft ball through the goalposts, and a T-ball station where kids can hit a soft ball with a plastic bat.
- Organize simple relay races or obstacle courses where kids can team up and complete challenges. Consider activities like crawling through tunnels, hopping in sacks, or balancing a ball on a spoon.
- Make a cake that looks like a sports ball (football, basketball, soccer ball, etc.) or a cake decorated like a team jersey with the birthday baby’s name and number. You can also create a tiered cake with a “champion” theme, featuring sports-themed decorations.
- Offer “Victory Punch” (fruit punch served in sports-themed cups), “Championship Smoothies” (fruit smoothies), and “Water Bottles for MVPs” (customized water bottles with sports logos).
- Serve cookies shaped like trophies, stars, or sports balls (football, soccer, baseball). You can even have “jersey” cookies with the birthday child’s name or number on them.
- Give guests sports-themed party favors such as mini trophies, foam fingers, mini soccer balls or basketballs, or personalized sports water bottles. You could also hand out small toys that represent various sports, like mini footballs or baseballs.
Hole in one.
This theme is centered around golf, and it’s ideal for a child’s milestone birthday with a playful atmosphere.
- Use green (for the golf course), white, and touches of gold or silver to represent golf balls and trophies.
- Decorate the space with golf-inspired elements like mini golf flags, golf balls, tees, and green turf. You could create a “golf course” atmosphere by laying down green turf or grass mats, along with putting greens for a true golf feel.
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute “Hole in One” onesie with golf-themed print (like a small golf club, ball, or flag) or a mini golf outfit, such as a tiny polo shirt and shorts or a sporty dress with golf accents.
- Set up a mini golf course in your party space. Create a simple putting green with a few obstacles (like soft toys or small plastic cones) for kids to try to putt golf balls into a mini hole. You can use plastic clubs or even pool noodles to serve as the golf clubs for little hands.
- Create a simple putting station where the goal is to get the ball into a small “hole” (a toy bucket or pool) for a chance to win a “hole in one” sticker or medal.
- Make a cake shaped like a golf ball, or create a round cake with a golf course design. You can also have a cake that mimics the shape of a golf club or a hole in one with green frosting for the “fairway.”
- Decorate cupcakes with golf balls made from white fondant or icing. You can also make “putting green” cupcakes, where the top is covered with green frosting and a tiny golf flag is placed in the middle.
- Offer “Golf Swing Lemonade” (lemonade served in small cups with golf-themed drink stirrers) or “Par Punch” (a fun fruit punch served with mini golf ball ice cubes).
- Give guests fun, golf-inspired party favors such as mini golf balls, golf tees, golf club toys, or personalized golf towels. You could also include little trophies or medals that say “Best Golfer” or “Hole in One.”
Floral fiesta.
A Floral Fiesta themed first birthday party combines the vibrant colors of a fiesta with the beauty and charm of florals, creating a lively, colorful, and festive atmosphere.
- Use bright and bold colors like hot pink, orange, turquoise, yellow, and green, inspired by both floral blooms and the celebratory fiesta vibe. You can use tropical hues or pastel shades depending on the tone you want to set.
- Create a whimsical and colorful atmosphere with plenty of flowers, papel picado (decorative paper cut-outs), and vibrant streamers. Hang paper flowers or real flowers in mason jars around the party area.
- Use floral garlands or tissue paper flowers to line the walls and party space. Papel picado banners can add a festive touch, or you can use flower-shaped cutouts or floral prints on tablecloths and party favors.
- Use bright flower bouquets or potted plants as table centerpieces, or create mini “flower gardens” by planting small flowers or succulents in colorful pots.
- Dress the birthday baby in a cute floral onesie, a bright dress with floral prints, or a charming floral romper. Add a matching flower crown or floral headband for extra cuteness. You can also dress the baby in a colorful, playful outfit that has vibrant flower or fiesta patterns.
- Set up a crafting station where kids and adults can create their own flower crowns or headbands using faux flowers, ribbon, and elastic. This is a great way to incorporate the floral element and give guests a fun keepsake to wear during the party.
- Set up a station where kids can paint their own mini flower pots and plant a small flower or succulent to take home. It’s a fun craft that ties into the floral theme and gives guests a keepsake.
- Since this is a fiesta theme, set up a flower-shaped piñata filled with candy, small toys, or treats. You can also add floral embellishments to make the piñata more festive and match the theme.
- Make a cake decorated with beautiful edible flowers like roses, sunflowers, or marigolds. You can also create a tiered cake with bright floral patterns or a pastel-colored flower garden theme.
- Serve sugar cookies shaped like flowers, decorated with colorful icing and edible glitter to give them a festive, floral touch.
- Serve tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, watermelon, and strawberries arranged in flower-like patterns. You can also make fruit skewers in rainbow colors.
- For a more fiesta-style meal, serve mini tacos, nachos, and other Mexican-inspired appetizers. You can create “floral” versions of guacamole by shaping the guac into flower petals using a cookie cutter.
- Send guests home with mini flower pots, small succulents, or seed packets. You can also provide flower-shaped cookies or flower crowns as party favors to keep the floral theme alive.