Baby’s First Birthday Ideas
As a parent, your child’s first birthday is one of the most memorable moments so naturally you want to celebrate. But when planning this special occasion, you may not be sure where to start as there can be a lot of things to consider. From choosing the perfect theme to planning engaging activities, there are many different ways that you can make your baby’s first birthday a magical experience for you, your child and your guests. Read on to find more ideas for your baby’s first birthday.
Choose a theme
Every party needs a theme, so we’d recommend starting off by choosing a theme for this special day to set the tone for the celebration. Selecting a theme will add a touch of excitement to the event and make planning the rest of the party a lot easier.
When trying to pick a theme you should consider things that your child enjoys, so think about their favourite things and interests. Popular themes include princesses, superheroes, animals and children’s characters. If your baby has a favourite children’s book or TV show then this is a great place to start. Whether you decide to go for a safari adventure or a fairytale princess extravaganza, your theme will guide your party planning and create the perfect party atmosphere.
Invitations and Decor
Now that you’ve got your theme chosen you can get started on your invitations and decor. This is your opportunity to go all out with eye-catching designs that reflect the theme. You should include playful imagery and vibrant colours to reflect the event - a first birthday party is nothing if not fun!
The same goes for your decorations. Decorate the party space with banners, balloons and tablecloths that coordinate with the theme and colours you’ve chosen. From centrepieces to wall posters, you can add charm and character to any venue and make it the perfect setting for this special occasion.
Cake Smash Photoshoot
The key to an unforgettable first birthday party is a mixture of a fun theme and the perfect activities to keep the guests entertained. A very popular baby’s first birthday idea is a cake smash photoshoot. This is a great opportunity to capture priceless moments. First of all you need a beautifully decorated cake, so you could either buy one yourself or get one professionally made. However, keep in mind that your little one is going to smash the cake up so this may impact how much you want to spend on it.
Once you have the cake you can set the stage. Put some sheets down and let your baby dive into a world of sugary delight. As they explore the cake with their hands, feet and elbows, you can capture these memories with photographs. This is something you can do with the guests and let everyone get involved taking pictures, or you can get a professional photographer to do it for you.
Play Areas
Another popular idea for a baby’s first birthday is having a play area. There are a few options for you to choose from for this. You could use toys and games that you already have at home, to keep your little guests entertained throughout the party - just ensure that they are age appropriate.
Alternatively you could hire soft play equipment from a local business. This can include ball pools, slides and fun toys. You could also set up different stations for different activities if you have children of different ages attending. Popular stations could include arts and crafts, interactive games and sensory play. If you want to take the party to a whole new level, and potentially get the adults involved you could hire entertainment such as balloon artists or face painters.
Party Favours
A great way to show appreciation to your guests is by sending them home with a thoughtful and age-appropriate party favour. Why not go for party favours that reflect the party theme? Other popular party favours include small toys, personalised cookies or cakes and a classic party bag. You could also give the younger guests a children’s book that they can enjoy when they get home.
Themed Outfits
Another huge part of planning the perfect baby’s first birthday is what you’re going to dress them in. Of course you want your little one to look smart, as there will likely be lots of pictures taken throughout the day. So, why not dress the birthday king or queen in a special outfit that compliments the party theme and showcases their personality, including a pair of baby birthday shoes!
Whether you go for dino shoes for the dinosaur lovers, or baby butterfly shoes for your little explorer, adding themed outfits is another great way to add an extra layer of excitement. Why not encourage the guests to get involved too? Turning your party into a fancy dress theme is a great way to keep the party visual for the kids and make it fun for the adults too!
Keepsake Guest book
Your baby’s first birthday is a big deal, and you’ll likely be so busy arranging the party and making sure that everyone is having fun that you may not take the time you’d like to talk to family and friends. Therefore, we recommend setting up a keepsake guest book for family and friends to leave messages and well wishes for your child. This is something that you can read back on after the party and keep for years to come. It’s also something your child can look back on when they are older.
Why not also use our personalisation service to get a keepsake pair of Inch Blue baby shoes. Choose to add your little ones’ name or birthday to the collar of their shoes for a keepsake you can use to remember this day for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Your baby’s first birthday is a huge occasion that deserves to be celebrated in style and with these ideas for your baby’s first birthday you can make sure that it is a day to remember.
