Amari Hale
We’ve pulled together a massive list of original 1st birthday themes for both girls and boys. Getting to the 1-year mark is a momentous occasion, and definitely one to be celebrated – not only to shine a light on your sweet babe for hitting a new milestone, but for YOU for surviving that first year!
Throwing a fun 1st birthday party for your little girl or boy is a wonderful way to celebrate with friends and family, and although they won’t remember it…you sure will!
Choosing the theme for baby’s first birthday party can be a hard decision, especially if you don’t want to go with the more traditional ideas of princesses and trucks.
We’ve rounded up some of the most unique and creative ideas for a 1st birthday party, with themes that are baby-friendly, but also fun for grown-up guests. These party ideas include themes with a play-on-words of “one” and “first”, plus more unique ways to celebrate for both girls and boys.
And we’ve included lots of inspiration images to give you ideas for food, cake, venue, supplies and more! So whether you want to host a backyard bash, or will be stuck inside in the winter, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect 1st birthday party theme for your big 1-year old! RELATED: Have older kids or want to bookmark our awesome birthday theme lists for future parties? Incorporate lots of honey comb, bee and hive motifs, plus plenty of sweet treats.
Embrace it with a Winter ONEderland 1st birthday party, with lots of muted blues or pinks paired with pretty metallics. Turn your space into a real life Fairy Tale with enchanted details from your favorite storybook.
Inspired by the childhood classic, Alice in Wonderland, invite your guests to fall down the rabbit hole into a fantastical tea party full of magical details. This first birthday party theme centers around the sweet fruit, and can include rustic details like peach baskets, pies and jam.
Playing off of Louis Armstrong’s beautiful song, “It’s a Wonderful World”, plan a travel themed first birthday bash, full of globes, maps and passports.
Perfect for a summer outdoor bash with juicy treats and bright pops of color.
And the photo opp of the birthday boy or girl eating a huge slice of watermelon is just too good to pass up! Photo sources and inspiration links: The Samantha Show, Kara’s Party Ideas, Soiree Love
Use lots of gold, blue and red, and don’t forget to dress up mom too…she’s the original Wonder Woman after all! Turning one certainly is magical, so put together a celebration full of rainbows and sparkle to showcase their inner light.
This sweet bunny theme will elicit plenty of “aww”s from your guests, the cuteness level is just through the roof!
Photo sources and inspiration links: Kristen Fotta Photography, Print A Party Co, Kitchen Door
Calling all football fans and future Quarterbacks, this “1st Down” theme is perfect for your soon-to-be one year old. Grab some faux turf, pennant flags, concession snacks, and of course, lots of footballs to decorate.
Turning one sure is sweet, so why not celebrate with some delicious confections like candy, donuts and ice cream?! Photo sources and inspiration links: Redlocks and Shamrocks, Catch My Party, The Britt Kit, Hostess with the Mostess
Photo sources and inspiration links: Michelle’s Party Plan It, Sugar Moon Bloom, Black Twine, Fun 365
With this darling camping theme, the birthday camper can try their first S’more, while guests enjoy a create-your-own Trail Mix bar, and hang out in glamping-style tents. Photo sources and inspiration links: Davis & Scout, The Southern Trunk, Rhea Ashlynn Photography, Kara’s Party Ideas This golf themed party is perfect for the family who likes a good round of 18 holes.
Customized golf ball favors and a putting green elevate the celebrate to “hole in one” status. Decorate with brightly colored surf boards, lots of blue for the ocean waves, and even a shark or two!
Photo sources and inspiration links: 100 Layer Cakelet, Kara’s Party Ideas, Around My Family Table
Hit a “Home ONE” with this baseball themed first birthday party, complete with peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jack’s!
Photo sources and inspiration links: Zazzle, Pins & Petals, Navy Berlin, Kara’s Party Ideas, Ashley Brooke Nicholas Whether your babe was born close to St. Patrick’s Day, or is your sunshine after a storm, this “Lucky One” theme expresses just how grateful you are to be parents.
Photo sources and inspiration links: Cher Can Do It, Brielle Kaschak Photography, Allison Shumate Grab your boarding pass and hop aboard your baby’s First Flight for an uplifting aviation-themed party. Photo sources and inspiration links: Arts & Crackers, Kara’s Party Ideas, Hostess with the Mostess
This unique concept is based around Wanderlust, the desire to wander – or in this case, to go on a summer’s holiday!
It’s a creative theme that can be taken in many directions, including celebrating your family’s past vacations or desire for future travels. Photo sources and inspiration links: Perfete, Bubby & Bean, Kara’s Party Ideas
Food will take center stage at this party, but luckily it needn’t be fancy – a simple BBQ with burgers, dogs and fries fits the bill. Photo sources and inspiration links: Arin Solange at Home, Hostess with the Mostess, Miss Party Mom Turning one is just the beginning, and this theme celebrates your child’s future adventures, based on Dr. Seuss’s classic book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”.
Photo sources and inspiration links: Kara’s Party Ideas 1 & 2, Cherish 365, Oriental Trading, @kerenprecel Utilize lots of greens, beige and hints of pink, with pretty succulents and cacti. Create your own magical Hundred Acre Woods with this Winnie the Pooh inspired theme.
Photo sources and inspiration links: Kara’s Party Ideas 1 & 2, Birthday In a Box, 100 Layer Cake Decorate with dog treats, balls, leashes + send guests home with an adopted stuffed animal puppy of their own.
Decorate with lots of greenery and African animals to turn your space into a real life safari.
Guests can cozy up in their pajamas and dig into a fun pancake “bar” with lots of toppings. Photo sources and inspiration links: Project Nursery, Thoughts by Brandi, For Rent, Style Me Pretty, We’re the Joneses, Kara’s Party Ideas Celebrate how fast the first year has gone with this vintage aviation theme, with planes, suitcases, maps and globes.
Celebrate your own party animal with this vibrant theme that can incorporate all their favorite creatures and a touch of humor. Incorporate plenty of black/white, red and gold + a sea of circus animals and balloons to create your very own Big Top. Your little surfer guy or gal will love this cheery and colorful theme full of bright flowers, surfboards, palm trees and coconuts.
Photo sources and inspiration links: Baby & Breakfast, Pretty my Party, Thinking Closet
Bring out the macrame, cacti, and pretty blooms for an amazing Llama-themed first birthday party. For all those vehicle loving babes, this bus-themed party based on the classic kids’ song, will be a match made in heaven.
Create a cityscape backdrop and turn your dining room table into a huge bus! Photo sources and inspiration links: Simply Made with Sam, Kara’s Party Ideas, Midwest Blonde We also love that the theme incorporates the sweet sentiment about slowing down time, because didn’t that first year go by in the blink of an eye?
Photo sources and inspiration links: Hope Heart & Home, Kara’s Party Ideas 1 & 2, Carlos & Brenda
Based on Eric Carle’s best-selling children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this party is all about the transformation into a butterfly…and lots of yummy food! Photo sources and inspiration links: Dani Marie Blog, See Vanessa Craft, My Mommyhood Tales
Show your birthday boy or girl that there’s no limit on what they can do, with a whimsical hot air balloon celebration. Photo sources and inspiration links: Kara’s Party Ideas 1 & 2, 100 Layer Cake, Sweet Designs Photo sources and inspiration links: Shin Digz, Oh Happy Day, Hostess with the Mostess, Life Love & Sugar
You’ll be singing “Rubber Ducky, you’re the ONE” with this vibrant theme full of ducks and bubbles. Photo sources and inspiration links: Baby & Breakfast, Kara’s Party Ideas, Biz Bash Set out a finger-painting station with smocks and a big roll of paper, and have all the kids create their own masterpiece.
Incorporate colorful polka dots into your decorations, cake and treats to pull off this simple, yet stunning theme. Photo sources and inspiration links: Crowning Details, Get Creative Juice, Oh It’s Perfect, Hannah Matthew, Kara’s Party Ideas Photo sources and inspiration links: Ashlee Marie, Pretty My Party, Kristine’s Kitchen, Kojo Designs, Pizzazzerie
Don’t get us wrong, these themes can certainly be used for boys too, but they all have a heavy dose of pink and all the sparkly things!
Aqua, purple and gold unite to create this ultra-creative Peacock 1st birthday bash. We just adore this Girl Power themed party full of bright colors and positivity.
Lead guests into this 1st birthday party along the yellow brick road, and into the magical world of the Wizard of Oz. Incorporate plenty of gingham, burlap, bright primary colors and don’t forget the costumes!
Take the joy and wonder of a child riding on a Merry Go Round, and transform it into a magical celebration with elegant horses and pastel colors.
Photo sources and inspiration links: Ashley Brooke Nicholas, Kara’s Party Ideas
Pull together this sweet Little Red Riding Hood celebration with woodland touches to create your very own fairytale. These creative first birthday party ideas for boys will celebrate them turning from a baby into a toddler (and yes, of course they can be used for girls too!
Include lots of rustic details and plenty of flannel and logs to pull together this manly lumberjack party. Photo sources and inspiration links: Hostess with the Mostess, 100 Layer Cake, Gray House Studio Photo sources and inspiration links: Kara’s Party Ideas, 100 Layer Cake, Ashley’s Dream Décor
Photo sources and inspiration links: Just Jessie B, Gastro Senses, Emily Crall, Key Ingredients, Mami Vida, The Happening Housewife
