40 first birthday themes and ideas for boys, girls, and every little one-derful baby

It’s almost time to celebrate your little one’s first year in the world. A milestone occasion like this is the perfect time to gather your loved ones and host a sweet, memorable first birthday party. But first, you’ll need to pick out the right theme. The theme of your party can be anything—a favorite food, color, book, or animal. Luckily, we’re here with some first birthday party ideas and themes to help get the party started. 

After you’ve decided on your first birthday theme, you can find a customizable first birthday party invitation. All Paperless Post invitations include event management tools like RSVP tracking, guest messaging, and mailing address collection to make planning easier. After you’ve chosen the invite, you can fashion your décor, refreshments, and party games around the theme to create a truly memorable occasion. 

Getting ready for the big day? Gather some ideas, themes, and activities to make your baby’s first birthday truly special.

What do you do for a first birthday party?

When it comes to your baby’s first birthday, there are endless ways to celebrate. Whether you’re inviting tons of people or having an intimate get-together, don’t be afraid to personalize your first birthday party theme for your baby girl or boy.

Here are just a few items and activities you can incorporate into your baby’s first birthday.

1. Start new traditions

There’s no better time to start new traditions than your baby’s first birthday. Your child can say they’ve been experiencing that tradition every year for their entire lives, and maybe even pass it on to their own kids years down the line.

Where do you begin? Perhaps you dress your baby girl or baby boy in their favorite color or bring out a special plate with their first handprints. It’s a wonderful time to look back on your existing family traditions as well and pass them on to the next generation. Sure, they can’t wear Grandpa’s watch quite yet, but maybe there’s an old family cookie recipe you can make, even if your baby’s only job is being the taste tester. 

2. Baby’s first cake

There’s nothing quite like the confused, delighted look on your baby’s face when they taste their first birthday cake, also known as a “cake smash.” It may even be their first dessert ever.

Make cake time even more fun by providing a smaller birthday cake that your baby can smash their hands into. Watch Baby go wild with bewildered delight while the adults enjoy their own delicious cake on the sidelines.

3. Turning 1 photoshoot

Commemorate this big day with a fun photo session. Pick your favorite local park or deck out your backyard with streamers, posters, and hats. Then position the camera and let the fun begin. Adults and kids alike will love striking a pose and making precious memories on your baby’s first.

First birthday themes for boys

Picking the right first birthday theme for a boy will create great memories for everyone at the party. Whether he’s a lover of animals, cars, or cartoons, bring the perfect style to your baby’s first big birthday with some of these themes. 

 

4. Wild one

 

 If your one-year-old boy loves animals, throw him a “Wild One” party, or a party animal birthday. 

• Get the party started with cute “wild one” invitations 
• Bring in safari or jungle themes with trees, plants, and fruit
• Shop safari-themed party supplies to bring the jungle home
• Serve lion-themed cookies for an added treat

5. Rookie of the year

Your little athlete won every trophy this year—including your heart. Throw them a championship celebration with a sports-themed first birthday.

• Start the game clock with a sports party invitation
• Serve popcorn, cotton candy, and hot dogs for a ballpark vibe
• Decorate with sports party supplies like ball-shaped napkins and give guests an on-theme cap

6. “One” voyage

 

It’s time to say bon voyage to infant days and ahoy to toddlerdom. Bring out the sailor hats and the horns for a first birthday party all about boats.

Start planning with:

• Nautical birthday invitations 
• Decorations in sailor blue and red 
• Anchors and life preservers for an added maritime touch
• A sailor suit for the birthday boy

7. My first rodeo

Yee-haw! This year was the baby’s first rodeo, so host a Western-themed party that celebrates that wild, wild ride.

• Cowboy party invitations let guests know to expect a rodeo-worthy hoedown
• Bring in rustic party décor and bandanas to set the scene
• Have guests wear their Western finery, boots, and all
• For an added touch, add bucking horses to Baby’s cake, table decorations, and hanging décor

8. Birthday-saurus

 

Your baby doesn’t need to have a favorite dinosaur to love their birthday-saurus party. With the right details, everyone will be roaring for more. 

• Use dinosaur party invitations to bring everyone over for a dino-mite good time
• Add green and orange décor with dinosaur birthday party supplies
• Serve some veggies and meats for the omnivores 
• Try a few bold touches, like bones or caves, for a prehistoric look

9. Construction site

Does your one-year-old obsess over every construction vehicle they see? They may be hinting at their ideal party theme. Lucky for you, there are lots of fun construction elements you can add to your party.

• Send out construction party invitations to let people know when the work begins 
• Find decorations in yellow and black 
• Serve snacks in toy dump trucks on the table

10. One-der Boy

Your baby has gone from a tiny infant to a pre-toddler in only 12 months. If that’s not superhero-level, what is?

Celebrate your little one’s not-so-little superpowers with a superhero party, complete with: 

• Superhero birthday party invitations that include a spot for a photo of your kiddo in their favorite hero’s costume
• Decorations in bold colors like red and blue
• Lots of masks and capes for guests to join in the fun

11. Time flies

It seems like yesterday that your babbling one-year-old was a squirming newborn. Celebrate how quickly time “flies” with a plane-themed party, just right for those babies who point at the sky whenever they hear an airplane.

To stay on theme without any delays:

• Check out plane-themed invitations that feel like a first-class ticket to fun
• Decorate your party with lots of blue and white to make the venue feel like the sky
• Serve pretzel packets and ginger ale in small, clear cups

12. First stop: Baby’s party

 

All aboard the birthday train! 

Help your baby at their very first stop with a train-themed birthday. You’ll find lots of cute ideas for this birthday party theme, including:

• Train birthday invitations to welcome birthday passengers on board
• Decorations with bold colors and metallic touches
• A cardboard train with snacks on the party table

13. Ahoy there

Get your baby’s best mates together for a pirate-themed first birthday party. Yo ho ho, and a bottle of milk! Host a celebration for scallywags and seadogs with: 

• Adorable pirate party invitations
• Red and black decorations, lots of pirate flags and parrots, and a chest full of buried treasure (i.e., favors to take home)
• Pirate eye patches for the birthday baby and guests

First birthday themes for girls

A sweet baby girl is a special gift. Share her sparkle with your loved ones by hosting a perfect birthday party to celebrate her first year of life. Find the right first birthday theme for a girl, whether she likes mermaids, unicorns, rainbows, or anything else that makes her smile. 

14. Lots of dots

Why pick one color when you can have a fun assortment of them all? Show your tyke’s love of colors with a polka dot-themed birthday party. 

Pick out a delightfully dotted invitation that shows guests how fun your little girl is and how much color she brings to your life. Consider similarly patterned party favors like:

• A trendy, multicolored dotted cake
• Clear balloons with rainbow glitter inside
• Circle-shaped rainbow decorations for a touch of whimsy

15. First bee-day

A bee-themed first birthday party is especially cute—even if you didn’t have a “Mom To Bee” baby shower. 

Show everyone that it’s fun to “bee” one with: 

• Bee-themed invitations to get the “buzz” out 
• Black and yellow party supplies and birthday décor 
• Honey-flavored snacks and honeycomb decorations

15. Some bunny is turning one

 

Bunnies are a sweet way to celebrate a first birthday. Whether your one-year-old can hop or crawl, they’re some bunny special.

Play into the theme with: 

• Some-Bunny Is Turning One-themed invitations
• Woodland-themed decorations 
• Lovely décor based on “The World of Peter Rabbit & Friends”

17. Isn’t she one-derful

Turning one is a big deal—so focus your party on the number 1 itself! A number-themed party reminds everyone of the reason for the occasion, while also being a special nod to the number one person in your life.

• Use a first birthday invitation with a photo upload to show off your beautiful babe
• Add more pictures from the last 12 months to decorate your party
• Don’t forget the number 1 candle for baby’s first wish

 

18. One-der the sea party

Bring out all your favorite sea creatures (mermaids included) for an outstanding “one-der the sea” first birthday party.

• Send out a Sea Buddies invitation to set the stage
• Decorate in light blue, cream, and green 
• Use under-the-sea party supplies

19. Unicorns

Unicorns have one horn, making them an ideal mascot for a celebration of one whole year of life. To bring beautiful unicorns—or narwhals, if you’d like a different one-horned creature—into your party planning, try:

• Unicorn party invitations to add a little birthday magic
• Magical unicorn decorations, like festive balloons and horn party hats
• Gold, pink, purple, and silver decorations
• A unicorn-themed cake or rainbow sherbet for a tasty dessert

20. Winter one-derland

Winter birthdays are a special time of year. While they’re sometimes overshadowed by holidays, these birthdays deserve their own moment in the sun—or snow.

To plan a special first winter birthday:

• Send winter one-derland party invitations 
• Decorate with snowmen, ice skates, snowflakes, and polar bears
• Use white as the main color, with touches of icy blues
• Serve flavored ice or snow cones

21. One-ce upon a time

 

Treat your little princess like royalty with a fairy tale-themed party.

• Use general royal protocol—or their favorite fairy tale—to send out princess-themed invitations.
• For a special “happily ever after” party, decorate in gold, purple, and plenty of sparkles
• Incorporate royal birthday party supplies, including magic wands and regal crowns

22. Afternoon tea

 

Cordially invite your loved ones to an afternoon tea birthday party for a dignified celebration of your baby’s first year of life. (Actual tea is not recommended for babies.)

Start with:

• Teapot-shaped party invitations to give guests a cozy welcome
• A tea-themed party spread that includes finger sandwiches, tea cookies, and scented sachets to take home
• Lots of fresh flowers and gingham tablecloths for an authentic tea-time look

Gender-neutral first birthday party themes

Some first birthday themes are so unique and thoughtful that they’ll blow everyone away, regardless of your baby’s gender. Here are some themes that are sure to make some special memories for your one-year-old. 

23. Paddington Bear

A classic for kids as well as bear-loving parents, Paddington Bear is the sweetest party guest on your list (besides your baby, of course). Paddington Bear birthday invitations bring a literary tone to your party. To add to the theme:

• Decorate your Paddington party in blue and yellow to match his timeless rain slicker and galoshes
• Find a baby-sized slicker and boots for your little one to wear—it’s an adorable costume that doubles as protection from the cake smash
• Serve tea and biscuits 

24. Baby’s first fiesta

¡Feliz cumpleaños! Some first birthday parties revolve around the smash cake, but with some strong planning and fiesta birthday invitations, you’ll turn “baby’s first cake” into “baby’s first taco” in no time.

To be the “taco” the town:

• Plan on lots of yellow, orange, and brown decorations to match the fiesta décor
• A (soft) taco bar is a must
• If you’re really in the spirit, try cutting the flan instead of the cake

25. “Sesame Street”

 

Everyone wants Elmo, Big Bird, and Oscar the Grouch at their birthday party. Bring the whole gang to your little one’s big day with a “Sesame Street”-themed first birthday party that would make Oscar smile—even on his grouchiest day.

• Send one of an adorable assortment of “Sesame Street” birthday invitations 
• Choose bright primary colors (yellow, red, and blue) for décor
• Add “Sesame Street” character pictures to your table décor and cake
• Serve cookies (for the Cookie Monster, of course)

26. Barnyard bash

Time for a hoedown at the farm! If your baby knows that the cow says “moo” and the sheep says “baa,” they’re ready for some barnyard fun.

To drive the theme home, use:

• Farm animal invitations to set the scene for a farmhouse fête
• Farmhouse red-colored party decorations to put the “barn” in “barnyard”
• Tie in elements from your baby’s favorite animal book for a literary twist

27. A perfect picnic

Planning a party is fun, and a picnic party is a great way for everyone to celebrate your baby with their own snacks and lunches. (For those who prefer grilled meats, a Baby-Q party at the park might be the right choice.)

• Invite guests with sweet picnic party invitations that say the party is BYOB—whether that means “beverage” or “baby” 
• Decorate with red gingham and other summertime décor, no matter the time of year 
• For an extra cute detail, add some ant decorations to the party (much more fun than the real thing!)
• Serve ants on a log and other small picnic snacks in picnic baskets

28. Birthday circus 

 

Step right up and see the amazing circus-themed party for your little ringmaster, complete with animals, clowns, and sweet treats. 

Get into the carnival spirit by incorporating: 

• Whimsical circus invitations 
• A big-top tent for the kids to act out their three-ring dreams
• Face painting—because it’s not a circus without a clown or two!  

29. First trip around the sun

It’s the end of their first year on Earth, but it’s the very beginning of the next one. Blast into the stratosphere with a space-themed first birthday party for your little star. 

A delightful space-themed invitation sets the stage for guests, so they know they’ll get an out-of-this-world experience. Find some starry and space party supplies, including:

• Planets, astronauts, and spaceships-shaped streamers and décor
• A cool black, blue, and purple color scheme 
• Some orange and yellow flames for a blast-off to remember

30. Sweet one

Celebrate one year with your sweet child with a sugar-themed first birthday party—including snacks, décor, and invitations that will satisfy even the world’s biggest sweet tooth. Pile on the sweetness with added details like: 

• Delicious-looking invitations that are almost as sweet as your baby
• Pops of pastel colors like pink, yellow, and baby blue
• Plates that have all the fun of candy—without the sugar crash

31. Camp birthday

Raising a future wilderness explorer? Start them out on the right path by hosting a camp-themed birthday party. You’ll have all the fun of sleepaway camp without even having to leave your backyard (scout’s honor!) 

To nail the theme, you can incorporate classic camp elements like: 

• Camp-themed invitations to send to guests yearning for adventure
• Party games where guests receive merit badges as a prize
• A make-your-own s’mores station—because it’s not camp without s’mores!

32. A magical first year

Bring out the magic in your baby’s first year with a magician-themed first birthday party, complete with magic hats, rabbits, and red capes.

• First, send out magical party invitations 
• Then, get the illusions ready with red and black decorations—including wands for the kids to wave around
• Consider hiring a magician for the party (or learn a few cool magic tricks yourself)
• Incorporate images of playing cards into your décor 

How to choose a first birthday party theme

With so many first birthday themes for boys and girls, how do you pick the best one? Here are a few quick tips to help you decide.

• There’s no “perfect” theme: As long as it makes you and your baby happy, it’s the right theme for you.
• Choose the theme that matches your level of party prowess: If you’re a party planning newbie, don’t sign up to decorate 101 Dalmatian-shaped cake pops the night before your party. Leave that to the professionals.
• If your baby loves something unconventional, create your theme around it: It’s always a good idea to have a party centered around your family dog, a garbage truck, or TV remotes.
• Use that one book as your theme: Is there a book that makes your baby giggle? Share the smiles with a party that fits that theme. 
• Keep photos in mind as you plan your baby’s first birthday party theme: Which images will you and your guests enjoy seeing displayed? Are there details you can add that will help create great photos?
• If you can’t decide between two first birthday party themes, combine them: Who says you can’t have a mermaid-construction party or a sports-pirate celebration?
• Save themes you like: If you go with one theme for the first birthday party, save another idea you like for next year’s theme.
• Explore the Paperless Post Party Shop for décor you like: You may not have imagined a dinosaur party, but you might change your mind when you see our cute dinosaur party cups. It happens.

First birthday party games for adults and kids

Now that you’ve figured out your party’s theme, you can plan some awesome games and activities. Adults and children alike can play, laugh, and learn more about each other and the new baby.

33. Pop quiz

Who knows your baby best? Before your guests arrive, prepare a sheet of paper or a small booklet of questions about your baby.  Here are some sample questions to inspire you:

• How many teeth do I have?
• What was my first word?
• What’s my favorite book?
• What’s my favorite food?
• What makes me laugh?

Reveal the answers at the party. Even better, pair the responses with a photo of your baby demonstrating the correct answer. For example, attach a photo of your baby eating strawberries under “What’s my favorite food?”

Guests can reveal their answers, whether they’re right, wrong, or downright hilarious. You can even award the winner a small prize, like candy, wine, or a gift card. Either way, everyone will get to know your baby better and have a great time guessing.

34. Match the photo

Ever wonder what your family and friends looked like at your baby’s age? Your baby’s first birthday is the perfect occasion to find out. 

Ask your guests to bring a photo of themselves at around one year old. Shuffle the photos and then try to match each baby to each adult. The person with the most correct guesses wins a prize for their excellent recognition. You’ll have a laugh seeing just how much everyone has grown. 

35. Time capsule

Here’s one way to immortalize your baby’s first birthday: a time capsule that your child can open when they’re older. Buy a few one-time-use film cameras or an instant camera and pass them out to guests at the party. Family and friends can snap fun photos and write messages to your baby on the back. Tuck the photos and any other party memorabilia into the airtight time capsule. Bury it in the backyard or just keep it somewhere safe. Ten years later (or whenever you decide to open it), you’ve got the baby birthday gift that keeps on giving: memories of their special first birthday.

36. Host a music class

Hire a kid-friendly musician or a musically inclined friend to prepare some songs for your little one’s party. Make it interactive by handing out kid-sized tambourines, harmonicas, shakers, and mini guitars.

The little ones can dance along, learn about music, and play an instrument of their own. They may not stay on beat, but their joyful singing will be music to your ears. 

37. Blow and catch bubbles

 

This activity is great for babies, especially those who have recently learned to walk. Look online for easy soap bubble recipes and try making giant bubbles with rope or an empty paper towel roll. 

You can also hand out small bubble wands to everyone at the party for an explosion of rainbows. It’s an inexpensive way to let children explore and run around. You’ll watch them put the “toddle” in “toddler.”

 38. Share storytime

Gather the little ones around to read your baby’s favorite book. Make sure you put on your best character voices and make every word count. If the kids are old enough, everyone can take a turn reading and acting out the story. 

You’ll share a story that’s special to your family, while also turning your baby’s favorite book into a fun memory for everyone.

39. Make a summertime splash

There are plenty of great summer party themes for babies born in the summer. There are so many options to keep little ones refreshed and entertained. 

Consider buying a kiddie pool so babies can safely splash around and cool off. It also makes for a super cute photo opportunity. Or, just turn on the sprinklers in the backyard and let them run!

Did somebody say ‘water balloon fight?’ For older kids, fill water balloons in advance and hand a few to each. Water balloons are sure to make this birthday a summer blast. You can also provide mini-water guns for a fun game of tag with easy refills.

40. Visit a petting zoo

There’s nothing cuter than baby humans encountering baby animals. Make your baby’s first birthday extra special by scheduling a visit to your local petting zoo. 

Children can feed baby goats, alpacas, chickens, pigs, and whatever else your petting zoo may have in store. It’ll fit perfectly with any animal or cowboy-themed party. Some petting zoos may even be able to arrange a home visit and bring the farm to your door.

FAQ

What is a popular theme for a first birthday? 

First birthday themes can vary depending on the interests of the child and the parent. Popular themes often include animals, fairy tales, dinosaurs, and mermaids. 

How do I pick a first birthday party theme?

If you’re overwhelmed with options, a good start is to think about what your baby is showing interest in. If your son loves playing with toy cars, maybe he’d enjoy a racecar birthday. If your daughter has a special stuffed animal that she doesn’t go anywhere without, consider a barnyard-themed birthday. 

What do you do at a 1-year-old birthday party?

A first birthday party is a great time to play games, eat food, and celebrate your first year with your bundle of joy. It’s also a great time for everyone to enjoy quality time together, either through planned activities or unstructured socializing. No matter how you spend the day, it’s sure to be a memorable one.

Plan a one-of-a-kind party with Paperless Post

Now that you have the right first birthday theme, it’s time to send out those birthday party invitations via text, email, or Shareable Link, and get ready to have some fun. Paperless Post Party Shop’s party decorations include every element you need for a themed first birthday party without having to search around, making your planning process even smoother than you thought it could be.