First Birthday Themes: Celebrate Your One-Year-Old With a Super Fun Party Theme

first birthday themes

Get ready to party! Celebrate your little one’s first birthday with unforgettable first birthday theme ideas. From whimsical wonderlands to adorable animal adventures, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re planning a small get-together or a huge gathering, having the right first birthday party theme will make the party more fun and easier to plan. Your theme will guide your choices for everything else – cake and smash cake, plates and napkins, activities, and decorations. Choose a theme you love!

Start by printing this amazing  First Birthday Party Workbook – with step-by-step plans, worksheets, decision-making guides and checklists to walk you through every part of the planning process:

first birthday party planning guide

What’s the best first birthday theme?

The following list of first birthday themes will inspire you to create an incredible, unique, and memorable first birthday party!

There are so many unique first-birthday party themes out there. Here’s a list of our favorites by party theme category:

TRENDY FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY THEMES

Pick a theme that’s on-trend and it will be easy to find decor and accessories!

First Trip Around the Sun

First Trip Around The Sun Birthday Decoration- Boho Sun Theme Tableware Set Include Sun Plates,1st Trip Around The Sun Banner,Sun Boho Tablecloth,Boho Balloons for Sunshine 1st Birthday Supplies

If you love the idea of a First Trip Around The Sun first birthday party, we’ve got you covered with tons of ideas in this post.

One Happy Dude

Every parent wants their child’s first birthday to be a day filled with joy and laughter, and that’s exactly what the “One Happy Dude” birthday party promises to deliver.

Sinasasspel One Happy Dude Birthday Decorations 1st Birthday Party Banner Balloons Kit Smile Themed Balloon Arch Kit for Boy Yellow Black Lightening Checkered Party Decor

Related Post: Guide to Planning a One Happy Dude First Birthday Party

Wild One

Roar with excitement at the “Wild One” first birthday party! This jungle-themed bash features adorable animal decorations, playful games, and a lion-shaped cake. Celebrate your little cub’s first year with a wild and fun adventure!

HIPEEWO Wild One Birthday Decorations - Jungle Theme Party Supplies for First Birthday, Balloons Garland Arch, High Chair Banner, Balloon Boxes, Backdrop, Crown, Animal Safari 1st Birthday Decorations

Check out our post about How to Plan a Wild One First Birthday Party for so many awesome ideas!

More Trendy First Birthday Party Ideas

  • One-der the Sea (Boy | Girl)
  • One-der Woman
  • Mr. and Miss One-derful
  • Whole Llama Fun
  • Let’s Have a Ball
  • Only Sunshine
  • Baby Shark

All of these trends make for great birthday party ideas. A birthday party theme that’s on trend will be easy to shop for because it’s what people are buying right now.

First Trip Around the Sun Birthday Party

First Trip Around The Sun Birthday Decoration- Boho Sun Theme Tableware Set Include Sun Plates,1st Trip Around The Sun Banner,Sun Boho Tablecloth,Boho Balloons for Sunshine 1st Birthday Supplies
59 Reviews
First Trip Around The Sun Birthday Decoration- Boho Sun Theme Tableware Set Include Sun Plates,1st Trip Around The Sun Banner,Sun Boho Tablecloth,Boho Balloons for Sunshine 1st Birthday Supplies
  • 🌞【Package Included】 12 12-inch Boho Balloons and 4 Long Balloons, Tablecloth*1 Piece, First Travel Around the Sun Banner*1 Piece, Knife and Fork*16 Pairs, Water Cup*16 Pieces, Big Sun Pan*16pcs, Small Sun Pan*16pcs, 4pcs 8 inch paper pom-poms.
  • 🌞【Premium Material】All of our boho birthday decorations, not easy to break, clear printing and colorful, will add fun to boho themed parties. All materials are safe so it can be used in any gathering or party.
  • 🌞【First time travel around the sun birthday decorations】Unique design, use simple and cute sun elements combined with English letters to decorate the party, which will make your party unique.

Mr. One-derful Birthday Party

Baby Boy 1st Birthday Decorations Supplies, 1st Birthday Boy Decorations, Baby First Birthday Decorations for Boy, First Birthday Balloon Boxes, Backdrop, High Chair Banner, Crown, Photo Banner
  • First Birthday Boy Decoration – Package includes: 1st Birthday Backdrop, 3pcs 1st Birthday Balloon Boxes, Happy 1st Birthday Banner, Newborn-12Months Photo Banner, 1st Birthday Crown, High Chair Banner, One Cake Topper, 1st Birthday Milestone Posters, Number 1 Foil Balloon, 90pcs Latex Balloons, Balloon Garland Strip, 100 Dot Points Stickers, Balloon Ribbon, Instruction.
  • Exquisite Quality Baby Boy 1st Birthday Decorations – Your little boy’s first birthday only comes once, which is why you cannot afford to settle for boring party decorations! Especially when we have put together a BUNDLE of 104 Party Pieces that will create an amazing setting for awesome photos and happy times with your family and friends!
  • Premium Quality & Best Bang for Your Buck – Our 1st birthday decorations are made from premium quality materials. Everything you’ve ever thought of for your baby’s one year old birthday party is now in this set, eliminate the need to go-shopping for individual elements(otherwise ending up spending more money and wasting more time). Moreover, superior print quality and high attention to details are sure make your baby’s first birthday parties stand out.

CHILDHOOD ICONS BIRTHDAY THEME

  • Dr. Suess
  • Disney Birthday Party
  • Nursery Rhymes
  • Alice in One-derland
  • Winnie the Pooh
  • Peter Pan
See also  Winter Onederland Party for a Girl: How to Throw the Ultimate First Birthday Bash

For a unique first birthday party, let Alice in Wonderland invite your guests to fall down the rabbit hole into a fantastical tea party full of magical details. Think mismatched tea cups, petite sandwiches, and adorable cake toppers.

BOOKS AS FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY THEME

Birthday party ideas inspired by your favorite book character will be fun for guests of all ages, especially if you choose a classic.

  • The Little Prince
  • Guess How Much I Love You
  • The Giving Tree
  • Where the Wild Things Are (Wild One Theme)
  • Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party
  • Peter Rabbit

FAMILY INTERESTS AS PARTY THEMES

What does your family like to do for fun?

Is your baby a future fisherman or fisherwoman? A fishing birthday party theme will grab your party-goers hook, line, and sinker!

Fishing First Birthday Party Decorations, Fishing1st Birthday Party Supplies, Fishing Birthday Banner, Fishing One Banner, The Big One Cake Topper. Fishing 1st Birthday Party Supplies for Boy or Girl.

CHARACTER TRAITS BIRTHDAY PARTY THEMES

Let your baby’s personality shine on their first birthday. If your baby is always smiling, a sunny party is the theme. Or if you have a little troublemaker on your hands, a Little Rascal’s first birthday would be cheeky. 

  • Sunny Disposition
  • Little Rascal
  • Cute as a Button
  • Happy as a Clam

FOOD AS PARTY THEMES

  • One in a Melon
  • Berry Fun to Be One
  • Berry First Birthday
  • Sweet One
  • Milk & Cookies
  • Going Bananas
  • One Sweet Peach

In addition to being a delightful pun, melons create a bright color scheme for a first birthday party. Consider a full-on watermelon theme with colorful pink details and party favors to match.

Here’s another unique birthday party theme – Going Bananas! Think monkey-themed birthday cake, faux greenery, primary colors, and banana-flavored food. 

See also  How to Make a First Birthday Party Fun for Adults

✅Get all your first birthday party planning questions answered in our super-detailed planner all about planning the first birthday party you’ve been dreaming of.

SPORTS FIRST BIRTHDAY

If you’re a football fan, a “1st Down” first birthday theme will be great! Grab some faux turf, pennant flags, concession snacks, and many footballs to decorate.

First Year Down Football Decorations for Boys Football 1st Birthday Photo Backdrop Football One Highchair Banner Football One Cake Topper for Outdoor Party
  • Package Include: You will receive 1 football photo banner, 12 football latex balloons in three colors and two designs, 1 ONE highchair banner, 1 cake topper, a set of 1st year down foil balloon.

ANIMALS FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

  • Farm/Barnyard
  • Zoo/Exotic Animals
  • Woodland Animals
  • Butterflies/Ladybugs
  • Birds
  • So Sweet to Bee One
  • Some Bunny is One

There are so many cute ideas for animal parties, but this one has to be my favorite:

Holy Cow, I’m One First Birthday Party

62 Packs Cow 1st Birthday Party Kit Holy Cow I'm One Banner Happy Birthday Banner One Cake Topper Cow Cupcake Toppers Cow Mylar Balloons for Farm Animals Cow First Birthday Party Decorations
234 Reviews
62 Packs Cow 1st Birthday Party Kit Holy Cow I’m One Banner Happy Birthday Banner One Cake Topper Cow Cupcake Toppers Cow Mylar Balloons for Farm Animals Cow First Birthday Party Decorations
  • Package includes: 1 pc happy birthday banner, 1 pc glitter banner, 1 pc one cake topper, 1 pc cows garland, 4 pcs mylar balloons, 30 pcs 12″ latex balloons & 24 pcs cupcake toppers.

CLASSIC FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS

Cowboy First Birthday Theme

✅Download our super-detailed planner all about creating the first birthday party you’ve been dreaming of.

SEASONAL FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

  • Little Pumpkin
  • Winter One-derland
  • Lucky One (St. Patrick’s Day)
  • Farmer’s Market
  • Beach Party (think lots of bright colors!)

The season your baby’s first birthday party will fall in can play a big part in choosing a theme! Whether it is in the summer or winter, you can choose a party theme to coordinate. For example, you might throw a “Little Pumpkin” party in the fall. In March, a “Lucky One” party would be absolutely adorable for a birthday around St. Patrick’s Day. You could carry the same theme to future parties from year to year.

Having a birthday party in the coldest part of winter? Embrace the snow and ice with a Winter ONEderland 1st birthday party. Use lots of muted blues or pinks paired with pretty metallics. Or go with bright colors to contrast the season! Create a hot cocoa bar instead of a cake table to keep all your guests feeling warm and toasty.

See also  Fall First Birthday Party Ideas for Boys
Winter Onederland Birthday Decorations, Winter Onederland 1st Birthday Girl Decorations, Snowflake Photo Banner Highchair Banner Balloon Garland for Winter Wonderland Snowflake Baby First Birthday Buy on Amazon Shempeium Winter Onederland Birthday Decorations,Winter Onederland 1st Birthday Boy Decorations,Winter Onederland Banner,Snowflake Photo Banner Highchair Banner Buy on Amazon

How to Pick a First Birthday Theme?

Picking a first birthday party theme can take time, considering the millions of options available, just some of which we’ve listed above. So how do you choose? Here are some questions to answer that might inspire the perfect theme for your baby’s first birthday party:

  • What’s your favorite book to read with your baby? A book you remember from your childhood that you now read to your baby can make a very creative theme!
  • What color do you like to dress your baby in most? If your baby looks good in blue and you tend to dress him accordingly, an ocean or shark theme makes sense – complete with blue balloons. A princess party theme may suit you if you tend to dress your little girl in dreamy pastels.
  • What season was your baby born in? Some great ideas can come from thinking about the season your baby’s first birthday will fall in. Palm trees provide a perfect backdrop for a summer party theme. Or think of hay bales and pumpkins for a fun fall birthday theme.
  • What childhood characters or icons are important to you? Perhaps you were a big fan of Sesame Street as a child. Throwing a party full of primary colors and some of your favorite characters would be fun. Think back to your own childhood for first birthday party ideas.
  • What are your family interests? (i.e., nature, sports, music) What does your family like to do together, or what are you looking forward to doing as your birthday boy or birthday girl grows up? These questions could spark a fabulous first birthday party theme unique to your family.

✅Download our super-detailed planner all about creating the first birthday party you’ve been dreaming of.

Tips for Your First Birthday Party

We have a fantastic and practical guide to throwing your baby’s first birthday party. Here are a few of our favorite tips for throwing your big bash:

  1. Choose the time wisely: The birthday party should only last an hour to an hour-and-a-half because babies are known for short attention spans and lose interest quickly. Host the party either late morning or late afternoon – before or after baby’s nap – never during nap time!
  2. Create a menu that works for everyone: Are there any food allergies to consider? Keep snacks simple and kid-friendly. Cut-up fruit and graham crackers are suitable for kids. Any sweet treats on the dessert table should follow the same guidelines.

Make sure to pick a first birthday theme that you love this year because once your baby isn’t a baby anymore, you won’t have as much of a say in future birthday party themes! 

Check Out Our Step-By-Step Guide to Planning Baby’s 1st Birthday Party!

first birthday party planning guide

Read More: How to Plan a Wild One First Birthday Party Theme, First Trip Around the Sun Birthday Party Theme Ideas, What is the Best Time for a First Birthday Party?

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really awesome first birthday party themes image is baby with a mouthful of smash cake

✅Get all your first birthday party planning questions answered in our super-detailed planner all about planning the first birthday party you’ve been dreaming of.

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BEISHIDA 1st Birthday High Chair Banner 1 Year Birthday Decorations Pastel Rainbow Theme First Birthday Banner for Girls Boys 1st Birthday Party Baby Shower Decorations Highchair Garland(Pastel)
  • Party Banner for Your Kids – This colorful birthday theme banner is made of beautiful colored tulle and ribbon, like a rainbow, and is equipped with silver flash cards, which can be used to decorate the high chair of the kid’s first birthday party.
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  • Kid’s Party Banner Size – The size of banner is 28” length X 20” width , and the total length of the string is about 80”. Each string hangs about 11in long, the ONE banner is made of gold glitter card stock is 5in*13in.
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  • Exquisite Quality Baby Boy 1st Birthday Decorations – Your little boy’s first birthday only comes once, which is why you cannot afford to settle for boring party decorations! Especially when we have put together a BUNDLE of 104 Party Pieces that will create an amazing setting for awesome photos and happy times with your family and friends!
  • Premium Quality & Best Bang for Your Buck – Our 1st birthday decorations are made from premium quality materials. Everything you’ve ever thought of for your baby’s one year old birthday party is now in this set, eliminate the need to go-shopping for individual elements(otherwise ending up spending more money and wasting more time). Moreover, superior print quality and high attention to details are sure make your baby’s first birthday parties stand out.
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