1st Birthday Party Ideas

1st Birthday Party Ideas

There's no better way to celebrate your baby's first year of life than hosting a first birthday party and immersing them in the love and good cheer of family and friends. Below are a few tips and suggestions that will ensure the adults have as much fun as baby with these 1st birthday party ideas.

1st Birthday Party Theme: Choosing a 1st birthday party theme will help coordinate invitations, decorations, the cake, party favors and games, and paper goods. For a girl, princess party or tea party themes are sure to delight, while trucks, trains, or cars may be just what your little guy has in mind. Use your imagination and design a first birthday party theme around your baby's favorite toy or song with a Teddy Bear or Old Macdonald party, or decorate with ABCs and bright primary colors.

1st Birthday Party Invitations: Choose 1st birthday invitations that coordinate with the party's theme, and get them into the mail 2-3 weeks before the party date. Opt to have the celebration after naptime or when you know the guest of honor will be well rested, and limit the party's duration to less than two hours so the birthday baby won't become overly tired or fussy.

1st Birthday Party Games: Entertain the adults in attendance by designing a fun party quiz and awarding a prize to the guest with the most correct answers. Sample questions include:

• What is baby's middle name?
  
• How much did baby weigh when she was born?
  
• What time was baby born?
  
• What was baby's first word?
  
• When did baby first walk?
  
• What's baby's favorite toy, food, or book?

Or, play Out the Door Dash by awarding a prize to the guest who can dress a doll from diaper up the fastest. Have an extra doll and clothing on hand so baby can get in on the fun, too.

It's unlikely that the little one will remember his first birthday celebration, so be sure to commemorate his special day with a memory book. Invite guests to contribute by sending a short questionnaire along with the invitation to return on the day of the party. Sample questions might include:

• The first time I saw you, I thought…
  
• You remind me of your mommy when you…
  
• You make me smile when you…
  
• My birthday wishes for you are…
  

More Ideas for First Birthday Party Games

Use a binder with sheet protector inserts to slip the questionnaires, birthday cards, photos, and decoration snippets into, and decorate the cover with a tracing of baby's hand.

Remember that the objective of the day is to celebrate baby's first year of life. Enjoy sharing your little one's big day with family and friends, and creating precious memories on his special day.

1st Birthday Gift Ideas

1st Birthday Cakes

1st Birthday Supplies

1st Birthday Outfits

1st Birthday Poems