"When it comes to raising a baby, there are a lot of big milestones to celebrate. Is anything quite as big and exciting as baby’s first birthday? Of course, it’s a celebration for baby, but it’s also a major celebration for the parents. The first year of parenthood is full of challenges, worry, and sleepless nights but also excitement, joy, and love. Celebrate how far you’ve come in the last year. Because no matter what the first year has been like, there’s no doubt that it’s been a wild ride.
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While there’s a good chance your baby won’t actually remember the party, you will make sweet memories during the celebration. From a smashed cake to playing with balloons to reminiscing about the last 365 days, the first birthday is a big deal.
Whether your child’s first birthday party is set to take place inside or outside, there are a lot of fun themes to explore that will make for some adorable photos. And remember: It’s about celebrating parenthood and your baby’s first birthday. While some of these party ideas lean toward more over-the-top gatherings, use them to spark inspiration as you create the right party for your family.
Below, check out over 30 adorable first birthday themes to consider for your little one’s big day.
1. Berry First Birthday
The perfect first birthday theme for a “berry sweet baby,” strawberries or blueberries can offer reds and pinks or blues as the color inspiration. Not to mention, inspo for food options like tarts, shortcake desserts, muffins, and more!
2. My First Rodeo Birthday Party
Whether celebrating a horse girl or a cowboy, this timeless first birthday party idea feels totally on trend at the moment. Western vibes abound from TV shows (the Yellowstone effect), music (Cowboy Carter), and more! A backyard barbeque party and pony rides could be the perfect backdrop for a My First Rodeo party.
3. DONUT Miss the Fun, Baby is ONE!
Many people love a breakfast or brunch first birthday party—especially for babies who might take an afternoon nap. We like this donut theme for the pun, but also because who doesn’t want to dig into donuts at a first birthday party?
4. Baby-palooza
Take baby’s name (or nickname), add “palooza,” and you’ve got yourself a party! This first birthday theme has so much flexibility. For kid attendees, lean into party favorites like face-painting and balloon animals. For the adults, yummy apps, drinks, and music are really all you need!
5. Wild One
You can take this first birthday party in a couple of directions, either with a party animal theme or with a boho-style soiree. You know your little one best. If they never stop moving or adore stuffed animals, go toward the wild animals. If they’re more of a chill flower child, the boho vibe might fit their personality more.
6. Little Pumpkin Party
For a fall first birthday party theme, consider a little pumpkin party. Use gourds to inspire the party decorations with pumpkins galore. For Halloween fans, you can even lean into a costume party theme for your guests.
7. Baby’s Oktoberfest First Birthday
If German roots run in your family or you simply love a cozy fall-themed party, consider an Oktoberfest-themed first birthday. Serve beer/root beer and munch on oversized pretzels. Plus, the baby’s first birthday outfits would be oh so adorable—from little lederhosen to dirndl dresses.
8. Rookie of the Year
Host a baseball-themed party to honor your little rookie. Consider kid-friendly takes on stadium food like mini hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, and Cracker Jacks.
9. Flower Power
This one might just be a good excuse to style your baby with a flower crown, which we fully support. For decor, you could lean into a ‘70s ‘Groovy Baby’ first birthday theme or simply be inspired by nature’s bounty.
10. Magical Unicorns First Birthday
The magical beauty of unicorns makes for a super sweet birthday theme. Unicorn-style cakes are too cute to pass up.
11. A-ROAR-Able Dinosaurs
Celebrate with this a-roar-able first birthday theme for your baby dino. Serve dinosaur nuggets for little eaters to stick to the dinosaur birthday party theme—and grown-up meals for the adults.
12. Teddy Bear Picnic
A perfect theme for your baby’s backyard get-together. And a backyard barbecue means budget-friendly party supplies like red-and-white checkered tablecloths, hot dogs, burgers, and fruit salad. Teddy bears work as adorable decor and party favors the littlest guests will love.
13. Baby in ONEderland
No need to throw a very merry un-birthday because this Alice in Wonderland gathering creates the sweetest little tea party-themed first birthday party.
14. Sweet as a Peach
Your sweet little one deserves a sweet theme to match, like this peach-inspired party.
15. You’re the ONE that I want (Grease theme!)
An excuse to dress your baby in a leather jacket? Say no more. You can get super creative with this 1950s party theme, like doing karaoke to oldies or serving drinks in old soda glasses.
16. First Trip Around the Sun
Celebrate your little one’s first trip around the sun with an adorable outer-space-themed birthday party. Think of the moon, stars, planets, rocket ships, and more for decor! You can even buy a baby-sized spacesuit for a cute photo-op.
17. Fast One First Birthday
A racing theme offers plenty of party inspiration—from “Formula ONE” to “Fast One” to “First Race Around the Track.” Car-shaped cookies, checkered flags, and car toys for the kids will outfit the party perfectly!
18. ONE-derful World
Travel is a popular party theme for all ages. Find decor inspiration for a 1-year-old’s birthday in vintage hot air balloons, toy planes, and old suitcases for a timeless take on the theme.
19. Hole in ONE Golf-Themed Party
Green is a great gender-neutral color for a golf-themed first birthday PAR-ty. While this first birthday might lean more into a spring/summer birthday theme, a family of golf fans could throw this first birthday any time.
20. ‘Little Blue Truck’
For parents reading this book series on repeat, Little Blue Truck is an adorable first birthday party theme. A 1-year-old toddler can even participate in some party games like Pin the Hat on Blue.
21. Sweet ONE
Who doesn’t love a candy or ice cream-themed party? So, maybe the babies attending can’t actually eat all the treats, but the adults will love this sweet celebration.
22. First Down Football Theme
Celebrate the big first (year) down with a football-themed extravaganza. Perfect for a fall first birthday or winter Super Bowl vibes. Think tailgate comfort food and encourage everyone to dress in their favorite team gear.
23. Ms. Rachel First Birthday
Why not find inspiration in your baby’s favorite celebrity, Ms. Rachel? Encourage little ones to dress in their favorite overalls and be sure to have Songs for Littles playing in the background for entertainment the guest of honor will love. Ms. Rachel party impersonators are even popping up in certain markets for a really special guest.
24. Mr./Ms. ONEderful
This theme lends itself well to a baby dressed in a tuxedo or dress, which is going to be pretty adorable no matter what. Make it fun for the adults with a fancy champagne toast to the birthday baby.
25. ‘Our Main Squeeze is One’ Lemon-Themed First Birthday
Pucker up for a bright and fresh lemon-themed first birthday party. Be inspired by the Amalfi Coast’s blue and yellow color scheme or neighborhood lemonade stands for a more homespun feel—and serve limoncello or lemonade, accordingly.
26. ONE in a Melon
For a different fruit-forward option, celebrate a sweet summer baby with a watermelon first birthday themed party. Serving refreshing watermelon treats might get messy, but a drooly watermelon baby is pretty cute.
27. Winter ONEderland
If you’re celebrating in the colder months, create a snowy, mystical winter scene. And bonus points for this theme because you can save the decorations for a future Frozen-themed party, which your little one is bound to ask for in a couple of years.
28. ‘Bluey’ First Birthday
While baby might not truly love Bluey until they’re a little bit older, any parent who has watched the show quickly falls for the Heeler family. The show offers tons of inspo for birthday parties: blue and yellow decorations, sweet treats (Duck cake!), and party games like ‘Keepy Uppy.’ Check out this full Bluey birthday bash for additional inspiration!
29. ‘Boss Baby’
It’s no secret baby has been in charge since they arrived in your family. And if you haven’t seen the Boss Baby movie yet, this is your sign. Voiced by Alec Baldwin, Boss Baby arrives and changes everything for one family—in the best way.
30. Baby’s BIG One
Want an original party theme that none of your new mom friends are going to expect? A Notorious BIG-themed party should set you apart.
31. One Silly Goose
What happens when you remix a classic nursery rhyme with modern-day humor? You get a ‘One Silly Goose’ first birthday party. This creative theme could include playful pastel decor, classic party games, and props inspired by the various Mother Goose nursery rhymes (i.e., Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, or Little Bo Peep). Not to mention the obvious goose in a party hat mascot.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.