"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, the party is 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 with one of these cute and creative first birthday party themes.
Some of the cutest first birthday themes already trending this year include “Berry First Birthday,” “My First Rodeo,” and “One Silly Goose.” But whatever first birthday party theme you choose, remember: It’s about celebrating parenthood and your baby’s first birthday, so your party can be as simple or elaborate as you want. And while your baby won’t actually remember the party, you will make sweet memories during the celebration. From a smashing a cake to playing with balloons to reminiscing over photos from the last 365 days, the first birthday is a big deal.
Use these ideas to spark inspiration as you create the right party for your family. Below, check out over 30 adorable first birthday party themes to consider for your little one’s big day.
1. ‘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.
2. ‘Big One’ surf-themed first birthday party
This first birthday party theme can be perfect for a summertime soiree—or a family who lives near the coast. Have a sandbox or sand table set up for the littlest guests and lean into the retro theme with stand-out decor like surfboards or vintage VW vans.
3. ‘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!
4. ‘Baby-palooza’ first birthday party theme
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. ‘One Silly Goose’ first birthday
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.
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. ‘Ms. Rachel’ first birthday party theme
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.
8. ‘Wild One’ first birthday
You can take this first birthday party in a couple of directions, either with a party animal theme or with a boho-style birthday party. 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.
9. ‘Fairy First Birthday’ party theme
A 2025 trending theme, this whimsical first birthday party is perfect for little girls. Think wildflowers, toadstools, and fairy houses for table centerpieces—and maybe even offer fairy wings for the birthday girl and her party guests to play dress up.
10. Magical unicorns first birthday party theme
The magical beauty of unicorns makes for a super sweet birthday theme. Unicorn-style cakes are too cute to pass up.
9. ‘Flower Power’/’Groovy Baby’ first birthday theme
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.
12. ‘A-ROAR-Able Dinosaurs’ first birthday party
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.
13. Lemon-themed first birthday party
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 to the grown-ups or lemonade, accordingly.
14. ‘Sweet as a Peach’ first birthday
Your sweet little one deserves a sweet theme to match, like this peach-inspired party.
15. ‘First Trip Around the Sun’ birthday theme
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.
16. ‘First Year Down’ football-themed birthday party
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.
17. ‘Fast One’ first birthday party
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! Even celeb Lindsay Lohan loved this theme for her son’s Luai’s first birthday.
18. ‘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.
19. ‘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.
20. ‘ONE-derful World’ first birthday theme
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.
21. ‘Some Bunny is Turning One’ first birthday theme
Mom muse Hilary Duff threw her daughter Townes the sweetest first birthday party with this ‘Somebunny Turned 1’ theme. And even though she has a celebrity budget, her daughter’s first birthday party is totally attainable. Hang simple banners, arrange a few wildflowers, and add a few bunny decor touches to the tables. Plus, menu items like bunny’s favorite garden vegetables are kid-approved—as long as there’s ranch dip.
22. Llama-themed first birthday party
A llama first birthday party couldn’t be cuter. Use succulents for centerpieces and consider a taco bar for an easy crowd-pleasing menu.
23. ‘Little Blue Truck’ first birthday party
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.
24. ‘Sweet ONE’ first birthday party theme
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.
25. ‘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. This donut first birthday party theme is punny and fun, because who doesn’t want to dig into donuts at a first birthday party?
26. ‘ONE in a Melon’ watermelon-themed birthday
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. Teddy bear picnic first birthday
One of the best first birthday party themes for an outdoor party, a teddy bear picnic will be a party the littlest guests will love. 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.
28. ‘Mr./Ms. ONEderful’ first birthday theme
This first birthday party 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.
29. ‘Rookie of the Year’ sports-themed first birthday
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.
30. ‘Baby in ONEderland’ first birthday
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.
31. ‘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.
32. ‘Bluey’ first birthday party
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!
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.