Ideas for a Baby's First Birthday Party

Since your baby still has only a short amount of time that they can handle a lot of guests and activities, be sure to keep the party short and invite only a few people.

Welcome Activity

As guests arrive direct them to the TV where they can watch a video of highlights from your baby's first year. Hand out a piece of paper and pencil to each guest.

First milestones a Guessing Game

Gather items or pictures that represent some first year milestones, for example a pair of shoes for taking first steps, a jar of baby food for the first time they ate solid food, picture of the first bath etc.

Hold up the items and have the guests guess at what age your child was when they had these firsts. The person who gets the most right wins a small prize.

First Foods Game

This is a game that is often played at baby showers but is also great for this theme. Get different types of baby food and write numbers on the lids with a marker. Create an answer sheet by writing down the numbers and the name of the baby food. Remove the labels from the jars. During the party put the jars on a table with numbered paper and pencils. Guests can try and guess what type of food is in each jar and then put their name on the paper and put it in a bowl. The person who gets the most right wins a small prize.

Dreams for the Future
This is a great way for those who love your child to reflect on their first year and their hopes for their future. Before the party find some cute stationary perhaps some that match your other decorations and decorate a small box. Ask everyone that comes to write a letter to your child for them to open when they turn ten. Put the letters in the box along with a picture from the party and keep it in a safe place until their tenth birthday.

Refreshment Ideas

Bake a large sheet cake and cut it to look like a number one. Frost it and decorate it as you would any other cake. Other refreshments could include some of your baby's favorite finger foods. Allow guests to eat their refreshments while watching your child open gifts.

Thank You Notes

After the party, be sure to send out thank you notes. A fun idea is to get a bunch of number ones from a craft store, they could be wood or foam. Tie a tag onto it that says, "You're #1! Thanks for helping us celebrate..."