It’s a big day—the first of many big days to come. And while you might be ready to plan the party of your (or your baby’s) life, it can be hard to know where to start with all the first birthday ideas for girls out there.
What kind of food should you serve? Should you rent a bounce house? Will there be enough space for all the guests?
Don’t fret!
Here are some ideas for how to create a celebration that is both memorable and affordable.
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A themed party is a great way to keep things simple and fun for everyone involved. You can choose from any number of themes (such as Unicorn, Disney Princesses, etc.), or even combine them together for a unique event. Some of our favorites include:
Under the Sea
With the under the sea theme, you can go all out with decorations featuring sea creatures and colors like blue and green. You could also have an ocean-themed cake!
Star Wars
Who said a Star Wars theme was just for boys? You can turn this into a super fun party theme for the little girl in your life as well.
Out of This World
If you don’t want to go with the Star Wars theme exactly, but would like something similar, you can set up an outer space-themed party. Turn your space into a galaxy far, far away with just a few galactic decorations.
Princess Party
A Princess party is a popular idea for little girls of all ages. You can pull out the tutu and tiaras, and pull together a wonderful first birthday party fit for royalty.
Zoo Animals
If your little one loves animals, a zoo-themed party may be the perfect idea! You may even decide to book a small petting zoo to be on location. The kiddos will absolutely love this idea!
Ice Cream Sundae Party
Give your space a SWEET refresh and turn it into an ice-cream-themed party spot for your little one. You can find a wide variety of decoration ideas for this party theme. And don’t forget the sundae bar!
Tie Dye Party
You can buy tie-dye kits at most craft stores for under $20, and all you need is water, food coloring and rubber bands to bring everything together.
Tie-dying is fun for young children and adults. And it is so easy to find tie-dye decorations these days. But of course, you could always DIY it.
Just make sure everyone wears old clothes!
Tips for an At-Home Celebration
Signage and Decorations
Themed signs are great for at-home parties because you can just whip them up at home from materials you already have lying around your house.
For example, if you want to go with the space theme mentioned earlier, use sheets of foam core as a canvas for painting stars or planets on them.
You could also go with old puzzle pieces or even pieces of colored cardboard cut into stars.
These options will give guests something fun to look at while waiting for the festivities to begin.
Games
If you’re looking for budget-friendly games, I highly recommend looking at the many DIY party game ideas on Pinterest that require minimal supplies.
Some of our favorite suggestions here at Major League Mommy include:
Obstacle course
Mini Golf
DIY Bowling
Food
There are so many options when it comes to food at your party, and options can vary greatly depending on your specific circumstances.
Pizza and hot dogs are popular selections for parties, as they can feed large numbers of guests without breaking the bank.
However, you may choose to do something a little less traditional like a nacho or taco bar.
(Psst… we actually did a nacho bar for my daughter’s birthday party one year, and it was a huge hit! It was also pretty cost-effective).
Concluding Your Party
Don’t forget to send your guests with a thoughtful parting gift just as a thank you for attending.
You don’t have to spend a ton of money on this treat. And if you are working with a specific theme, you may want your parting gift or goodie bags to be in alignment with your theme.
There are SO many other first birthday party ideas for a little girl. But we just wanted to share a few of those ideas in this article to kickstart your planning.
Please feel free to share your 1st birthday party tips in the comments!
Briana Marie is a mental health and financial literacy advocate, and founder of Major League Mommy. In her spare time, Briana enjoys yoga, travel, and spending time with her Husband and two daughters.
