1st Birthday Party Ideas

By Hristiyan Stanoev

Kids’ birthdays are fun, right? At least, most of us have such memories from our childhood. Countless presents, lots of guests, games, balloons and more! Undoubtedly, birthdays are special milestones in one’s lifestyle. But how do we approach them as parents? How do we organise our child’s first birthday without stressing out? Certainly, it isn’t impossible and in this article, we’ll give you a few ideas on how to make this happen! Read on to get some 1st birthday party ideas in London.

Whether you decide to plan it all yourself or assign the task to a professional you would have to consider a few things. Firstly, 1y.o. ones have never been to a birthday party. In other words, the event should be low-key to avoid overwhelming them. Secondly, your little guests have tight schedules with lots of naps. You’ll have to choose the right time to make it work for all partygoers. And last but not least – less is more. By all means, make it fun and festive but keep in mind that the youngsters have very short concentration spans.

Party Location

Above all, when choosing the party setting, don’t forget who it is intended for. Most of your guests will be babies or toddlers. These are little people who like little and cosy environments. This makes them feel comfortable and secure. Therefore, hosting the party in a location which provides a more intimate and comforting atmosphere is the right choice. Don’t forget to put a sign outside the venue to help your guests in finding you. This could be done by just tying a few balloons on the front door.

IDEAS

  • Home
  • Soft play centre
  • Children’s library or playroom
  • Local café
  • Private room
  • Local church hall 

Decorations

Once you decide on the event location, you should pick a party theme. Whether you have one or not, keep the decorations to a minimum. Don’t overinflate balloons to avoid upsetting the little guests in case they burst. You can mix and match the below ideas to create the perfect atmosphere for your celebration.

IDEAS

  • Balloon arch
  • Balloon garland
  • Helium balloons
  • Happy birthday banner
  • Loose balloons on the floor

Entertainment

Generally, the entertainment options are countless. To begin with, the easiest way is to scatter lots of age-appropriate toys on the floor. Another way is to do the entertainment yourself. This could be done via music, games, and other interactive activities. Alternatively, hiring a professional entertainer may be easy but costly. Lastly, remember that at this age, kids enjoy visually attractive things. As an example, these could be balloons, bubbles or a parachute.

IDEAS

  • Parachute activities
  • Soft play
  • Ball pit
  • Building blocks
  • Bubbles
  • Pass the parcel

Refreshments

By all means, finger food is the absolute winner here. When deciding on the menu, keep in mind any dietary requirements and the age of the children attending. Place all refreshments out of the reach of children and don’t forget that there will also be some adults who may want a bite.

IDEAS

  • Finger food
  • Fruit
  • Veggie sticks
  • Water, squash and juice
  • Mini sandwiches
  • Mini pancakes
  • Cake

1st Birthday Party Ideas in London

Final Notes

There are a few more things to keep in mind when planning a 1st birthday party in London. Keep the noise to a minimum. Loud noise may overstimulate the kids and make the whole event chaotic. Don’t overlook the guest list. You should only invite a few of your closest friends and relatives. And above all, enjoy that special 1st birthday. You definitely won’t have a second chance to do it. So rather than stressing out, try to be present and enjoy every moment!

So, are you ready to plan an unforgettable 1st birthday party in London? Explore our entertainment options, read our reviews and contact us! Of course, we will be happy to respond to any queries you may have and make your child’s 1st birthday a memorable adventure!