Animals are an appropriate theme for a 1-year-old child's birthday party.
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A child's first birthday marks the important milestone between baby and toddler. If you are planning a large party to celebrate this event, renting a party hall is an ideal alternative to entertaining a big crowd in your home. While children who are turning 1 are unlikely to remember the details of their first birthday party, choosing an appropriate theme makes decorating simple and easy.
Step 1
Choose a kid-friendly theme, such as barnyard animals, cars, princesses or a popular cartoon character. Many party supply stores carry themed decorations for children's parties.
Step 2
Fill balloons with helium and allow them to float on the ceiling of the party hall. Choose themed balloons, such as ones with barnyard animal faces, or colored balloons that match the other decor. Do not allow balloons to be tied close to the floor, as the noises of popping balloons can scare young children, and the broken pieces are choking hazards.
Step 3
Decorate the doorways and light fixtures of the party hall with colorful streamers. For example, choose bright yellow streamers for a first birthday party with a rubber duck theme. Place these high up enough that little hands cannot grab them.
Step 4
Cover the tables with tablecloths that match the theme you chose in Step 1. Set out matching plastic cutlery, napkins, paper plates and paper cups.
Step 5
Decorate tables with simple, inexpensive centerpieces that match your chosen theme, such as large rubber ducks, stuffed animals or toy cars. Make sure these centerpieces do not have any small pieces that can be easily removed or broken off and choked on.
Tips & Warnings
- Have a safe birthday party. Baby-proof the party hall and install baby gates wherever needed.
- If you are inviting older children as well, provide some basic games or activities; for example, have 3- and 4-year-old children make animal masks from paper plates.
- Time the party to avoid common nap times and meal times. Instead, provide appropriate finger foods, such as pieces of fruit and crackers with cheese.
- Choose party favors that are appropriate for guests of all ages, such as bubbles, and large crayons with coloring books.
References
About the Author
Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Chelsea Oliver has been writing professionally since 2008. Her work has appeared in several collegiate humanities publications, such as St. Jerome's "Across the Creek" and the online magazine The Boar. Oliver holds an honors Bachelor of Arts in English literature and rhetoric from the University of Waterloo.
Photo Credits
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