How to organise a virtual 1st birthday
A first birthday party is a special moment for any parent. Even if you have to celebrate your little one’s special day with a party at home this year, you can still have a fun-filled party by taking it online. Here’s how to make it one to remember…
Party invitations
In normal circumstances you would probably be organising a large party for an array of guests, including family, close friends and children from your child’s nursery or playgroup. An at home celebration doesn’t have to be any different - set up a virtual meeting with an app such as Zoom or Google Meets and invite whoever you’d like to. Send the link via WhatsApp or email, including the date, time and any other important details. You could also include a short video or photo of your baby to make the invite extra cute.
Pick a 1st birthday theme
Choosing a 1st birthday theme will help you plan out your party. Popular themes include rose gold, one little star (blue) or (pink) and jungle, and we are also big fans of dinosaur parties. We’ve got decorations and tableware that cater for all of these themes and more, plus party supplies for popular kids TV shows, including Peter Rabbit, Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig. You could include a dress code on the invite asking the kids (and big kids) on the call to wear fancy dress that matches your chosen theme.
1st birthday party decorations
Once you’ve picked your theme, you will want to fill your living room with decorations to transform the four walls you’ve been staring at for months!
Statement balloons, such as jungle and dinosaur ones, are fantastic centerpieces for themed celebrations and unicorn parties will need these gorgeous Unicorn Baby tableware kits. To make sure the party scene is packed, you can supplement your themed items with extra balloons and decorations. A first birthday helium balloon kit (pink or blue) and a ‘ONE’ Balloon bunting are essential. You could also go for a personalised banner or photograph balloon, while a balloon arch and glittery curtain will look fab as your Zoom backdrop.
Cake smash
A 1st birthday cake smash is an excellent way to capture some special memories of your baby's very first birthday. If you are unfamiliar with a 1st birthday cake smash, it is a birthday trend where your little one gets to enjoy getting stuck into a birthday cake and create some adorable pictures. Lay down a sheet you don't mind getting dirty and use our cake smash kit in either pink or blue and allow your virtual guest, to watch as your little one gets stuck in. For an adorable shot, add a 1st birthday crown in blue and silver or pink and gold.
Birthday cake
No birthday would be complete without a birthday cake. You could try making your own: Tanya Burr’s Sunday cake is a chocolatey delight or, if you don’t mind the mess, create your very own ‘smash cake’ for your little one to get stuck into. If baking isn’t your thing, go down the personalised route again by picking one of our first birthday cakes which come in a variety of designs and flavours, and to which a photograph and message can be added.
Don't forget the cake accessories! A number one candle or cake topper will make for that picture perfect moment.
Games and activities
One-year-olds aren’t quite ready for full on party games, of course, but make them the centre of attention by sharing a slide show of photos chronicling their first year, and then get everyone involved in sing-a-long of their favourite songs and nursery rhymes. For parties with older kids taking part, you could try a few games such as Simon Says or Musical Statues, but chaos will probably ensue. A kitchen disco to get everyone up off their feet is probably a better bet – here’s our guide to setting one up.
Virtual Storytime
When the virtual party is winding down you could have a grandparent or loved one read a favourite children's book over Facetime as a special treat for the big day.
Explore Party Pieces’ full range of 1st birthday party decorations, tableware, personalised products and more at our website.