Animal Party Ideas for a 1st Birthday

Your child's first birthday is a significant milestone, and you really want to make it special! Go wild with a jungle theme, steal the big top with a circus theme, float some fun with Noah's ark, or horse around with a farm animal theme. The sky is the limit when animals are part of the show!

A circus theme party will be fun and full of action! The backyard is the perfect location for this party and gives you plenty of room for circus theme games. Babies are stimulated by bright colors, so use them in your decorations to enhance your little one's excitement. String lights throughout the yard for a circus effect. Hire a clown or dress dad up to entertain the crowd. When sending your invitations, let guests know that the circus is coming to town so they're aware of the party's direction.

A Noah's Ark theme may be more subdued for your baby. The invitation can be any animal shape with a Noah's Ark reference to let guests know the theme of the party. Get two of several types of stuffed animals for your baby and the other children who will attend. Decorations will be easy, with animal hangings and photos. For entertainment, read the children the story of Noah's Ark and have an animal parade with their stuffed animals. Give the kids party favors including small (but not swallowable) animals and animal crackers in goody bags to take home.

A farm animal theme party takes a little preplanning. Personalize the party for your guests by asking moms about their children's favorite animals. Have those specific stuffed animals ready for them as they arrive. Don't leave out the adults; this can be fun for everyone. The little ones can play on the floor with their stuffed animals while all the guests arrive. Prepare a puppet show to entertain the kids. You also can play "Old MacDonald" to entertain and further stimulate baby with animal sounds. In addition to a farm-themed cake, serve guests monkey bites: bananas, animal crackers, animal-theme fruit snacks, bloopers (Knox unflavored gelatin, flavoring and water) mixed with gummy worms or gummy bears, sandwiches cut into animal shapes and, for older guests, pigs-in-a-blanket.

What better way to celebrate your baby's first year than a trip to the zoo to see all the animals? Many zoos have a birthday party program; pick a package that works best for your family. Typically, you can reserve two hours at the zoo, which includes a tour of the zoo, food, drinks and goodies for the kids to take home.

Make sure baby's first birthday party is a safe place to party. If your little one gets any gifts with strings, ensure he does not play with it unless an adult is present. A baby can wrap the string around her neck and choke. Everyone loves to see the birthday baby with a glowing candle on his birthday; it makes a great picture. However, do not leave your 1-year-old with a burning candle in front of his face. Keep the cake at a distance from him, and have someone stand next to the baby in case he goes for the candle anyway. The safest choice, of course, is not to use a candle at all. While cleaning up after all the fun, do not leave plastic bags or trash bags on the floor. These items pose a suffocation hazard if your baby is able to get one over her head. Stay safe, and have a great birthday party!