Simple First Birthday Ideas Without a Party: Alternatives Your Baby Will Love
Simple First Birthday Ideas
After my daughter’s first birthday, I wrote this post on how to host your baby’s first birthday party on a budget.
Though the party was enjoyable and memorable, for my second child, I’m considering keeping things even simpler by not hosting a party at all.
It’ll be fun to make it a little bit different than with our first.
Other reasons we want to keep it simple are:
- My 1-year-old will likely not remember any of it anyway.
- I’ll save even more money than with my first child’s budget birthday party. I can use that money towards more important expenses like my children’s food and education.
- A first birthday party is a lot of work with all of the cooking and cleaning involved. Having no party is so simple and easy!
- You can spend the time just focusing on having fun memories with your loved ones.
How do you celebrate your baby’s first birthday without a party?
The good news is – you can still celebrate your little one, even without a party!
That’s why I thought I would brainstorm some simple first birthday party ideas without a party that we can all use.
Here are simple first birthday ideas if you’re wondering what to do instead of having a birthday party.
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18 Simple First Birthday Ideas
1. Visit animals on your baby’s first birthday
With all of the animal books your 1-year-old has read, going to the zoo or aquarium to see the animals up close can be an exhilarating first birthday experience for the whole family!
You might see your little one’s eyes sparkle with joy, and it’ll be a delight to watch their reactions.
Be sure to check out any exhibits where your one-year-old can interact with the animals, like at a petting zoo. And don’t forget to capture the moment with photos or videos!
Even if you’ve gone with your baby before, it will still be a great idea to go again. He or she will likely pick up new sights and sounds this time around. You can even have fun making animal noises together!
Don’t forget to bring a carrier or stroller and lots of snacks and water as it will be a full day’s event. Your 1-year-old will likely nap at some point and you want to take your time.
For the zoo, I would aim to go in the morning as the animals are more active and it’s less crowded. For the aquarium, I would avoid holidays and also aim for an early morning visit.
One really great thing about the zoo or aquarium is that usually 1 year olds are free!
In preparation to go, I would read all of your baby’s favorite animal books a week or so beforehand. When my daughter was 1, these were her favorites for reference:
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?: This book has many different types of animals, including a horse, dog, cat, sheep, and duck. It’s easy to follow along. We’ve likely read this book over 100 times. She always requests it.
- From Head to Toe: She loved interacting with the book and copying the animal’s actions. For example, on one page a gorilla thumps its chest and invites you to do it. It’s a fun read for all of us!
- Hello World! books: These books were handpicked by an Amazon kids’ books editor for the Prime Book Box. They’re informative, simple, and colorful! They’re perfect for babies and toddlers. Hello World has a variety of books including Ocean Life.
Note: Sometimes babies don’t like animals and that’s okay.
When my daughter was 1, we took her to the zoo, and she frowned the whole time we were there.
When she touched the giraffe, she squirmed and turned away in disgust. I think my daughter also felt a bit overwhelmed by all the new sights.
But I’m still glad we went.
It was a new experience for all of us to go together as a family.
Interestingly, we went again when she was 2, and it was entirely different. She walked around eagerly from exhibit to exhibit and kept saying things like, “Wow, it’s a giraffe. Such long legs!”.
Don’t let this deter you, though, because I have friends with babies who loved going to the zoo before they turned 1.
2. Paint a picture for the first birthday
Painting a picture with your baby is a simple, special, and creative way to celebrate your baby’s first birthday.
Introduce your little one to the intriguing textures of paint with a brush, and use this fun activity to teach them about different colors.
At the end of the session, you’ll have a cherished keepsake: your baby’s very first painting, created on their first birthday.
A nice bonus is that this activity is easy to execute. You just need to buy some canvasses, paint, and brushes, and you can do it at home!
Dress your baby in an old shirt and lay newspapers or magazines down so you don’t get paint on the counters or the floor.
Keep a cup of water close by so you can clean the brush and use a new color.
You can focus on painting something birthday-related, like a birthday cake or birthday balloons.
Paint your 1-year-old’s favorite animal or object. You can also let your 1-year-old freestyle with the colors.
3. Celebrate at the park or beach
While you might think going to the park, splash pad, or beach isn’t exciting enough to be a good way to celebrate your little one’s birthday, you’d be wrong!
In my opinion, creating these special family moments is what’s important, and turning a simple outing into a festive first birthday celebration is easier than you might think. You can pack lunch and birthday cupcakes and roll out the picnic blanket or a pop-up tent to provide shade for your 1-year-old.
And you’ll definitely want to bring some outdoor toys that you and your kid(s) can play with!
Bubble wands are always a great option for kids of all ages. Your one-year-old will be captivated by the floating bubbles, while older children can enjoy them too, engaging in competitions to see who can blow the biggest bubble or having fun trying to pop as many as they can.
You can also kick around a beach ball. You can inflate it when you get to the park or beach to save packing space.
If you’re going to a beach, bring out the beach-specific toys too!
This set includes a bucket, shovels, sifters, and animal, and castle molds! It also comes with a bag for storage.
Whenever you’re outdoors, it’s also a good opportunity for your baby to learn about the outside surroundings and get some exercise! You can point out simple things in nature, like different trees, leaves, rocks, and animals.
If you bring along plastic containers, you can store all your 1-year-old’s treasures, like favorite rocks, leaves, and seashells, in a bag to make a first birthday keepsake.
If you have a wagon, you can push your baby around the park or beach on one. I found this is a quick way to change the mood when your boy or girl is starting to get bored and fussy.
Trust me, thoughtful planning can turn a regular day out into a memorable first birthday adventure!
4. Have a special birthday meal
Mark your one-year-old’s first birthday with a special meal that can be both simple and memorable.
Consider taking the family out to a new restaurant where everyone can enjoy a change of scenery and a festive atmosphere.
If your heart is set on going out, be sure to take advantage of birthday freebies that many places offer, even for babies and toddlers. Check out this complete list of birthday freebies to see if there is anything that suits your celebration. You can call and ask your local restaurants as well to see what they offer.
Alternatively, you can create a more personalized dining experience at home by preparing your baby’s favorite foods. This could also be an excellent opportunity to introduce some new recipes that are baby-friendly and enjoyable for the whole family.
This can make your celebration more fun and economical, ensuring your little one’s birthday is filled with surprises and delights.
5. Go on a birthday vacation
Making it to the 1-year mark is a celebration for the whole family. Consider going on a relaxing vacation at a child-friendly destination like a resort to celebrate!
Maybe it’s an overnight, weekend, or week-long vacation. It’ll be an adventure!
Related: Here’s a post on baby travel products and tips when flying on a plane. You can use most of this list for road trips, too!
6. Go camping
Camping might seem overwhelming for us parents when we’ve got a 1-year-old to look out for.
You have to pack all of your baby’s stuff.
You have to deal with keeping bugs off of your baby.
If your little one isn’t sleeping well at night, you worry about her waking up everyone on the campsite.
All that said…
Camping is a great way to introduce your little one to the wilderness and activities like roasting marshmallows, singing songs, or reading books by the campfire.
Here’s a list of camping-themed books for kids on Amazon that would be fun to read on the trip.
You can put a non-toxic glow stick bracelet on your 1-year-old. This is not just fun for your little one, it’s also functional and will help you keep track of where he or she is in the dark.
While camping might present its challenges with a 1-year-old, it’s not impossible and can still be enjoyable for everyone with preparation.
Here are my toddler camping essentials that made camping so much easier with a 1-year-old.
7. Bring the vacation to your backyard
If the idea of traveling with a one-year-old seems daunting, why not bring the vacation vibes right to your backyard?
Transforming your outdoor space into a festive, vacation-like setting can make your baby’s first birthday truly special and memorable, all without the stress of packing or traveling.
Start by setting up a theme that your little one will love.
Whether it’s a beach day with a kiddie pool filled with water and sand toys, a camping-themed area complete with a tent and a faux campfire, or a magical garden picnic with lots of colorful cushions and fairy lights, the possibilities are endless.
But also, keep this simple!
After all, the whole point of ditching the party is to reduce stress for you and hopefully save some money in the process.
So don’t fall into the trap of trying to make this perfect.
Use what you already have at home to make this happen!
8. Have a 1-year-old birthday photo session
I know a lot of parents who booked a 1-year birthday cake smash session with a photographer. It was such a simple and easy way to celebrate the first year!
All you often have to do is show up at the photographer’s studio and let them take the lead on setting things up and getting some fun, memorable shots!
It’s a good time for everyone!
These types of sessions can cost upwards of $100.
If this is out of your budget, you could easily DIY this. Put up your own happy birthday banner. Make a cupcake or cake. Sit your baby down.
Then photograph or film your 1-year-old’s reaction.
If you don’t have a birthday banner, you could use a 
chalkboard sign. I love chalkboard signs because they’re versatile and can be used for any special occasion or for documenting any milestone.
You can also use it to teach your child letters, numbers, and words.
Instead of using standard chalk, you can use chalk ink markers like these ones in white and these ones in color.
It comes off easily with a wet paper towel or baby wipe. It’s much clearer and bolder for photos.
9. Set up simple baby birthday decorations
Just because you’re not having a party doesn’t mean you can’t put up simple decorations to get the family in a festive mood!
For example, you can put up a colorful happy birthday banner.
This is a great decoration because it’s REUSABLE! It’s gender-neutral and appropriate for any age. You can use it for your baby’s first birthday and any other family member’s upcoming birthday.
If you’re looking for something more classic, this burlap birthday banner has a nice rustic look.
To add to the festivities, you can get a cheap pack of 100 balloons. Blow up 6 of them to use on both sides of the birthday banner!
You can save the other balloons for the next party!
You can also blow up 5 more. Put them in your baby’s crib and let him or her run around – supervised, of course. It could make for some fun photos!
10. Have a first birthday celebration at home
Staying at home to celebrate a first birthday can be simple and easy.
You could get food delivered to your home or cook a nice homemade meal.
You could even invite a few relatives so it’s not a party but an informal get-together where you’re also celebrating your baby’s first birthday. For entertainment, keep it simple and put on a playlist from your phone.
You can get Amazon Music for 30 days for FREE for your playlist. This gives you unlimited access to 50 million songs without ads. You can cancel it before the 30 days is up if you don’t want to pay for the subscription.
You could also set up a ball pit to make it a bit more special for your baby.
This ball pit is made out of a soft, foam material. It comes with a removable, washable cover.
You’ll have to buy the balls separately.
If you have or are already planning on getting a baby swimming pool, you could also just fill it with balls.
11. Start a birthday tradition
There are so many different types of birthday traditions you can start on their first birthday.
Here are some ideas:
- Do a handprint or footprint: Here’s a baby handprint kit that takes your baby’s handprint or footprint WITHOUT the ink touching the skin! There’s no mess! It’s a fun keepsake for the future!
- Mark your 1-year-old’s height: A similar idea is to mark your 1-year-old’s height on a growth chart like this one. This birthday tradition is so simple and easy!
- Plant seeds: Planting a seed every year on his or her birthday teaches your little one about the growth process. They are exposed to concepts like patience (because they have to wait for the seeds to grow) and responsibility (because they have to care for the plant).
- Volunteer: What better day than a birthday to teach your child about the importance of giving and helping others? You’ll hammer in the value that even though it’s your birthday, it doesn’t mean you should stop doing selfless actions and trying to make the community a better place. While it can be an organized event like volunteering at a soup kitchen, you can also do something really simple, like helping a neighbor pick up sticks or leaves in their backyard.
- Annual Photo with a Favorite Toy or Blanket: Take a photo of your child with the same beloved toy or blanket each year on their birthday. This creates a charming series of pictures that visually document their growth and changing interests alongside a constant, comforting item from their childhood.
- Birthday Letter: Write a letter to your child each year on their birthday, recapping the year, reflecting on their growth, and expressing your hopes for their future. Keep these letters in a special box or book to give them when they reach adulthood. This can become a cherished personal history that they’ll appreciate deeply as they grow older.
12. Go to a local event
Local events are a great opportunity to teach your 1-year-old about art, culture, seasons, nature, etc. It’ll be fun times for the whole family on your baby’s first birthday.
Here are some ideas of local events you could be on the lookout for:
- Festivals: Food festivals can be an adventurous way to expose your baby to new tastes and textures. Art festivals, too, offer visual stimuli with colorful displays and crafts, perfect for catching your little one’s eye.
- Concerts: Community concerts, often held in parks during the summer, are a fantastic way for kids to experience music. These events are usually family-friendly, offering a chance for your baby to listen to live music, watch people dance, and maybe take a few dance steps themselves.
- Seasonal Events: Season-specific events like visiting a pumpkin patch in the fall or a tree farm in the winter are not only fun but also educational. They offer tactile experiences and teach about the cycles of nature.
- Story Hours: Many local libraries or bookstores host story hours for children, which can be a magical experience for your 1-year-old. It introduces them to the world of books and reading in an interactive, engaging setting.
- Craft Fairs: Local craft fairs are ideal for experiencing community art. They are often quieter than larger events, making them more suitable for young children while still giving them a feast for the senses with different textures and materials to explore.
- Farmers’ Markets: Another vibrant local venue, farmers’ markets are wonderful for exploring local produce and crafts. They provide sensory experiences through sights, sounds, and smells, which are perfect for curious young minds.
- Charity Walks or Fun Runs: Participating in a charity walk or fun run can be a unique way to celebrate while supporting a good cause. Even at a young age, being in a lively, positive atmosphere can be a joyful experience for children.
13. Go to an amusement park
If you have a local amusement park (with a baby or toddler section), this will be an entertaining first birthday idea!
We brought my daughter when she was 1 to the amusement park. It looked like she was on sensory overload. It had a carousel, train rides, car rides, baby rollercoaster rides, a treehouse, a boat ride, etc. – all these things she’d never seen before.
They also had kid’s shows where characters performed songs on stage. She danced a bit. Overall, I think she enjoyed herself.
And if you have older kids, they will have so much fun going to the amusement park to celebrate their little brother or sister, creating a day of fun and memories for them, too!
14. Go to a children’s museum
I love how visiting the children’s museum provides so many learning opportunities for a baby on his or her first birthday.
We went to our local Science World with my daughter when she was 1, and she loved it!
They had a baby area with sensory activities. We also just went from exhibit to exhibit and saw a show.
You could see how it was stimulating her curiosity and development.
Take some time before the big day arrives to call your local museums and see if they offer any deals for your little one’s birthday,
15. Visit a farm
There are often so many activities to do at a farm that are fun for the whole family on a baby’s first birthday.
For example:
- Fruit picking
- Visiting animals and seeing a barn
- Going through a corn maze
- Going on a tractor or wagon ride
It’s also an informative experience because you and your little one will get to see where food comes from, how it grows, and how much work goes into the process.
On farms, animals are usually more accessible than at the zoo. You can spend a lot of time interacting with animals – petting and feeding them.
16. Create a time capsule
Mark your baby’s first birthday by creating a time capsule, a treasure trove of memories to be opened years later.
Start with a sturdy, airtight container to keep the contents safe from the elements.
Here are some ideas of things to include:
- Meaningful items: place meaningful items from your child’s first year—things like their favorite small toy, the outfit they wore home from the hospital, or even on their first birthday.
- Current Newspaper clipping: find a clip as close to their birthday as possible to capture the historical context of their arrival.
- Write heartfelt letters: express your hopes and dreams for their future, which they can read when they open the capsule.
- Photos: add a selection of photos or store digital memories on a USB drive. You might also include cultural items like current-year currency or stamps, capturing the essence of the era they were born in.
Seal the time capsule with the plan to open it on a significant future birthday, like their 18th or 21st, turning a moment into a cherished tradition that highlights how much they’ve grown and changed over the years.
This is a really fun way to celebrate the first birthday milestone of their birthday!
17. First Art Gallery
Celebrate your baby’s creative milestones by setting up a “First Art Gallery” at home.
If you’re anything like our family, we are always crafting!
Whether it’s coloring, painting, playing with Play-Doh, etc., there are always all kinds of creations to keep.
So, throughout your baby’s first year, save any artwork they’ve made, like finger paintings, sponge paintings, or even simple scribbles.
On their birthday, display these pieces around your living area or in a designated space.
You can use colorful frames or create a cute collage on a bulletin board.
Then, invite family and friends to view the gallery, celebrating your baby’s growing creativity.
This can be a beautiful way to see their development and make the first birthday both memorable and personalized.
18. Go to a sports game
Turn your little one’s first birthday into an exciting sports day by taking them to a local sports game.
Imagine the cuteness overload as your little MVP sports their teeny-tiny jersey in the team’s colors—maybe even a miniature cap to shield those adorable eyes from the sun.
Whether it’s a local baseball game, a friendly neighborhood soccer match, or even a professional sporting event, the vibrant crowd and clapping will surely catch your baby’s attention and maybe coax out a few excited baby babbles or claps! The lively atmosphere will be exhilarating.
Pack a diaper bag like you’re gearing up for the playoffs: snacks, extra clothes (because spills happen in the big leagues, too), and a small, cuddly toy to keep them company.
This isn’t just a game; it’s a family outing filled with fun, laughter, and maybe even the start of a lifelong love for the game!
Final Thoughts on Simple 1st Birthday Ideas
Happy birthday to your 1-year-old! I’m sure whatever you decide, it’ll be an amazing day for everyone!
Let me know in the comments if you have other ideas for simple 1st birthday celebrations. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Recap of Simple First Birthday Ideas for a Girl or Boy
- Visit animals on your baby’s first birthday
- Paint a picture for the first birthday
- Celebrate at the park or beach
- Have a special birthday meal
- Go on a birthday vacation
- Go camping
- Bring the vacation to your backyard
- Have a 1-year-old birthday photo session
- Set up simple baby birthday decorations
- Have a first birthday celebration at home
- Start a birthday tradition
- Go to a local event
- Go to an amusement park
- Go to a children’s museum
- Visit a farm
- Create a time capsule
- First art gallery
- Baby’s first sports day
Related to Simple First Birthday Ideas
- Activities For A 1-Year-Old Baby At Home
- Best Tips for flying with a baby
- Free Baby Things
- Baby on a Budget: 18 Tips You Need to Know
- Pregnancy Products I Couldn’t Live Without
- Practical Gifts for Baby Showers
- Daycare Must Haves for your Infant or Toddler
- Best Playroom Ideas on a Budget
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