65 First Birthday Party Food Ideas And Planning Tips

You may be super excited about your baby turning one, and you want to host the best party to celebrate their first birthday. Tiny tots are your most important guests, and so your baby’s first birthday party food ideas must include exciting, colorful, and fancy options on the table. You need to do many things, including selecting a party theme, deciding on the guest list, buying gifts, and planning the food. If you are confused about the food, we can help you with the planning process by providing delicious snack and dessert ideas in this post. These creative ideas are sure to impress children and their parents alike.

What Kind Of First Birthday Party Are You Planning?

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You can come up with the food menu only when you have the basic idea of the birthday party.

• Decide if it is going to be a small snack or high tea party, or you want to host a lavish lunch or dinner.
• If you are planning for a simplistic evening party, then you can make a handful of items at home. Your family members or close friends could help you prepare some delectable recipes.
• If it is going to be a big party, you may have to hire a caterer and plan a mixed menu. Make sure you find a well-known catering agency that specializes in making the best quality kid-friendly food items.

Who Are The Guests?

Having a guest list ready would make it easier to figure out the quantity and type of food to have at your baby’s first birthday party.

• Will it be a small party with only family or friends?
• Will you invite your close relatives and neighbors?
• How many babies and toddlers would be attending the party?
• How many teenagers or parents or adults would attend?

When you have the answers to these questions, you can plan the food ideas and serving size.

What Food To Include In The Menu?

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You need to think about the food categories based on the guest list. If it is a large party, then you may have to categorize the menu.

• You need to include vegetarian and non-vegetarian items to fit the needs of all the guests.
• In case you are inviting vegan friends, make sure you have vegan items on the menu.
• You should also have a few types of desserts and drinks. Have colorful and delicious food items that please everyone attending the birthday party.
• If there is a theme party, make sure that the food reflects the theme. For instance, if the party theme is “Frozen,” then try to have more blue food items and pictures of “Frozen” movie characters all around.

First Birthday Party Food Ideas

We have some mouth-watering food choices in every category to delight your guests, including the adorable children and the grown-ups.

Finger food and appetizer ideas

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Appetizers or starters are the first course of a meal. They should be tempting and light to give an excellent start to the party meal. Toddlers and children fill their tummies with starters as they are fond of them. Having a variety of options would be a good idea. We have a few palatable suggestions here.

1. Fruits on skewers or fruit salad
2. Vegetable and chicken nuggets
3. Baby breadsticks with cheese
4. French fries or potato smileys or potato wedges
5. Cookies with cream or crackers
6. Muffins and bagels
7. Devilled eggs
8. Egg mini muffins
9. Roasted or steamed vegetables and dip
10. Small sandwiches
11. Cheesy garlic bread
12. Chips and dips
13. Cheerios
14. Puffed snacks
15. Wafers and pretzel
16. Mini pancakes

Savory foods

The savory foods or main meal of the party should be delightfully flavorsome. The main items in the party menu should be filling and appealing to all the guests. There should be items for every guest, be it a vegan, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, or a health-conscious person.

17. Pizza – vegetarian and non-vegetarian
18. Cheesy macaroni with different toppings such as chicken bites, bacon, and veggies
19. Vegetarian and chicken burger
20. Quesadilla
21. Grilled cheese sandwiches
22. Barbecue sandwiches
23. Crustless sandwiches
24. Pasta with cheese and salad options or meatballs
25. Vegetable noodles
26. Taco pinwheels
27. Casserole
28. Small squared pizza bites
29. Chicken tenders
30. Chicken sliders
31. Nachos filled with cheese
32. Pizza rolls
33. Cheese and garlic bread
34. Stuffed or toasted kebabs
35. Beef rolls with cheddar cheese
36. Stromboli

Desserts

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No party is complete without desserts. Your baby’s first birthday party should have desserts that become the talk of the party. Children and adults love trying out different kinds of sweet items, so we have covered a few delicious dessert ideas for you.

37. Birthday cake (your baby’s favorite shape and flavor)
38. Fruit salad or yogurt
39. Ice cream of different flavors
40. Jelly and custard
41. Cupcakes
42. Pops and candies
43. Mini pies
44. Ice cream cone cupcakes
45. Ice cream sandwich
46. Doughnut holes or baked doughnuts
47. Mini s’mores
48. Frozen treats or popsicles
49. Assorted cookies
50. Cheesecake pastries
51. Frozen pops
52. Honey waffles
53. Marshmallow pops
54. Fruit pies
55. Macarons or ice cream sandwiches
56. Fried ice cream

Drinks and beverages

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It’s your baby’s first birthday celebration, so make sure you are not having alcoholic drinks. There are some healthy and fruity options you can try and impress your guests. Remember, the party is more for the children than the parents.

57. Lemonade or fruit smoothies
58. Hot chocolate
59. Vanilla milkshake
60. Fruity cocktails
61. Citrus punch
62. Iced tea with fruit flavors
63. Hawaiian drink
64. Rose milk
65. Yogurt smoothies

Tips For Planning Your Baby’s First Birthday Food Menu

The first birthday is a big deal for parents, thus planning would make your job easier. We have some general tips for you here.

• Get child-friendly glasses, plates, and cups made of eco-friendly and high-quality food-grade material.
• Keep fresh, high-quality, and hygienic food only. If you are ordering food, then go with the best caterer or restaurant.
• You can ask the parents if their children have any food intolerances or food allergies.
• Do keep in mind your guest’s preferences, like those related to religious or other food choices.
• Don’t keep choking hazards, including nuts, grapes, hard lollies, popcorn, or hard candies on the table.
• Keep an eye on what the children are sipping and munching on. See that toddlers and babies are not consuming fizzy drinks or caffeinated beverages.
• Choose a cake flavor that is liked by both children and their parents. Try to have an eggless cake so that most of the guests can relish it.
• Make tempting and colorful foods so that children enjoy them.

Infographic: First Birthday Party Food Ideas

Your little one has completed one year around the sun. So, celebrate their healthy and happy 12 months with some delicious foods. This infographic contains a list of all the delicious food options you may consider for your child’s first birthday menu.

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Shikha Thakur

Shikha is a writer-turned-associate editor at MomJunction. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood. She also specializes in baby names. Being a postgraduate in Human Resources from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, she likes understanding people and their relationships. This reflects in her relationship...
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Natasha Uspensky

Natasha Uspensky is a certified holistic nutrition counselor, Ayurvedic practitioner, wellness blogger, and founder of NU Health & Wellness and The Organic Beauty. She practices a holistic approach to wellness, believing that health and happiness come from achieving a sense of balance in all areas of life — from food, movement, and environment, to relationships, community, and career. She specializes...
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