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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.
Point to consider
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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. Blogger and mother of two, April from South Florida, decided her son’s birthday party menu would be based on his birthday theme ‘Old MacDonald had a farm.’ She says, “Keeping with the theme, the “Grub” for our party was BBQ-styled and catered by Char Hut. We had burgers, BBQ chicken, baked beans, pasta/potato salad, chips, veggies, corn on the cob, and cole slaw (i).”
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.
- Fruits on skewers or fruit salad
- Mini quiches
- Vegetable and chicken nuggets
- Veggie spring rolls with dipping sauce
- Baby breadsticks with cheese
- Mini meatballs on toothpicks
- French fries or potato smileys or potato wedges
- Spinach and cheese stuffed mushrooms
- Cookies with cream or crackers
- Mini chicken pot pies
- Muffins and bagels
- Mini corn on the cob with flavored butter
- Devilled eggs
- Mini tacos or taco cups
- Egg mini muffins
- Caprese skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil
- Roasted or steamed vegetables and dip
- Mini spinach and artichoke dip cups
- Small sandwiches
- Antipasto skewers with olives, cheese, and salami
- Cheesy garlic bread
- Mini shrimp cocktail cups
- Chips and dips
- Rice paper rolls with a peanut dipping sauce
- Cheerios
- Mini bruschettas with tomato and basil
- Puffed snacks
- Mini samosas with mint chutney
- Wafers and pretzel
- Mini croissant sandwiches with ham and cheese
- Mini pancakes
- Sweet potato fries with honey mustard dip
Alternatively, you could also try out onion rings but with a little twist. Place a smaller onion ring at the center of the large one and fill the gap with a cheese stick of our choice. Preferably, mozzarella cheese sticks would be a great option. Then fry these up and see kids relish them. Additionally, the classic hot dogs or corn dogs are there to fill up the place on your table and earn a little extra praise and love from kids.
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.
- Pizza – vegetarian and non-vegetarian
- Pulled pork sliders
- Cheesy macaroni with different toppings such as chicken bites, bacon, and veggies
- Chicken and vegetable stir-fry
- Vegetarian and chicken burger
- Veggie platter with hummus or ranch dip
- Quesadilla
- Chicken and waffle sandwiches
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Beef or vegetable kebabs with dipping sauce
- BBQ sandwiches
- Beef Wellington bites
- Crustless sandwiches
- Chicken Alfredo pasta cups
- Pasta with cheese and salad options or meatballs
- Veggie frittatas
- Vegetable noodles
- Potato skins with sour cream and chives
- Taco pinwheels
- BBQ pulled-chicken sandwiches
- Casserole
- Sweet and savory meat pies
- Small squared pizza bites
- Falafel with tahini sauce
- Chicken tenders
- Chicken and mushroom tartlets
- Chicken sliders
- Beef and broccoli stir-fry
- Nachos filled with cheese
- Sausage and pepper hoagies
- Pizza rolls
- Turkey and cranberry sliders
- Cheese and garlic bread
- Butternut squash and goat cheese tartlets
- Stuffed or toasted kebabs
- Meat and cheese sliders
- Beef rolls with cheddar cheese
- Mini eggplant Parmesan bites
- Stromboli
- Teriyaki salmon skewers
- Guacamole with tortilla chips
Alternatively, you can go for roasted pork ribs with cherry barbeque sauce and serve with a bowl of herb rice. This is a star dish that fills up the stomach while also providing nutrition.
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.
- Birthday cake (your baby’s favorite shape and flavor)
Quick tip- Key lime pies
- Fruit salad or yogurt
- Red velvet cupcakes
- Ice cream of different flavors
- Apple turnovers
- Jelly and custard
- Tiramisu cups
- Cupcakes
- Banana split sundaes
- Pops and candies
- Churros with chocolate dipping sauce
- Mini pies
- Mini pineapple upside-down cakes
- Ice cream cone cupcakes
- Black forest trifles
- Ice cream sandwich
- Caramel popcorn balls
- Donut holes or baked donuts
- Mini strawberry shortcakes
- Mini s’mores
- Chocolate-covered pretzel bites
- Frozen treats or popsicles
- Orange creamsicle tarts
- Assorted cookies
- Blueberry cheesecake parfaits
- Cheesecake pastries
- Chocolate-covered strawberries
- Frozen pops
- Mini coconut cream pies
- Honey waffles
- Rainbow fruit skewers
- Marshmallow pops
- Oreo truffles
- Fruit pies
- Caramel apples
- Macarons or ice cream sandwiches
- Mini cookies and cream cheesecakes
- Fried ice cream
- Fruit sushi rolls
In addition to these, the good-old chocolate brownies are there to save your day and earn all the praise from kiddos surely.
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.
- Lemonade or fruit smoothies
- Fruit-infused water
- Hot chocolate
- Strawberry lemonade
- Vanilla milkshake
- Apple cider
- Fruity cocktails
- Non-alcoholic sparkling wine
- Citrus punch
- Grape juice spritzers
- Iced tea with fruit flavors
- Kiwi and mint cooler
- Hawaiian drink
- Pineapple coconut mocktail
- Rose milk
- Virgin piña coladas
- Yogurt smoothies
- Orange Creamsicle Floats
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much should I spend on a first birthday party?
It entirely depends on you. If you want an extravagant party with all your friends and family, you may spend around $1000 or more. If you want a quiet and intimate affair with only your near and dear ones, you can cut the expenses and spend less than $300.
2. What time should a first birthday start?
Consider your baby’s sleeping time and active hours before hosting a birthday party. Depending on that, you can throw a party in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Make sure to pick a time convenient for you and your guests.
3. Can I feed my baby cake on their first birthday?
Yes, a small piece of cake would not harm your baby. However, chop the cake into tiny bits before feeding it to your baby to avoid choking hazards. Also, if you love baking, you can make a homemade cake using healthy ingredients to introduce to your baby.
For every new parent, their baby’s first birthday is one of the most awaited events. While you could be excited to organize a grand party for your little one, it would help if you plan for the event, follow a schedule, and keep things systematized. The variety of food and a delectable menu is a must-have for the party to be enjoyable and remembered. Take cues from these first birthday party food ideas to include the most delicious and exciting food items on the menu. Also, do not miss out on clicking adorable pictures of your munchkin and the event to relish the memories later.
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. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Decide on the first birthday party theme, followed by the guest list and the menu.
- You can plan appetizers, main course, beverages, and desserts for a large party.
- You may have different options for your guests’ preferences for vegan, vegetarian, or non-vegetarian food.
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Celebrate your little one’s first birthday with these easy and delicious food ideas! From cakes to snacks, we’ve got you covered.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Gregory’s Old MacDonald 1st birthday party.https://sparklesanddirt.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/gregorys-old-macdonald-1st-birthday-party/
