First Trip Around the Sun Birthday Party Ideas: 10 Ways to Celebrate

A year has flown by and your little one is about to celebrate their first birthday. What better way to honor a year of joy, laughter, and learning than with a special birthday celebration? After all, they’ve just completed their first of many trips around the sun! 

To mark the occasion, why not host a first trip around the sun birthday theme party? This sunshine-themed event captures the joy and wonder of this milestone year. As you begin the party planning process, consider the ideas here — from bright decor and sweet treats to age-appropriate activities that commemorate your little one’s first journey around the sun.

First Trip Around the Sun Birthday Party Ideas for Your Little One

With this cheerful first birthday party theme, you’ll have a joyful time celebrating your baby boy or baby girl’s big day. From sunny decorations to creative activities that will keep the little ones entertained, here are our favorite first trip around the sun birthday party ideas.

1. Use Solar System Decorations

Design: Patrice Horvath Design

Blast off with a space-themed approach to this birthday celebration. Decorate the party space with miniature models of planets revolving around the sun and other solar system decorations. You can also create a backdrop using a dark navy sheet of paper and glue images of planets and stars to it. For this outer space birthday spin on the sun theme, dress your mini astronaut in an on-theme romper for out-of-this-world photo opportunities.

2. Have Fun with Party Decor

Use classic birthday party decorations to deck out your event space with the first trip around the sun birthday theme. Consider birthday balloons and streamers in cheerful colors like yellow and orange. If you’re going with a space theme, hang metallic star garland and mylar balloons featuring images of planets. 

3. Set Up Themed Tables

Elevate the sunshine birthday theme by incorporating images of the sun and colors like yellow and orange into your table decor. Start by choosing a cheerful yellow tablecloth to set the scene. You can find a variety of party plates and napkins on sites like Etsy or Amazon.  

Next, consider what tableware your guests will need. If there are many small children attending this first-year party, think about using spoons or kid-friendly servingware. 

Make the sun theme extra cute by adding place cards for each guest. Add their name and a cute saying like “You are my sunshine” to play up the theme. Sprinkle gold confetti on the table for a hint of glam. For boho sun party vibes, add centerpieces like rattan or macrame vases and fill them with sunflowers, marigolds, daisies, and daffodils. For more ideas, check out our guide on eco-friendly party decorations.

4. Create a Sun Backdrop

Design: Loree Mayer Design

If a solar system photo backdrop isn’t part of your theme, consider a sun backdrop where guests can snap party photos. DIY your own photo background by taking a large piece of yellow butcher paper and hanging it on a flat wall. Add a few balloons on each side and set up a small table with photo props like sunglasses and sun hats. On the butcher paper, add accents like rainbows, butterflies, and wording including “little sunshine,” “the light of my life,” and “the world revolves around me.”

5. Make a Balloon Arch or Balloon Garland

Another creative way to dress up your birthday party is to create a balloon arch. Place the arch above the entryway or use it to make your sun backdrop extra special. Easily make your own by using a balloon garland kit or order a custom-made garland from your local party planning store. Choose balloon colors to coordinate with your theme. You can also add in metallic gold, silver, or rose gold balloons for a hint of elegance.

6. Serve Dessert From an Ice Cream Cart

Design: Jessie Steury

Skip the conventional dessert table and make a splash with a sun-themed ice cream cart. Serve flavors like pineapple and mango sorbet or stick to classics like chocolate and vanilla. Fill mason jars with toppings like yellow candies, sprinkles, and nuts. Be sure to offer vegan, non-dairy options, and nut-free options for guests with different dietary needs.

7. Keep Kids Entertained with Sensory Bins

Little kids love exploring the world with their hands. Make this part of the birthday party fun with themed sensory bins. Fill large plastic tubs with water — choose long tubs with shorter heights to make it easier for the small kids to reach inside. Then add yellow rubber ducks and floating suns. 

Alternatively, you can fill some of the bins with sand to create a beach birthday under the sun’s bright rays. Whatever you decide to put in the bins, make sure it’s age-appropriate and kid-safe. You can provide more details in your digital invitations so guests know what to expect.

8. Cake Smash

A smash cake is a birthday cake designed for infants and small kids to be able to eat with their hands. It’s a fun and silly way of letting them have their cake and eat it too! Add a first trip around the sun cake topper or use pieces of felt, string, and two sticks to create a pennant banner featuring your child’s name. For added boho flair, set the cake on a rattan cake stand.

Alternatively, you can choose cupcakes for bite-size portions that are easier to hand out to each guest. Add a cupcake topper like a stick with a sun on it or one featuring different photos of your child.  

9. High Chair Birthday Banner

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Add a high chair banner to set a special setting for the birthday boy or birthday girl. On the banner, you can write a simple “Happy Birthday” or “1st trip around the sun.” If you’re feeling extra-crafty, create a monthly photo banner with one image of your child from each month of their first year.

10. Party Favors

Show everyone how much joy they brought to the party by sending them home with sun-themed party favors. You can make goodie bags filled with practical items like sunglasses, sunscreen, and small beach towels. For a space-themed around the sun birthday party, T-shirts or reusable tote bags featuring prints of planets and rockets are a great idea.

Celebrate Their First Trip Around the Sun

From first trip around the sun birthday decorations to party activities and invitations, there are plenty of ways to pull off a memorable celebration. Vibrant decorations, sensory games, and a fun cake smash ensure this first birthday party will be a big hit. 

Whether you’re hosting a sun-themed 1st birthday party or baby shower, Greenvelope offers cheerful invitations that help you mark the moment. Browse our selection of sunny birthday invitations to celebrate your little ray of sunshine. Customize any of the artist-curated designs by changing the color scheme and typography and adding cheerful elements like music and personalized stamps.

For more party planning ideas, continue browsing our Stationers blog. It’s filled with birthday party theme ideas, party planning tips, and decoration ideas so you can celebrate every milestone.