DIY The Big One Birthday Party

I  knew since I was pregnant with my second son that I wanted to do an ocean/beach theme for him. He wore an ocean outfit for all of his monthly photos during his first year. When the time came to start planning his first birthday, I knew it would be an ocean “The Big One” wave theme. This is ultimately what I did to make the theme come to life.

Photo Backdrop

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Balloon arch
• White & different blue shade balloons
• Blue paper
• Letter stencils
• Blue marker
• Scissors 
• Hole puncher
• String
• Tape

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Blow up white and 3 different shades of blue balloons.
2. Attach the balloons to the balloon arch.
3. Secure the balloon arch into place in the shape of a big wave on the wall, using tape and/or string. I used string to tie it around the corners of the wall.
4. Using the letter stencils, spell out/color the words “The Big One” with a blue marker onto the blue construction paper.
5. Cut all the letters out individually. I cut the pieces into circle shapes.
6. Using a hole puncher (a pen or scissors also work if you don’t have a hole puncher), punch a small hole at the top of each letter shape.
7. Cut your string into three pieces. Make sure each is long enough for the letters you’ll use on them. I put “The” on the first string, “Big” on the second, and “One” on the third. I used twine for the string.
8. String each letter onto their respective string through the punched hole.
9. Hang and tape each string to the wall under the balloon wave.

High Chair Decoration

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Streamer string
• Tape

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Attach the streamer string to the front of the high chair. I taped it in place. I got mine at Walmart super cheap, and it matched the colors of our Birthday sign. It’s lightweight, like plastic tablecloths.

Birthday Outfit

Supplies You’ll Need:

• White onesie
• Blue, teal/green, and white fabric paint 
• Paint brush

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Paint a blue ocean wave in place of the O. Let it dry.
2. Paint a blue letter N and E after the ocean wave O. Let it dry.
3. Paint some teal/green splotches randomly on the ocean wave. Let it dry.
4. Paint some white splotches randomly on the ocean wave. Let it dry.
5. Do any paint touch-ups to darken the colors and let it dry.

Cake

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Cake mix
• Colored icing
• Candle

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. For my son’s cake, we bought one at a local grocery store, but you can easily make your own.
2. Mix the cake mix.
3. Bake the cake.
4. Cover the cake with white icing.
5. Use blue icing to draw an ocean wave on the top of the cake.
6. Use blue icing on the sides to create an ombre look like the ocean water.
7. Optional: You can add a birthday message for your child if you wish on the cake or platter.
8. Add a birthday candle on top.

Plates & Napkins

To add to our ocean theme, I included blue paper plates with a wave along the edges and some napkins that looked like they had ocean waves on them.

I hope that these ideas help inspire you to throw your own ocean-themed birthday party and have fun with it. Happy celebrating and creating!