DIY The Big One Birthday Party

By: SH
On: November 22, 2023

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:

Blow up white and 3 different shades of blue balloons.
Attach the balloons into the balloon arch.
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.
Using the letter stencils – spell out/color the words “The Big One” with a blue marker onto the blue construction paper.
Cut all the letters out individually. I cut the pieces into circle shapes.
Using a hole puncher (pen or scissors also work if you don’t have a hole puncher) punch a small hole at the top of each letter shape.
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 string.
String each letter onto their respective strings through the hole punched hole.
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:

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 table cloths.

Birthday Outfit

Supplies You’ll Need:

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

Step by Step Guide:

Paint a blue ocean wave in the place of the O. Let it dry.
Paint a blue letter N and E after the ocean wave O. Let it dry.
Paint some teal/green splotches randomly on the ocean wave. Let it dry.
Paint some white splotches randomly on the ocean wave. Let it dry.
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:

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