A baby’s first birthday party is really for the family. The baby will not remember it, but you will look at the photos for years. The cake ends up at the centre of most of those photos, so it is worth choosing well. Here are the ideas and tips we share with parents every week.
Pick a theme first, then the cake
Decide the theme before anything else, because it sets the colours for the cake, the decorations and the return gifts. The themes we make most for a first birthday party are:
- Jungle and animals, with lions, elephants and giraffes.
- Little man for boys, with a bow tie and moustache.
- Princess and unicorn for girls, in pink, gold or pastel.
- Cartoon characters the family already loves, like Cocomelon, Mickey or Peppa.
- Simple number 1 cakes in the theme colours.
What size cake do you need?
First birthday parties usually have more adults than you expect. As a rough guide, 1 kg of cake gives 8 to 10 slices. A 2 kg cake suits a home party of 15 to 20 people, a 3 kg cake around 25, and a 5 kg or tiered cake a banquet with 40 or more guests. Our guide on how many people a cake serves has a full table.
Tiered cake or single cake?
Tiered cakes look grand in a hall and photograph beautifully. They need at least a day’s notice and we deliver them ourselves so they arrive upright. For a home party, a single tall cake with a few fondant figures is easier to handle and cut. See our 1st birthday cakes for both.
Flavours that work for little ones
Pineapple and vanilla are light and easy for small children. Chocolate truffle is the favourite with older kids and adults. If the party is big, you can ask for different flavours in different tiers. Every MrCake cake is 100% eggless, which helps when some guests do not eat egg.
A simple first birthday party checklist
- Fix the date and venue three to four weeks ahead.
- Choose the theme and share it with the decorator and the bakery.
- Order the cake at least two days ahead for tiered or fondant designs.
- Plan the cake cutting before the baby’s nap time, not after dinner.
- Keep a smaller smash cake if you want the messy photos.
- Ask someone else to hold the camera so you can be in the photos.
Celebrating six months too?
Many families now mark six months with a small half cake. It is a lovely mini celebration before the big one. Have a look at our half birthday cake ideas and half birthday cakes.
First birthday party questions parents ask
How early should I order a first birthday cake? Two days ahead for fondant or tiered designs, and a week ahead for big themed cakes in wedding season or around festivals.
What is a smash cake? A small, soft cake just for the baby to dig into with their hands. A 500 gm cream cake works well. Keep it separate from the main cake.
Can I match the cake to the invitation? Yes. Send us the invitation or decor colours on WhatsApp and we will match the cake.
Can you add the baby’s photo? Yes. Many parents add a photo panel or a printed topper. Have a look at our photo cake guide for tips on choosing the picture.
Budget for a first birthday cake
Simple cream cakes with the baby’s name are the most affordable. Number cakes and fondant figures cost more because they are shaped by hand, and tiered cakes cost the most. Our cake price guide gives real starting prices so you can plan.
When you are ready, browse our first birthday cakes or send your party theme on WhatsApp and we will suggest a design.