Hi friends!
Today, I’ll be sharing my not so little man’s 1st birthday with you – from decor and food to our choice of theme and special favors, I’ve got the deets…
I can’t believe my youngest is already over a year old!
Jaxson turned THE BIG ONE on March 24, and we chose to do a fishing-themed birthday for him.
Before his first birthday, I spent a lot of time researching themes, figuring out costs, food, and putting together the guest list.
The first birthday is kind of a big deal, at least in our family.
If you skip a birthday here and there, it’s okay, but you better be throwing your youngin’ a party for their first or you’d be getting an earful…from both sides.
Haha, but really, I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone who HASN’T thrown their sweet baby a first birthday (even a small get-together to celebrate).
I debated the traditional and seemingly popular Mickey Mouse theme, Where the Wild Things Are, etc. And all those themes are ADORABLE!
But, I finally found one that fit our family with amazing precision, The “Big One” Fishing Birthday theme. My husband is an avid kayak fisherman and has fished since the age of 8 or 9.
He’s now in his early thirties, and you cannot find a weekend where his hands aren’t holding a fishing pole.
He goes fishing after work, on weekends, and of course during holiday breaks.
Rain or shine, you can’t separate that man from his favorite sport.
I discovered this fishing theme for the “BIG ONE” on Pinterest, and absolutely fell in love.
Not only did the theme fit perfectly because of how big fishing is in our family, but I loved the play on words!
I began planning about 4-5 months ahead of time, knowing that I needed to save some money and get all the details worked out.
In case you haven’t picked this up in any of my previous posts, I am an EXTREME planner.
I am pretty meticulous when it comes to details.
Check out the details below and my free printable birthday checklist PDF to help you plan your own birthday party…
Fishing Birthday Decorations
First came the streamers! I needed to find a cheap way to create a colorful, easy, and pretty backdrop.
Streamers were totally the way to go.
For this theme, we used red, green, blue, and yellow.
We had at least two 81 ft rolls of each color, and I was still left wanting more.
If you are using streamers to decorate, please give yourself more than two rolls per color, especially with consideration to using them for the backdrop.
The main colors we used were red, green, blue, and yellow!
I took a large piece of green painter’s tape (I was thinking the blue tape would look obvious – you don’t really see green tape too often) and laid it out across my kitchen floor, about 6 feet long.
I wish I had used a longer piece for a bigger backdrop, but it ended up working out just fine for the number of streamers I ordered from Amazon.
I actually twisted them a few times (some I twisted more than others to keep it interesting and put a little texture into the backdrop).
For balloons, we ordered three bass fish balloons from Amazon and a giant #1 balloon from Party City. I spaced them out, with one above the high chair backdrop, and two of them tied to the gift table.
For the gift table, we used these awesome water patterned table cloths, also from Amazon.
They fit our theme so perfectly – and were so cheap!
For decorations throughout the rest of the house, we mainly just placed balloons everywhere, decorated the high chair/backdrop, and printed out monthly photos of Jaxson’s first year to put on our photo banner.
DIY Personalized Birthday Chalkboard
For his first birthday, I knew I wanted to have one of those adorable chalkboards that has all the details of their first year and what they’re doing now!
But, I didn’t like the price tag.
It would have cost me anywhere between $35.00 and $70.00 for what I wanted, theme and all. So, I got really creative!
We already have an artwork easel for the kids that has a chalkboard on one side, a whiteboard on the other, and a giant roll of paper at the very top that you can pull down on to draw on the paper.
So, I already had the chalkboard. Could I make/draw everything myself?
YES!
Challenge accepted!
I purchased some chalkboard markers from Target that turned out to be duds…they barely showed up on the black chalkboard.
Very disappointing for how awesome the reviews were online.
So, I turned to Amazon (Prime membership, anyone? LOL) to find a better set.
Here are the markers I purchased, and how it turned out!
Well, I am no Picasso, and certainly not as clean as a computer.
But I think I did pretty good.
I got a LOT of compliments on it and had a lot of fun drawing everything.
I free-handed everything and included a cute little frowning worm on a hook/line, fishing pole, tackle box, fish (the poor orange guy, I forgot to color in his tail fins!), a large tooth, a boat, and some other baby-related pictures.
These markers were WAY better than the “top-rated” Target ones I bought first, and are still serving a purpose for our chalkboard/blackboard magnetic calendar on our fridge 🙂
I really love that all the colors really pop!
Fishing Birthday Game and Prize
Since our party for Jax was packed into our house (Hello cold March in Michigan), I had to be a little creative with the game.
I originally wanted to fill up our kiddie pool in the backyard with water, and go “fishing”.
With the weather the way it was though, we had to figure something out indoors.
I didn’t want to use the bathtub.
There were so many wrong things that could happen with trying to cram 5-7 kids into a narrow bathroom with a sliding glass door on the shower!
So, we resorted to using a metal ice bucket we had leftover in the basement from my husband’s 30th birthday.
We filled it up with water, marked a single fish with a black dot on the bottom, and waited for the winner to pull up the marked fish!
I sincerely regret NOT having taken more photos, but I can honestly say that playing hostess with a house FULL of people can keep you pretty busy!
For the game, we really wanted something cheap and easy to set up and have the kids entertain themselves with.
Fishing Birthday Food And Drinks
For drinks, we had two drink dispensers – one was for “Pond water” and the other was “Lake Water”.
We also served “Freshwater” (bottles of water).
The Pond Punch was a mix of frozen lemonade, sprite, and green Hawaiian Punch – it was my absolute fave (even though I hate anything green!).
Sunshine Parties Blog used a different recipe from what I can tell, but I’m guessing hers was also very good!
POND PUNCH RECIPE
Ingredients
- 1 can frozen lemonade
- 1 2- liter bottle of Sprite we used a store brand lemon-lime soda!
- Hawaiian Punch 128 fl. oz Green Berry Rush
Instructions
-
Mix together in large drink dispenser 20-30 minutes before the start of the party. For the drink to resemble "pond water", you want to use the green Hawaiian Punch (Green Berry Rush). For best results, use drop down ice well included with drink dispenser to keep drink chilled.
Fishing Birthday Favors
As far as the favors went, I used a credit I had with VistaPrint to get customized reusable shopping bags, which I used as the kid’s favor bags. I loved that the bags were reusable, and were a great souvenir for the mom’s to use for shopping trips, packing for Grandma’s, etc. I still had a bunch leftover that I now use and love :).
!["The Big One" Fishing Themed Birthday party Decor + Ideas! [plus free printable birthday checklist!] | slayathomemother.com |](../wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_1217-e1504923260354.jpg)
I found the cutest little inflatable bobbers that would fill up the bag and be great for summertime.
We purchased them on Amazon, but they originally came from Oriental Trading.
I don’t think they actually sell them anymore, but they really should, this birthday theme is growing in popularity every day!
Along with the bobbers, we stocked the bags with bubble wands, water beads, bags of goldfish crackers, and worm soaps!
I found a seller on Etsy that makes soaps (grab them here) in different shapes, and the worms were perfect!
All of our guests told me how much they loved washing their hands with the worms the next day!
Aren’t they ADORABLE! I can’t handle how cute they are. I just can’t.
Jaxson’s party turned out GREAT! My family was able to come up from down south, and we had a lot of loved ones there to celebrate with us.
My husband and I felt truly blessed to be able to throw him a dream first birthday party, and we really enjoyed every minute.
You may also like: Jaxson’s Lumberjack Bash
*Post originally published June 2017, last updated October 2021.
Hands down the fishing themed first birthday party is one of my favourites!
Ours too – I am so glad we chose to do it, it came out really great 🙂 Thanks for reading! XO
Aww… Your little one is so cute!!! I love the fun adorable party you planned for him!!
Thank you! XO
Such a cute and unique theme. I love that you chose it because your husband is an avid fisherman. That poster you made is fantastic! Love the punch too.
Thank you! The chalkboard was my favorite part, and it was so inexpensive 🙂 XO
What a unique idea! Turned out super cute. I love the chalkboard with the first year info. Great post!
THANK YOU! XO
I love this theme.
Thanks for reading! XO
Oh my goodness, so adorable!!! The “lake water” was my favorite. My son just had his first birthday too, so I totally get what a big deal they are!
Thank you! The drink recipes came out really great 🙂 Happy belated birthday to your little one, XO
Love the photo banner idea! Super cute!
Right?! We loved seeing the progression from his newborn photos up to his 1-year-old photos! Everyone gushed over them 🙂 XO
That is such an adorable theme for a first birthday party! Love all the decorations!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Thank you! XO
Oh so beautiful. Happy first birthday to your little one!!
Thank you so much! XO
Your little one is so cute. 🙂 This is a great theme that can be used for other great parties. I can see a retirement party in the near future for a friend that is looking forward to doing nothing but fishing when he retires. 🙂 I especially love the goody bags with the worm soaps! My kids would love these too. 🙂
That’s actually a great idea for a retirement party! Thanks for reading! XO
This is such a cute birthday theme! I love all the details you put into the party like the fishes in the drinks!
Thank you for reading! XO
THis is sooo cute! I love this theme so much! You did such a great job with all of the details!
Thank you so much – I only wish I had taken more pictures 🙂 XO
You did such a great job commemorating this big birthday! I love this theme and the fishing game looks super fun! Congrats!
Thank you so much! XO
Oh my goodness! How precious! The highchair banner is my favorite. Enjoy this time – I have a 4 year old and every time I turn around, he seems older!
I know, they grow up SO FAST. Everyone says that all the time, but its sooooo true! XO
What a fun theme! I love the creativity you put into it, especially with the food and drink names. Happy birthday Jaxson!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! XO
What a cute birthday party theme! Loved those party favors ❤️
Thank you – the kids loved them! XO
What a cute theme! Happy first birthday little one! We already of have a unicorn theme planned for my daughter’s first birthday!
I love unicorns! Should we ever have a daughter, I totally want to do that! Thanks for reading 🙂 XO
I love all the details here. My kids love to fish. This would be a fun kick off to summer party too!
I love that idea, for a summer party! XO
I know that you may want to have party supplies in hand and be sure you have everything ready for the big day!
Thanks for reading! XO
This is SOOOOOOOO cute. My youngest is 10 months and my husband loves fishing – I’m thinking this might be his birthday theme.
I’d love to know what you ended up doing! Thanks for reading, Heather 🙂 XO
OMG this is amazing! I’m totally obsessed with planning elaborate parties for my kids.
Thank you for reading! XO
I happy to read this site. It’s an great article.
What an adorable theme for a birthday party! I love the little touches you had, from the names of the drinks to all of the decor. Happy birthday Jaxson!
Thank you so much, it was so worth it! XO
How creative! I will definitely have to use your ideas! Great party ideas!
Thank you so much! XO
This is so stinkin cute!!! Love it
Thank you! XO
This is so cute! My LO is 7 months old but I’ve alreay started to think about birthday ideas! Thanks for sharing!
I’d love to hear what you come up with 🙂 Thanks for reading! XO
What a fun birthday idea! I love that you went with something unique and special for your family.
Thanks for reading! XO
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Thanks for providing these
details.
Hey, great article. I really liked your article. I am a massive fan of fishing. It is really awesome. Thank you mate!
Love This!!’ I found this theme on Etsy and I to thought I could do it on my own. Thank you for posting this blog. It’s funny that my Jaxon is turning The Big One on March 6th. And your right about Michigan as we are in this state with Mother Nature who has extreme bipolar LOL…. I just ordered the chalk markers off amazon. Prime member her ??♀️??♀️ Yes I’m guilty. But it’s so convenient. And I’m also guilty of online grocery shopping. It’s perfect order the night before choose pick up time drive to your Kroger and they bring your stuff out and load it up. And the first 3 times are free. Chi-Ching. I’m actually on my 6th and it’s still free.
I will def follow your blog. Hopefully soon I will be able to start my own. But photography has me busy when the kids don’t. Ha!!
Thank you for sharing this.