15 DIY 1st Birthday Decorations You Can Make at Home

Throwing a fun, beautiful birthday party doesn’t have to mean spending a ton. With just a few simple materials and a little creativity, you can make your own decorations right at home.

From sweet first birthdays to grown-up celebrations, these ideas are proof that a thoughtful setup always feels more special than store-bought décor.

If you’re ready to get inspired, here’s a peek at some easy DIY birthday decorations you can try for your next party.

Cupcake Toppers

Give your cupcakes a cute upgrade with tiny DIY flags. Cut small rectangles or triangles from scrapbook paper and glue them onto toothpicks using a hot glue gun.

Stick one flag into each cupcake for a simple yet charming decoration. Mix and match paper colors or patterns to match your theme for a coordinated look that’s sweet and easy.

First Birthday Straws

Keep your little one front and center with this adorable straw topper idea. Cut small ovals from your favorite scrapbook paper and glue a tiny photo of your baby’s face onto each one.

Punch a hole at the top and bottom of every oval, then slide a paper straw through the openings. It’s such a cute and simple way to make every sip a little more special.

Pizza Party Hats

If you’re planning a pizza party, this craft will make everyone smile. Start with plain party hats in yellow or red. Cut a one-inch strip of brown kraft paper for the crust and glue it to the bottom edge of each hat.

Then trace and cut out pizza toppings like pepperoni or mushrooms from colored paper. Stick them on with double-sided tape or a glue stick, and your guests will be party-ready and pizza-themed.

Movie Night Snack Holders

Turn movie night into a full party experience with these easy snack cones. Take a 12-inch sheet of scrapbook paper and cut it diagonally in half. Roll each half into a cone shape and secure it with tape.

Fill your cones with popcorn, candy, or your favorite party snacks. They’re fun to hold, easy to make, and perfect for any film-loving guest.

For extra flair, pair them with a batch of flavored popcorn to complete the movie-night vibe.

Tropical Drink Umbrellas

Add a festive touch to your drinks with DIY umbrellas that match your party colors. Trace a circle onto patterned scrapbook paper and cut it out.

Make one slit from the edge to the center, then overlap the cut edges slightly to form a cone. Secure it with tape or a small dab of hot glue.

Add a tiny dot of glue inside the tip of the cone and hold a toothpick in place until it cools. Once you’ve made a bunch, pop them into your drinks for a cheerful tropical look.

Bright Bunting

Add instant color to your space with homemade bunting that matches your party theme. Pick a wide ribbon in your favorite shade and cut small triangles out of colorful scrapbook paper.

Use a hot glue gun to attach the triangles along the ribbon, creating a repeating pattern. For a personalized touch, use stencils to trace letters onto the triangles before gluing them down.

Hang your bunting with hooks or tie it around chairs, tables, or railings for a festive finish.

Superhero Balloons

Give your guests the power to save the day with superhero balloons. Look for mask patterns online or sketch your own. Trace the shapes onto scrapbook paper, cut them out, and stick them onto balloons with double-sided tape.

You can even glue a few masks onto plastic straws or popsicle sticks so everyone can pose for pictures like their favorite hero. Don’t forget some superhero-inspired snacks to keep your guests fueled up for fun.

DIY Spa Day Decor

Bring a relaxing spa atmosphere to your birthday gathering using things you already have at home. Gather a vanity mirror, soft cotton balls, candles, and pretty bottles of lotion, then arrange them on a table.

Slice a few cucumbers for guests to place over their eyes, and mix up a pitcher of fruit-infused water to serve. Light a few candles before everyone arrives for a cozy, pampering vibe that feels like a real spa day.

Princess Fruit Wands

This fruity craft is as pretty as it is tasty. Slice watermelon into 1-inch-thick slabs, then use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.

Slide small berries onto a skewer for the wand handle, then add the watermelon shapes and larger berries at the top. Keep the wands chilled until it’s time to serve your little princesses and princes.

It’s a refreshing and magical treat for any royal party.

Birthday Photo Poster

Celebrate the guest of honor with a personal touch by creating a photo collage in the shape of their age. Print your favorite pictures in black and white for a cohesive look.

Arrange them on a large foam board and secure with double-sided tape. The finished poster makes a lovely decoration during the party and can be saved as a keepsake afterward.

You can even let guests take a few photos home as mementos.

Football Party Poppers

Add a little surprise to your celebration with these fun football-themed party poppers. Cut black tissue paper into 10-inch squares and wrap each one around a toilet paper roll, securing it with tape.

Fill the roll with candy or tiny toys, then twist the ends and tie them with string. Wrap the roll in a 4×8-inch piece of scrapbook paper and glue it in place. Add thin white tape strips to create football laces.

When your team scores big, have everyone pull apart their poppers for a sweet little celebration.

Colorful DIY Lanterns

Turn plain jars into glowing party centerpieces with just three supplies: tissue paper, decoupage glue (like Mod Podge), and empty glass jars. Brush a thin coat of glue onto each jar, press on pieces of tissue paper, and then seal it all with another light layer of glue.

Once everything is dry, drop in a small tea light to give your party table a warm, colorful glow.

Popsicle Fans

Perfect for summer birthdays, these DIY fans are both cute and practical. Cut poster board into popsicle shapes and decorate the front with strips of colorful scrapbook paper.

Attach a popsicle stick to the back using a hot glue gun to create the handle. They make adorable photo props and help everyone stay cool during outdoor celebrations.

Magical Unicorn Cups

Turn simple party drinks into something magical with these adorable unicorn cups. Roll silver or gold scrapbook paper into a cone shape to make the unicorn horn, leaving a small hole at the top for a straw.

Tie together colorful ribbons for the tail and attach both the horn and tail to the cup with a hot glue gun.

Use a black marker to draw sweet little eyes on the front. It’s a fun, easy way to add a touch of sparkle to your unicorn-themed celebration.

Dinosaur Balloons

Bring a little Jurassic magic to the party with these easy dino balloons. Find or draw dinosaur head and tail patterns online (Pinterest has plenty) and trace them onto scrapbook paper in colors that match your balloons.

Cut them out, attach them with double-sided tape, and hang them around the party space. They’re a fun way to add character, especially if you serve some matching dinosaur cookies.