At Monti Kids we understand the importance of celebrating milestones such as your baby’s first birthday. It is an achievement for you as parents too after making it through the sleepless nights and stressful firsts!Â
Give yourself permission to celebrate in a way that works for you and your energy level.
Planning extravagant parties with expensive decorations and over stimulating activities are not necessary for a meaningful celebration and likely not something you’ll have the energy for. Â
In fact, a low-key summer birthday party can be just as special and memorable for your little one. In this blog post, we’re sharing some ideas for low-key summer first birthday parties that are in line with Montessori principles. And don’t forget having a simple, immediate family dinner with cake all the way to a catered and styled event are appropriate for any family's desired celebration.
Low-Key Summer Birthday Parties For Babies
Nature Walk and Picnic
One of the best things about summer is the opportunity to spend time outside and enjoy nature. A nature walk and picnic can be a fun and low-key way to celebrate your child's first birthday. Choose a local park or nature trail, and pack a picnic basket with healthy snacks, such as fruit, sandwiches, and homemade energy bites.
While on the nature walk, encourage your child to explore and observe the natural surroundings. You can point out different trees, flowers, and animals, and encourage your child to touch and feel the different textures of nature. This activity is not only fun but also helps to develop your child's senses, fine motor skills, and appreciation for nature.
Water Play Party
Summer is the perfect time for water play, and a water play party is a great way to celebrate your child's first birthday. You don't need to have a large pool or splash pad for this party. You can set up a small inflatable pool, a sprinkler, or even a bucket of water with cups and toys for your child and their friends to play with in your yard.
Water play is not only fun, but it's also a great way to help your child develop their gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory development. Just make sure to supervise your child and their friends to ensure everyone stays safe and has fun.
Fruit Picking and Smoothie Making
Fruit picking is a fun summer activity that can also be turned into a birthday celebration. Choose a local fruit farm and plan a fruit picking outing with your child and their friends. You can then use the fresh fruit to make healthy smoothies or fruit bowls as a fun and nutritious birthday treat.
This activity not only teaches children about where their food comes from but also helps to develop their fine motor skills and encourages healthy eating habits.
Backyard BBQ
A backyard BBQ is a classic summer activity that can also be turned into a low-key birthday party. Invite a few friends and family over for a casual BBQ with simple foods like burgers, hot dogs, and grilled veggies. You can set up a few outdoor games like cornhole or frisbee for the kids to play.
This activity encourages socialization and allows children to develop their gross motor skills through outdoor play. Just make sure to provide shade and plenty of water to keep everyone comfortable and hydrated.
Sensory Play Party
Sensory play is a key part of Montessori education and can also be a fun and low-key way to celebrate your child's first birthday. Set up a sensory play area in your backyard or living room with different textures and materials for your child and their friends to explore.
Some sensory play ideas include a sensory bin with rice or beans, a water table with different objects to float, or a play dough station. This activity encourages creativity, sensory development, and fine motor skills.
Gift Ideas from Monti Kids
13-15 month play set - all your one year old needs to start off year two with fun!
Music Set - the perfect set for a little one who loves music and rhythm!
Cooking Together Set - collaborate with your little chef in the kitchen!
Art Set - let creativity fly with all the tools you'll need for years of fun!
Self Care Station -Â build self-esteem and awareness with this perfect addition to any room!
Outdoor Learning Set -Â get outside when you're little one is walking to explore the world!

Throw A Low-Key Summer Birthday Party For Your Toddler
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Hosting an outdoor scavenger hunt is a great way to get toddlers outside and engaged with their surroundings. You can create a visual picture list of items for the children to find in the backyard or at a nearby park, such as pinecones, leaves, rocks, or flowers. Make sure to include items that are safe and age-appropriate for the toddlers.
As they find each item, you can encourage them to talk about what they found, and discuss the textures, colors, and shapes of each item. Offer a tote bag as a goody bag to collect their items and take home when they're finished!
Dress-Up Party
Toddlers love to play dress-up, and a dress-up party is a fun and low-key way to celebrate their birthday. You can set up a costume station with a variety of costumes and accessories, such as hats, scarves, and jewelry. You can also encourage them to bring their own costumes from home.
As the children dress up, you can encourage them to explore different roles and characters, and act out their own stories or plays. Let them take home a homemade costume if you're really ambitious!
Arts and Crafts Party
An arts and crafts party is a great way to encourage toddlers to express their creativity and explore different textures and materials. You can set up a variety of stations with different art supplies, such as paint, markers, crayons, playdough, or beads. Make sure to include age-appropriate materials that are safe for toddlers.
As they create their artwork, you can encourage them to talk about what they're making, and ask them questions about the colors, shapes, and textures they're using. This activity helps to develop children's fine motor skills, creativity, and self-expression.
Music and Movement Party
Toddlers love to move and dance, and a music and movement party is a great way to celebrate their birthday while also encouraging physical activity. You can set up a dance floor with music and encourage the children to dance and move their bodies.
You can also include simple instruments, such as shakers or tambourines, for the children to use while dancing. Dance and sing with them to model the joy that music can bring!
Garden Party
Hosting a garden party is a fun and educational way to celebrate your toddler's birthday while also introducing them to the world of gardening. You can set up a small garden bed or pots with soil and seeds for the children to plant and care for.
As the children plant and care for their garden, you can talk to them about the different parts of the plant, and encourage them to observe the changes as the plant grows. They can even take home a pot that they planted and watch it grow for months to come!

