Rocket Man First Birthday Party

As is always the case with babies… time flew far too quickly and Mr. Rockwell recently turned one. Aimée shared a fun rocket worksheet last week that hinted at the party theme we chose, and you might remember the teacher appreciation door I whipped together two days after Rockwell’s party? Well today I’m excited to share all the party pictures.

This is the cutest FIRST Birthday Party for a boy. Make a High Chair Rocket for a Rocket Man First Birthday Party via @PagingSupermom #birthdayparty #firstbirthday

We often call Rockwell, “Rocket” or “Rocket Man.” I really wish you could see the looks on people’s face when Modette introduces her little brother as, “Rocket Man.” She does this EVERY time someone asks her his name. She says it very seriously with a completely straight face. Their reaction is always a very bewildered, “What?” at which time she repeats a little slower, “Rocket Man.” Then the person always looks at me wondering if I really did name my child Rocket Man. Sometimes I explain; sometimes I don’t.

Obviously I didn’t have to think very hard to decide that a space themed birthday party was in order for Rocket Man’s first birthday. Let’s start with my favorite part — the Rocket Ship High Chair that was made by covering our favorite high chair with tin foil. I cut fringe from orange tissue paper to wrap around the high chair’s tray and covered a pointy party hat with more foil for the birthday boy to wear. We hung this star background behind it all.

This is the cutest FIRST Birthday Party for a boy. Make a High Chair Rocket for a Rocket Man First Birthday Party via @PagingSupermom #birthdayparty #firstbirthday

HOW TO MAKE A MOON CAKE: This easy moon birthday cake takes very little decorating skill. I first baked the cake in a metal mixing bowl then inverted it onto a cooling rack. I covered the cooled cake in white frosting. Then I went back over with more white and some light gray frosting, using a butter knife, spoon, and glass cups in various sizes to dollop and add swirls and craters.

A Moon Birthday Cake for a Rocket Man First Birthday Party via @PagingSupermom
This is the cutest FIRST Birthday Party for a boy. Make a High Chair Rocket for a Rocket Man First Birthday Party via @PagingSupermom #birthdayparty #firstbirthday

Since the tradition in our family is to give the birthday baby the cake whole, I prepared cupcakes for the rest of us to enjoy. Superdad drew this little rocket to go on Rockwell’s baby announcements, and I thought it would be fun to re-purpose it as cupcake toppers on his first birthday. Download the pack of free printables including cupcake toppers.

Free Printables for an adorable Rocket Man First Birthday Party via @PagingSupermom
Free Printables for an adorable Rocket Man First Birthday Party via @PagingSupermom
This Rocket Man First Birthday Party is so cute for a Boy - free printables via @PagingSupermom

I think the 3…2…1 of a rocket countdown is perfect for a first birthday. I’ve included this Rocket poster (without Rockwell’s name, of course) in our free printables pack.

This Rocket Man First Birthday Party is so cute for a Boy - free printables via @PagingSupermom

Also inspired by his baby announcement, I had originally planned to track down blue butcher paper and draw chalk stars all over it to create our backdrop. When I ran out of time I remembered this darling star background from my friend Melanie at Caravan Shoppe, and it worked out perfectly.

Actually the star pattern came in handy to make all sorts of decor. I printed out the large format engineering print (measuring 36×48 inches) to be the backdrop, but then I printed a bunch of copies of the same pattern on an 8.5×11 to make a bunting for my fireplace, to wrap water bottles and even to line the caked stands. The green felt garland is a leftover from the Dinosaur Party thanks to Land of Nod.

Starry Water Bottle Wraps at a Rocket Man First Birthday Party
Foil and Slinkies make such cute decor for this Rocket Man First Birthday party via @PagingSupermom

To make things more space-y, I used lots of foil to cover several serving pieces and party hats. I ordered a bunch of metal slinkys, which I hung from a light fixture and also let the kids play with.

Foil and Slinkies make such cute decor for this Rocket Man First Birthday party via @PagingSupermom

Our family loves Shaved Ice so we offered aptly named MeteorIce to our party guests. Also since some day we might own a shave ice shack somewhere, I’m totally calling dibs on the name MeteorIce — I’d paint the whole thing inside and out to look like space. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Meteor Ice Shaved Ice at a Rocket Man First Birthday Party via @PagingSupermom

Last but not least was the fortune-telling game that we’ve taken to playing at our kid’s first birthday parties. It is inspired by Korean tradition, and we played it at Modette’s first birthday too.

TO PLAY: Gather five or six objects that represent careers or at Modette’s party we used objects to represent places she’d go because that matched the theme better. During the party have guests write down on a chalkboard (or on slips of paper collected in jars) what career they think baby will choose. Then set out all the objects an equal distance from baby, and let him or her go. They will of course crawl towards all the fun looking objects, and the first one he or she picks to play with reveals the future, or not. Regardless it is a great activity for a first birthday, where a crowd of all ages yields a challenge for most party games this activity has been fun for all.

Great Idea for a Game to Play at a First Birthday Party via @PagingSupermom

After thinking long and hard about choosing the keyboard (representing a programmer, which was Mom’s choice), Mr. Rockwell grabbed the gavel and held it high in the air. Looks like he’ll be an attorney just like Superdad.

Download the Rocket Man Party Free Printable Pack

Bettijo Bridges

Administrator at Paging Supermom
Bettijo is the founder and designer of Paging Supermom where she shares creative ideas for family fun. Known for practical and kid-friendly activities, free printables and holiday entertainment. Bettijo was a guest on the Martha Stewart Show and has frequently appeared on local TV. Her work has also been featured in national magazines including Real Simple, O, Redbook, Parents, Family Circle, and Health. She enjoys art, retro-modern design, photography and making new things. Mom of 4 kids.

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