1st Birthday Card Ideas
A first birthday is really a party for the grown-ups, and a handmade card is the keepsake that lasts long after the cake is gone. These designs keep it sweet and simple: a cheerful birthday bear, a chihuahua with a balloon, a cherry-topped cake, and playful animal-shaped lettering.
For a hands-on touch there are two black-and-white coloring cards — a birthday cake and a big decorated number one — that older siblings can color in before the card is folded and given.
Pick a design, write a line for the baby book, and print a folded card on one sheet of letter paper — free, no account needed.
Click any example to open the Foldy Cards maker with the artwork, message, and print orientation already filled in.
First Birthday Badge CardA printable 1st birthday card design: first birthday badge.View in FoldyCards
First Birthday Cake CardA printable 1st birthday card design: first birthday cake.View in FoldyCards
Puppy First Birthday CardA printable 1st birthday card design: puppy first birthday.View in FoldyCards
Animal Letters First Birthday CardA printable 1st birthday card design: animal letters first birthday.View in FoldyCards
First Cake Coloring CardA printable 1st birthday card design: first cake coloring.View in FoldyCards
Number One Coloring CardA printable 1st birthday card design: number one coloring.View in FoldyCardsWhat to write inside
Not sure what to say? Borrow one of these birthday messages — you can edit the inside note anytime in the maker.
- Happy 1st birthday, little one — you made this the best year ever!
- One whole year of you! Happy 1st birthday, sweetheart.
- Hip hip hooray, you're ONE today!
- Happy 1st birthday to our favorite little person.
- You're number one — today and always.
- Here's to your very first birthday and many more to come.
- One year old and one in a million. Happy birthday!
- The best year of our lives has your name on it. Happy 1st birthday!
- Wishing our sweet one-year-old a day full of smiles.
How to print and fold
No special supplies — just your printer and about two minutes.
- Customize your cardAdd your photo or artwork and type your message in the Foldy Cards editor. It's free and there's no account to create.
- Download the PDFDownload the ready-to-print PDF to your phone or computer. You can email it to yourself and print from anywhere.
- Print on letter paperPrint the single page on standard 8.5 x 11 in letter paper. Regular printer paper works; slightly heavier paper makes a sturdier card.
- Fold in half twiceFold the sheet in half, then in half again, and the panels line up into a folded card. Start to finish takes about two minutes.
Frequently asked questions
- What 1st birthday card designs can I print?
- Six designs: a birthday badge, a first-birthday cake, a puppy with a balloon, animal-shaped lettering, and two coloring cards. Click any design to open it in the maker.
- Can older siblings color a card for the baby?
- Yes — the First Cake and Number One coloring cards are black-and-white line art made to be colored in before the card is folded.
- Are these first birthday cards free to print?
- Yes. Pick a design, customize the message, and print it at home on one sheet of letter paper — free, with no account.