Train Birthday Party

The little one turned one, and we celebrated DIY style. I think it turned out pretty cute. We did a Train theme, since my mom had found a train cake pan on sale after Christmas before I had even started thinking about the birthday party.

Party Invitation 

 I found this template on VistaPrint. There's a link to the munchkin's Amazon Wish List at the bottom. We dressed him up in conductor clothes and took him to the train climbing structure at a local park to snap the photo.

Dessert Table

The Dessert Table was positioned directly in view of a guest entering the front door.

My mom came a few days before the fête and helped me set up. She was a big help. For the paper plate background, we used string and tape to connect the plates. Then we hung them up by taping the string the wall. I had also bought sticky tack (I was excited to discover that, yes, they still make it!), but the tape was sufficient. The balloons came from the Dollar Tree. And the little steam signs on the trains I made on the computer by finding a cloud image, printing it with the cake type on it, and cutting it out. I mounted the two kinds of "steam" on flexible straws with tape.

Because some of our party guests are gluten intolerant, and we didn't want little Maple Munchkin eating gluten yet either, the party food was gluten-free, with the exception of some of the cakes.

 

We had four cakes, all in the shapes of train cars. The cakes were named for the party colors: Red Express (red velvet), Banana Star (gluten-free, sugar-free), Blue Bullet (vanilla, but there was blue frosting to put on it), and Chocolate Choo Choo (not a party color, but hey, it's chocolate cake). The four cakes all radiated from a central "roundhouse wheel" made from an upside down glass lazy susan, some black and white striped ribbon, and a train Christmas ornament.  The roundhouse area was underneath a piece of glass that was held up by candle holders. On top of the glass were some more desserts.

 

Here's one of the train cakes. You can see the flexible straw more clearly here.

 

We bundled licorice sticks together and called them "Rail Road Ties."

And we used Rice Krispie Treats as "Cargo Blocks." The large block was cut up into squares, and each square had a cupcake pick. We made two or three of these large blocks to be sure there would be enough to go around.

The frosting was colored to match the party colors and was labeled "Paint" for the train cars. The kids really enjoyed decorating their cars with the frosting and other desserts: Marshmallow "Train Steam" and Raisinet "Rocks and Gravel."

Snack Table

Our party was held after 2nd Baby Nap and before Dinner. So we didn't serve a meal, just snacks and desserts.

This table used a behind-the-sink shelf to hold up a wooden toy train that was actually my mom's gift to the munchkin. The food was served in containers from the Dollar Tree and a ceramic train that my mom found on sale at a craft store after Christmas the previous year.

We had "Choo Choo Wheels" (round peppermints), "Steam" (rice cakes), "Logs" (cheese sticks), "Spikes and Snow" (carrots and ranch dressing), a "Produce Car" (small fruit pieces), and "Landscape Pebbles" (peanuts).

Drinks

We served water in small bottles and juice wrapped in white paper and cute train labels.

Party Decor

This train above the "Baggage Claim" had pictures of the munchkin each month for the first year.

 

 We used black balloons to make a "train tunnel" out of the hallway.

 

 "Luggage Check" is code for "leave presents here." :)

 

 

"Baggage Claim" means "here's our present for you!"

Even the dogs got in on the festivities by wearing $.50 bandanas from the Dollar Tree.

Activities

We printed coloring pages for the children to work on while the guests arrived.

After snacks, we played "Pin the Smokestack on the Locomotive."

And to wind the children down after their cake, my mom read The Little Engine that Could. Here, she's expressing displeasure over the fact that the old tired locomotive would not help the little train. I chose her to read knowing she's a great, expressive storyteller. The kids were rapt.

Reduce Speed! Yard Limit! We're done! Hope you were able to find some inspiration for your party.

Where You Can Get the Things We Used

Note: None of these are affiliate links.

Train Birthday Party Invitation Template: VistaPrint: "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo"
Train Banner Template: Moments That Take My Breath Away Blog
Rectangle Food Label Cards: Moments That Take My Breath Away Blog
Train Whistle Party Favors: Oriental Trading Company
Primary Colors Triangle Flag Banner: Walmart
Train Cake Pan: Etsy
Water Bottle/Juice Labels, Cupcake Picks, and Party Favor Tags: Poofy Cheeks Blog
Pin the Smokestack on the Train game: Birthday in a Box
Gluten-Free Cake: Mommy's Small Business Blog

Of course I created a Pinterest board before throwing a party. :)  All my inspiration is on my Train Birthday Party board.

Make it Better

I'd love to see links to your train birthday parties!