Highlighting “little leaders” from the Dream Big Little One book and filled with custom illustrations, decor and sweets, this first birthday is one to see! So turn the page and dive in to see these amazing details and more, within:
Dream Big Little One Party Invite + StationeryAdorable Dream Big Little One-inspired CakesCustom Chalk Mural BackdropLittle Leader Table Settings with Personalized Chalkboard Cookie Name TagsDream Big TheaterCustom Dream Big Little One Cookies
Dream Big Little One Party
“To celebrate my daughter Elijahs 1st birthday, I designed a celebration inspired by the children’s book “Dream Big, Little One” by Vashti Harrison. With her birthday falling on the last day of Black History Month, what better way to celebrate her while also highlighting trailblazing black leaders who changed the world. To personalize the theme, i coined the celebration “Elijah, Little One”. I hired an artist to create an illustration of Elijah inspired by the book art so she would fit right in with the illustrations of all the little leaders from the book. For each play center, I embedded little leaders from the book into the space. The theater is the first play center you notice upon entering the venue. To make for a more dramatic entrance, the theater curtain was adorned with an 8ft balloon garland. Inside of the theater, figures of all four leaders were positioned with their biographies displayed just below a wall of stars. Guests were encouraged to play dress up and take the stage just as these leaders did in their own unique way. A standing figure of Mae Jemison accompanied by her bio from the book was placed outside of a huge rocket ship. As kids dressed up as astronauts and prepared fo blast off they snapped a photo standing next to the first black woman to travel into space. With Alma’s figure and bio standing near, guests created their own mosaic painting (with glue and colored paint chips) to pay homage to her signature style of colorful rectangular patterns. I always love to include an interactive station that children and adults will both enjoy. The cotton candy station was a hit! Guests enjoyed the flavors of blueberry, watermelon, passion fruit and pina colada on a cone adorned with a custom acrylic topper featuring Elijahs illustration and the saying “little one”. To add a little magic, each cone was sprinkled with edible glitter and gold stars. The signature backdrop of the party featured a chalk mural with art inspired by illustrations in the book. The quotes on the wall are also from the first two pages of the book. Figures of Florence Joyner and Katherine Johnson stand before the chalkboard with a figure of my daughter positioned right at the center. The chalkboard is one of my favorite details! It completely brings the book to life with my daughter visually represented as being among bold dreamers and leaders. Representation is important for young dreamers and the chalkboard served as a reminder that every child should Dream Big. Each child’s place setting included a take home print of a little leader in history (bio on back) and a chalkboard inspired cookie with “Dream Big” and their name. The table was embellished with gold stars, books, floral bud vases, and custom cookies reflecting the theme. At the center of the table stood two single tier cakes, each displaying bold women in black history around the base. I like to carve out space for the parents to relax and fellowship during birthday parties. In the parents lounge here, they enjoyed an assortment of cookies and brownies, a game of tic tac toe, and a few rounds of the matching game. The matching game was an interactive and creative way to display Elijahs monthly photos for friends and family. At the end of the party guests were able to take a card home as a keepsake. The heart of every party is my children, the soul of every party is the village that comes out to celebrate with us. The energy, smiles, and love from parents and children running all over was perfect. ‘wherever you go, whatever you do. Be bold and Dream big – the world is waiting for you’ – Vashti Harrison” – Chavon Cham Vendors: Planning & Design: @miniflotus (mom) Photographer: @beyondforeverimages Balloons: @wowlloons Cotton Candy Cart: @chiccottoncandy Cotton Candy Picks: @inspiredengravings Cake: @cakesbytonimarie Cookies: @lisettecookiestudio Chalk Artist: @mandeemade Love Kara’s Party Ideas? Keep up with the latest party ideas, FREE party printables, tutorials, recipes and more by following Kara’s Party Ideas on Pinterest!
