Check out my gigantic number 1! I think this is a simple photo collage for birthday party idea that is cheap and easy to make. I’m super excited with how it turned out and it was a hit at the party! I’ve been working really hard to rejuvenate my creative spirit post-baby and this feels like the first thing I’ve been thrilled about that was actually my own idea, not something off Pinterest! I spent some time browsing ideas on how to display pictures at a birthday party but didn’t want to spend much money.
Pin this photo collage for birthday party for later, here:
If you’re looking for more crafty ideas to go along with a first birthday party, check out my list of the best baby gifts to sew!
How to make a photo collage for birthday party
It’s not anything super fancy, but I love it! We had some spare cardboard from a table we bought, but you could easily get some from a local appliance shop. My husband just did simple straight lines and used a craft knife to cut it out.
I used photo splits* to attach the pictures; they let me reposition as I adjusted the layout but stick well enough to hold everything up. I’m 5’2 to give it some scale, and it’s covered in approximately 90 photos.
I started by edging around in alternating landscape and portrait photos and then just filled in at random.
Simple fins and duct tape made it sturdy!
All in all, a $4 project since we had the cardboard and duct tape on hand, and the photos were free thanks to a Target deal a few weeks ago. I can’t wait to put it up at the party!
[If you’re looking for other first birthday ideas, check out my free printable baby birthday mad lib!]
Debra Wilson says
Could you please send me the file for the first birthday mad lib? Thank you!
Debbie Wilson. go2school@aol.com
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Emailed you, Debra!
Rihana says
Hey! What size photos did you use for this board??
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hey Rihana! These are 4X6s 🙂
katrina says
Hi! this is so cute!!! what cardboard did you use? also can you send me the file for madlib please!! 🙂
Reggie. says
This is probably really dumb, but I’m a complete perfectionists when it comes to my projects. do you by any chance have dimensions for this project, or at least a close estimate? It would be greatly appreciated!!
Also, I’m hoping maybe creative minds can think alike, I am planning to have my daughter’s first birthday outdoors, any suggestions on how to weigh it down so it won’t blow away with the wind?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Aw I am sorry, I do not have dimensions from when I made it and it was recycled shortly thereafter.. if it helps, I’m about 5’2? As for weighing it down… hmmm. I would probably make a few discreet slits towards the bottom, and on the back brace, and then put some balloon weights connected by string/ribbon through them. Does that make sense? Or even ribbon tied to rocks. If you had something like that on each side and the back brace, I think it would stay up barring any huge winds.
Ashley says
How many pictures did you use
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Approximately 90 pictures.
Patricia says
love all of these ideas. Could you please email me also the file for the first bday mad lib? Thank you!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hey Patricia! I don’t have the file on my laptop, but you should have it pop up here: https://swoodsonsays.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Free-Printable-Baby-Shower-Birthday-Mad-Lib-Swoodson-Says1.docx Let me know if that doesn’t work.
Nicole says
How did you make the #1 out of cardboard and where did you buy the supplies?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Nicole, if you read the post I show how we made the 1. The cardboard came from an appliance box and the photo splits I used are from Amazon, linked above. Good luck!
Heidi says
i really like your post but I’m more interested in the gate that you have around your fireplace. Where did you get it and what brand is it? I’ve been looking everywhere for one like that!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Heidi! Here is an affiliate link, it’s a Regalo super wide but two of them put together: http://amzn.to/1Ok0NHp It was well worth it, my son chipped one front tooth on our bed frame when he was learning to walk and I didn’t want him to break any more!
Elizabeth says
Hi, I really love this diy, but what intrigued me the most was your adorable tunic! Could you tell me where yours is from, I’ve been searching for one just like it.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
I love this shirt too! I literally just wore it tonight, 3 years later, it has held up great. Bad news is, it was from Goodwill and has no tag. I did recently make a similar one, the fabric is a little less drapey and the peplum is a little less full, but I love it equally, you can see it in this post!
Serviced Apartments London Lady says
Haha, what an excellent idea, it must have taken ages! I’d love to see more creatively shaped photo boards like this.
Alyssa says
How did you attach the cardboard together where the creases are? I’d assume it would be weak there
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Duct tape 🙂
Harriet says
Do you think this would work with multiple pieces of cardboard taped together? I don’t have one box but enough!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hmmmmmm I think you would run into it just flopping over? Maybe if you made cardboard support “beams” that went up the back as well? Or rolled up newspaper? If you try it, please let me know!
K says
It is always fun to see projects like this. My second thought is… this is your first baby. If it was your 3 or 4th child you would not have gotten this done.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Haha YES first baby. I have had a second one since then, and there was no such thing made 😛 Busted!
K says
Did the adhesive that you used for the pictures come off easily without leaving residue? I want to do this, but I want to save my pictures afterwards. Were you able to remove them without damaging or crinkling the pics?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
No, the glue definitely stayed sticky and they weren’t reusable after.