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!]
2revealed
Sunday 9th of January 2022
2necessity
K
Wednesday 25th of September 2019
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
Thursday 26th of September 2019
No, the glue definitely stayed sticky and they weren't reusable after.
K
Monday 31st of July 2017
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
Tuesday 1st of August 2017
Haha YES first baby. I have had a second one since then, and there was no such thing made :P Busted!
Harriet
Sunday 1st of January 2017
Do you think this would work with multiple pieces of cardboard taped together? I don't have one box but enough!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Monday 2nd of January 2017
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!
Alyssa
Tuesday 1st of November 2016
How did you attach the cardboard together where the creases are? I'd assume it would be weak there
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Wednesday 2nd of November 2016
Duct tape :)