Joshua’s Level-Up Celebration – 1st Birthday

Arcade-themed Party Ideas

Wanna know what happens when parents love gaming? Their child gets an arcade-inspired celebration, of course! For Joshua’s first birthday, the party was filled with bright lights, laughter, and nonstop playtime fun. With retro gaming details inspired by Super Mario, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Zelda, the celebration felt nostalgic yet perfectly playful.

We had the joy of being the game masters for this amazing day, and with The Party Project Manila leading the creative direction, the celebration came together with playful colors, arcade-inspired details, and a fun, nostalgic vibe. Press start and take a look at these fun snaps by JK Photos!

The fun started right at the entrance, where a bright “Game On” arch, neon balloons, and classic gaming details welcomed guests. With Mario stars, mushrooms, and a “Level 1 Unlocked” sign for Joshua, it was clear this was a true level-up celebration.

There was also a registration area where guests were invited to grab fun knick-knacks, choose a Pokémon, and write sweet messages for Joshua’s time capsule. It was a thoughtful and personal touch that Joshua can look back on years from now and relive the love from his very first celebration.

Inside the hall, the décor was just as impressive. Bright yellow, green, and orange balloons filled the ceiling, mixed with Japanese lanterns and streamers. Look closely and you’ll spot stars and question blocks. What a fun little nod to the world of Mario.

The stage was a real highlight. With its retro arcade design, neon accents, and familiar characters like Pac-Man and Mario’s Fire Flower and Star, it honestly felt like stepping inside a game. The vibe was playful, fun, and full of energy.

The tables were dressed in bright, cheerful colors that matched the theme perfectly. Each one had a centerpiece featuring well-loved gaming characters like Poké Balls, mushrooms, Goombas, and Fire Flowers added to the fun.

There were also separate tables just for the kids, and honestly, they looked like the best seats in the house. Everything was on theme, from the customized water bottles to the printed placemats. Each little guest also received decorate-your-own cookies from Sugarplum, which were a big hit.

Joshua’s birthday cake, made by Sweet Creations by Mums, was a total showstopper. The multi-tiered design looked like it came straight from a video game screen and was filled with fondant characters—Mario and Luigi, Pikachu, Link, Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong. It almost felt too nice to eat… almost!

Of course, no arcade party is complete without lots of action. Guests enjoyed slime-making, bumper cars, and plenty of arcade games—kids and adults alike couldn’t get enough.

With Team Lizzie hosting, the energy stayed high the whole time. They kept everyone entertained with fun interactions and a lively performance featuring Princess Peach, Mario, Luigi, and even Roblox characters.

Guests enjoyed snacks from food carts, with ice cream from Carmen’s Best, milk tea from CoCo, and freshly cooked fries from Potato Corner. A nacho station was also on hand for anyone craving something savory.

Over in one corner was the photo booth, styled like a mini arcade. It had a retro game screen backdrop with pixel art details, plus a self-service photo printer so guests could instantly bring home their snaps.

Before heading home, guests received themed giveaways —a sweet thank-you for celebrating Joshua’s big level-up from 0 to 1.

More than the decorations or activities, what really made the day special was the warmth of Joshua’s family. Their happiness filled the room, and their love showed in every detail. It was a beautiful celebration of Joshua’s first year and a joyful start to many more birthdays ahead as he levels up, year after year.

Arcade-themed Party Ideas

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