Cake, candles, presents, and party hats...birthdays are a big deal! Have you ever stopped to wonder why? Why do we celebrate them in the first place?

Let’s take a blast to the past and learn where the birthday traditions we know and love actually come from.

The First Birthday Celebrations

A long time ago, way before balloon animals and party favors, people started keeping track of when important leaders were born. In ancient Egypt, pharaohs had big celebrations for the day they were crowned. Some historians think those might have been the first birthday parties!

Later, in ancient Rome, other people began celebrating their own birthdays, too. Only men were allowed to have birthday parties at first. (Booo!) Eventually, everyone got in on the fun, including kids.

Why Do We Blow Out Candles?

Though we can't say for sure, this tradition likely started in ancient Greece. People would bake round cakes as offerings to the moon goddess Artemis. They lit candles on the cakes to make them glow like the moon! Over time, people started making birthday wishes while blowing out the candles to send their wishes up to the sky.

Fun Fact: Did you know the "Happy Birthday" song is over 100 years old? It was written in 1893 and is one of the most sung songs in the world!

What About Presents?

Giving gifts on birthdays started as a way to show love and protection. In some cultures, people believed that evil spirits were more active on your birthday, so family and friends would gather around you with kind words, food, and gifts to keep the bad vibes away.

The Birthday Cake Tradition

Birthday cakes became popular in Germany in the Middle Ages. Kids celebrated a special holiday called Kinderfest, where they got a cake with candles and fun decorations. Sound familiar?

Celebrate Your Birthday the Best Way!

Now that you know how birthdays got started, it’s time to make your own celebration part of history!

At Metropolis Resort, we make birthday parties unforgettable. Whether you want to bounce and flip in the trampoline park, race go-karts in Action City, or splash around at Chaos Water Park, there's a birthday party package perfect for every kind of kid.

From party rooms and pizza to water slides and arcade games, you bring the energy, and we’ll handle the fun!

Ready to Party?

Check out our birthday party packages and start planning a celebration your friends will be talking about all year long.