Kids’ birthday parties are always special occasions, full of excitement and anticipation. On some of these more memorable occasions from childhood, younger ones spend all week long looking forward to Saturday when a classmate, cousin, or neighbor is celebrating another trip around the sun. From pinatas filled with candy to birthday cakes and overnight celebrations with everyone bringing out their sleepover beds, nothing brings it all together quite like a good theme.
As a parent, you want to create an unforgettable, unique party, but it can be challenging to come up with creative ideas that will capture your child’s imagination. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the most fun themes for kids’ birthday parties, from pirates to princesses and everything in between.
Pirates
Ahoy, matey! A pirate-themed party is a classic choice that will never go out of style. Set up a treasure hunt with clues and prizes, and have kids make their own pirate hats and eye patches. Serve up some “grog” (fruit punch) and decorate take-home mugs with skulls and crossbones. Gold chocolate coins and plastic swords make great party favors for guests to take home and play with afterward.
Princesses
For your little princess, a fairytale-themed party is a perfect choice. Dress up in tiaras and gowns, and serve “royal” snacks like tea sandwiches and mini cupcakes.
A tiered princess birthday cake is easy to make at home and will create memories for years to come. You can also set up a craft table where kids can make their own princess wands or crowns. If you decide to host a sleepover, keep the theme going, set up a fort (or castle), and let the little ones enjoy their favorite princess movies.
Superheroes
Every kid dreams of being a superhero, so why not make it the theme of their party? Encourage guests to arrive dressed up in their favorite superhero costumes to create the most fun atmosphere possible.
You might also set up a photo booth area where kids can take pictures in their superhero costumes for a truly memorable experience. Plan superhero-themed games and activities, such as an obstacle course, superhero trivia, or a costume contest. Serve superhero-themed food and drinks, such as Spiderman cupcakes or Hulk punch. Finally, send guests home with superhero-themed party favors, like masks, capes, or comic books.
Carnival
A carnival-themed party is perfect for kids who love animals and games they can play with friends. Games like bobbing for apples, a ring toss, balloon darts, or cornhole are fun, easy, and cheap ways to keep everyone entertained.
Hiring a local clown or magician to entertain the kids with jokes, balloon animals, or face painting is another excellent idea for a carnival party. Serve up cotton candy and popcorn, and decorate with bright, colorful balloons. Want to go all out? If you have enough room at your venue, bring in a petting zoo for the ultimate experience.
Outer Space
For kids who are fascinated by the stars and planets, an outer space-themed party is a great choice. Decorate the party space with black tablecloths and starry night lights, and hang inflatable planets from the ceiling.
Plan all your games and activities to include a celestial theme, such as a rocket ship piñata, a moon rock scavenger hunt, or a planet hop relay race. Serve space-themed snacks, like rocket ship “kebabs,” freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, or celestial sandwiches in the shapes of stars and moons.
Outer space parties also allow you to explore Instagram-worthy galaxy foods topped with colorful swirls of deep blue and purple. Doughnuts, cupcakes, cake pops, and frosted cookies are all easy to do yourself with the assistance of a quick YouTube tutorial.
If you have guests sleeping over, you might decorate the ceiling of your child’s room or the game room with glow-in-the-dark stars and balloons or utilize cool UV lighting. Movies like WALL-E, Lightyear, and E.T. are perfect for kids and a great way to wind down the evening.
Under the Sea
To head under the sea, start by selecting an oceanic theme, such as mermaids, sharks, or dolphins. Decorate with shades of purple, blue, and green. Plan under-the-sea games and activities, such as a fishbowl toss game, a sandcastle-building competition, or a treasure hunt.
Ocean-inspired food and drinks you might consider serving include fish and chips, goldfish crackers, octopus hotdogs, and blue Hawaiian punch. If your child is ready for it, a fish could be an unforgettable gift and is a fairly easy pet to take care of while still teaching them valuable responsibilities.
Themes To Create Unforgettable Memories
A themed birthday party is a great way to create a fun and memorable experience for your child and their friends. With these creative ideas, you can bring their favorite worlds to life and make their birthday party one they and their friends will never forget. So, choose a theme your child will love, carry it on throughout the day’s decorations and activities, and let the fun begin!