A little person’s birthday should embody the fun and smiles of the years being left behind and the ones yet to come. A true celebration of life and all the good that it brings, there’s no better way to wish a little someone “happy birthday” than with a fun and festive party.
A party theme is a great way to incorporate your little one’s current favorites and make the day special. Take a look at these 25 kid-approved party theme ideas.
Source found here
A couple of hay bales in the backyard can make for fun seating for a farm-themed party. Make animal masks and see the guests go hog-wild with excitement. Pigs in a blanket are an absolute must.
2. Dinosaurs
Source found here
Who says dinosaurs don’t exist? Send your explorers on a dinosaur hunt to uncover plastic dinosaur eggs and cool facts about these prehistoric creatures at a fossil hunter party.
3. African Safari
Source found here
Bring the wild home with a safari-themed party. Binoculars made from toilet paper holders are perfect for searching the horizon for their favorite animals.
4. Space Adventure
Source found here
Calling all astronauts! It’s time to take a trip to the moon in a homemade, refrigerator-box spaceship. Have the kids help decorate the spaceship for a trip to outer space, complete with popcorn balls as meteorite snacks.
5. Ninja Training
Source found here
Young ninjas will be ready to have a karate-chopping good time with a supply of black belts and fun training games. After a stint of training, get them geared up for more with sushi rolls made from peanut butter and jelly.
6. Pirate Treasure Hunt
Source found here
Argh! It’s time to hit the high seas in search of treasure. Make treasure maps like this one to get little pirates to fun stations where they can make crafts, play games and, of course, find treasure!
7. Musical Instruments
Source found here
An impromptu band can be lots of fun as your little ones learn the sounds of music. Homemade musical instruments like castanets and maracas will help get their creative juices flowing and their feet moving to the beat.
8. Dance Party
Source found here
Little movers will be ready to hit the dance floor with fun, upbeat music and dance-themed goodies. Use an mp3 player as your at-home DJ, and let the cool moves begin.
9. Summer Beach
Source found here
A trip to the beach, no matter what the season, is full of sunny rays and smiles. Bring the sand and water home with a summer beach-themed party. Blow up beach balls for backyard volleyball, and serve croissant sandwiches to look like crabs. A beach ball to take home is a perfect favor.
10. Vintage Baseball
Source found here
For the sports fans out there, a vintage baseball party is a home run. Have a T-ball and bat ready for batting practice, with roasted peanuts and hotdogs for the spectators. Play ball!
11. Night at the Circus
Source found here
The ringmaster is full of tricks as the circus comes to life with a food table full of circus favorites: peanuts, red tent cookies and popcorn. If someone in the family knows how to juggle, put their talent to good use as the entertainment.
12. Glow-in-the-Dark
Source found here
A few necklaces and baubles of glow-in-the-dark material will really get this party glowing. Set up a food table with neon lights to make eating easier and, well, just plain fun.
13. Painting
Source found here
Artwork abounds when the theme is painting. A painting party can be great fun for little artists. Cover each table with heavy white paper to act as an open canvas for little fingers. Parent supervision and participation is helpful in keeping the paint on the paper. Paintbrush Rice Krispy treats dipped in melted chocolate and on a stick make the perfect dessert.
14. Popsicle Party
Source found here
If the party’s in the hot summer, why not cool everything down with a Popsicle party? Fill a bucket of ice with novelty ice creams and popsicles. A “Pop-skotch” activity will keep party guests busy as they chow down on their cool treat.
15. Cake Smash
Source found here
For first birthdays, a cake smash party is perfect. Put together a small cake for the birthday boy or girl, with cupcakes for the other guests. When the timing’s right, give your little one the chance to smash and eat his or her cake. Get the camera ready with plenty of napkins on hand.
16. Outdoor Camping
Source found here
A tent set outside with a campfire is a great backdrop for a party full of warmth and memories. Have s’mores and a trail mix bar for snacking, and print a map of the best road trip and camping destinations for planning out your pretend camping party itinerary.
17. The County Fair
Source found here
Booths of fun games and rides are what make a fair special. Turn your backyard into a place that has just the same. Be sure to include plenty of fair food, like corn dogs, French fries and buckets of popcorn.
18. Bubbles Everywhere
Source found here
Everyone loves the challenge of making the biggest bubble. Help the competition along with a bubble-maker capable of producing life-size bubbles. A hula-hoop set in a kiddie pool is a great place to start. Add in more stations to keep guests occupied.
19. Construction Site
Source found here
Hard hats are necessary for this one. A constructions site for kids can be full of bricks for building and an opportunity to hammer golf tees into foam.
20. Garden Fairies
Source found here
A garden fairy party is the perfect opportunity to dust off those fairy wings and tiaras. Give the party a little magic with enough wands, able to be decorated, to go around.
21. Day at the Races
Source found here
For pony-lovers, a day at the races is a perfect way to celebrate a birthday. Hold racing competitions on horseback with a few homemade stick horses. Add some extra fun and glamour with a basketful of hats for little ladies.
22. Roaring Engines
Source found here
A different kind of racing is the theme of the day with an engine theme. Incorporate trains, fire engines and racecars into the décor with games of vehicle fun. Turn cardboard boxes into mini-cars with running races across the lawn.
23. Ice Cream
Source found here
Nearly everyone loves ice cream, so why not host an ice cream party? Have your little ones make their own ice cream or have an ice cream sundae bar that includes every topping option they can think of. For those looking for a savory snack to cut some of the sweet, a paper cone filled with popcorn works well and fits right into the theme.
24. Airplanes
Source found here
Get the engines roaring and take this party into the sky with fun cloud crafts and banana pudding cups. Give kids pilot badges and hats to wear for the party, and send them home with favor bags decorated with luggage tags.
25. Puppy Party
Source found here
A puppy party is well suited to both young and old animal lovers. Celebrate this love with a doghouse made from cardboard, floppy ears for party-goers and a big helping of treats. Paw-fect.
Birthday parties for little ones don’t have to be elaborate. What matters, after all, is the life you’re celebrating. Bringing in a little extra fun with a party theme, however, can give a birthday party a special touch.
Sarah Landrum is a freelance writer and blogger with a passion for party planning and living life to the fullest. Get advice on having a happy, successful career on her blog Punched Clocks, and swing on over to Twitter to follow her @SarahLandrum