Great Birthday Party Themes
All right, parents, the game is on. Your little tyke wants the best birthday party ever and you’re this close to having a massive meltdown. Have no fear, we’ve called in the expert party troops. We asked The Party Elves for their take on achievable (and popular) birthday party themes. Better yet – it’s all sorted by age!
2 – 4 years
For kids of this age group, go for a theme that features bright colours. Another great thing about this age group is that they are generally easier to please so you can still get away with simple entertainment like splashing in water, musical statues, and bubble blowing.
For a party indoors, try a rainbow party
From a rainbow cake to fruit skewers to multi-coloured balloons, this is a very easy theme to put together and the results are a definite crowd pleaser. Entertain with games like “Match the colours’’, ’’Toddler Twister”, or even old favourites like pass the parcel with the layers and clues in the rainbow colours and musical chairs using songs about different colours.
Or a nursery rhymes party
Take a cue from Mother Goose and throw a nursery rhyme party. Kids can enjoy a story and song session and you can make it more exciting by creating props to complement the stories. Don’t have time to make props? Print off some pictures from the different rhymes and set the children up with crayons and markers. Mission accomplished.
For a party outdoors, try a bubbles party
This party is especially great if you have an outdoor space like a park/garden for kids to run around safely chasing the bubbles. For food, serve items that “pop” like popcorn, cakepops, and popcorn chicken. You could also incorporate bubbles into your décor using light blue or coloured circles as a motif.
5 – 7 years
Kids are discerning little people. To make your party the talk of the town, it’s best to think about activities that keep them occupied throughout the party. Instead of a series of short games, try thinking about a longer activity that they can immerse themselves in.
Try an art & craft party (indoors or outdoors)
Arts and crafts are a great way to encourage creativity in children. Simply gather different types of art supplies and get a large canvas for the kids to create on. Think out of the box when it comes to craft supplies too – leftover pieces of fabric, leaves, crepe paper, and potato stamps can be fun additions to their artwork. This activity works best in an area with a lot of space or even outdoors in a park. If you are worried about a mess, just remember to cover the area with a large plastic sheet. It’ll make cleaning up afterwards a breeze!
Or an indoor superheroes dress-up party
Both girls and boys will love this one. Instead of choosing a theme about a particular superhero character, get the kids to create their own superheroes with special powers! Have some basic costume items on hand such as plain coloured cloth sheets for capes and strips of fabric with eyeholes cut out for masks. Let the kids personalize their costumes with paints, markers, felt, foam, or stickers. Once they are done, have a mini parade where they can show off their costumes and take lots of photos.
Go outdoors and throw a traffic/vehicles party
Rent various toy vehicles for the kids to scoot around in. Just be sure you have plenty of space! Give the party an educational twist by having it at the Road Safety Park and teach the kids about being safe on the roads. You could even go the extra mile and get them props so that they can dress up as race car drivers or truckers. Remember to have racing day food (think hot dogs, large cool drinks, fruit on a stick) on hand to fuel these little speed demons.
8 – 10 years
At this age group, the kids can take games with a bit more instructions and thinking.
Head outdoors for a safaro-themed or conservation party
Get kids involved in conserving our environment with this fun party theme. Choose an animal that the birthday star loves and design the décor to incorporate fun facts about the animal and its natural habitat. The kids can brainstorm about how to protect the animal and go on a scavenger hunt with clues about this animal.
Throw a whodunnit mystery party indoors
Give kids a magnifying glass each and turn them into detectives for a day. Plant clues around your home and come up with a mysterious case for the kids to solve.
For girls, consider an indulgent spa day (indoors)
A mani/ pedi with bright polishes, face masks and cucumber slices for facials, and frou frou cupcakes and candy will delight any birthday princess.