As a parent, you always want to give the best for your children. And when it comes to planning their parties, you want them to be memorable, so your child will always remember how much they were loved. But sometimes, it can be hard to keep these birthday party ideas fresh and exciting, not to mention age-appropriate, with each passing year.
Fortunately, there are a lot of ways for you to knock it out of the park every single time. No matter what your kid is into, there’s a way for them to enjoy their party through themes. Here are some fun party ideas that are sure to make kids excited:
Themed Parties
Themed parties are a popular choice among kids. You can choose a theme based on your child’s interests and style choices, such as superheroes, dinosaurs, cars, pirates, animals, mermaids, under the sea, princesses, rainbows, pretty-in-pink – the list is endless! Or, you can refer to any TV show or movies they’re obsessed with, like the Avengers, Peppa Pig, Spongebob, Disney Frozen, Minions, Cocomelon, Pokemon, and more.
Decorate the party space with themed decorations, and plan games and activities that fit the theme. You can also encourage kids to dress up in costumes that match the theme. Ask a baker near you and have a customized cake that fits the theme and make sure the celebrant’s outfit is the embodiment of the theme! For instance, if the theme is Disney Frozen, dress up the celebrant in Elsa or Anna’s gown.
Sleepover
A sleepover is a totally classic idea, and it can be adapted to kids of all ages. If your kid wants to hang out with a few friends rather than invite their whole class, this is an idea that works well. Your child will be looking forward to it! Just pick age-appropriate activities to spark their fun and imagination.
For young children, glow-in-the-dark toys and props would excite them. Video games and board games are fun for all ages, depending on the game you choose. You can also host party games like charades or trivia.
For older children, tweens, and teens, at-home spa experiences, makeovers, and cooking challenges would be a lot of fun! You may also allow them to watch scary movies together.
Art-Creating Party
Kids love getting creative and making things with their hands. Encourage and inspire their creativity by giving them the tools they need to make some art. Just for a day, embrace the mess for a fun and memorable event. An art party works best outside, but it’s possible in a well-protected indoor environment lined with drop cloths or plastic. Provide a piece of canvas, a paint set, brushes, and an apron for everyone, and let them take it home as a unique party souvenir. Or, you can make it a large-scale project, like painting a mural, handprints, or splatter paint on a white bedsheet, which can become a cherished memory when hung on the celebrant’s bedroom wall.
Besides painting, you can set up a craft station with materials like paper, glue, scissors, and markers. You can also provide a variety of craft kits or projects that kids can work on together. It can be beaded crafts (making friendship bracelets would be perfect for little girls), craft recycling projects, clay activities, or custom T-shirt making.
Outdoor Games
Young kids love to run around and play. If that’s your kid, they would surely love a backyard party full of fun and games! You can plan a party in a park or backyard and set up games like tag, capture the flag, or scavenger hunts. You can also set up obstacle courses or relay races to get the kids moving and having fun.
Karaoke Party
If your child loves to sing and dance, a karaoke party can be a great idea. Let them perform in front of their friends! Please set up a karaoke machine or play music from a streaming service, and let the kids take turns singing their favorite songs. You can also provide props like microphones, hats, and sunglasses to complete the ensemble. You can suggest that they make a music video out of them having fun so they can have something to look back on when the party is over. Don’t forget to serve finger foods like chips and dips.
Movie Night
Hosting a movie night is fun and easy – perfect for a low-key child. Choose a movie (or a list of movies) that is age-appropriate and fits your child’s interests. Set up a projector or TV, and provide blankets and pillows for the kids to sit on. You can also provide snacks like popcorn, candy, and soda to make it feel like a real movie theater experience.
If you want to level up the movie night game, you can host it in your backyard. All you need is a big wall or a big white sheet and a movie projector, and give them a night of movies under the stars. If you have a pool, you can make it a “dive-in” movie night and let kids watch while they’re on the water.
Dance Party
Kids love to dance, so why not plan a dance party? Set up a dance floor, and play the music that kids will love. You can also provide fun props like glow sticks, disco balls, or streamers to make the party even more exciting. You can also host dance-related games like musical chairs, limbo, and paper dance.
Pizza Party
If you’ve got a killer pizza oven, you can make your bash a homemade, build-your-own pizza night. Everybody loves pizza, and kids would enjoy adding their own toppings to their liking. Let each attendee roll out their individual-size pizza dough, or keep things easier with ready-made dough. Set out bowls of pre-prepped ingredients – pepperoni, ham, bacon, cheeses, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, and other meats and veggies – with something that suits everyone’s tastes and dietary restrictions. The fun and the photo opportunities are in the process and don’t forget to make everyone pose with their masterpiece pizzas.
If you prefer, you can try this similar party format and make cookies or ice cream instead of pizzas. You can set up a cookie decorating table with all types of icing and toppings or a build-your-own sundae bar that will surely brighten up everybody’s day.
Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are a classic party activity, but lately, it has been getting traction from parents who were nostalgic for it, especially after their kids were locked up inside during the pandemic.
Divide your guests into groups and send them on a scavenger hunt using whatever parameters make sense for the age group and the weather. Indoors or outdoors, at home or someplace like the park, or even a commercial location like a mall – your options are endless (of course, as your kids’ parents permit).
Spa Day
Pamper the celebrant and her crew with a spa day. Try it at home and invite guests to come in their robes (or provide them as a remembrance for the party after), and set up stations for nails, makeup, skincare, and hair. Provide some DIY treatments that are safe and effective – the best ones are those you’ve tried for yourself.
Or, you can also take a small group for the professional experience by booking an appointment for a group in advance at a local salon.
Pool Party
If you have a pool and if your kid’s birthday lands in the summer season, the best way to celebrate is to invite their friends for a pool party. But even if you don’t have a pool at home, you can rent a resort and have fun there! Prepare some pool games, rent a karaoke machine, provide finger foods, grill some barbeque or burgers, and don’t forget refreshments.
Bonfire
This birthday party idea requires extra prep for safety. Make sure everyone dresses comfortably in layers for the weather. If you plan to do this with young kids, make sure there are enough adults to supervise them and that someone is on hand with the skills to build and monitor the fire. Once you’re all set, you can let the guests go around and have everyone share their favorite ghost stories. For some groups of friends, it’s an opportunity to get hearty and personal. Provide some hot drinks like hot cocoa and lots of s’mores!
Conclusion
There are many fun party ideas that can make kids excited. Whatever you choose to do, the most important thing is to create a fun and memorable experience for your child and their friends. With a little creativity and planning, your child’s party can be a hit that they will remember for years to come.