Alexis from The Festive Co shares some of her greatest hit kids’ birthday party themes, and activities to match.
Whether it’s picking your sport and creating your own team full of mini birthday ballers, or partying like animals with a whole zoo full of kid-sized creatures – your little people will love these child friendly birthday party themes (and, just quietly, the big people probably will too)!
T is for Team
This is a great one for any sporty loving child. Let them burn off some energy before heading inside for cake and singing!
You can easily set up your own games in the backyard like ball tosses into baskets, limbo, egg and spoon and hoola hoop competitions. Or check your local area for mini sports workshops that will come to you!
For my son’s first sports party (he’s had a few now!) I bought basic white t-shirts from Big W and added guests’ names in sticky felt on the back. This would look just as cute in permanent marker, and it gives them a little something fun to pop over whatever they are wearing. If you have crafty kids, this can double as an activity, as they decorate their sports uniform!
Mini water bottles make for a fun ‘hydration station’ and is it even a sports party without little medals for all the athletic superstars?!
Old School Candy Shoppe
Oh my, they’ll be on a sugar high just looking at this party! But don’t worry, with some clever tricks, you can avoid some of the real lollies (and candy crashes.)
Instantly transform walls into a candy shoppe by printing out stock imagery! etsy.com has stores who sell backdrops, or you can buy images on websites like shutterstock.com. It looks effective without having to actually fill loads of jars with the real thing.
Look for little plaster painting sets in yummy treat shapes. A great activity that doesn’t get too messy, and is a bonus little gift that they can take home.
Got loads of those plastic pit balls at home? Same. Turn it into a ‘Sprinkle Scoop Up!’ game, with spades or even ladles or spoons from the kitchen. Kids take it in turns to see how quickly they can scoop just their coloured sprinkle into a bucket!
Carnival Fun
Everyone loves visiting the local show, so kids will go bananas for this theme. It’s bright and exciting whether turning 1 or 10.
Save some old cans and create your own labels to stick on top, add a tennis ball and there you have it – a DIY ‘Knock Down’ game!
Cardboard popcorn boxes make a cute vessel for take home party goodies. The children will be wowed by it’s size, but you can half fill it with popcorn to cut down on the sweet treats.
The beauty of a time-old theme like this is, you’ll find lots of goodies to match online, like these little carnival themed frames. Just add a little instant photo as a take home gift for relatives!
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
This classic theme is so sweet, I can bearly (sorry, had to!) cope. Perfect for a picnic set up indoors or out, pull out nanna’s old wooden rugs and stock up on sandwiches!
Ask kiddos to bring along their special fluffy friend, and have name tags ready to add to each soft toy to ensure it’s safe travels at the party.
‘Pin The Bow Tie On The Bear’ is an easy game to make with cardboard or butchers paper.
If you have an outdoor area, a ‘Going On A Bear (Treasure) Hunt’ is such an easy activity. Just have a grown-up scatter chocolate gold coins in the garden or park, and set the little ones off on an adventure.
Party Animals
If you have little critter lovers or zoo fans, then this theme is sure to delight. By collecting all their animal toys and adding some party hats, you already have the decorations sorted!
Whip up your own little ‘Safari Bingo’ and hide matching animal pics around the garden or playground for them to go and find. Pairs of binoculars add plenty of excitement too.
There is so much fun to be had with animal themed snacks, and they don’t have to be hard! Fruit salad becomes Coral Cups and classic chocolate crackles make excellent Bunny Poop.
When it comes to a cake, cute toppers can take it from simple to sensational in seconds! Plus, acrylic cake toppers can be kept and reused and also make lovely keepsakes from the party.
For more kids’ birthday party theme ideas and activity inspo:
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