Party Ideas
Themes, checklists, invitation wording and gift tips for kids' birthday parties.
Themes
Safari and Jungle Birthday Party IdeasWild safari and jungle party ideas: invitations, vine decorations, animal snacks, a safari hunt and other games, plus favors.
Farm Birthday Party IdeasBarnyard party ideas for toddlers and preschoolers: invitations, decorations, farm food, an egg hunt and other games.
Under the Sea Birthday Party IdeasOcean party ideas with fish, sharks and octopuses: invitations, decorations, food, fishing games and favors.
Soccer Birthday Party IdeasSoccer party ideas: venues, team-color decorations, halftime snacks, a mini tournament, penalty shootout and medals.
Robot Birthday Party IdeasRobot party ideas for curious kids: a build-a-robot station, box robot decorations, robot food and dance-off games.
Puppy Birthday Party IdeasPuppy party ideas: an adopt-a-puppy station, paw print decorations, puppy chow, games and favors for dog-loving kids.
Unicorn Birthday Party IdeasMagical unicorn party ideas: invitations, rainbow decorations, sparkly food, games and favors kids will love.
Mermaid Birthday Party IdeasMermaid and under-the-sea party ideas: invitations, ocean decorations, food, a treasure dive and other games, plus favors.
Space Birthday Party IdeasOut-of-this-world space party ideas: rocket invitations, planet decorations, astronaut games, food and favors.
Pirate Birthday Party IdeasPirate party ideas for kids: treasure hunt clues, ship decorations, pirate food, games and favors. Arrr!
Construction Birthday Party IdeasConstruction party ideas for toddlers and preschoolers: a dig site, work-zone decorations, dirt cups, games and favors.
Dinosaur Birthday Party Ideas Kids Will Roar AboutInvitations, decorations, food, games and favors for a dinosaur birthday party, with simple ideas for toddlers up to big kids.
Ages
First Birthday Party IdeasSimple first birthday party ideas: timing around naps, guests, decorations, smash cake, keepsakes and photos for baby's big day.
2nd Birthday Party Ideas for ToddlersSecond birthday party ideas that work for toddlers: themes they'll love, play stations, safe snacks and how to keep it short and fun.
3rd Birthday Party IdeasThird birthday party ideas: letting your child pick the theme, simple games three-year-olds can play, food and favors.
4th Birthday Party IdeasFourth birthday party ideas: imaginative themes, games four-year-olds love, easy crafts, food and favors.
5th Birthday Party IdeasFifth birthday party ideas: the whole-class question, venues, games five-year-olds enjoy, food and favors.
6th Birthday Party IdeasSixth birthday party ideas: activity parties, team games, drop-off tips, food and favors kids actually keep.- 7th Birthday Party IdeasSeventh birthday party ideas: letting your child plan, spy and science parties, games, food and favors.
- 8th Birthday Party IdeasEighth birthday party ideas: experience parties, at-home challenges, first sleepover tips, food and favors.
- 9th Birthday Party IdeasNinth birthday party ideas: escape rooms, cooking competitions, game nights and sleepovers your child helps plan.
- 10th Birthday Party IdeasTenth birthday party ideas for the double digits: milestone traditions, sleepovers, experiences and group gifts.
Seasonal
- Winter Birthday Party IdeasCozy winter birthday party ideas: indoor games, snow day and winter wonderland themes, outings, warm food and tips.
- Backyard Summer Birthday Party IdeasBackyard summer party ideas: beating the heat, water games, lawn games, activity stations, summer food and themes.
- Halloween Birthday Party IdeasHalloween birthday party ideas: spooky-cute or spooky, costume parade, pumpkin decorating, Halloween food and favors.
- December and Holiday Birthday IdeasHow to make a December or holiday-season birthday feel special: keeping it separate, picking a date, themes and gifts.
Planning
- How Long Should a Kid's Birthday Party Be?How long a kid's birthday party should be by age and party type, with a sample 2-hour schedule and tips for staying on time.
- How to Throw a Birthday Party at Home on a BudgetBudget birthday party ideas at home: setting a budget, cheap food, free games, simple decorations and favors.
Kids' Birthday Party Planning ChecklistA week-by-week checklist for planning a kid's birthday party, from picking a date six weeks out to thank-you notes afterwards.
Etiquette
- Should You Invite the Whole Class to a Birthday Party?Inviting the whole class or a few friends? School rules, pros and cons, middle-ground options and how to keep it kind.
- How to Get Parents to RSVP to a Kid's Birthday PartyWhy parents don't RSVP and what works: reply-by dates, easy replies, friendly reminder wording and planning for no-shows.
- Drop-Off Birthday Parties: Should Parents Stay?When to stay and when to drop off at a kid's birthday party, by age, plus invitation wording and tips for hosts and guests.
- Are Siblings Invited to a Kid's Birthday Party?Sibling etiquette for kids' birthday parties: the general rule, what to say on the invitation, and how to ask as a guest.
- What to Write in a Kid's Birthday CardBirthday card messages for kids of every age: from classmates, grandparents, aunts and uncles, with a simple formula.
How to Word a No-Gifts Birthday InvitationPolite ways to say no gifts on a kid's birthday invitation, with wording examples for no gifts, book swaps, donations and group gifts.