Unique & Fun Kids Theme Birthday Party Ideas & Supplies

Birthday Party Supplies

have your child choose their party theme ~ decide on the partyware design ~ purchase party supplies

The first step in planning your child's birthday party is to have them select a theme for thier party. They could choose a favorite television show, favorite movie, and any other interest they have at the time. You can create a party around ANY theme, so don't be alarmed if they chose a theme that is unusual.

For many birthday party themes there are theme party packs available. These party supplies are available in over 140 birthday themes! The standard pack comes with invitations, tableware, balloons & ribbon. There are many items you can add on including Pinatas, favors, theme related crafts, plus fun personalized birthday banners, stickers and buttons! You have the option of purchasing the complete party pack or selecting your party supplies ala carte. Very often the partyware sets the stage for the rest of the party decor, therefore, it is good to select what partyware design you will be using before you start planning the other aspects of the party.

If there isn't party supplies available for the theme your child has chosen, don't worry! There are many other partyware ideas you can use for your birthday party such as selecting appropriate colors to coordinate wiht theme or using a fabric tablecover (see below).

The partyware pictured here was for my daughter's Pink Skull Theme Party

Fabric Tablecover Idea

make your own party tablecloth for hard to find party themes!

A nice way to add some fun to your party table is to use a cotton fabric coordinating with your birthday theme.

I have done tihis a few times already and the results are great! I recently did this for my daughter's frog theme party. She had this theme for her 10th birthday sleepover. Since all of the party tablecloths I saw came with more of a boy's frogs/lizards theme as opposed to a girly froggy theme, I opted to use the frog fabric instead. It was pink and cute!

You can purchase fabric by the yard at your local fabric store (keep your eyes open for any sales!) or on Ebay. Depending on the size of your table, decide how much fabric you will need. If you are handy with a needle and thread, you can finish off the ends. If you are not (like me!), don't worry about the ends, nobody will notice. :)

If your table is wider than the standard fabric width of 44", or the if the fabric does not cover the shape of your table, that is not a problem. For instance, my table is wider. I just purchase an inexpensive coordinating solid tablecloth at the party store to put underneath the fabric cloth. And, overlaying the two cloths gives the table some nice dimension and just adds to the look.

Planning The Birthday Party

have the birthday child involved in the party planning activities

One of the most important things you can do when planning the birthday party, is to have your child involved as much as you can. It will make the entire experience that much more fun for them!

Some of the ways they can help out include: writing out the guest list (if they are old enough), making suggestions for food and snacks, picking out their party favors, filling the party favor bags, decorating the day of the party, etc.

Birthday Party Invitations

make your own invitations ~ purchase personalized invitations ~ VIP Pass invites ~ ticket invitations

I usually do one of the following: use the invitations that come in the party pack, create my own invitations or order personalized invitations.

If you decide to make your own birthday party invitations, you can use colored cardstock and embellish the invites with theme stickers and clipart.

If you choose to purchase your kid's birthday party invitations, Invitation Consultants , Tiny Prints and My Candy Bar Wrappers all carry a large selection of birthday invitation designs. My Candy Bar Wrapper's birthday party invitations have matching candy bar wrapper favors available.

Another invitation idea would be to purchase VIP Pass invites or ticket style invitations. These are the latest trend in kid's birthday party invitations. I have used both of these styles of invites at my kid's birthday parties and the reaction from the party guests was wonderful!

Please visit my Top 10 Trendiest Kid's Birthday Party Invitations page for more birthday party invitation ideas.

The ticket invitations pictured here were from my son's Construction Theme Party

Birthday Party Decorations

balloons ~ birthday banner ~ streamers

For my children's birthday parties, I use balloons and many times streamers to decorate the party room. Sometimes I purchase a birthday banner to hang up as well. There are personalized birthday banners available as well as custom photo banners. For the party table, you can add a fun table centerpiece, a vase of flowers and more.

On the cake table, I usually put a bunch of balloons, the party favors, the birthday cake or cupcakes and a few other party theme related items.

One of my favorite birthday party decorations are birthday party cutout decorations. These decorations are great and come in many different kid's birthday party themes. You can purchase large cardboard cutouts, dangling cutouts, life-size cardboard cutouts, standees, and photo stand-ins.

You can also use things you already have around the house to decorate the party area. For instance, if your son is having a 'Cars & Trucks' themed party, gather all of his cars, trucks, car books, car games, etc. and place them around the party room and on the party table. This costs nothing and is a great touch! You can do this for many party themes.

Please visit my Kid's Birthday Party blog for more party decorating ideas including custom centerpieces, large stand-up party decorations, character photo balloons, and more.

The birthday party cutout decorations pictured here were from my daughter's Movie Night Party.

Birthday Cake and Cupcake Ideas

edible cake toppers ~ theme cupcakes ~ specialty cake pans

I always bake a cake or cupcakes related to the party theme. I am not a baking expert, but I do the best I can and am usually very happy with the resutls.

There are so many birthday cake and cupcake supplies on the market to help you make a wonderful treat for your child's birthday party guests. Some of the supplies include personalized edible cake and cupcake toppers, specialty cake pans, cake decorating kits and more. You can also make your own paper cupcake toppers. I did this recently for my daughter's Club Penguin cupcakes for her school birthday party and they came out great.

Please visit my Kid's Birthday Cake for cake and cupcake ideas and supplies for over 50 kid's birthday party themes!

Dump truck cake photo is from my son's Construction Theme Birthday Party

Party Favors

Lollipops ~ Cookies ~ Candy Wrappers ~ Prefilled Favor Boxes

Party favors are so much fun! Putting together the party favors is one of my favorite aspects of planning my kid's theme birthday parties. There are so many different things you can do to create a favor that the birthday party guests will love. Here are a few ideas:

Purchase prefilled party favor kits

Chocolate lollipop favors You can purchase chocolate lollipops or make your own!

Hand decorated gourmet cookie favors Great standalone party favor idea! Cookies are available the following party themes: fire fighter, dinosaurs, dress-up, flowers, beach party, sports, ocean friends and more. You can also purchase personalized take out favor pails filled with delicious fortune cookies.

Personalized chocolate candy wrappers Chocolate candy bars always make a wonderful party favor! You can purchase personalized wrappers in a variety of party themes for your candy bars. Many of the candy wrapper designs come with matching birthday party invitations.

Bottle cap necklace favors Bottle caps are the hottest trend right now, therefore, a bottle cap necklace would make a wonderful party favor. We recently handed out bottle cap necklaces at my daughter's Pink Skull Party and the girls loved them.

Top 10 Kid's Party Favor Ideas Candy wrappers, personalized labels, fabric favor bags, gable boxes, mini pinatas, coloring books, crayons and more.

Please visit my Kid's Birthday Blog for more party ideas including M &M's, bookmarks, dinnerware, custom favor tags, placemats, rubber duck favors and more.

Popcorn party favor boxes are from my daughter's Movie Night Party

Custom Birthday Party Attire

personalized birthday shirts

It is always a lot of fun to dress your child in their theme! There are lots of great shirts and outfits that will really add that special touch to your child's birthday celebration.

Many of the shirts can be personalized with your child's name and age.

Click here to view the personalized birthday shirts available.
Click here to view my birthday shirt pages organized by party theme.

The Jonas Brothers personalized birthday shrit pictured here was from my daughter's Jonas Brothers Party.

Character Mascot Costumes for Your Theme Party

many popular characters available!

Your child would absolutely love a visit from their favorite character at their birthday party! This is a great activity to have at the parties for younger children between the ages of one and five. You could purchase or rent the costume yourself or hire a paid entertainer to come to the birthday party wearing the costume.

If you prefer to purchase the mascot costume, there are many characters available including Mickey, Minnie, Elmo, Dora, Diego, Spongebob, Super Mario, Backyardigans, Wubbzy, Yo Gabba Gabba, Pooh, Curious George, Hello Kitty, Strawberry Shortcake, Thomas the Tank Engine, Transformers, plus many more!

Click here to view all of the Character Mascot Costumes available!

Birthday Party Games

classic games ~ bingo ~ toss games

Depending on the length of the birthday party, I generally have 2-4 party games planned. Party games based on the classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey game are still very popular. You can now purchase this game in many popular birthday party themes. If you can't find this game to fit your party theme, you can always make one on your own. The Pin the Paint on the Pallette game pictured here I made for my daugther's Arts & Crafts theme party.

Please visit my Kid's Birthday Party blog for more party game ideas including personalized bingo, bean bag toss, party jeopardy and more!

Printable Birthday Party Games

Personalized!

Birthday Party Crafts

set up a craft for your theme birthday party

I always recommend setting up a craft related to your party theme at your kid's birthday party. An easy party craft for younger kids are coloring pages. Print out coloring pages from the Internet related to your party theme and set them out on the party table with some crayons. This is a great craft for the kids to do when they first arrive at the birthday party.

Another simple craft is decorating white lunch style bags. You could put the lunch bags on the table with crayons, theme stickers, jewels, etc. and have the kids decorate them. They can use the completed bags to store all of their party goodies!

Designed 2B Sweet and Celebrate Express carry a large selection of birthday party crafts.

Please visit my KId's Birthday Party blog for lots more birthday party craft ideas!

The guitar party craft pictured here was from my daughter's Jonas Brothers birthday party .

Pinata Party Activity

this birthday party game is fun for all ages!

I have pinatas at most of my kid's parties. The kids love them! You can find pinatas in almost any theme. You can purchase a traditional style pinata that the kids can hit with a stick or you can use a pull-string pinata. They also sell pull-string attachment kits if you want to convert a traditional pinata into a pull-string pinata. If you are unable to find a pinata to coordinate with your birthday party theme, you can customize your own pinata.

I would personally suggest not purchasing those pinata filler bags. They usually come with junky candy nobody likes and plastic toys nobody will play with. I usually go to my local party store and get a large bag of the better candy: Hersey Chocolates, Starbursts, Jolly Ranchers, Tootsie Roll Pops, etc. Then, I sometimes add in small theme related toys. (small figures, keychains, tattoos, jewelry, bubbles, etc.)

It is always a good idea to keep a small stash of pinata goodies aside. Since there will always be a child or two that just can't get to any of the candy and you really don't want anyone upset. Once all the goodies are picked up, you can them give some of the reserved candy & toys to any of the children who did not get any or as much. That way everyone is happy! Trust me, I learned this the hard way.

Please visit my Pinatas page for a large assortment of pinatas including custom made pinatas in many hard to find birthday party themes!

The clapboard pinata pictured here was from my daughter's Movie Night party. .

How Long Should the Party Be & How Many Guests?

The general rule of thumb regarding how long the party should be and how many guests you should have is based on the age of the birthday child.

Party Duration:
Preschool age- 1 hour
5-6 year olds - 1 1/2 to 2 hours
7-8 year olds - 2 1/2 hours
Over 8 - 3 hours

As far as the number of party guests go, experts say you should have about the same number of guests as the age of the birthday child. Ex. 6 guests for a 6 year old's Birthday Party.

Now, I usually come pretty close to following the party duration rule for my kids parties, however, I almost always have more guests than is suggested. I personally have never had a problem with doing it that way. You just have to do what you think is best for your child. If you think too many kids will be overwhelming for them, or for you, then certainly keep the party guest down to what is advised.

More Kid's Party Planning Tips

party music ~ being a good party host ~ food/snacks

Food & Snacks
If you can find a food or snack that goes with your theme, that is great. If not, pizza, chips and the usual kid foods are always a big hit! The photo displayed here is from my daughter's Art and Crafts theme birthday party. We served the snacks in plastic art palettes to coordinate with the party theme.

Party Music:
I think it is nice to have music playing in the background at the birthday party. If you can find music related to your theme such as Jonas Brothers music at your Jonas Brothers party, that would be good. If not, have you child play his/her favorite music.

Prepare for the Parents
Depending on the age of the birthday child, parents may or may not stay during the party. However, always be prepared for a few of them to stay. Put out some appetizers and set up a drink table so they can help themselves. Don't forget to be a good host, though, and find some time to socialize with the parents during the party.

Extra Activities
It is a good idea to always have a few extra activities on hand incase there is any downtime.

Create a Party Checklist

Before the party, create a birthday party checklist by writing down each activity and estimating how much time it will take to complete it.

Here is a sample plan for a 2 hour Party:

12:00-12:30- Decorate goodie bags and complete Craft Project.
12:30-12:45- Eat Pizza
12:45-1:15- Games
1:15-1:30- Cake
1:30-1:45- Open Presents
1:45-2:00- Pinata

I just leave the paper on the counter and glance at it occasionally to see how the party is progressing and if we are on time. If you see things are taking longer than expected, you can move things along faster by eliminating an activity or shortening one. If the party is moving slower than expected, you can make the activities longer. For instance, give each child two turns at a game that maybe you had only planned on giving one turn.

You will be amazed how a little piece of paper can prove to be so valuable. There is nothing worse than having all the parents arrive at the end of the party to pick up their kids and you have many activities not yet done.

Kid's Theme Party Ideas

Please visit my Kid's Party Themes page for ideas and supplies for over 100 different kid's birthday party themes. The kid's birthday party themes you will find here include:

Abby Cadabby ~Alice in Wonderland ~ Arts & Crafts ~ Avatar Movie Party ~ Baby Einstein ~ Backyardigans ~ Bakugan ~ Bee Movie ~ Belle/Beauty and the Beast ~ Ben 10 ~ Betty Boop ~ Carnival/Circus ~ Cinderella ~ Club Penguin ~ Construction Party ~ Cowboy ~ Cowgirl ~ Diary of a Wimpy Kid ~ Disco Dance Party ~ Disney Princess ~ Dog Puppy Party ~ Dora the Explorer ~ Elmo ~ Fairytale Dora Birthday ~ Fancy Nancy ~ Fire Truck/Firefighter ~ Franklin the Turtle ~ Fresh Beat Band ~ Frog ~ GI Joe ~ Go, Diego, Go! ~ Handy Manny ~ Hannah Montana ~ Harry Potter ~ Hawaiian Luau/Hula ~ High School Musical ~ Hoops and Yoyo ~ Horse ~ iCarly ~ Ice Cream Party ~ Jonas Brothers ~ Kuromi ~ Little Bear ~ Little Einsteins ~ Little Mermaid/Ariel ~ Maggie and the Ferocious Beast ~ Max and Ruby ~ Mickey Mouse Clubhouse ~ Minnie Mouse ~ Movie Night Party ~ My Little Pony ~ Ni Hao Kai Lan ~ Olivia the Pig ~ Pink Skulls ~ Pirate ~ Pocoyo ~ Polka Dots ~ Princess ~ Princess Peach ~ Princess & Pirate ~ Pucca ~ Snow White ~ Spiderman ~ Spongebob ~ Simpsons ~ Snoopy ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Summer Pool Party ~ Superman ~ Super Mario ~ Strawberry Shortcake ~ Taylor Swift ~ Tea Party ~ Thomas the Tank Engine ~ Tie Dye Party ~ Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Movie Party ~ Tom and Jerry ~ Trains ~ Transformers ~ Twilight Movie Party ~ Webkinz ~ Wizards of Waverly Place ~ Wonder Pets ~ Wow Wow Wubbzy ~ Zhu Zhu Pets and many more!