Birthday is the time to celebrate and share happinesses with everyone. As kids, birthday parties mean cake, presents, and games. As adults, they become more about gathering with friends and family. But no matter your age, birthdays are a chance to make memories.
Planning a party takes effort to make it fun and meaningful. This guide covers everything you need to host a fantastic birthday bash. We’ll go over party types, themes, decor, activities, food, inviting guests, and more. Follow these tips for an event that will delight any birthday boy or girl.
- Types of Birthday Parties
- Choosing a Fun Theme
- Decorations and Party Supplies
- Food and Drink Ideas
- Birthday Cakes
- Fun Activities and Games
- Entertainment
- Invites and Guests
- Gifts and Gift Bags
- Photo Booth and Photos
- Planning Tips and Timeline
- Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Birthday Parties
There are many ways to celebrate a birthday. Consider what will make your guest of honour happiest. Here are popular party styles:
At-Home Party
An at-home party is hosted in your home or backyard. It’s great for kids and more casual celebrations. Decorate the house and have activities perfect for your space.
Restaurant or Venue Party
Hosting the party at a restaurant, hotel ballroom, or event venue takes the work out of prepping your home. Many venues provide food, decor, and entertainment.
Pool Party
On a hot day, few things beat a pool party with swimming, water games, popsicles, and summer treats. These work well for kids or adults.
Bowling Party
A bowling birthday party is perfect for kids and teens. Provide pizza, cake, and prizes for the best bowlers.
Movie Party
For movie lovers, host a movie party. Set up a screen and projector. Provide movie snacks like popcorn, candy, and sodas.
Spa Party
Pamper guests with facials, manicures and pedicures. Bring the spa home with cucumber water, robes, scented candles, and peaceful music.
Choosing a Fun Theme
Themes add extra fun and help with decor and activity ideas. Match it to the personality of the guest of honor. Popular party themes include:
- Favorite movie or TV show – Decorate with scenes, quotes, and characters.
- Superheroes or video game characters – DIY costumes and special power snacks.
- Decades like 80s or 90s – Play music from the era and wear bold neons or grunge styles.
- Hawaii luau – Think tropical flowers, leis, and island music.
- Carnival or circus – Face paint, photo booth with props, and carnival games.
- Dance party – Great music and room to make it a hit!
Almost any interest can become a theme, like sports, books, or travel destinations. Get creative with the possibilities!
Decorations and Party Supplies
Decorations set the tone for a fun celebration. Use them to establish the theme and the birthday boy or girl’s taste.
Balloons
Balloons in all shapes and sizes make any party more festive. Buy latex or foil balloons and add ribbon and weights. Cluster balloons in corners or make a balloon archway.
Banners and Signs
Welcome the guests with a happy birthday banner. Make signs for the food and drink areas. Print out oversized photos of the person to put up around the party.
Tableware
Select the plates, cups, napkins, and tablecloths that match the theme. Use disposable tableware in the celebrant’s favorite color or pattern.
Confetti, Garlands, and Streamers
These inexpensive decorations add pops of color. Sprinkle confetti on tables or the floor. Hang curling streamers and tissue pom garlands around doorways and walls.
Flowers and Plants
Fresh flowers like tulips, lilies, and daisies brighten up any setting. Potted plants like ferns or small palm trees make great table centerpieces.
Lighting
Try string lights, lanterns, or lamps with colored bulbs. Dim the overhead lights and use accent lighting to set the mood.
Food and Drink Ideas
Delicious food and drinks make any get-together more memorable. Tailor options to the time of day, venue, and the guest of honor’s tastes.
Morning Party
- Breakfast casseroles
- Fruit salad
- Yogurt parfaits
- Muffins, scones, or cinnamon rolls
- Quiche
- Bagels with cream cheese
- Donuts or pastries
- Juice, coffee, and tea
Afternoon Party
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Chips and dip
- Vegetable crudites
- Pasta salad
- Fruit skewers
- Cookies or cake
- Lemonade, iced tea, punch
Dinner Party
- Backyard BBQ with burgers, hot dogs, grilled veggies
- Build your own taco/nacho bar.
- Lasagna or pasta bake
- Chicken wings and snacks
- Caesar salad
- Garlic bread
- Soda, beer, wine, sangria
Dessert Party
- Cupcakes, cake pops, petit fours
- Cookies, brownies, bars
- Cheesecake, fruit tarts
- Ice cream sundae bar
- Milkshakes and floats
- Coffee, coffee drinks
Snacks and Sweets
- Popcorn or pretzels
- Chips and salsa
- Candy bar
- Birthday cake and cupcakes
- Milkshakes or smoothies
- Popcorn or cotton candy machine rental
Drinks
- Signature birthday cocktails
- Mocktails or juice drinks for kids
- Wine, beer, champagne
- Custom drink dispenser with fruit
- Self-serve coffee and tea
- Soda bar with mix-ins
Birthday Cakes
A birthday cake is the quintessential party food. Bake one from scratch or order a special cake to wow guests.
Flavors
Go classic with chocolate or vanilla cakes. Or pick the honoree’s favorite flavor, like red velvet, carrot, or lemon. Popular alternatives are ice cream cakes or gigantic cookie cakes.
Frostings
Buttercream, whipped cream, ganache, and cream cheese frostings pair nicely with most cakes. Make it colorful with bright food gels: frost the sides or just the top for a simple look.
Decorations
- Candles – Place candles around the top and have the birthday boy or girl blow them out. Group candles according to the number of old they are turning.
- Writing – Use piping gel to write “Happy Birthday” and the person’s name.
- Fresh flowers – Choose edible flowers like roses, lavender, pansies, or violets.
- Fruit – Top with berries or citrus slices for a pop of color.
- Figurines – Add a themed figurine like a superhero or ballerina.
- Photos – Print out mini photos of the birthday boy or girl and stick them onto the frosting.
Fun Activities and Games
Liven up the party with games and other interactive elements. Try to vary quiet and loud activities to suit different guests.
Party Games
- Scavenger hunt
- Charades or Pictionary
- Limbo or hula hoop contests
- Pinatas full of candy
- Karaoke
- Dance party
- Corn hole or ladder ball
- Board games
Themed Activities
- Carnival games like ring toss, balloon darts, skeeball
- Piñata
- Face painting or temporary tattoos
- Superhero mask making
- Lego building contests
- Spa activities like makeovers and nail art
Entertaining Performers
- Magician
- Balloon animals
- Face painter or caricature artist
- Musicians or karaoke machine
- Henna artist
- Puppet show
- Kids’ music and movement class
Entertainment
Liven up the party with entertainment. It gives guests something fun to watch and takes the pressure off the host to orchestrate all the fun.
Musicians
Hire live music to set the mood. Opt for relaxing acoustic guitar or jazz for a classy vibe. A DJ with dance tunes amps up the energy.
Performers
Bring in professionals to put on engaging shows for guests. Consider magicians, comedians, caricature artists, jugglers, or look-alikes of favorite stars.
Photo Booth
Rent a photo booth with silly props so guests can snap memorable (and hilarious) photos to take home.
Games
Make time for group games and contests like limbo, karaoke, or trivia—award prizes to the winners.
Dancing
Clear a space and get guests dancing with a killer playlist of the birthday person’s favorite tunes. Use dance floor lighting for extra fun.
Movies
Set up a screen and projector to play home movies from the guest of honor’s childhood. Or screen one of their favorite flicks for everyone to enjoy together.
Invites and Guests
The guest list makes up the heart of the party. Invite a mix of friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors. Here are tips for inviting and making guests comfortable.
Creating Invites
Make invitations match the theme. Hand make invites or create digital ones to email or text out. Include all the key info like date, time, location, and RSVP details.
Guest Suggestions
- Close friends
- Siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles
- Parents and grandparents
- Coworkers, classmates
- Neighbors
- Teammates or club friends
- Significant other and their friends/family
Aim to invite 1.5x more people than you hope will attend since not everyone will make it. For kids, invite their whole class so no one feels left out.
Making Guests Comfortable
Help guests mingle by:
- Introducing newcomers to people
- Providing name tags
- Arranging seating to promote conversations
- Starting group games and activities
- Playing music at a volume where people can chat
- Monitoring noise levels for shy guests
- Ensuring seating for elderly relatives
Gifts and Gift Bags
Opening gifts is usually a birthday party highlight. Make it fun for the guest of honor with these tips:
Gift Table
Please set up a table and decorate it with balloons, streamers, or flowers. The celebrant can put gifts there as they open them.
Gift Bags
Have small gift bags so guests can easily take home cake, candy, or party favors. Add tissue paper to decorate.
Gift Suggestions
Give guests ideas like:
- Gift cards to favorite shops
- Tickets to concerts or sports events
- Books
- Tech gadgets and electronics
- Books, video games, DVDs
- Clothing and accessories
- Beauty products and pampering gifts
- Sporting equipment and fitness gear
- Home items like blankets or kitchenware
Or say, “No gifts please,” and request donations to the person’s favorite charity instead.
Unwrapping
Make time for opening gifts. Have guests gather around to watch and help keep ripped paper tidy. The birthday boy or girl can hold up gifts to show everyone.
Photo Booth and Photos
Capture memories from the bash with photos. Use these ideas to get pics of all the fun.
Photo Booth
Set up a DIY photo booth with:
- Digital camera on a tripod
- Silly props and signs
- Printer to instantly print strips
- Background like balloons or a backdrop
Or hire a professional photo booth company for top-quality prints and booths.
Group Photo
Gather everyone together for a group photo. Take it early before guests leave—print copies as keepsakes for attendees.
Candids
Appoint someone as the party photographer to snap candid’s throughout the event. Get shots of the cake cutting, gift opening, activities, and more.
Selfies and Social Media
Encourage guests to take selfies and share on social media. That digitally spreads the party fun.
Planning Tips and Timeline
Proper planning ensures you can relax and enjoy the event stress-free. Follow this timeline.
2-3 Months Before
- Pick a date and venue
- Choose a theme
- Make guest list
- Send invites
- Book entertainment
1 Month Before
- Plan the menu and order the cake
- Make a playlist
- Buy decorations and supplies
- Confirm vendors
1 Week Before
- Clean the house
- Prepare party favours
- Order balloons
- Confirm RSVPs
- Assign helpers
Day Before
- Prep food that can be made ahead
- Set up furniture
- Chill beverages
- Charge camera battery
Day of Birthday
- Decorate venue
- Pick up cake and balloons
- Set up food and drinks
- Greet guests as they arrive
- Oversee activities and flow
- Hand out gift bags
- Clean up at the end
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose party games?
Consider the guests’ ages and abilities to select games they can all enjoy together. For kids, go with high-energy games. For older adults, choose more sedentary activities.
When should I plan activities?
Schedule party entertainment and games during natural lulls, like right after guests arrive, during gift opening, and between meal courses. Balance active and passive activities.
What if guests don’t know each other?
Introduce newcomers to others with similar interests to break the ice. Have guests wear name tags. Start some group games to get people mingling.
How much food should I make?
Allow for 1-2 servings per guest for full meals. For appetizers, plan for 8-12 pieces per person. It’s better to have leftovers than run out.
How do I get good photos?
Take lots of candid shots rather than posing people. Get someone to take pictures so you can focus on hosting. Have great lighting from windows, string lights or lamps.
Should kids invite whole classes?
You can invite them so that they do not feel left out. However, it depends on your budget as well. You can say “Classmates welcome!” on the invites. Expect about half the class to attend. Have lots of activities planned to keep the kids engaged.
What if I go over budget?
Track expenses early and adjust if needed. Save by making things yourself, like food, decor, and invites. Or scale back less important elements like entertainment. The best parties focus on gathering special people, not extra frills.
