Birthdays are magical moments for little ones, and a lovely party can make memories they’ll remember for a long time to come. You have lots of wonderful options and methods for creating a truly unique and memorable birthday for your kids. 

And it doesn’t even have to break the bank — no diamond bracelets in blue boxes needed here. With love and creativity, you can begin planning a party they’ll never forget. At PixieLane, we are here to make every birthday the most special birthday. 

Continue reading below for birthday party ideas and the gift guides for every invitation you send.

How Do I Plan a Party?

There are many different ways to plan the perfect party, and it can feel overwhelming at times. It’s helpful to break up the tasks, so you can ensure everything gets done right.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to begin putting together the next birthday party for your little ones. 

Pick a Theme

You want to start by picking the party’s theme. This is an important first step because it will influence the rest of your decisions to come. Some themes may feature animals or your birthday boy or girl’s favorite cartoon characters. You can also follow a theme in their favorite colors and patterns.

Be as specific or as vague as you’d like. Make sure to ask for their input — their theme requests might just surprise and delight you.

If you’re looking to save money but still put on a stand-out celebration, consider a theme that matches the pieces you already own. You can decorate or rearrange them so that they really stand out on the day of. 

Make an Invite List

You’ll want to make sure your invites go out early. This will allow guests to RSVP and clear their schedules. It will also help you to get a read on what you’ll need to purchase for food, goodies, and prizes. 

It’s a good idea to take your time when considering who to invite. If your little one wants to invite most of their classmates, it might be kinder to invite the entire class. Are parents invited? What about children from the neighborhood?

Once you have your invite list, create paper or online invites in the style of your theme and send them out to guests. 

Figure Out Food 

You’ll want to decide if you’re serving a meal or snacks and a birthday cake. A smaller birthday party can take place at your little one’s favorite restaurant. This can take the pressure off when planning a menu. 

Grilling is another good option for birthday parties since it’s easy and delicious. Kids, teens, and parents alike are sure to love hot dogs and hamburgers off the grill. Consider fitting the food to the theme of the party. If she’s all about Paris, you can serve crepes and croissants. A pirate-themed party can have chocolate coins and fish crackers. 

Of course, you can’t forget about dessert! Cakes are a birthday party classic, but you can’t go wrong with an ice cream party or desserts that fit the party’s theme. Make sure to double-check on food allergies from your guests ahead of time. 

Plan Games and Activities

Whether you’re hosting a first birthday or a sweet sixteen, you want to plan games and activities. You may want to consider hosting the party at an event or activity space like an ice skating rink or bowling alley.

Backyard parties offer the ability for kids to burn off that crazy sugar high. You can plan a scavenger hunt with clues and a prize for the winner. Or maybe put out board games or minute-to-win-it activities for a game night. Reference the party’s themes for inspiration and unique gifts. 

Decorate

When the big day comes, you’ll want to make the space stand out. Decorate the area with balloons, streamers, banners, and signs. You can pick out pieces in the best styles and colors to fit the birthday theme and place them around the yard or the home.

If you’re hosting a backyard party, put out balloons or a sign in the front yard so guests know where to find you. Draw in your child; asking them for help making signs and similar content can build their confidence and help them feel essential.

Have Fun!

Once the party is underway, sit back and enjoy yourself! Dance to the music, mingle with parents, and get into the spirit of the celebration. You and your family have put in the hard work to have a great day, and now you can hit the dance floor. 

What Are the Best Party Themes?

As the host, you are responsible for picking the birthday party theme. Especially with kids, a little guidance might be needed around food, entertainment, and around lighting those cake candles! For example, you might need to explain board game rules or help set up a tent for the outdoor slumber party. 

Here are just a few of our favorite party themes for kids of all ages:

Spa Day

A spa day is a way to celebrate—and relax. You can take the kids to a salon for manicures or do them right at home. With spa day, you can also apply facemasks, try out new hairstyles, test makeup products, and eat light snacks like tea cakes. Your little girl is sure to enjoy feeling like a princess.  

Fancy Dinner

Older girls are sure to love going out to a fancy dinner for their birthday celebration. This can be a family event, or they can pick a few close friends to come with them, depending on your party budget. Be sure to pick out a special dress for such a special event. 

Movie Night

Movie night is a fun and easy birthday celebration. You can plan the party around a general movie category or the theme of the film that you’ll be showing. Popcorn and movie candies are the perfect addition to any movie night birthday party. For extra excitement,  encourage guests to dress as a character from the film in question.

Rainbow and Unicorn Parties

Little ones are guaranteed to love a rainbow and unicorn-themed party. You can decorate in all the colors of the rainbow, bake unicorn cupcakes, or string up a rainbow pinata. It’s one of the most festive and colorful birthday party themes.

And there are plenty of lovely rainbow outfits and accessories to open before the party. Those rainbow birthday gifts can go to use right away!

Slumber Party

Sleepovers are amazing ways for older kids to get in on that party cheer. You can pair it with a movie or spa night for something a little extra. Celebrate with a superb breakfast like waffles or a cereal bar come morning. For a sleepover party, matching loungewear can make a lovely gift for guests and the birthday kid. 

The Big Day To Say Hooray 

Birthdays are one of the most important and memorable events of a little one’s year. It’s natural as a parent to want to make their birthday as celebratory as possible—and that’s where the perfect party can come in. 

Planning an exciting party doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by picking a theme, inviting your guests, and then planning the food and activities. On the day of, you’ll want to decorate your space and then sit back and have a good time. And you have plenty of fantastic theme options to pick from, like a spa day, movie night, a rainbow and unicorn party, or a sleepover. 

No matter what kind of party you plan, you’ll find the perfect outfit for the celebration here at PixieLane. We carry dresses for fancy dinners, outfits in bright rainbow colors, and loungewear ideal for the next sleepover. You can put all the thought into the world in the gift ideas, but the best gifts are the memories you form as a family. 

When you’re ready to find the perfect outfit for the next magical day, or find tips and tricks for throwing a great party, turn to the team here at PixieLane. Explore our growing collection of outfits and lifestyle guides and begin planning today.  

Sources

Fun Ideas for Pirate-Themed Kids Parties | The Spruce

How to Throw a Soothing Spa Party for Kids | Taste of Home

4 Small Ways to Build Confidence in Kids | Child Mind Institute

27 Adorably Strange Birthday Party Themes Kids Have Chosen | HuffPost Life