Ideas for Kids Birthday Parties
Birthday parties are special to kids; parents often try to make each birthday memorable and unique. Depending on the child’s age and the season the birthday is in, there are plenty of options and ideas that can be used to celebrate at home while ensuring everyone has a great time.
Once the cake, ice cream, and gifts have been decided, the next step is to create a guest list. From there, party planning takes place as food, beverages, games, prizes, pictures, and any other entertainment will be needed.
Birthday Parties for Toddlers
Toddlers between the ages of 2 and 5 are usually verbal about their likes and dislikes. It will be easy to know what kind of cake and ice cream to have ready on the day of the party. Themed birthdays that follow the cake design are typically exciting at this age.
While there may be some friends from daycare or preschool to invite, most guests for these parties will be siblings, cousins, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and possibly neighbor children.
Food and beverages can be more focused on what the older age groups will eat, but it is crucial also to have them be toddler friendly.
Pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, flavored water, plain water, chocolate milk, and fruit juices are all excellent ideas for an at-home party.

Games centered around children are ideal for prolonged entertainment. The prize walk, like a traditional cake walk, is fun for children who can understand the rules of the game.
For this age group, pictures or colors are easier to identify than numbers, and finding kid-approved music will keep them engaged longer.
Other popular toddler games include obstacle courses, escape the monster, hot lava monster, freeze dance, tower building with blocks, fort building with large boxes and blankets, and even dressing up in costumes from superheroes to pirates or dinosaurs will be fun and engaging.
Home Party Ideas for Young Children
School-aged children between 6 and 10 are slightly more independent than toddlers, but their interests are generally the same.
At this age, more friends can be invited from school and youth groups that a child may participate in, along with family. Food and beverages can be more centered on what the children will like.
Themed parties are still excellent, but they can be taken to the next level as guests arrive dressed up as their favorite characters and play games from that world or story.
From Avengers, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Harry Potter to favorite colors, dinosaurs, or cartoons, the idea for themes is almost endless.
Going with the theme, party prizes, decorations, music selection, and food can tie in seamlessly.

Painting parties work well for elementary-aged children. Ceramic painting kits can be purchased and painted at home for each child to take with them after the party.
Washable sidewalk paint allows children to draw on their outdoor surroundings without worrying about getting in trouble. Painting pet rocks and fingerpainting on large pieces of art paper can provide hours of creative entertainment.
Other school-aged birthday party activities include indoor or outdoor obstacle courses, hula hoop competitions, jump rope challenges, and mock Olympics for friendly physical competition.
Water balloons, Simon Says, musical chairs, freeze dance, stomping balloons, scavenger hunts, three-legged races, bouncy houses, and LEGO building challenges are all exciting and provide an opportunity for interaction and teamwork.
10 Budget-Friendly Tips for a Kid’s Birthday Party at Home
- Keep the guest list small.
- Re-use decorations from a theme you already have available.
- Have your child help you make their invitations for a special touch.
- Find free printable decorations, invitations, and party signage.
- If you want to save money on food, plan a birthday party between mealtimes. When guests eat before a party, drinks, cake, and ice cream will be plenty.
- Don’t over-indulge in the birthday cake. Purchase pre-made edible decorations and make the cake yourself.
- Find the nearest dollar store for any decorations, game prizes, birthday bags, or last-minute items that you do not have.
- Create your own rules to put a new spin on a traditional game instead of buying the latest edition or splurging on the current temporary trend.
- Take advantage of outdoor venues such as neighborhood parks, backyards, and local city parks for toys, swings, space to run around, and less house clean-up.
- Get crafty and set up stations and centers for birthday events.

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