Toddler birthday parties can be fun for all ages. There’s no reason you can’t have fun activities and themes for the older kids and adults attending!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Glitter themed! Invite guests to wear shimmer, sparkles, and sequins.

Spirit Animals

Each person is assigned an animal, marked with animal-shaped drink placeholders. Serve animal cookies and decorate with a menagerie of beasts.

Royal Court

Your little one can sit on their throne and accept tribute (gifts) from each guest. The kids can drink from goblets, enjoy a table of royal medieval feast type foods, and wear crowns or jester hats.

Let Them Eat Cake

A Marie Antoinette-themed party of decadent desserts, hors d’oeuvres, and champagne cocktails for the adults.

Calling All Earthlings

Throw a space-themed party. Have astronauts and aliens hand out food and gifts. Build a space station and have kids pin the spaceship on the assigned planets.

When the Dinosaurs Roamed

Have a prehistoric bash, with meat eater and plant eater foods. Have a clay station where kids can make their own dinosaur figurines.

Lego Land

Have different Lego stations and give sets away as party favors. Decorate in rainbow colors.

Camping or Glamping Party

Set up tents in your yard or living room. Have a campfire singalong, roast food on the fire, and make s’mores.

Wet and Wild

Get some Slip n’ Slides, water balloons, super soakers, and wading pools. Have everyone bring a swimsuit and towel.

Baking Party

Have kids help bake and decorate cookies, cupcakes, and more. Then enjoy their creations at the end with a glass of cold milk. Hand out little homemade or store-bought aprons as party favors.

Art Party

Have art stations and a chaperone for each, teaching a project like finger painting, printmaking, sculpting, jewelry making, and more. The children get to take their own creations home to mom and dad.

Willy Wonka Party

Get an assortment of candy and chocolate. Play games with a golden ticket and hand out prizes to those that find a ticket.

Never, Never Land

Decorate in a green Peter Pan and Tinkerbell theme, with teepees, pixie dust, and more. Offer Captain Hook and pirate stuff to dress up. Hand out stick-on tattoos and eye patches as party favors. Staff a mermaid station and play “lost boys” games. Invite kids to wear their pajamas like Wendy, John, and Michael.

Spa Day

Have stations for braiding hair and mani-pedis. Have a fashion show or tea party after everyone gets all dolled up.

Superheroes

Invite guests to dress as their favorite superhero and have relay games and team activities planned. Decorate with comic book themes and pages. Set up a food table with labels such as “enhances agility,” “builds muscle,” and “improves vision.”

Plus, four tips to keep things running smoothly and stress free!

Tip 1: Keep it stress free

Most kids impress easily, so no need to stress about making things perfect or going too over the top. Make a list of the things you need to do in preparation for the party ahead of time. Enlist relatives and friends to help. Assign a friend to help take photographs, another to serve food and help clean up, and someone to play lifeguard or just keep an extra eye out for all the children’s safety.

Tip 2: Mix up the gift giving

If your child already has enough toys and things they need, consider asking people not to bring gifts and make a donation to the charity of your child’s choice instead. Explain to your child how to give proper thank you’s and be gracious before the party starts.

Tip 3: Stick to a budget

Make a realistic budget when coming up with a theme and a guest list. If you have a small budget for your party, consider making decorations yourself or having a potluck.

Tip 4: Remember the entertainment

Playing games like freeze dance, hot potato and musical chairs is fun, and most everyone is familiar with these games. Remember if you are handing out prizes for games to make sure every child goes home with at least a sticker or favor of some sort so they are not left out.

Lastly, don’t sweat the small stuff. Things will go wrong, kids will get messy, spill things, and sometimes misbehave. Just remain calm, have a positive attitude, lead by example, and have a good time!