Marking another year around the sun is something worth celebrating. Truth be told, birthday wishes penned in a card or a thoughtfully written and heartfelt message are perfect ways to celebrate someone special. Birthdays are truly a gift, and no matter how old you are turning, each birthday is a reason to get together with your favorite people and have some fun.
If planning a birthday party seems like a difficult task, we've got you covered. If you're looking to take the festivities to the next level, and host a party at home, there are countless themes that will make your fête unique.
For kids, tap into the more magical elements with a superhero party or a celebration centered around unicorns. For teens, plan a version of backyard Olympics (think: cornhole or giant Jenga) or a game night, two ideas that no 13-year-old will roll their eyes at. And, for adults, consider an epic cookout, a bubbly brunch, a cozy fall-themed affair, or even a tropical luau (no beach required).
With a little creativity, these birthday party ideas can even be relatively inexpensive, since you'll be able to lean on items you already own, plus a few simple crafty DIY projects to bring the whole thing together. And if you really want to just sit back and enjoy the day, we've also got ideas to help you plan a small, yet totally fabulous, completely hands-off event. Welcome to our birthday party planning playbook, with tried-and-true party ideas and games to make your celebration simply unforgettable.
1
Backyard Olympics
Kids and adults alike will bond over some friendly competition. Set up a few games (three to five will do just fine), divide the party into teams, and DIY a scoreboard. Once a winner's been declared, host a makeshift award ceremony—just make sure to have prizes on hand for the winning team.
2
Around the World Party
Take your guests on a journey with an around-the-world-themed party. Each room of your house should be focused on a different destination, which allows your friends and family to experience multiple cuisines and drinks all at once. Take them to France with Champagne and a cheese spread filled with brie and Roquefort, followed by a trip to Japan filled with sake and sushi. There's no limit to how many destinations you can squeeze into one unforgettable night.
3
Spa Party
If you're looking for self-care, rest, and relaxation in honor of your birthday, plan a spa party. All you need is a few beauty essentials, like at-home face masks, manicure and pedicure kits, plus a spa-inspired menu (think: tea sandwiches and cucumber water) to make this a luxe and zen experience for you and your besties.
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4
Girls' Night In
Grab your girlfriends for a girls' (or guys', for that matter) night in that includes plenty of snacks, beverages, and classic romantic comedies. You don't have to go all out with shiny disco balls and balloons (why not, though?)—a few colorful throws and pillows will do just fine. If you need extra seating, you can even put a few pillows or poufs on the floor. Serve up creative offerings like pink puppy chow and adult juice boxes.
5
Rainbow Party
Rainbow is an inexpensive party theme that can be easily carried throughout, from the decor to the truly impressive layer cake.
6
Kids' Art Party
Any good kids' party will be rife with activities, and a crafternoon, complete with Play-Doh, necklace-making, and painting is the perfect way to keep rowdy boys and girls busy.
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7
Karaoke Party
Whether you venture out to a karaoke bar or want to plan a karaoke experience at home, this is a foolproof party idea for music lovers of any age. Make sure your guests come prepared with song ideas, and if you're hosting it at home, have your karaoke machine, decorations, and drinks ready to set the stage for fun.
8
Summer Garden Party
If you're celebrating a summer birthday, take advantage of the warm weather and set up a formal meal in the midst of your garden or a local park. We love the idea of putting the seating directly on the ground to make the event feel like a fancy picnic of sorts. Don't forget the cafe lights, which add the most perfect glow.
9
Brunch Party
Who said birthday parties have to be in the afternoon? Start the special day on the right foot with a brunch, complete with an awe-inspiring doughnut board.
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10
Moon and Stars Party
A celestial theme is sweet for kids, but it's also a romantic idea for an adults-only dinner party.
11
Pokemon Party
Pokemon is a classic theme that both boys and girls love. And it hinges on just a few simple colors—black, red, and white—so you can bring the idea to life relatively inexpensively.
12
S'mores Party
If the weather is ripe for it, try a backyard bonfire complete with a s'mores bar. Set out all kinds of chocolate, various flavors of graham crackers, and big, puffy marshmallows. No campfire? No problem—try an indoor camp theme with an electric s'mores maker at the center of it all.
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13
Game Night
Who doesn't love a good game night? There are plenty of classic board games guest will love, but you can really get creative by surprising party-goers with a custom version of Scattergories.
14
Potluck Party
If you're not much of a birthday person, a potluck party might be the best approach. Let your friends and family help you bring the celebration to life by assigning each guest a different course, dish, or item to bring. Make sure the host handles any heavy components or dishes that are difficult to transport. These parties really let your guests shine, which is the perfect situation for those who don't love being the center of attention!
15
Pool Party
On a hot summer day, there's nothing better than the classic pool party—especially one with plenty of fun floats. And it turns out, you can make a splash even without a pool of your own—these days you can easily rent one through sites like Swimply. Not exactly warm? You can also get some inflatable pools and set them up in your living room as drink holders (just add ice and beverages!)
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16
Puppy Party
The surest way to bring a smile to your guests' faces? Puppies, of course. Turn your living room into a puppy cafe of sorts, and invite everyone to bring their four-legged friends. Alternatively, you could even turn your party into a fundraiser for shelter animals by asking for donations in lieu of gifts. If you don't feel comfortable asking for cash, suggest donations like old linens and towels, dog or cat food, and other items shelters frequently need.
17
Movie Marathon
Queue up some of your favorite flicks on your streaming platform of choice and set up a snack bar reminiscent of the ones they have at the theater. You'll want to have plenty of candy, some truly buttery popcorn, and some soda on hand. Midway through, hit pause to take a swing at this on-theme piñata.
18
Minecraft Birthday Party
If there's one theme that's sure to please middle school-age kids, it's Minecraft. Surprise the birthday boy or girl and their friends by bringing their favorite gaming characters to life.
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19
Dinosaur Party
Have a roaring good time celebrating any birthday boy or girl with a dinosaur-themed event. We love the idea of shaking things up with bold colors rather than the traditional greens and browns.
20
Under the Sea Party
It's easy to bring an undersea theme to life—lean on a host of clear balloons and iridescent cellophane to play backdrop to your buffet, then make sure to add some cleverly displayed food, like the adorable crab dip pictured here.
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
