7 Birthday Party Ideas That Are Out of This World

Whether it's your little one's first birthday party or the tenth, the party-planning tasks can pile up. Simplify your to-do list by choosing a birthday party theme that dictates the activities, decorations and food.

 

A themed birthday party allows kids and parents to use their imaginations and draw inspiration from the stars, moon, planets, comets, astronauts and aliens. Whether chowing down on asteroid cookies or getting lost in a galaxy of balloons, kids will surely have a memorable time. Here are some great ideas that will make your party a successful mission.

 

Let’s dive right in…

• Birthday party invitations
• Birthday party decorations with balloons
• Hang up some signage
• Birthday party cake
• Birthday party games
• Party games for gamers
• Songs for birthday parties

 

Birthday party invitations

 

Get the party started the moment guests open the invitation. Online stationery shops offer many options; popular birthday themes include gaming, dinosaurs, superheroes, Star Wars, and Harry Potter.

 

Ask guests to join you to celebrate your little one's first (or any subsequent) trip around the galaxy. (A bit of toddler birthday party etiquette: Specify whether parents are expected to stay.)

 

Birthday party decorations with balloons

 

Balloons are a cost-effective way to add a significant burst of colour and fun to a party — and they work exceptionally well for a theme like gaming. Plus, when filled with helium, they're anti-gravity!

 

1. Stick them to the wall to create a festive backdrop. Or maybe spell "happy birthday", the name of the birthday person, their age, etc.

 

2. Hang the balloons from the ceiling for a magical feeling.

 

3. Decorate the birthday cake with them.    

 

Hang up some signage

 

A simple welcome sign is sometimes all it takes for guests to feel comfortable. It is especially true when your attendees are little kids. Use a sandwich board and get both sides decorated. These may include favourite cartoon characters or just lovely patterns. Make the selections based on the taste and age of your child.

 

Birthday party cake

 

Gaming cake

Buttercream frosted Minecraft creeper cake. This easy-to-make cake is perfect for any gaming-themed birthday party.

 

Dinosaur cake

This show-stopping party cake is deceptively easy to make and looks professional. Ideal for kid's birthdays, try colourful decorated vanilla sponge.

 

Chocolate owl cake

A fun chocolate birthday cake decorated with buttons, biscuits and marzipan - bound to be a hit with young children.

 

Pirate ship and Treasure Island cake

A stunning children's birthday chocolate cake with hidden treasure buried on a sandy desert island for the kids to dig into.

 

Birthday party games

 

Musical Chairs

You know the drill, right? Set up one less chair than the number of children playing. They start the music, and everyone walks around the chairs until they hear the music stop. Everyone rushes to grab a chair as quickly as possible. The last person stands out, another chair is removed, and the music starts again until only one final person stands.

 

Sack Race

For a sack race, you will need a hessian/burlap sack or a large pillowcase for each player (you can also play in relay teams to minimise the number of sacks you need). To race, guests must stand with their feet inside the sack and 'go' race to the finish line (or to their teammate if you're playing relay style). The winner is the first player to cross the finish line or the first team to have all members jump.

 

Treasure Hunt

Treasure hunts (or scavenger hunts) can be simple to set up or as involved and detailed as you wish. To keep it simple, hide wrapped sweets/lollies around the play space for guests to hunt; each guest keeps what they find. For a treasure hunt that's a little more involved, hide a series of tokens around the play space for guests to see – the child who finds the most wins a prize. The tokens can be anything – small coloured gemstones, printed tokens like the ones we used here for a goblin hunt, painted rocks, etc.

 

Party games for gamers

 

Super Mario 3D World

Super Mario 3D World might be the best child-friendly game ever made. The levels are open and friendly. Kids can play the game with simple controls, but it hides a fair amount of depth for experts. Most importantly, Super Mario 3D World is designed from the ground up for cooperative play. Some games have co-op tacked on, but everything about this game is designed to suit people playing together.

 

Overcooked 2

Overcooked is a chaotic same-screen co-op game with players screaming at one another; It’s a gem and it's impossible not to have fun playing this game.

 

Minecraft

Minecraft is the granddaddy of them all—Lego for a new generation. Minecraft is so good for kids that it gets used in schools to help with creativity and problem-solving. Watch out for that time sink, though. If you're trying to limit screen time, you'll have an uphill battle with Minecraft!

 

Mario Kart 8

Mario Kart is a must. Mario Kart 8, with its user-friendly control options and inventive track design, is the best yet -- especially for young kids. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, recently released on Switch, is that game's perfect, definitive version. Get on it.

 

Songs for birthday parties

 

These songs for kids will surely get your little one up and moving, laughing, and singing along.

 

1. You've Got a Friend in Me – Toy Story
2. The Wheels on The Bus
3. The Bare Necessities – The Jungle Book
4. Hakuna Matata – The Lion King
5. Circle of Life – The Lion King
6. Can't Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake
7. Where You Are – Moana

 

Did We Miss Anything?

Now I’d like to hear from you:

Which birthday party idea are you going to try first?

Or maybe we didn’t mention one of your favourite birthday party ideas.

Either way let us know by leaving comment right below.