8 Birthday Party Ideas for Invitations, Games and Décor

A successful birthday party is one filled with laughter and love! It’s the kind of celebration where guests go home with special memories of the event. Ready to throw an affair to remember? Check out these party tips perfect for your home or school. (P.S. They’re easy on the pocket, too!)

You’re invited!
1. Puzzled!
Give your guests a taste of the fun to come through interactive invitations sure to delight kids of all ages.

YOU WILL NEED:
Coloring sheets (preferably on hard stock paper)
A set of washable markers
Permanent markers
Plastic envelopes
Sticker paper
Scissors

1. Look for coloring sheets that fit the theme of your party. Try searching the Net or go to the traditional route by using coloring sheets from coloring books.
2. Print these sheets on hard-stock paper.
3. With a permanent marker, draw the puzzle lines at the back. Remember to use easy-to-follow lines, without too many squiggles as this may be too difficult for young children to cut.
4. Place the finished coloring sheets inside a plastic envelope. Add in a set of washable markers.
5. Write down the details of the party on a sheet of sticker paper and attach this onto the plastic envelope.

SMART TIP
Save time and energy by using a computer for printing out party details. One click of the mouse is all you need to create multiple copies.

2. Wild, wacky world
If your child is old enough, why not involve him in the task of making party invitations? Take a page out of Dr. Seuss’ book, Wacky Wednesday, and create a wacky world he and his friends will revel in. All you need are a sheet pf paper, colored markers, and a wild imagination! Start by deciding on the theme of the party. Would he like to take a fun ride to outer space? Or an amazing dive in an underwater world? Once he decides on the theme, it’s time to let his imagination run wild as he draws his world based on his chosen theme. Let him add in funny details, such as star inside the moon or a small fish trying to eat a whale. Count the number of wacky details in the invitation; turn this into a game for his friends by giving a prize to those who find all the wacky details in his drawing. Create multiple copies of his wacky world for all his friends. Don’t forget to write down the details of the party on the back!

 

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Read on for more birthday party ideas.

 

3. Décor rate!
Decorating a kiddie party can be costly, especially if you factor in professional balloon arrangements, standees, banners, and centerpieces. Here’s good news: Create-your-own decorations are more fun and rewarding for kids and adults alike! The fact that it will cut down on your costs also adds to its appeal.

4. Table tops
Cover your tables with a large white sheet of paper. You can also opt for Manila paper or even butcher paper, usually available in large rolls. Place a nice arrangement of crayons, markers, and stickers at the center, and invite your guests to get started on their masterpiece. Ask the older guests to write down their birthday greetings, too! Turn this into a cool keepsake you can whip out-and add to-each year.

5. Up, up, and away
Order an assortment of stick balloons. Using permanent markers, draw some designs on the balloons. Use these to decorate the venue. Note: Always have an adult round to supervise older children taking part in this activity.

 

Go, go, games
6. Getting-to-know-each-other bingo
This interactive game is perfect for small, intimate parties.

YOU WILL NEED:
Getting-to-know-each-other bingo sheets
Markers
1.  A week before the party, ask the parents of the kids you are inviting one interesting fact about their chills. Some examples would be, “he loves to play soccer,” she has all the charaters of Strawberry Shortcake in her closet,” or his favorite characters are the Power Rangers.”
2.  Create a 3x3 or 4x4 grid on a sheet of paper, depending on the number of guests you expect.
3.  In each grid, write down one fun fact about each guest. Leave enough space for the kids (or in case they can’t write yet, ask their ‘rents) to write down the name of the tot being described in each box.
4.  On the day of the party, hand out these Bingo cards, and encourage your guests to find out who is scared of spiders, who loves eating afritada, and who pretends to be Cinderella all the time.
5.  Give a prize to the first one who completes the Bingo card.

 

Click here to see more birthday party ideas.

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Read on for more birthday party ideas.

 

7. Pin the tail on donkey
This classic game can be modified to suit the theme of the party. Have a “Pin The Wart on the Witch” for a birthday celebration that falls during Halloween. Santa’s sack of toys should be right on his back for a birthday that lands near Christmas. What about placing a jar of hunny between the hands of Winnie the Pooh? All you’ll need for this activity is a lot of imagination, drawing skills, and the requisite poster paper and marker.

 

8. Leapin’ loot bags!
The rule of thumb for loot bags is to set a limit on how much you want to spend. From here, you can go the route of having a few small items inside the bag or you can also opt to splurge on just one big item, such as a lunch bag or a toy hamper. Here are some ideas to get you started on your loot-bag hunt.
-    Stickers
-    Bubbles
-    Transfer tattoos
-    Colored markers, pencils, pens, eraser, notebooks
-    Play dough
-    Bread kits
-    Packets of seeds
-    Books
-    Stuffed toys or puppets

Photography by Chino Acosta