Whether you want to host your kid’s birthday or have someone else do all the work, here are four fun themes — complete with activities, party favors and treat ideas — to make their day extra special.
I love throwing birthday parties for my kids. Even though it can be exhausting and expensive, I love coming up with party themes and doing something fun for my birthday kid. But I know not every parent has the same level of birthday party enthusiasm that I do. If you’d rather do, well … anything else than plan a kid’s party, this article is for you. Here are four themes that you can use for the next kid’s birthday party you throw. Each theme has both at-home and party venue options. You’ll also find ideas for kid activities, party favors and in some cases an extra-special treat.
Theme No. 1: LEGO
Ideas for Hosting at Home
Got a LEGO lover in your house and want an at-home party? Have kids build their own vehicle and then race them down an inclined track (pictured above). Pro Tip: Use heavy-duty cardboard (like from an appliance box) or plywood for the track. If you want to go all out, paint it or use colored duct tape to make it look like a road (pictured bottom right).
Don’t have space for a raceway? Play the easy building games available here. You’ll need to sign up for a free account to have access to timed game ideas like “build a monster in 90 seconds.” The fun part is a random spinner picks the winning characteristic, e.g. “monster with tallest legs.” And you can continue with more rounds. The best part is you won’t need to go out and get special pieces, you can use bricks you have on hand. Pro tip: Click here for more ideas and free printables that can be used as invitations or decor.
Want to take your theme over-the-top? The week before the party starts, make edible candy bricks (pictured below). It’s easy and you can even get the birthday kid to help. You’ll need at least one silicone brick candy mold, 3 bags of colorful candy melts and crispy rice cereal. Use a 2-cup, glass measuring cup to melt 1 cup of candy melts in a microwave, following the instructions on the bag. You’ll want to stir well in between microwaving. When the last bits are almost completely melted, stir it up again. Mix in 1/3 cup of crispy rice cereal. Spoon mixture /into the mold, tamping down. Use an offset spatula or butter knife to scrap off excess candy. Bang the mold down a few times to release air bubbles. Place on a baking sheet in a refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Unmold, store in an airtight container and repeat the process with other colors.
Use candy bricks as cupcake decorations, put candy bricks in small treat bags to give away to guests, or just place in a bowl for snacking during the party.
Party Venue Idea
If you want someone else to do the set-up, lead the activities and clean up, book a party with Brick & Minifigs, which has locations in Portland, Gresham, Beaverton and Vancouver, Wash.
Theme No. 2: Animals
Ideas for Hosting at Home
Animal-loving kids have plenty of options for petting all sorts of animals at their birthday parties. The Oregon Reptile Man will bring his scaly friends, Whiskers & Tails Parties will bring bunnies (pictured above), and Portland Goat Parties will bring baby goats to your home.
It’s an especially good idea to have another quiet activity for kids to do since everyone won’t be able to pet the animals at once. Google “color in animal masks” to find masks you can order or print out for kids to decorate. For a party favor guests can also wear during the festivities, order or craft some animal-ear headbands. Take lots of photos!
For fun treats, make homemade buttercream frosting and decorate cupcakes using a pastry bag fitted with a Wilton #233 “fur” tip. At the party, let kids decorate their own cupcake to look like a furry creature. Put sprinkles, candy eyeball sprinkles, and other decorations that can be used for a nose or mouth in a cupcake liner and give one to each kid. Pro tip: If you are feeling extra crafty ahead of time, use melted chocolate or candy melts to make triangle “ears” on parchment paper so each kid can also add ears to their cupcakes. When I’ve had kids decorate their own cupcakes, I’ve been surprised with how seriously they take it! They really put a lot of thought into it.
Party Venue Ideas
Does your kiddo want farm animals to be part of their party? Triskelee Farm in West Linn (pictured above) has a party package that includes feeding farm animals. Or party with emus, llamas, camels and more at Frog Pond Farm in Wilsonville. For horseback-riding parties, check out Sauvie Island Stables where kids can groom ponies, go for a ride and play with miniature horses and goats. Or to see wild animals, take the birthday kid and a few of their besties on an outing to the Oregon Zoo. For a budget party from September through November, arrive early to secure free picnic tables at Oregon Heritage Farm in Hillsboro. Buy the farm’s mini apple cider doughnuts for your guests instead of cake and enjoy free activities like farm animal viewing.
Theme No. 3: Science
Ideas for Hosting at Home
If you’ve got plenty of space in a backyard or patio, an at-home STEM party can be lots of messy fun! Just be sure to set expectations ahead of time by asking kids to keep their experiments in the designated area and to wear any safety equipment provided.
One fun, easy and cheap at-home STEM activity for elementary-school aged kids is making dry ice “potions.” Get a couple of pounds of dry ice (usually available at Winco and other grocery stores) and lots of clean, empty, fun-shaped bottles (tall bottles make an extra dramatic effect) and bowls along with warm water, dish soap and food coloring. Pro tip: A grown-up should use a hammer to break the dry ice into small pieces and always make sure anyone who handles dry ice is wearing gloves! Add a different combination of warm water, dish soap or food coloring to the containers and then let kids drop pieces of dry ice into them. (For a foggy effect, have a bowl with very hot water, too!) You can have the kids take “lab notes” to describe the various reactions or just let them have at it.
I love party activities that can double as a take-home gift. Buy kid-size safety glasses and a bunch of small stickers and stick-on rhinestones. Then have kiddos personalize their safety glasses before you start with the dry ice play. Pro tip: For more at-home experiments check out Science Buddies.
Party Venue Idea
Experiment PDX has a range of STEAM party themes such as slime making, LEGO robotics or a super science show. Your party also includes 30 minutes of play in their hands-on science museum.
Theme No. 4: Active
Ideas for Hosting at Home
With a big yard or indoor play room (or your local park), you can set up a homemade obstacle course for an epic game of Floor Is Lava. Throw in a few gigantic beach balls and the kids will wear themselves out before birthday cake.
Be sure to include a sneaker or sports-themed piñata for even more active fun. Pro tip: The Winco candy bins are a very affordable way to stuff a piñata to the brim.
Party Venue Ideas
If your kid has a winter birthday or you want birthday party guests to get their energy out somewhere other than your home, check out The Wiggle Room, which is a great space for preschoolers, or Sky Zone Trampoline Park (pictured above) for older kids. Want someone else to wrangle energetic kids? Try a Trackers Earth archery party or Clackamas Ultrazone Laser Tag party.
For more party venue ideas, check out our Birthday Directory.