Party themes and decorations

Questions to start with

Choosing a theme that's easy to host

Not sure which theme to choose, or how far to take it? Start here to find a theme that works for your party and to make it feel themed without buying a matching version of everything.

Start with what your child most wants to do at the party, then check whether that fits your space, your preparation time, your budget and the help you'll have on the day. The guide on choosing a party theme that is easy to host walks through these questions. It won't pick a theme for you, but it helps you weigh the options yourself.

Once you've chosen a theme, one activity can do most of the work. Repeat its colors or a simple motif in a few places, such as a welcome sign or a table sign with the theme name. For the full method, see how to make a party feel themed without buying a matching version of every item.

Decorating on a budget, in a small space or after dark

These questions cover decorations for any theme: stretching a small budget, making simple decorations yourself, decorating a small space without clutter or damage, lighting a backyard or evening party, and setting up signs and a photo backdrop.

In a small room, keep space for seating, eating and walking routes before you choose where the main display goes. Decorations fit around those areas, not the other way round. The guide to decorating a small party space covers the room check before guests arrive. It also suggests keeping bags for decorations, trash bags, wipes and towels near the party area.

When you know where your display will go, decide what is worth making yourself. A personal banner or sign is a good thing to make. Plain supplies can often be reused from home or bought. These simple decorations you can make include a photo corner with a plain backdrop, a sign and paper props in a basket nearby.

Signs and a photo area each have their own job. Signs work best along the routes guests actually walk, such as the entrance, food table and restroom. For a backdrop, take a test photo before decorating to see which part of the wall shows and whether its edges appear, and keep the prop basket out of the shot. The guide to party signs and a photo backdrop walks through both checks.

Planning a birthday party around a favorite game or character

Planning a party around a favorite game or character? These questions cover Minecraft, Pokémon, building blocks and superheroes, including a superhero party in a small space.

A superhero theme can come from what guests do rather than from character-branded decorations. A cape or mask craft, a training game or a villain hunt with clue cards can each carry the theme. Choose only the options your space allows. These superhero party ideas include a checklist for gathering game equipment and keeping a copy of the hunt route.

For guests who would rather make things, a building-block activity is a separate choice. It doesn't come with Minecraft or Pokémon rules. One of the building blocks party ideas is building a bridge with enough space underneath for a small toy vehicle or a block-built one to pass through.

Animal and outdoor party themes

Find questions on dinosaur, horse, farm, mermaid, garden and butterfly, and camping parties. They cover a dinosaur dig, a horse or pony party without live animals, a mermaid or under-the-sea party without a pool, and a camping party without a campfire.

An animal theme can work through pretend play and crafts, such as paper ponies, rosettes or hobby horses, without any live animals. Riding or live-animal arrangements are a separate decision to discuss with a provider. The guide to a horse or pony party without live animals helps you make that choice first.

A contained paper dig is another hands-on option for an animal theme. If children take turns at the dig, plan what the others do while they wait. One idea is decorating paper dinosaur expedition cards. The guide to a dinosaur party with a dig activity covers turns and waiting activities.

Themes linked with the outdoors can be adapted to the space you have. A camping atmosphere can come from a camp sign, a seated circle and a craft rather than a fire. Planning a camping-themed party without a campfire also covers the food: choose one or two mains, a snack, a treat and drinks, with amounts adjusted for children and adults.

Activity party themes: art, sports, glow, space and pirates

These themes are built around what guests do. Find questions on painting parties, sports parties for guests of different skill levels, glow or neon parties, space and astronaut parties, and pirate birthdays.

Activity themes each come with their own practical needs. For an art party, test the project once yourself, give every guest a workspace and plan how finished pieces will get home. The guide to planning an art or painting party starts with counting guests, table places and canvases or paper pieces.

Sports challenges work best when guests can take part in different ways. Adjust distances, offer roles or include other ways to join in, rather than assuming everyone plays at the same level. A sports party for different skill levels can also include seated questions before the games, where anyone can pass.