Birthdays are always a cause for celebration; not that we need a reason for cake! However, you may be stumped on how exactly to celebrate your own birthday, or might be pondering how to throw the perfect birthday party for a loved one. That’s where we come in! Today, we’re excited to share with you 36 awesome birthday party theme ideas that suit a wide range of ages, budgets, and event preferences. Read on to discover our top picks, and get ready to totally impress the birthday honoree, as well as the party guests. Whether you’re searching for birthday themes for young adults or happy birthday themes for those soon turning 50, we’ve got it all covered in the following guide.
Kids Birthday Party Ideas
For many people, birthday parties are often regarded as some of their finest early memories. Give your little munchkins the birthday party they’ll always remember by choosing one of the following adorable themes!
Birthday Themes for Kids
Unicorn Party
Bring some magic to your little one’s birthday with a fabulous unicorn-themed party. Your guests might even hear the clip-clop of hooves when they arrive! You could even make some DIY unicorn horn headbands!
Ice Cream Sundae Bar Party
If your kids scream for ice cream, this unique party idea is sure to be a hit! Create a delicious ice cream sundae bar equipped with various ice cream flavors, and provide toppings like sprinkles, marshmallows, cookies, and glacé cherries. Your guests (kids and adults alike) will adore designing their dream ice cream sundae!
Disney Party
There are a plethora of great Disney movies to choose from for your birthday party theme! Find designs from Toy Story, The Incredibles, Moana, and much more in our officially licensed Disney stores Add your choice of personalization to the design to really make it your own, and get ready to see your child’s face light up!
Superhero Party
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s your kids’ next birthday party! If your little superhero is a DC or Marvel fan, check out Zazzle’s officially licensed products from both universes, and supercharge your birthday party experience. Why not invite your guests to come dressed as their favorite heroes?
The Wizarding World
Step into the wonderful world of witchcraft and wizardry with this clever party theme! Serve up some kid-friendly Butterbeer, Chocolate Frogs, and Pumpkin Pasties as your guests eagerly wait to be sorted into their respective Hogwarts houses.
Sesame Street Party
Enlist Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird to help celebrate your little one’s big day this year! Decorate your party venue with plenty of colors, letters, and numbers in order to transport the attendees to 123 Sesame Street. This party idea is fun and educational, all at once!
Dinosaur Party
Roar! This birthday party idea is simply dino-mite. Host a dinosaur egg hunt, print dinosaur footprints for guests to color in, or, go all-out by assembling a sandbox filled with ‘fossils’ for the kids to dig up! After the excavation, the items that they’ve found can be taken home as party favors.
Princess or Prince Party
Put on your glass slippers and tiaras to celebrate the birthday royalty! Encourage your guests to come in their favorite Disney Princess or Prince outfit, and set up a DIY crown-making station. It’s also the perfect occasion for a fairytale story-telling session!
Baseball Party
The party will definitely be a home run if you choose this theme for the event! Split the little attendees up into teams, and challenge them to an exciting game of baseball! Don’t forget to whip up some scrumptious game-day-themed refreshments to enjoy after the ball game.
Kids’ Art Party
There’s an artist in each and every child! Inspire your guests to unleash their inner Picasso by providing them with colorful paints and blank canvases. At the end of the party, everyone can unveil their gorgeous works of art. Make sure to offer aprons to protect clothing!
Lego Party
Lego offers children endless possibilities for laughter and creativity! Foster their growing imaginations by throwing a Lego party complete with tons of colorful blocks waiting to be assembled. You could also bake a cake in the shape of a Lego piece to really wow your audience!
Milestone Birthdays – The Early Years
The earliest milestone birthdays are just as important as the ones that follow! If you’re not sure what theme will best commemorate your little one’s birthday, we’ll offer some insight. Each age they turn is special, so make sure to celebrate them and their growth appropriately. Check out our top picks for early birthday ideas below!
First Birthday
Your child’s first birthday will always be remembered by the whole family and will create the most cherished memories. Choose the perfect first birthday theme that resonates with you and your little one who’s just completed their very first year on earth! Some adorable theme ideas include ‘One in a Melon,’ or ‘Berry First Birthday.’ You could play into their wild and mischievous side by going for ‘A Wild One,’ or opt for a sporty theme like ‘First Touchdown!’
Second Birthday
It’s time to throw a two-riffic birthday party! Your baby is growing up fast, and may now have their own favorite things such as spaceships, toy cars, different animals, ballerinas, or trains. Our favorite second birthday party theme ideas include fun puns like ‘Two The Moon’ or ‘Two Sweet,’ as well as classic options like a day at the racetrack or cute farmyard animals.
Third Birthday
Wild and free? More like Wild and THREE! Now that your little one is getting bigger, you could opt for a party themed around their current most loved T.V. show, food, or color! Make sure to invite their very first few friends, too.
Teen Birthday Party Ideas
The teenage years go by quickly, so it’s best to celebrate each one accordingly! When it comes to teens, make sure to check in with them first to figure out their interests, and nail down their wishes for their next birthday party. At this age, they’ll definitely appreciate having some proper involvement with their celebration! Continue reading to discover our favorite teen-friendly birthday party ideas.
Birthday Themes for Teens
Tea Party
Birthdays call for extra pomp and circumstance, so why not host a delectable royal tea party? Encourage your attendees to dress in their finest tea party attire as they join you for warming teas, tasty sandwiches, and decadent desserts. You could even serve your choice of dishes on some intricate tiered trays to completely elevate the experience!
’90s Sleepover
Have you heard? The ‘90s are officially back! Have a throwback party for your teens. Get inflatable chairs and ring pops, and have the evening end with a showing of their favorite ‘90s movie while the guests curl up on the couch. Cover the house with ‘90s-inspired décor to really transport the attendees back in time!
Video Game Birthday Party
Game on! Level up your birthday with a video game birthday party. Whether your teen is an Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo gamer, they’ll be sure to thoroughly enjoy this awesome idea. Create some friendly competition by putting on a gaming tournament, where the winner will get a prize!
Movie Marathon
This laid-back birthday party idea is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser yet requires minimal effort. Pop some buttery popcorn and build a pillow fort filled with all the best kinds of candy! Get the birthday honoree to pick their favorite movie genre, whether that be rom-com, superhero, horror, or fantasy, select a few titles, and get started on an epic movie marathon.
Pool Party
Splash! This party idea is sure to be the biggest hit of the summer. By serving up fruity mocktails with little umbrellas, setting up comfy lounge chairs, and providing sun shades around the pool, you can create a luxurious resort in your backyard! Take the party over the top by arranging a diving competition where the champion will win a prize for their talents.
Rick and Morty
Is the birthday teen a huge Rick and Morty fan? If so, they’re in luck because we’ve got an amazing selection of officially licensed Rick and Morty designs available! With fantastic birthday invitations and party supplies featuring all of the most iconic characters from the series, you can pull off the ultimate Rick and Morty bash that’ll have everybody talking. Why not get your guests to all dress up as somebody from the show?
Pampering Spa Day
This relaxing party idea is a sure-fire way to help your teen and their close friends rejuvenate. Set up a pampering station equipped with different types of face masks, skin care, and nail polish for the guests to choose from. Or, hire a professional nail artist or facialist to visit your home and let them take charge. Don’t forget to light some lovely scented candles!
Milestone Birthdays – The Teen Years
During their teen years, children progress through many different coming-of-age milestones, each of which deserve an extra special celebration! Many people choose to go big with these particular parties, as they hold a great deal of significance for a number of different reasons.
13 / Bat & Bar Mitzvahs
In the Jewish faith, the transition to teenage years is a rite of passage, and is celebrated with an elaborate event known as a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah. This tradition marks the moment at which a young member of the synagogue becomes an adult in Jewish society, so should be celebrated with the greatest of joy. Make sure their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah is one to remember by opting for some classy custom invitations!
15 / Quinceañera
Quinceañeras are marvelous celebrations that honor a young girl’s journey into womanhood. Mark their quinceañera in total style with a gorgeous invitation suite from Zazzle! And, make sure they feel like a million dollars on their big night by decking out your venue with eye-catching custom decorations. It’s those little touches that often matter the most!
16 / Sweet Sixteen
A Sweet Sixteen is always a highly anticipated birthday party! Consult with the birthday honoree to establish whether they’d prefer a glamorous event, or a more low-key party. Themes like winter wonderland, Paris, or a masquerade ball are great choices for larger events, while a simple slumber party or a meal in a fancy restaurant will suit teens who’d prefer less fuss.
Eighteenth
Turning 18 is a big deal – it’s when you officially enter into the realm of adulthood! This is an exceedingly exciting time, as the world begins to open up and offer more and more possibilities. Mark this important milestone occasion with an out-of-the-ordinary experience like a road trip with friends, a visit to a theme park, parachuting, or a concert.
Adult Birthday Party Ideas
Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can’t still throw an amazingly fun birthday party every year! Birthdays are simply an excuse to celebrate yourself and your achievements from your last trip around the sun. Gather your friends, family, and co-workers together to indulge in a memorable event that commemorates you. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite adult birthday party ideas for you to browse through!
Birthday Themes for Adults
Wine Tasting Party
Wine tastings are sophisticated yet fun-filled affairs that allow for the sampling of many different types of wines, and can even help you find your next favorite. Offer up some delicious charcuterie boards to pair with the wine, and get settled in for a fabulous birthday experience!
Ted Lasso Party
This birthday theme is ideal for any Ted Lasso lovers out there! Delve into our officially licensed store and find the perfect invitations for an event inspired by this hit T.V. series. Make sure that every guest arrives in the AFC Richmond colors!
Outdoor Dinner Party
This is a superb birthday party idea for anyone who has a nice backyard. String up some fairy lights, rent a gorgeous gazebo, and cook that meal you’ve always wanted to make! Put some vibrant fresh flowers on the table, and set up a home cocktail bar to really impress your friends and family.
Sports Watch Party
Calling all sports fans! Is there a big game coming up around your birthday? If there is, then why not have a game watch party at home? Set up a projector or your T.V. with a good sound system and it’ll almost feel like you’re really there! Cheer on your favorite team while chowing down on some mouthwatering game-day-inspired snacks.
Brunch Party
Not all parties need to be evening or night-time affairs.. For those who are morning people and not night owls, brunch is a fantastic option! Host the birthday brunch at home, or head out to a local spot and get ready to catch up with your loved ones while enjoying some scrumptious food. Bonus points if you get mimosas!
F.R.I.E.N.D.S Party
The One Where You Or Your Friend Turns Another Year Older! These officially licensed designs are absolutely perfect for the F.R.I.E.N.D.S superfan. Gather your nearest and dearest to come over and indulge in some F.R.I.E.N.D.S-themed fun! Have a trivia quiz based on the show, or a karaoke competition featuring iconic songs from the series. On Zazzle, you can find officially licensed F.R.I.E.N.D.S birthday invitations and clothing designs that complete the entire event.!
The Nightmare Before Christmas Party
What’s this? Why, simply a spook-tacular birthday party idea, of course! Grab all your greatest ghouls, and throw a unique party experience inspired by the quirky characters of this beloved stop-motion film. Make some nightmarish snacks and cocktails, and be sure to offer plenty of classic Halloween candy!
Milestone Birthdays – The Adult Years
As we age, we pass many important milestone birthdays that call for an extra touch of fanfare. We’ve included our favorite ideas for the first four adulthood milestone birthdays below. Make sure to mark these once-in-a-lifetime occasions with a bang, because they ARE, in fact, a big deal!
21st Birthday
Turning 21 means you can now officially enjoy an alcoholic beverage (responsibly!) So, why not celebrate this long-anticipated milestone by heading out to a classy local bar, or attending a mixology lesson? Another great idea is to hire a party bus with friends and take to the road for an unforgettable night!
30th Birthday
You know what they say: the thirties are the new twenties! For a marvelous 30th birthday party, why not try to learn a new skill, or partake in an activity you’ve always wanted to try? Think a pottery class, a flower arranging lesson, a boat trip, a cooking class, or rock climbing!
40th Birthday
A great way to celebrate your 40th year on this planet is to have a party inspired by times that have since passed. Pick your favorite year or decade and recreate this by asking your guests to come dressed like they would’ve at the time, and only play music that was popular during this era. Let the nostalgia trip commence!
50th Birthday
A 50th birthday is a very special affair. Seize this opportunity to have the most glamorous and glitzy party you’ve always dreamed of! Rent out a stunning venue and choose caterers that can offer you and your guests your all-time favorite dishes. Go on, you deserve it!
No matter what way you choose to celebrate a birthday, being surrounded by friends and family is what will truly make the experience memorable. So, whether you go for a low-key celebration or a big blowout party, we hope you have the best birthday possible, and will treasure this memory for many years to come. If you’ve got any other great birthday party ideas that we didn’t already mention today, please leave a comment underneath this article. Hip, hip, hooray!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2022 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Ella is a content specialist from Cork, Ireland. Her passions include spending time with her two energetic dogs, film photography and trying new vegan food! She enjoys writing articles, especially about weddings, because she is a romantic at heart!
