100 Party Themes
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Sometimes the party theme is clear from the occasion, such as for holidays or end-of-season sports celebrations. Other times, especially birthdays, the theme is up to you and your child.

Check out the list of party themes below and click on those of interest. Each theme provides fun ideas for invitations, decorations, activities, favors, and refreshments. Popular themes are shown with a gold star .

1st Birthday 60's 70's Airplanes/Jets Arabian Nights Artist Barbie Barnyard Beach Party Beauty Parlor Bowling Camp Out Carnival Characters Cheer Chef Circus County Fair Construction Dance Dinosaurs Dolls Drama Dress-up Favorite Animal Fire Fighter First Birthday Gymnastics Harry Potter Jungle Safari Knights Legos

Luau Magic Makeover Movies Music Mystery Nature & Wildlife Pirate Party Pool Party Princess Quinceanera Racecars Slumber Party Space Spa Party Super Heroes Super Science Sweet 16 Tea Party Teddy Bear Theater Tool Time Trains Treasure Hunt Under the Sea Wacky Water Fun Wild West Wizards

Baseball Basketball Bowling Football Ice Skating Golf Gymnastics Rock Climbing Roller Skating Skate Board Soccer Sports World Amusement Park Bowling Go-Carting Horses Laser Tag Miniature Golf Movies Museum Paintball Picnic Restaurants Theater Video Arcade Zoo

New Years Chinese New Year Valentines Mardi Gras St. Patrick's Easter 4th of July Labor Day Halloween Christmas Kwanza Back to School Barbecue Block Party Fiesta Game Night Graduation Movies Snow Play Summer Fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's overlap in the categories above, so be sure to scan all the categories for ideas. Sports themes, such as Football and Soccer, make great birthday parties for a sports enthusiast. Many of the Holiday themes, such as St. Patrick's and Halloween, are fun for school parties.

Not sure which themes would be best for your child? Use our Theme Questionnaire to help you focus on some good ideas. And don't forget to ask your child. She may have some great ideas.

Visit our Favorite Birthday Parties and Ages & Stages for party themes that are popular with your child's age group.

Select a party theme that is compatible with your child's skills and personality. If your child is high energy, an outdoor Carnival or Sports World party with lots of games will be great. If your child is quiet or a bit shy, a party theme that accommodates calmer activities, such as Artist or Tea Party, might be more appropriate.

The number of guests, potential locations, and your budget can all influence the party theme. For example: if your child has lots of friends and family to invite, you don't have room at your house, and you don't have a big budget... a Picnic Party at a nearby park might be a good fit.

If the party theme is based on a particular character or story, such as Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh, Sesame Street, etc... don't assume every child is familiar with the character. Consider setting the stage by reading a section of a book or showing a short video as one of the first activities at the party.

A word of caution... don't overdo the theme unless you're sure you and your child won't burn out on it. For example: A Barbie party with Barbie decorations, Barbie games, Barbie toys, and Barbie cake served on Barbie plates is a whole lot of Barbie!

Some years the same themes come up over and over again. If three of your child's friends already had dinosaur parties this year, but dinosaurs are your child's thing... go ahead and have a Dinosaur Party, but stretch your imagination to make it unique.