Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

5 unique birthday party ideas for kids

Birthdays are a time for kids to celebrate by playing with friends, enjoying games, opening up gifts, and eating cake, of course. But coming up with a fun and unique birthday party theme idea isn’t always easy, especially if they don’t have something specific they are into. These days, themes like unicorns, mermaids, dinosaurs, and video games are a dime a dozen. It can be tough to think outside of the box, but we’ve rounded up some wonderfully unique birthday party ideas that will definitely make for a party to remember.

Detective-themed

Is your kid a mystery master? Do they love cartoons with a little bit of a whodunit in them? If so, a detective-themed birthday party is a great option to consider. There are so many inventive things you can do with this theme. There are even chocolate detective mustaches so that everyone can pretend to be a detective! Come up with a small mystery to be solved or a fun scavenger hunt where the kids find a prize at the end of the hunt. You could have doughnuts as treats, some fun magnifying glass cake pops, and more. You can even create cute little detectives badges and put them in a badge holder for the kids to bring home.

Shiny Glitter
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pop star-themed

Does your child listen to Taylor Swift or another pop start on repeat? A party where all the guests come over as their favorite pop star is such a fun and exciting idea. They can either choose to dress up before they get there, or you can have a box of fun accessories available so that they can “doll themselves up” before the party. Invites could even look like concert tickets. There are plenty of games that guests can play, some of which include singing karaoke, playing “guess that tune,” and so much more. Everyone can enjoy cake “pop” stars, and favors could include pretend microphones or rock and roll temporary tattoos. Let your imagination run with this one.

Recommended Videos

Crayon-themed

If your little one is obsessed with coloring, then a crayon-themed party is just the thing for their birthday. The best part about this party theme is that you can grab any kind of colors you like, although the primary colors work best. Activities could include coloring a picture that they can bring home, or creating a decorate your own cookie crayon station. You’ll need a crayon-shaped cookie cutter, some royal icing in different colors, and the kids can create their own masterpieces. For favors, you could send the kids home with a goodie bag filled with crayons of all kinds, and even these crayon bubbles that they’ll just love.

Cooking-themed

Do you have a little chef in the making that is always in the kitchen wondering what you are doing? A chef-themed birthday party would be an incredible homage to their cooking skills, and of course, becoming a year older. You can use your imagination and come up with a little meal that each of the children can make. It can be something as easy as making bagel pizzas and helping the kids place them in the oven to cook. Fun games could be “pin the topping on the pizza,” and the kids could enjoy cute cookies that are decorated like kitchen gadgets. Even the cake can look like a chef’s hat. You can have a lot of fun with this theme.

Bananas
Lari Fernandes/Shutterstock

Let’s go bananas-themed

Everyone’s favorite fruit doesn’t get enough love. How about a banana-themed birthday party, especially if your child is still little? There are so many things that you can do with this theme. Not only can you obviously buy bananas to serve as a snack for the kids, but you can keep the theme going with banana pudding, and even a banana cake. These adorable bendable bananas would make a great addition to any goodie bag. You could also include a cute miniature banana in each bag.

While there are plenty of popular birthday party themes, if your child is looking for something different than what is popular in the mainstream, be proud and let them. If they are still young and cannot really make a decision for themselves, this is a great opportunity for you to create the party of your child’s dreams. With these different party themes, you can throw a bash that everyone will remember for years to come.

Jennifer Passmore
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jennifer has written two books on how to deal with living with chronic illness using the power of positivity. She has written…
Best third birthday party ideas for an unforgettable celebration
Birthday party ideas to celebrate turning 3
Birthday cake with a number 3 candle on it

All birthdays are special when it comes to your kiddos, but 3 years old is a truly monumental birthday. You are ending the toddler phase with the third birthday, and that is certainly something to celebrate. Those terrible two are going bye-bye, and your toddler is about to become a preschooler. A 3-year-old birthday party is probably the first one your little guy or gal will be inviting some friends of their own.

Kiddos love birthday parties, especially when all the gifts have their names on them. Of course, you want to throw a party your child and his or her friends will totally enjoy without making you crazy. Don't start stressing already. There are lots of fun third birthday party ideas to make your little one's special day amazing while keeping your stress level to a minimum.
Third birthday party ideas: How to throw a stress-free and fun event

Read more
Spring sports for kids: Best picks for a fun season
Let your child try one of these sports to welcome springtime
A children's baseball game

When the winter hits, most kids plan out how they will stay inside all season long, huddled under blankets with books and TV shows. Parents, too. By spring, parents and children alike cannot wait to get back outside and moving again. If you want to help your child stretch their body and mind out and be active again, find one of these spring sports for kids and get them signed up now.
How to pick a sport for your child

Depending on where you are, spring sports for kids usually start signups in January, but can go up to May in some places, so check with your local school or city club on the dates. When picking a sport for your child, let them make the decision with you, and don't be disappointed if they don't want to continue it. You want to find something your child likes, so they stick with it. Letting them try a few different ones wouldn't hurt, especially so you know what they want to commit to before going crazy buying all of the gear.

Read more
5 fun spring break activities for kids you can do at home
Give your kids the ultimate spring break staycation with these fun activities
Mom and son having a picnic at home

We all look forward to spring break. It's a great time for school kids to recharge their batteries and for parents to get a break from making school lunches for a week! Although spring break trips are fun, travel isn't always an option. If you're looking at a week at home and are thinking of things to do with your kids, we've got you covered.

Staying at home doesn't have to be boring -- far from it! With these spring break activities for kids, you're going to create family vacation memories without leaving town.
Science experiments

Read more