Throwing a toddler’s party is both exciting and overwhelming. On one hand, you want your young one to have a blast on their special day. On the other, you must put extra effort into planning because many of the guests are kids.
Unlike adults, children are prone to more food and safety hazards. Toddlers can also be rowdy — hitting, biting, pulling hair, screaming, throwing tantrums, running away and flinging things are their typical behaviors. These huggable rascals can have short attention spans, too.
Use these nine toddler birthday party ideas and tips to avoid mistakes and get inspired.
1. Pick a Theme
A themed party is a stroke of genius when a child is the center of attention. Your kid gets to dress up, which is a kind of play in itself. It allows them to pretend to be who they want to be, celebrate their interest and let their personality shine.
If your toddler is too young to like anything in particular, selecting a theme will aid planning. It makes choosing decorations, invitation templates and party favors easy since you don’t have to think of everything too much. Circus, cowboy, Hollywood, mermaid, nautical, pajama, pirate, sports, vintage and woodland are fun toddler birthday party theme ideas.
2. Buy a Baby-Friendly Smash Cake
Every toddler should have a smash cake at least once. It’s the ultimate birthday treat for messy eaters, giving your kid a wonderful sensory experience. Your little one digging in with reckless abandon is an Instagrammable moment, too.
A word of caution — beware of serving something sugary to keep your child healthy. Almost every kid may have a sweet tooth, but it doesn’t mean it’s good for them. About 100 million Americans have prediabetes, increasing their risk of kidney and heart disease. Find a reputable baker specializing in baby-friendly smash cakes to ensure your celebration is fun and safe.
3. Incorporate Bubbles
Bubbles is one of the toddler birthday party ideas that almost always guarantees to bring on the fun. Toddlers love them because they allow sensory play. The iridescent colors are captivating. No giant bubble has failed to fascinate a curious kid trying to catch it when it pops.
You have two options — rent a bubble machine or hand out bubble bottles with your own mixture guests can blow. Alternatively, throwing a foam party takes things to the next level. Adults can also enjoy the foam, so parents can play with their kids and make unforgettable memories. The best part is foam mostly cleans itself up. You can quickly wash any residue with water.
The downside is foam can reach several feet high. It can affect visibility, so you must stay on top of the foam machine to ensure nobody hits another.
4. Inflate a Bounce House
Bounce houses are a load of fun. They suit boys and girls, so everybody gets to participate and enjoy. Playing in one is a beneficial physical activity, a terrific use of children’s energy. A bounce house can be the focal point of the event. A rental will set you back three figures and lets you choose from various price points to keep you from going over budget.
Here’s the kicker — it needs adult supervision to catch kids early before falling and prevent concussions. It may take multiple grown-ups to ensure nobody gets hurt. Accidents can also happen even if you rent an age-appropriate one and put a premium on safety. You may be liable for any injury that occurs during your party.
5. Choose an Apt Venue
Hosting your toddler’s party at home is a good idea if you have the space and amenities, like parking spots, for your planned activities. It can also free up more cash to bring your vision to life. On the flip side, a home party entails massive cleanup. Kids can be lawless, increasing the risk of property damage.
If a home birthday party’s negatives outweigh the positives, rent a venue. It may inflate your budget, but it can save you the trouble of decorating the space from scratch and using elbow grease to make the place spotless after the event. Some venues offer food and beverages, so you’ll have fewer logistical challenges.
Furthermore, your location options are more varied than you think. Baby gyms, martial arts studios and zoos are unconventional toddler birthday party venue ideas worth considering.
6. Decide on a Time Limit
Ending the celebration in a timely manner is one of the most sensible toddler birthday party ideas. The younger the attendees, the shorter the event must be.
A one-hour event can be too much for preschoolers, so make your party shorter for toddlers. The ideal children’s party length should be two hours or less. Holding an event for toddlers lasting longer than that has diminishing returns. You need to come up with more snacks and entertainment to keep kids engaged until the end, but the latter part of the party is generally less enjoyable than the earlier one.
7. Finalize the Menus
Children and adults must have separate menus. Creating the first one is more challenging, for kids can be picky eaters and have diet restrictions. Serving something unsuitable for young guests will put a damper on what could be a memorable bash.
Ask the parents about food sensitivities, allergies and preferences to plan your menus accordingly. Diversify snacks and drinks to suit various tastes and needs. Err on the side of caution and include foods without dairy, gluten and nuts kids would love. Overly pungent and spicy foods are usually no-nos because they may be too overwhelming for little ones.
8. Curate Goody Bag Stuffers
Want to make your younger guests’ faces light up? Stuff each bag with various items they can wear, play with or use for arts and crafts. School supplies, fidget toys, stress balls and temporary tattoos are affordable and sensory-friendly party favor options — which children on the spectrum can enjoy.
9. Nail the Invite
Creating a birthday party invitation is easier than ever. Various free graphic design software programs have massive libraries of printable templates. Maps are optional now that navigation apps are the norm, but including one is a nice touch.
Do You Like These Toddler Birthday Party Ideas?
Your child is only a toddler once. You have three chances to throw a memorable toddler party. Use these recommendations and pieces of advice to make each one count.
