How to get ready for your kid’s birthday party: five steps to make it unforgettable at home or about

Planning your child’s big birthday party is always an exciting yet sometimes overwhelming task. After all, you want it to be memorable, fun and special, not just for your child but also for their friends and your family.

A successful birthday party requires a mix of creativity, organisation and preparation. With the right planning, your kid’s birthday celebration will be the talk of the class, and you’ll create lasting memories that everyone will cherish.

This guide’ll walk you through five essential steps to ensure you’re ready for the big day. We've got you covered, from setting up the dining tables and chairs to choosing a theme. Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Set the scene with a cracking theme

Every great birthday party begins with a fantastic theme. A theme brings the whole event together, guiding your choices for decorations, food and activities. It sets the tone for the entire celebration and helps create an exciting atmosphere for your child and their friends.

Pick a theme that gets them buzzing

Start by considering your child’s current interests. Do they love superheroes, princesses, animals or space exploration? Has a favourite TV-show, book or movie recently caught their attention? Choosing a theme that excites them will ensure that they eagerly anticipate the day.

Once you’ve chosen a theme, think about how it can be reflected in various party elements:

• Invitations: Customise your invites to reflect the theme. For example, superhero invites can include comic-style fonts, and princess invites might have a royal design with crowns and castles.
• Decorations: A theme is reflected in the colours, wall decor and table settings. For example, an “under the sea” theme could involve ocean-blue streamers, fish-shaped balloons, and beach-themed items.
• Party favours: Themed party favours can include small gifts or activities that kids will appreciate, like themed stationery, toys or candies that align with the party’s focus.

Plan a fun activity for everyone

The fun doesn’t stop at decorations. Consider incorporating fun games or activities based on the theme. For example, a “pirate adventure” could include a treasure hunt, while a “space party” could feature a rocket launch game or astronaut training activities.

You can also host a birthday party at a theme park

If you want to add an extra dose of excitement to a birthday celebration, consider hosting it at a local theme park. Theme parks offer a magical atmosphere filled with thrilling rides, entertaining shows and unique attractions that make for an unforgettable experience. Whether your group is seeking rollercoasters, water rides or fun games, there’s something for everyone.

Many theme parks offer party packages, including admission, meal reserved seating and even character meet-and-greets for kids. You can make the event special by customising the day with a themed cake, party favours and activities. Plus, guests can enjoy hours of non-stop fun with all the rides and attractions available.

Step 2: Set up a dining space that’s fun and fuss-free

The dining area might not be the show's star, but it’s where all the cake-eating, juice-spilling and snack-sharing happens – so it deserves a little love. A well-thought-out setup makes mealtime easy, comfy and totally in tune with the party vibes.

Make sure there’s room for everyone

First, ensure there’s enough space for all your little party guests. You don’t want kids elbowing each other for space or ending up perched on a random corner. If you’ve got a big crowd, consider adding extra tables or a picnic-style setup with cushions on the floor.

Pick the right table for the party

Your table choice depends on the number of guests and the feel you’re going for:

• Long tables: Great for big groups and buffet-style dining. They create a fun, banquet-like setting where everyone eats together.
• Round tables: Better for smaller gatherings, making it easier for kids (and adults) to chat and enjoy the meal.
• Outdoor table: If the weather’s on your side, why not take the party outside? Picnic tables or even blankets on the grass can turn mealtime into part of the adventure.

If you're using kitchen and dining room tables from vidaXL, consider decorating them with table runners, themed centrepieces or fun placemats to add a bit of party magic.

Bring the theme to the table

Once the tables are set, it’s time to bring in the fun. Themed decorations tie everything together, making even a simple meal feel extra special.

• Tablecloths and runners: Choose bold colours that match your theme. For a space party, use blue and silver, jungle greens for an animal theme or bright pinks for a unicorn bash.
• Themed tableware: Plates, cups and napkins that fit the theme make a big impact. Pirate party? Skull-and-crossbones plates. Princess tea party? Fancy floral cups.
• Fun centrepieces: Keep it playful with decorations that double as entertainment. A mini treasure chest for a pirate party, a stuffed dinosaur for a dino theme or a rocket model for a space adventure.
• Extras like confetti and balloons: A sprinkle of confetti or small helium balloons can add that final festive touch.

With the dining space sorted, the only thing left is to bring out the food and let the little partygoers dig in.

Step 3: Don’t forget the chairs

While the dining table is an important part of the party, the chairs where guests sit are just as crucial, which you can also get from vidaXL. Comfortable, functional seating will help ensure everyone is at ease while eating, playing games or chatting with friends.

Extra foldable chairs to the rescue

One of the easiest ways to prepare for a party is to invest in extra foldable chairs. These chairs are lightweight, easy to store and quick to set up, making them great for large gatherings. When not in use, they can be neatly stored in a closet, garage or under the bed without taking up much space.

Their easy setup allows them to be placed around tables or seating areas in seconds, ensuring guests always have a place to sit. Foldable chairs are also versatile for any event, whether a birthday party, family dinner or backyard barbecue, providing instant seating without needing permanent furniture.

Having a few extra foldable chairs on hand ensures everyone has a seat.

Arranging the seating area

The seating arrangement will depend on your party’s style. If you're having a more formal sit-down dinner, ensure the seating is arranged in a way that fosters conversation. On the other hand, if your party is more relaxed, consider creating multiple seating areas, such as small clusters where kids can sit and chat or play games.

Step 4: food, fun and the all-important cake

A great menu keeps little partygoers fuelled up for fun. If you can tie it into your theme, even better. Keep it simple, tasty and easy to eat.

Theme-inspired treats

The easiest way to make the food fun? Give it a themed twist. Did you have a superhero party? Serve up “hero sandwiches,” “power punch” and “super strength fruit skewers.” If it’s a princess party, go for “royal cupcakes,” “tiara fruit wands” and “golden popcorn.”

Even something as simple as renaming regular snacks can make them feel extra special. “Pirate treasure nuggets” (chicken nuggets), “dinosaur eggs” (grapes) or “space rocks” (popcorn) all add to the magic.

Keep it kid-friendly

Stick to food that’s easy to grab and eat, especially since most kids won’t sit still for long when there’s fun. Bite-sized options like mini pizzas, sausage rolls and fruit platters are always a hit because they’re simple, tasty and require zero fuss.

Plus, they help avoid the chaos of half-eaten meals being abandoned mid-play. And if you’re inviting parents along, too, having a few nibbles for the grown-ups never hurts. A platter of sandwiches, a cheese board or even some crisps and dips can keep everyone happy while the kids run wild.

The main event – the cake

No birthday is complete without cake. Whether you’re baking it yourself or picking one up from a bakery, the cake is the showstopper of the party table. Keep it in theme – a jungle party might call for an animal-print cake, while a space party could have a galaxy design with edible stars. A simple topper can do the trick if your child has a favourite character. And if you’re going for cupcakes instead, they’re easy to serve and just as fun.

At the end of the day, as long as the kids are happy and full, you’ve done it right. Just be ready for the sugar-fuelled chaos that follows.

Step 5: keep the fun going with games and activities

Food and decorations set the scene, but the real magic of a kids' party happens when the kids run around, laughing and fully engaged in the fun.

Bring on the games

The best party games are the ones that match the theme and keep little hands and minds busy. Here are some tried-and-tested favourites.

Scavenger hunts: Hide themed items around the party space and send the kids on a mission to find them. For example, a pirate party could include hidden treasure, a jungle theme could feature lost animal toys and a detective theme could involve clue-solving fun.

• DIY craft stations: Set up a table with materials for kids to make their own party keepsakes. For a royal-themed bash, consider decorating your own crown, making DIY slime for a science party or making personalised superhero masks.
• Classic party games – You can’t go wrong with musical chairs, sack races, pass the parcel or pin the tail on the donkey. They’ve stood the test of time for a reason.
• Obstacle courses – Set up a mini ninja warrior challenge, a superhero training camp or an adventure trail with tunnels, hoops, and balance beams. Great for burning off some of that birthday cake energy.
• Water fun – If it’s warm enough and you don’t mind a bit of mess, water balloons, a paddling pool or a slip-and-slide can take the excitement to another level. Just make sure to have towels handy.

Add some wow factor

If you want to go the extra mile, consider bringing in a special guest to keep the kids entertained while you take a breather. A magician, storyteller, face painter or balloon artist can add a touch of magic to the party without you having to lift a finger.

For something even more interactive, think about:

• A petting zoo – Miniature goats, rabbits and guinea pigs? Yes, please.
• A bubble station – Set up giant wands and let the kids create massive bubbles.
• A science show – Think mini volcanoes, fizzing potions and colour-changing experiments.

At the end of the day, it’s all about creating a party that makes your child feel special. Whether you go big or keep it simple, a little planning and some great activities will keep the kids happy, engaged and talking about the party for weeks.

Bonus tip: Getting everyone there

No matter how amazing the party setup is, it won’t mean much if guests struggle to get there. If you're hosting the party at a venue or a theme park, consider how easy it is for parents to drop off and pick up their kids.

• Party bus option – If you're inviting a large group and the venue is a little out of the way, hiring a minibus could be a fun and practical solution. It keeps everyone together, adds to the excitement and makes logistics easier for parents.
• Clear directions – Make sure guests know exactly where they’re going. Drop a pin on a map, send out clear instructions or even put up some balloons or signs near the venue to help guide them in.
• Parking plan – If you’re hosting at home, let guests know where they can park in advance. If parking is limited, encourage carpooling or suggest nearby options.
• A little planning here means everyone arrives happy, on time and ready to celebrate.

Wrap it up

At the end of the day, it’s not about having the most over-the-top party with every bell and whistle. It’s about making your child feel special and giving them a day they’ll remember long after the cake has been eaten and the balloons have deflated.

Whether you’ve planned an all-out themed extravaganza or a cosy backyard get-together, what matters is that your child has fun, feels celebrated and shares special moments with their friends and family. The games, the decorations and the party bags are all just extra sprinkles on the cake.

Don’t stress over the little things. Kids won’t remember if the cupcakes were homemade or store-bought or if the decorations were picture-perfect or slightly wonky. What they will remember is laughing with their friends, winning a party game, blowing out their candles and feeling like the star of the day.

So, take a deep breath, soak it all in and enjoy the party. There might be a bit of mess, a few sugar highs and the odd, unexpected hiccup, but that’s all part of the fun. You’ve got this.