Choosing Kids' Birthday Party Decorations

The pressure of throwing a great party for kids is something all parents and carers feel, which begs the question - how can you create a children's party that will have everyone smiling, including yourself? We've come up with this handy checklist guide to help you throw a fantastic kids birthday party without unnecessary stress.

To help you with your party planning, our handy kids party decorations guide covers some creative and fun party decoration ideas that will have your child's celebration looking like a million bucks, even on the smallest of budgets. We cover everything you need to know about choosing kids party supplies, from decorations for the party invitations to choosing balloons and setting up your treats table.

Quick Links:

• Choose Your Kids' Party Theme
• Create Gorgeous Kids' Party Invitations
• Decorating With Balloons
• Kids' Party Table Decorations
• Birthday Banners, Streamers & Bunting
• DIY Kids' Party Decorations: Projects & Activities

Choose Your Kids' Party Theme

A theme is a good way to help you tie your ideas together and guide your decorating choices. Of course, the most important consideration is your guest of honour. Do they have a favourite character, book or movie that could act as inspiration?

Maybe you're thinking of a Bluey party, Star Wars party, Harry Potter party, Avengers party or Disney Princess party? These are just a few popular character party themes that give you excellent costume and decorating options.

Even if you don't have a specific character theme, you can play with other ideas - such as a colour, season or a playful design element like dots, stripes or crazy wigs. While a themed party doesn't have to involve special outfits, most youngsters love the opportunity to get out their favourite kids costumes and indulge in dress up and creative play.

Creatively brainstorm your party concept and take notes for reference until you settle on the theme that works the best. To get your creative inspiration going, check out the following party theme and decoration ideas that will appeal to just about any little one!

• How to How To Throw A Hawaiian Theme Party
• How To Throw A Jungle Theme Party
• How To Throw A Magical Unicorn Themed Party
• How To Throw A Dinosaur Party

Create Gorgeous Kids' Party Invitations

Before you can start preparing your decorations, you need to consider how many guests you're accommodating for. Get creative with your invitations and make sure they tie into your theme. If you're sending paper invites, you can get your kid to help decorate them with stickers or their favourite drawing supplies. Getting them involved will help build a sense of excitement, and who knows - it could also be a great educational opportunity! If you're emailing invites or using a social network, add a tailored header and themed images to help set the mood.

Make sure you include all the particulars:

1. Date and time
2. Location (with directions)
3. Drop-off and pick-up times for guardians
4. Anything special they need to bring (e.g. bathers and a towel for a pool party)
5. RSVP date (follow up anyone who misses it to avoid disappointment)
6. Check for food allergies and any other sensitivities among the guests so you can factor it into your menu planning and have the necessary safety resources available.

Shop Party Invitations

Decorating With Balloons

Nothing says 'party' like balloons, which makes them an easy way to set the mood for your little one's celebration. Party balloons come in so many different styles, shapes and colours, as well as interesting character themes for something a little special. There are some key considerations to keep in mind choosing between different types of balloons for kids' birthday parties, like air vs helium balloons or how to transport balloons to your party venue.

Helium Balloons

Helium-filled balloons are simple to handle and will keep your party floating on air. If you have a large party space then masses of free-floating helium balloons can instantly create a celebratory atmosphere. Another great option is to bundle them together on balloon weights to create balloon bouquets for decorating your party venue. Keep in mind that latex balloons filled with helium have a limited flotation time, meaning that they will need to be inflated close to or on the big day. Foil balloons, on the other hand, will stay afloat for much longer so you can have these inflated at least a few days' ahead of time.

DIY Balloons

The balloons themselves can also act as a canvas for decorating, or be the starting point for centrepiece decorations and backdrops. You might let the little ones help with your DIY party decorating for an extra fun experience or even turn the balloon decorating into a party activity. Here are some ideas for decorating with balloons:

• Use stickers or cut-outs on your balloons to spell the name of the birthday girl or boy, their birthday age, or create personalised balloons for all the guests.
• Turn your balloons into balloon animals by drawing or sticking on animal faces, or add polka dots for spotty spheres.
• Before you inflate your balloons, you might like to insert special messages or toys inside them as a surprise. Just make sure your surprises are child-friendly and don't present a choking hazard.
• Incorporate your air inflated balloons with rosettes, garlands and streamers to make beautiful balloon buntings to decorate your walls.
• Add confetti to clear balloons for an extra festive touch.

Balloon Inflation Services

When it comes to blowing up masses of balloons, save your breath and use professional balloon inflation services, or you might grab an at-home inflation kit and helium tank to help you avoid droopy balloons or tears of disappointment.

Kids' Party Table Decorations

From table coverings to bunting, streamers, balloons and more, table decorations form a vital part in establishing your chosen birthday party theme. Party tableware like plates, cups and platters can also form part of your table decorations - choose vibrantly coloured, themed or patterned designs to add an extra celebratory accent to your party food and drinks.

Kids' Party Food Table

The star of most parties is the food table where snacks are put out for all your guests and the birthday cake put on display so it goes without saying that it needs to be decorated appropriately. Here are some kids' party table decoration ideas:

• You'll need to cover your table to protect it from spills or accidents, so why not do it in style? Choose a coloured plastic or paper table covers to match your kids' party theme.
• Scatter fun items across the table - ribbons & bows or streamers are perfect for creating a celebratory mood. Use display containers like jars or party bowls to house colourful treats, which themselves can form part of your decor.
• Try dressing up your table with brightly coloured party tableware & servingware. Paper or plastic party plates and party cups come in a huge range of colours and patterns. Match your serviettes to the tablecloth or balloons to tie your theme together.
• Add a selection of birthday party hats to the table, for fun decorations that the kids can also wear to get into party mode!

Check out our buying guide on party tableware for more inspiration on how to decorate your kids party table.

Gift and Party Bag Table

With hosting birthday parties, sometimes partygoers may bring gifts. It's hard to find a place for all of these presents. By having a table in your space with a clean surface, it's easy to store the gifts in one place without cluttering your party room. Cover this table with a table cover to protect the surface from any scratches or spills. You can also use this table to display the party bags to ensure no child leaves the party empty handed. Check out our guide on what to put in party bags for inspiration on what to include for your child's friends.

Birthday Banners, Streamers & Bunting

There are many great, affordable ways to adorn your home or party venue to capture the attention and imagination of young guests. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Try a homemade banner celebrating the occasion. You might like to photocopy or use calligraphy to paint letters that spell the name of the guest of honour. Paste the letters onto cardboard and then string them together in a garland to hang with ribbon or string. You can also purchase ready-made party buntings & garlands to match your theme and colours.
• Crepe paper and paper streamers can be braided, twisted, curled or hung on walls, doors, tables or chairs. Gather it together and attach it in the centre with a rubber band. Fluff it out and curl the ends to make a pom-pom that can be used on its own or with others.
• Set up a special station with a vibrant backdrop where the party guests can take photos. You can create a backdrop from bunting, streamers or handmade signs to spell out a message or name.
• Use party lanterns & fans, which can be suspended from the ceiling or added to doorways or tables.

DIY Kids' Party Decorations: Projects & Activities

If you want to add an extra personal touch to your kids' birthday party, or your little one wants to help with the preparations, check out some of Spotlight's free online projects! From party hats to birthday bunting, we have some great ideas for some customisable party decorations for your kids' party:

• DIY Party Hats Project
• Paper Party Crown Project
• Birthday Banner Project
• Ribbon & Hessian Bunting Project

We also have some wonderful inspiration in our birthday party craft ideas for kids - explore easy projects that kids can do at the party, or start before the big day to make their own decorations and party bag gifts for their friends. You can also check out our article on how to make your own DIY party backdrop to truly tailor your decorations to your theme.

Host The Perfect Party For Your Kid With Spotlight

Involving the birthday boy or birthday girl in some of the preparation can make the whole experience more personal, and ensure everyone gets the party of their dreams. How much they're involved depends on their age and temperament but involving the guest of honour can be a great way of teaching some lessons, and should make the big event all the more special.

There's really no end to what you can do when decorating a kid's party. Channel your inner child and bring your creativity to life. Your guests will definitely be impressed (and imagination doesn't cost anything!). Get organised for the big day with our 11 steps to create the ultimate kids birthday party article, and save time by shopping for all your kids party decorations online at Spotlight and choosing home delivery for your order. No matter what your theme or budget, we have the perfect balloons, party decorations, party favours & bag fillers and more - all at great prices at your nearest Spotlight store.