I love lists, guides and all things helpful. So this kid’s birthday party checklist is so satisfying to me. There’s a lot to think about when you’re planning a birthday party! And I find that having a list keeps me sane and on top of everything, which means my stress levels can decrease – a little.
For the printable Birthday Party Checklist – scroll to the bottom!
But this isn’t just a list, it’s a helpful guide. I’ve linked where we purchased the birthday party décor, birthday party supplies and all the birthday party favors we purchased for the party. By having everything in one place for you, I’m hope to keep your stress level down too!
Plus there are pictures galore from our kid’s joint birthday party celebrating our five and one year old. I mean, when your birthdays are nine days apart, it’s joint until they start to catch on and complain! I can relate. My sister and I are two years and three days apart, I did not like joint birthday parties as I got older. I can’t have a party with my younger sister! Obviously my younger self was just too cool?
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Child’s Birthday Party
Date and time
Location
XX potential adults
XX potential kids
XX total people
Set-up at time – decorate and put food out
Decor
- Multi-color tassel banners – I’m on the lookout year-round for these in the Target dollar section
- Tassel banner set – these include a happy birthday sign, paper flowers, party swirls, etc…
- Happy birthday signs – Amazon or Target
- 12 month banner with photos – I found my in the Target dollar bin section but here and here are some similar ones
- Helium balloons – Dollar Tree
- Streamers – Amazon and Party City
- Twine – I use it to hang everything
- Tape
- Scissors
- Baby’s 1st birthday poster
- Baby’s high chair banner – Gold one banner with cake topper
- Tablecloths
Seating & Tables
- X Picnic tables in shelter
- X Tables needed – we used a local service I found off of Facebook marketplace for the tables, chairs and pop-ups
- X Folding chairs needed
- X Pop-ups
- Baby’s highchair – here’s the one we have, it just sits on top of your existing chair
Tableware
- Cute Napkins – like these colorful ones or these gold dots
- Plain napkins – Costco for these
- Large plates for food – we like the sturdy ones from Costco
- Small plates for cake – Dollar Store, Amazon and Party City
- Cups – Party City is always great
- Cutlery – Costco again or Party City
Entertainment
- Face painting
- Balloon artist
Games
- Musical chairs
- Bring speaker, we like our Sony one
- Blanket race
- Blankets/sheets – we like Dollar Tree picnic blankets
- Three-legged race
- Rope/handkerchiefs to tie legs
- Ball in between legs race
- Balls
- Sports balls, extras for kids to play with
- Bubbles – we love these
- Cornhole – this one looks cool
- Pinata – I went to a local place but Party City has a ton too
Favors
- Happy birthday sacks with favors – large enough to fit candy from Piñata. I can’t find the ones above on the Dollar Tree website, Target & Amazon have some though
- Mini bubbles – from Target or Amazon
- Unicorn keychains
- Squishy animals
- Super Hero masks
- Food erasers
- Candy
- For more birthday favor ideas head to my Amazon storefront
Food
- Appetizers/Snacks
- Main Lunch
- Pizza
- Fruit
Drinks
- Water – we opt for the little ones
- Soda – I mean, it’s a party
- Sparkling water – because I like it and you’d be surprised how many other people do too!
- Juice for kids – Costco is great for this
- Coffee
- Tea
Cake
- Baby’s smash cake
- Kid’s cake
- Cake for everyone
- Happy birthday candle
- Mini happy Birthday banner for cake – there are a million on Etsy
- Regular candles
- #1 candle
- Lighter
TO DO
- Print 12 months of photos for 12 month banner
- Order baby high chair sign
- Order one year poster
- Gather/buy all decor
- Order food
- Order cake(s)
- Buy extra food
- Buy all tableware
- Buy items for games
- Book entertainment
- Buy and stuff pinata
- Buy favors & stuff in bag
- Book extra tables and chairs if necessary
Day Before
- Pick up any more food
- Follow up on delivery of food
- Pick up cakes
- Buy mylar balloons
- Charge speaker for musical chairs
Day of
- Bring all food
- Decorate & set up tables, chairs & pop ups
- Order pizza
Invite List
- XX total adults potential (yes & maybe)
- XX children potential
YES
List names here
MAYBE
List names here
NO
List names here
Printable Birthday Party Checklist
Head to my Amazon storefront where you can find most of birthday party related items listed together!
