Fun Children's Birthday Party Ideas with Nestle Confectionery

In this article
 

1. Children’s birthday party themes
2. Fun games and activities for kids’ birthday parties
3. Kid-friendly birthday bites
4. Tips for a successful children’s birthday party
5. Wrapping up the fun 

Looking for children’s birthday party ideas to make the day extra special? You're in the right place! This is one of our favourite subjects, whether it's planning children’s-party games or making DIY party bags. Read on for magical children’s birthday party themes, games to get everyone giggling, and planning tips to help you keep everything running smoothly. 
 

Children’s birthday party themes

1. DIY Cupcake Decorating Party

We know how much kids love to create and eat, so why not combine the two with a cupcake decorating party? Put out plain mini cupcakes with bowls of colourful toppings like Smarties®, Jelly Tots® and sprinkles. The young ones will love the hands-on fun of making their own edible masterpieces.

2. Backyard Mini Olympics  

For energetic birthday crews, transform your yard into a mini Olympic Games set-up with events such as sack races, hula hoop relays and tug-of-war competitions. Offer small prizes or medals after each event – and remember they don't have to all be achievement-based! You can create silly categories too, such as Most Focused, Best Effort or Coolest Under Pressure. It's one of those great children's birthday party ideas that can be thrown together at the last minute when the weather's unexpectedly on your side. 

3. Storybook Party  

Why wait until World Book Day to celebrate kids’ fiction? From rebellious young witches and wizards to wealthy child geniuses, build your theme around a much-loved children’s books. For a Harry Potter party, you could lay on a Hogwarts feast, play pin-the-lightning-scar-on-the-face and 'petrify' your guests in a game of musical statues. Or why not put together a spy mystery in the style of Artemis Fowl, with clues written in gnomish lettering and include some 'magic' acorns in your party bags to plant at home? 

4. Cookie Monsters in the Kitchen 

Bake up some fun with a biscuit-making party. Young bakers can roll out the dough, create fun shapes with cookie cutters and enjoy decorating their creations with Smarties®, chocolate chips or Milkybar® buttons. Or let them pipe their names on with icing and finish off with a touch of sprinkles, chopped nuts or freeze-dried raspberries. 

5. Indoor Camping Quest 

If you have the space, transform your lounge into a campsite using fairy lights, blankets, and toy lanterns. Your young guests can tell jokes, play torch tag, or sip warm drinks with their choice of toppings. Have a selection of board games or story cubes on hand and let the kids improvise a tale between them! Ideal for birthdays that fall in colder months, this indoor campsite set-up keeps the kids entertained no matter the weather. It’s also a clever party theme if you want to keep costs low.  
 

6. Rainbow Colour Celebration 

Assign each child a colour and let them dress accordingly for a rainbow-themed party. Serve colourful munchies like fruit skewers and corn-on-the-cob, and set up craft stations for painting or bracelet-making. You could also make our Smarties® Rainbow Cake the centrepiece of the celebrations. The bonus? Our recipe comes with plenty more ideas for rainbow-themed party food. 

7. Dinosaur Dig Party 

For future palaeontologists, create a dinosaur excavation zone in your garden with sandboxes, paintbrushes and hidden ‘fossils’. Include dino-shaped treats and decorations and invite the kids to dress in explorer outfits. Among the most popular children's birthday party themes, it offers hours of excitement and discovery. 

8. Unicorn Garden Party 

Soft pastel colours, unicorn décor, bunting, sparkly streamers and flower crowns create the backdrop for a magical celebration. Add a make-your-own wand station and glitter cupcakes to complete the experience. This dreamy set-up will appeal to any would-be princesses and works well both indoors and outdoors. 

9. Carnival at Home 

Turn your yard into a carnival playground with activity booths, popcorn stands, ring toss games, and follow-the-leader dance routines. Let the kids unleash their creativity by crafting carnival headdresses from colourful fabrics, flowers and feathers and then hold a parade through the house and garden. Finish off with a fun prizegiving ceremony with treats for the winners of the games. 

10. DIY Science Lab 

For curious minds, turn your garden into a kid-friendly science lab. Provide lab coats (or oversized white shirts), safety goggles, and simple science experiments using ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and coloured water. The Institute of Imagination has some great ideas for at-home science activities for kids. It’s an engaging twist on traditional party entertainment and makes science feel like child’s play. 

11. Superhero Training Camp 

Let the kids invent their own superheroes, design their costumes and tackle a series of fun missions using an obstacle course – and their unique superpowers, of course. Include a craft table for mask-making and a munchie corner of energising goodies. 

Fun games and activities for kids’ birthday parties  

You'll find a long list of ideas in our rundown of children's party games, but here are a few suggestions for inspiration: 

• Treasure Hunt: Hide small toys, stickers or treats around your party area for the kids to find, with simple picture clues or a map to guide them. This activity suits indoor or outdoor parties and fosters both curiosity and teamwork!
• Bubble Station: Mid-point lull? Simply add bubbles and watch the excitement levels rise! Set up bubble machines or provide wands and solution for children to enjoy chasing and poping these rainbow spheres. Run out of solution? Simply make your own with 50ml washing-up liquid, 1 tbsp glycerine and 300ml water. Mix slowly and carefully to avoid creating froth.
• Pass the parcel: Wrap a small gift in multiple layers. It could contain a small prize or sweet treats in each layer, such as Jelly Tots®, Smarties® or Milkybar® Kid bars. Children pass the parcel while music plays, unwrapping a layer when the music stops.  
• Scavenger Hunt: This is similar to a treasure hunt, but with a list of items to find within a time limit. Tailor your clues to the party theme for added excitement. This game can be played indoors or outdoors and works for various age groups.  
• Craft Corner: Set up tables with materials for painting, bead-making, or simple DIY projects related to the party theme. This activity suits indoor spaces and offers a calm alternative to active games. Adult help ensures materials are used safely and creatively. 

Kid-friendly birthday bites 

Savoury snibbles

• Mini pizzas: Easy to make and always popular, mini pizzas can be customised with a variety of toppings such as tomato, ham, or veggies. Serve them warm or at room temperature throughout the party.  
• Corn on the cob: Easy to hold, and offering natural sweetness, serve corn-on-the-cob plain or with a sprinkle of mild seasoning to suit young palates.
• Ham and cheese sandwiches: Simple yet satisfying, these sandwiches can be cut into fun shapes using cookie cutters to match the party theme. Use wholewheat or white bread, depending on preferences, and a light savoury spread for added flavour.

Nestlé-inspired sweet treats 

• Milkybar® and Raspberry Tray Bake Squares: This fun traybake combines fresh raspberries with creamy Milkybar® chocolate on a light sponge base. The recipe takes around 30 minutes to prepare and bake, and it’s a great sharing dessert for children’s birthday parties.  
• Smarties® Mini Cupcakes: Small, vanilla cupcakes topped with Smarties® bring a burst of colour and fun to any party table. Made with simple ingredients and minimal fuss, these little delights come together in just 30 minutes. 
• Smarties® Chocolate Cornflake Nests: Crispy cornflakes coated in smooth milk chocolate are shaped into nest-like clusters and topped with colourful Smarties® Mini Eggs. These nests are quick to assemble and chill in the fridge, making them an easy treat for children’s birthday parties. They can also be part of the activities where the kids can help shape the nests. 
  
   

Allergy considerations 

Always check with parents for common allergies and have some safe alternatives ready, such as gluten-free mini pizzas or dairy-free cupcakes. Clearly labelling snacks and offering a variety of choices helps all young guests feel included and cared for. 
 

Tips for a successful children’s birthday party 

• Send invites early. Use WhatsApp and ask for RSVPs and allergy info but also give kids a paper invitation to hand out at school.
• Set a clear budget: focus on food, games and décor.
• Plan indoor back-up for bad weather. If you're struggling to come up with a Plan B, our guide to children's birthday party games has some great indoor ideas.
• Consider games and quiet spots for mixed-age groups.
• Keep track of gifts for thank-you notes.
• Provide seating and refreshments for adults if they're staying but remember that a drop-off party can be easier, as you’ll only have the children to cater to!
• Make a fun playlist! If you're unsure what kids will listen to – or how appropriate a song is – stick to hits from classic children's films such as Jungle Book or Despicable Me. 
   

Wrapping up the fun 

We tend to over-prepare when it comes to children’s birthday party ideas but often, the simplest ideas are the best. For kids, using their imaginations, listening to upbeat music and just having their friends around are the key ingredients to a great birthday party. Just throw in a theme and a couple of games and boom! You have an epic party! Want to end on a high note? Include some great DIY party bags!

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