27 Exciting 5th Birthday Party Ideas That'll Knock Their Socks Off
Brittany Barber
Contributor
Throwing a 5th birthday party is an exciting milestone that calls for a big celebration! From princesses to superheroes, animals to outer space, there are all kinds of 5th birthday party ideas and themes to captivate your little party guests.
Decorations, party snacks, and kid’s entertainment can make the festivities a memorable experience for everyone — it just takes a bit of organization and creativity. As long as you come up with a fun-filled schedule of activities and maintain a vibrant atmosphere, you’ll keep the little ones happy and entertained.
Consider including party activities like face painting or a bouncy castle, or go so far as to hire a professional entertainer like a magician or a costumed character — doing so can make it extra special. Make sure to stock up on party favors to give out as mementos of the special day, too.
The details will pan out more easily once you've decided on your overarching theme. To get you started, we’ve come up with 27 5th birthday party ideas your soon-to-be 5 year old will love.
Toy Story Party
If your little one can't get enough of Buzz and Woody's shenanigans, throw them a Toy Story-themed birthday! Turn your venue into Andy's room with cowboy-themed decorations like sheriff badges, cowboy hats, and Toy Story character cutouts.
Put together a box filled with Toy Story toys and prep activities like a "pin the star on Woody" game or a Buzz Lightyear treasure hunt.
Princess and the Frog 5th Birthday Party
For Princess and the Frog birthday ideas they'll love, try recreating elements from the Disney classic. Serve tasty treats like beignets and frog-shaped cookies, dress up as your favorite characters, and hire a costumed character to perform at the party.
Transform the party space into a magical bayou with decorations inspired by New Orleans, like Mardi Gras beads and colorful masks.
Moana Party
For a Moana-themed party your 5 year old will love, go big when it comes to island-inspired decorations. Think palm leaves, seashells, and tropical flowers. Set up a "Wayfinder Adventure" activity station where kids can make their own necklaces using seashells and beads.
Lay out a snacks table filled with "Moana's Island Delights,” like fruit skewers, tropical punch, and a Moana-themed 5th birthday cake. Don't hesitate to reach out to a caterer if you need some help in that department!
Park Party
Throw an outdoor celebration for your soon-to-be 5 year old by hosting a park birthday party. Find a long picnic table or set up a blanketed seating area. Order pizzas or have a picnic! You might want to serve birthday cupcakes instead of cake — they'll be easier to eat outdoors.
Pro tip: Make sure to check with your local park's regulations before you start planning — you don't want to break any rules by mistake.
Enchanting Cinderella Party
For a Cinderella party your 5 year old will adore, plan enchanting activities like a fairy godmother station where kids can decorate their own magic wands or create sparkling tiaras.
Serve an adorable Cinderella-themed birthday cake, and provide princess-themed party favors the kids can take home with them at the end of the party. Go so far as hiring a princess performer to make a surprise appearance at the party, too!
Frozen Party
Plan a Frozen birthday party by creating a winter wonderland with icy blue and white decorations, snowflake cutouts, and shimmering fabrics.
Serve treats like snowball cookies, blue punch, and a Frozen-themed cake. You could set up a projector or simply play the movie on your TV while the kiddos play.
Spider Man Party
If your 5-year-old-to-be loves Spider Man, why not throw them a Spider Man themed birthday party? Set up red and blue decorations, find a Spider Man birthday cake, and encourage guests to come dressed in their favorite Spider-Verse characters.
Mermaid Party
If your little one is a mermaid enthusiast, throw them a mermaid-themed birthday party! Turn your party space into an underwater paradise by decorating with shades of blue and green and fish cut outs.
Provide your tiny guests with mermaid tiaras and seashell bracelets, and even set up a viewing of The Little Mermaid.
Super Mario Bros. Party
Set the scene by turning your party space into the Mushroom Kingdom with colorful decorations featuring iconic Super Mario characters like Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach.
Get a Super Mario-themed piñata filled with goodies, and don't forget to have a Mario-themed birthday cake! Make sure to have a singalong to Bowser's "Peaches" performance, too — the kids will love it.
Pirate Party
Turn your child's 5th birthday into a pirate party by hanging pirate flags and stuffing a chest with all kinds of treasures to play with. Dress up in pirate costumes complete with eye patches, bandanas, and pirate hats.
Set up a pirate ship play area where children can pretend to steer the ship, search for hidden treasure, and walk the plank!
Animal-Themed Party
Throwing an animal-themed birthday party for 5-year-olds is a fantastic way to create a fun celebration. Set the stage with vibrant animal decorations and encourage your tiny guests to dress up as their favorite animals.
Go for activities like face painting, a petting zoo visit, and animal-themed movies and games to keep the kids entertained.
Magic Party
Throw a magical 5th birthday party with decorations like stars, top hats, and bunnies. Encourage the young magicians to dress up in wizard or magician costumes and organize a magic show, a wand-making craft station, or a treasure hunt for hidden objects.
Don’t forget to send the little guests home with mini magician kits as party favors!
Lego Party
Set up a LEGO wonderland with colorful decorations and LEGO-themed banners. Plan fun building challenges (at a suitable level for 5 year olds, of course) where the kids can construct their own LEGO creations or work together on a giant LEGO project.
Tea Party
If your child loves a tea party, why not invite their classmates to join them for their 5th birthday celebration? Set the scene with tea cups, saucers, and floral tablecloths. Encourage the young guests to dress up in fancy, high-tea attire or provide them with playful hats and accessories.
Serve a selection of child-friendly, caffiene-free tea flavors or opt for juice instead. Offer a variety of bite-sized treats like mini sandwiches and cute cake pops.
Space-Themed Party
Embark on an out-of-this-world adventure with a truly stellar 5th birthday party. Transform your venue into a captivating galaxy with twinkling lights and planets. Engage your young astronauts with intergalactic activities like rocket ship building and alien mask making!
Fairy and Woodland-Themed Party
Using fairy lights, lush greenery, and colorful flowers, create a whimsical fairytale scene for your child's 5th birthday party.
Encourage guests to dress up as fairies, woodland creatures, or magical beings, and plan on-theme games like a fairy treasure hunt or a fairy wings and wands craft station where they can decorate their own magical accessories.
You might even want to consider getting a storyteller to join in on the party to engage the kids in an old fashioned telling of a fairytale.
Pool Party
Have a splashing good time by throwing a pool party for your kid's 5th birthday. Deck out the pool area with beach balls, inflatable toys, balloons, and colorful banners.
Make sure the pool is safe and supervised for the young swimmers, and provide ample poolside seating for the little guests’ parents. Serve refreshing snacks like fruit cups, popsicles, and ice-cold beverages to keep everyone hydrated.
Don't forget to provide extra sunscreen, towels, and goggles just in case anyone forgets theirs!
Marvel-Themed Party
Celebrate your own mini superhero by throwing them a Marvel-themed party for their 5th birthday.
Provide capes, masks, and superhero-themed treats, and create a photo booth area where the little heroes can strike a pose with fun props. Send each guest home with a superhero-themed party favor, like mini action figures or personalized superhero masks.
Paw Patrol-Themed Party
Throw a ~pawsitively~ exciting 5th birthday party by turning your party space into Adventure Bay! Go all out with PAW Patrol decorations, featuring Chase, Marshall, and the rest of the squad.
Encourage the little party guests to dress up as their favorite PAW Patrol characters, or provide them with dog ears, hats, badges, and face paint. Plan themed activities, like PAW Patrol coloring stations or a "pin the badge on the pup" game.
Trolls-Themed Party
Using the film as inspiration, cover your 5th birthday party venue from top to bottom in vibrant, glittery decor.
Throw a mini dance party with music from the soundtrack, and set up a face painting station with ridiculous wigs for the little party people to dress up in. Hand out treats like rainbow cupcakes, cotton candy, and popcorn, and have a blast.
Minions-Themed Party
If your special birthday boy or birthday girl loves all-things Minions, throw him or her a Minion-themed birthday party they'll never forget!
Decorate with plenty of blue and yellow, and don't hesitate to encourage guests to dress in costume. Host a viewing of the birthday celebrant's favorite Minions movie and don't forget to pick up a 5th birthday cake to match the occasion.
Skating Party
Head over to your local rink and let the kids go skating to celebrate turning 5! Serve treats like hot chocolate, popcorn, and birthday cake to keep them energized, and don't forget to take plenty of photos.
You could always turn it into a Frozen-themed skating party if they're a fan of the movie, too — just adjust your decorations accordingly!
Bouncy Castle Party
Bounce the day away by renting out a bouncy castle for your child's 5th birthday. Make sure you have plenty of adult supervision on deck, so everyone can have fun safely. Encourage the little ones to dress comfortably and serve easy finger foods like sandwiches, fruit, and birthday cupcakes.
Dinosaur Party
Throw a dinosaur-themed birthday party for 5-year-olds and transport the young guests back to the prehistoric era. Transform the party area into a dino-filled world with fun fossil decorations and lush greenery.
Encourage the mini paleontologists to dress up as explorers, or provide dinosaur hats and binoculars for them to embark on a dino-hunting journey. Plan on-theme activities like a dinosaur egg hunt, a sandbox excavation dig, or watch a dinosaur movie together (as long as it isn’t anything too scary!).
Unicorn Party
If your youngin is obsessed with unicorns, throw them a unicorn-themed 5th birthday party they'll never forget! Set up a magical wonderland with pastel colors, iridescent streamers, and unicorns galore.
Provide the tiny party-goers with unicorn headbands and sparkly accessories. Serve unicorn-inspired treats like rainbow cupcakes, unicorn popcorn, unicorn-shaped cookies, and even a unicorn piñata. Set up a photo-taking area with props like paper flowers and unicorn horns (which they can make and decorate themselves!).
Picnic Party
When it comes to 5th birthday party ideas, hosting a big picnic for family and friends is a fabulous option so long as the weather permits it.
Set up blankets and comfortable seating, or find a long picnic table to set up on. If you're planning on having a big guest list, consider turning it into a potluck picnic or getting a food truck to provide food and drinks for you instead!
Beach Party
Pack your swimsuits and towels and head to the beach for a 5th birthday party in the sun. Invite the guests' parents to join to help out with supervision, and bring plenty of refreshing snacks and drinks. Provide buckets and shovels for sandcastle building, and don't forget to bring umbrellas for shade.
Milestone Birthday Party Ideas
Are you celebrating a milestone birthday? Check out these age-specific party ideas and themes:
- 15 Special 3rd Birthday Party Themes
- Everything You Need for a Butterfly Themed 1st Birthday
- 21 Fun Ideas for Birthday Parties for 8 Year Olds
- Your Complete Sweet 16 Planning Checklist
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah 101: Everything You Need to Know
- Your Complete Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planning Checklist
Find more birthday celebration ideas on The Bash.
