Four Adventure-Inspired Birthday Themes

Every great birthday party starts with a great theme. When you choose something fun for your little one, it helps tie everything together and makes the party even more memorable. Looking for ideas? Adventure-inspired themes are perfect for active and imaginative kids, and will keep everyone entertained. Here are some great action-packed birthday party themes to inspire your party planning:  

The Pirate 

Create a swash-buckling theme with pirate hats, chocolate gold coins, a map cake, and some sea-faring games. You can play Pin the Patch on the Pirate (printouts available here) or create a treasure hunt for the little pirates using hand-drawn maps on brown paper bags. At each “stop” along the hunt, you can place little treats or treasures for them to find. Be as creative as you like, and don’t forget to incorporate a Jolly Roger pirate flag in your decorations! 

The Explorer 

Create a backyard expedition where your little explorers can take a tour of the backyard jungle on a quest for safari creatures! To enhance the experience, give them each a safari hat and a pair of little binoculars to carry along their journey. An explorer birthday party theme can also have a fun archeological twist. Let your guests make their own fossils using clay and plastic dinosaurs. There’s a great tutorial here. A globe-shaped piñata, decorations inspired by Indiana Jones, and jungle animal cupcakes will put the finishing touches on this adventurous theme. 

The Pilot 

For a memorable aviation-themed party, begin with a fun activity. Set up several tables decorated as famous locations in the world, and let the little ones “travel” the world. You can give them personalized blank books (easily made from construction paper) that will serve as their passports, and have them collect a stamp in the book for each place they visit. Spice this up by adding small snacks to each destination table that reflects the theme. You can also have your guests make mini airplanes to take home with them. Instructions can be found here. At the end of the party, offer your little pilots take home goodie bags from a table labeled “Baggage Claim.” Include themed party favors and sugar cookies frosted or shaped like airplanes.  

The Cowboy 

Howdy partner! A cowboy or western themed birthday is perfect for young adventurers. Provide kid-sized cowboy hats for each of your guests to get the party started. You can also outfit your little ones in bandanas and handmade sheriff badges with their names written in felt marker. For a fun activity, set up the kiddie pool with sand and water and let the kids pan for gold. Complete your cowboy party with a horse piñata and a cowboy hat shaped cake. Don’t forget to send thank you cards after the party! Snap a few photos of the party and your guests, and create personalized digital eCards for all the little adventurers! 

Stephanie is the Director of Marketing at Punchbowl, Inc. She blogs about celebrations, party planning, and free digital greeting cards.

*This is a guest post*