As our Editor Jessi says, “Every kid’s birthday party is a milestone celebration — regardless of the year.” You don’t need to wait for a traditional milestone to celebrate your little one. Throw a trendy celebration for them, incorporating our predictions for the biggest kids’ birthday party trends of the new year.
We’ve rounded up 12 kids’ birthday party trends for an unforgettable bash in 2023. From balloon décor like you’ve never seen to elaborate mocktails for the kids, these trends are here to stay.
1. Balloon Installations Go Wild (Animals)
Balloon installations are always one of the most exciting décor elements at a kid’s birthday party. This year, we are expecting to see these formations get creative in fun animal shapes.
Hire an experienced décor company to execute this grand vision for your child.
Minnie in Balloons
This Minnie Mouse-themed third-birthday party included an epic balloon installation in a familiar Disney shape.
Flamingo Fancy
2. Personalized Snacks for Your Kiddo
Adding a personal touch to your party doesn’t have to be extravagant. Customize sweet details that will make a big impact. You can personalize some of your kid’s favorite snacks with their name or or portrait on the packaging. Scroll down to see some of our favorite examples of this birthday party trend.
Tate’s Concessions
Winnie Grahams
3. Art-Focused Party Activities
Keep kids entertained with hands-on art projects. What kid doesn’t love finger painting, face painting, or any creative outlet that allows them to get a little messy? While this fun activity will keep your child and their friends entertained, their finished art projects will double as fun party favors to take home.
Check out some examples below, and find even more kids’ birthday party ideas here: 33 Kids Birthday Party Ideas You’ll Want to Steal for Yourself
Horsing Around
Face Painting at the Circus
Caricature Artistry
4. Live Entertainment That Gets Kids on Their Feet
Kids’ entertainment is more than than turning on the television or a music playlist. Live party entertainment, like musicians, gets kids on their feet and dancing. Expect your little one to be ready for a nap by the time the party is over.
Find and book the perfect entertainment for your kid’s birthday party.
Bubbles & Bass
Fire Dancers & More
Aloha Islanders Hawaiian Entertainment Inc. was the main attraction at this Moana-themed birthday party. They brought in Hula dancers and fire dancers to wow guests and get the kids dancing.
Exciting Sesame Street
We adore this colorful Sesame Street-themed first-birthday party full of interactive musical entertainment.
5. Punny Party Themes
When a good pun presents itself, it’s hard to not lean into it. Whether on signage or invites, make sure your clever play on words makes an impact. Check out some of our favorite examples below, and find even more of the best party themes on PartySlate.
Home “One”
Chugga Chugga Two Two
We adore this train-themed second-birthday party with locomotive inspired décor and a clever theme.
Love You a Latte
Itsy Bitsy Cobe
We love a classic nursery rhyme turned party theme. This Itsy Bitsy Spider-themed second birthday is a chic portrayal of a time-honored children’s poem.
6. Curated Mocktails for the Kids
Mocktails are growing increasingly popular and are one of our favorite trends here at PartySlate. Offer curated mocktails for the kids to take this trend to a new and adorable level. Caterers will not miss a detail in creating these masterpieces. Complete with smoke, edible flowers, and more, this adult trend is now for the kids.
Edible Mocktail Toppers
This pink birthday party offered a curated mocktail menu with spiked versions for the adults.
Mocktails Fit for Three-Year-Olds
The mocktails at this Minnie Mouse party exceeded expectations with fog bubbling out of the top of the fishbowl-style cups.
7. Over-the-Top Tablescapes
A meticulously designed tablescape is one of my personal favorite parts of any event. In 2023, we expect to see even more over the top tablescapes — literally. Check out these examples below, designed by expert décor companies.
Boho Canopy
This extended tablescape wowed us with a luxe, boho canopy of pampas grass and palms overhead.
Tablescape & Ceiling Décor in One
This lavish birthday tea party featured tablescapes of colorful baby’s breath that seemed to cascade from suspended, floating tea kettles and balloons overhead.
8. Seating On Their Level
Plush pillows and low benches with accompanying tables are a perfect, and practical, kids’ birthday party trend. Think of it as an elevated picnic. This chic seating arrangement is in this year, so get ahead of the trend before you see it everywhere.
Boho Floor Seating
We love this kid-friendly seating arrangement with boho decorative pillows around a low table.
Elevated Picnic-Style Seating
9. Bounce Houses That Pop
The days of primary-colored bounce houses for kids’ birthday parties are gone. If you’re going to go with a bounce house, make it pop. Add décor and balloons galore to amp up your party theme or style. This is one of our favorite trends of 2023, so check out the glamorous bounce houses below — and find a rental company near you for your kid’s next milestone.
It’s All Coming Up Daisies
We adore this elaborate pastel-colored, daisy-filled bounce house with accompanying slides into a ball pit (all in the same color palette).
Spooky Costume Party
This spooky bounce house with a vibrant color scheme is brought to life with brightly colored balloon installations.
Super Noah
Take inspiration from this chic Super Mario-themed birthday party for how to incorporate fun colors into an otherwise neutral-hued event.
A Classic Nursery Rhyme, But Make it Chic
This white bounce house was elevated with a cascade of blue and black balloon installations.
10. Barbiecore Is More Than a Trend for the Adults
Barbiecore is one of our favorite themes here at PartySlate and we are ecstatic to see it trickle into kids’ birthday parties this year. The ultra-feminine, signature Barbie-pink, coupled with silhouettes of her portrait, is the theme of your little one’s dreams. Our favorite thing about this trend is that it has come full-circle. It began with kids, then became a glamorous adult trend, and is now back as an elevated style for kids.
Combining Barbie & Art
This Barbie-inspired party captivated guests with Barbie-themed watercolor activities.
Barbie & Her Squad in Attendance
Barbie was in attendance at this floral-filled birthday party and sat at the dessert table as a special touch.
C’mon Baribe
Not a detail was overlooked at this Barbie-galore birthday party filled with an abundance of pink balloons and Barbie silhouettes everywhere.
11. Disco Balls Make Their Way to Kids’ Birthday Parties
Another trend moving from adult parties to kids is disco balls. Disco balls as décor definitely had their moment in 2022, but in 2023, we are going to see disco balls filling kids birthday parties. The best thing about this décor element is that it works with so many themes. You don’t have to commit to a full 70s-themed party to indulge in disco décor.
Vibrant Space Disco
This “Interstella” space-themed party included disco balls in a subtle and chic way.
Barbie Disco
Mini disco balls cascaded down the birthday girl’s pink birthday cake, adding a sparkly touch.
12. More Than an Invite
In 2023, the style and design of the invitations is just as important as the rest of the décor at the event. Storybook-inspired, or interactive invites, get kids and parents excited for the birthday party to come. They will also paint a picture of the party and sometimes tell the story of the celebrant. There’s no better way to get your little guests excited than with an interactive invite.
Once Upon a Time
A storybook party invitation gave guests a sneak peek into this dragon-themed fable birthday party.
People Also Ask…
How can I make my kid’s birthday party more creative?
PartySlate is your go-to website for everything event planning. From weddings to birthday parties, we offer inspiration for all types of events — as well as curated directories to help you find venues and vendors that will make your event come to life. Head to partyslate.com to start planning your kid’s birthday party now.
featured planner
Ashley Chanel Events
We love how this Los Angeles-based event planner has their finger on the pulse of all the latest event trends and styles. Ashley Chanel and her team have a passion for planning stunning events and take a unique approach to each of their clients to deliver on their specific vision photographer: John & Joseph Photography