Mermaid Birthday Party Ideas

Mermaid party themes are making a bit of a comeback. It might be because of Disney’s upcoming remake of their 1989 classic animated mermaid tale, The Little Mermaid . Or maybe it’s just because mermaids are mystical and beautiful and magical. With summer just around the corner and everyone has beaches/pools/water fun on the mind, we thought it would be a perfect time to do a round up of mermaid birthday party ideas.

We know if you search Pinterest for Mermaid Parties, you will be overwhelmed, so we cataloged some of our favorite ideas that will have everyone parting under the Sea. Check out all our favorite ideas on our mermaid birthday party Pinterest board.

Mermaid Party Invitations

Start the theme off strong with an under the sea or mermaid party theme. These birthday invites with the phrase, “You Mermaid to be Awesome” is so cute!

Get your child involved and create homemade invitations by cutting out mermaid tails and shells made from folded over construction paper! There are so many under the sea/mermaid party ideas you could use to create a one-of-a-kind party invitation.

Mermaid Birthday Cake

A mermaid birthday party has to have a mermaid birthday cake! You can order a cake, or try your hand at making your own. If you’re no Martha Stewart, make a sheet cake and add in a mermaid tail and shells and call it a day!

Shell Decorating Table

Nothing controls the chaos like an experience where we put those busy little hands to work. Also, parents salivate at anything their little Picassos create and display those works of art with pride. “Shell Station” is like an Easter egg decorating but with sea shells.

You can go to Hobby Lobby and get more giant shells, glue, glitter, markers, etc. to let them create. Buy inexpensive wood frames and let the kids go crazy! It’s guaranteed to keep them entertained for 30 minutes or more, and they’ll have an awesome party favor to take home.

No Sew Mermaid Tails

image: Living Locurto

What could be better than going home from a fantastic mermaid party with your very own mermaid tail?

Amy at Living Locurto made these DIY Mermaid tails for all the guests at her daughter’s 3-year-old mermaid party. You can have a “Tail Station” like above, or make them ahead of time and personalize them for each party guest. And the magical part is that you need no sewing skills at all; great news for a lot of busy moms.

Watch the video here https://www.livinglocurto.com/mermaid-tails-party-craft/

Sand Castle Station

If you don’t already have a sandbox, you can purchase bags of sand (You don’t need a ton, found at Walmart, Lowes, etc.) and a plastic kiddie pool. Fill the pool with sand, get some cheap buckets and pails and you’ve got a faux beach for your mermaid birthday party!

Divide your guests into teams and have a Sand Castle Competition. The winning team wins a small prize!

Fun Food and Drink With a Mermaid Twist

Fun ocean-themed food is an easy way to decorate for a mermaid themed birthday party. Goldfish, Swedish Fish, or chocolate shells are an obvious choice.

Naming common party foods to fit the ocean/mermaid theme is an easy way to create a mermaid menu (triangle shaped cheese as 'shark teeth,’ cut sandwiches into ‘starfish’, etc.)

Other ideas include this fruit basket and adding a few cheap bananas that are DIY dolphins is a fun idea (photo source unknown: found on Pinterest).

Mermaid Ice Cream No-Churn Mermaid Ice Cream is a colorful swirl of easy homemade ice cream filled with sprinkles that are perfect for a mermaid party and a hot summer afternoon treat! Find a great mermaid ice cream recipe here: https://www.homemadeinterest.com/no-churn-mermaid-ice-cream/

Mermaid Sea Water or Ocean Water

Ocean water is easy fun, innovative drink that can be made ahead in batches and set out so all your guests can help themselves (one less thing to worry about!).

We loved this recipe from Stephanie Stremler’s sea life birthday party for her daughter:

Mermaid Birthday Punch

Ingredients:

• Blue Hawaiian Punch

• Lemonade

• Ice

Directions:

Mix half Blue Hawaiian Punch and half lemonade in the dispenser and add ice. Done! It doesn’t get much easier than two ingredients.

Other Fun Mermaid and Ocean-Themed Foods

Candy buffets like rock candy can be “Coral Rocks” or Sour Apple Candy ropes as “Seaweed.” are fun interpretations. Adult options for a mermaid party include “seaweed dip,” which is artichoke dip or spinach dip with some yummy bread on the side to spread them on.

Check out our mermaid birthday party Pinterest board for more with great food Ideas!

Mermaid Photo Backdrop

image: etsy

Recreate this gorgeous fabric mermaid photo backdrop using teal and purple balloons and streamers. It’s easy and inexpensive! Mix in iridescent streams to elevate and add in some sparkle and it will look amazing. You could add fish and mermaid tails made from simple construction paper—great for younger kids.

Kids and adults will have so much fun posing like mermaids or sharks!

As we say at LYFETYMES: a party is more than décor! Make it a memorable experience and spend time enjoying you’re child and the party, they will never remember that you did not have a life size aquarium there!

Taking selfies with your child using this mermaid birthday party photo backdrop is a great way to create lasting memories.

Mermaid Parties Require: COLOR!

Speaking of décor, for a party to feel truly mermaidy, you’ve got to go crazy with the décor. There are a ton of inexpensive DIY mermaid ideas we love that are inexpensive, and the kids can help put it together. And any color works, don’t feel like you need to go deep purple or blue, we have seen fantastic pastel mermaid parties.

LYFETYMES is like “The Knot” for everything BUT Weddings!

LYFETYMES takes the stress out of planning allowing you to spend more time celebrating and making memories. LYFETYMES is your free All-In-One Party Planner; you can plan all the aspects of celebrations in one place. It's great for Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, Holiday Get together, Graduation Parties, Engagement Parties, or Any Occasion to Celebrate.

You can start planning a party in 30 seconds from your couch in your pajama’s. You can send Invites, RSVP’s & manage guest lists, create a celebration website, add registry & gifts, checklist & budgets,shop decorations, pin pictures, and DIY ideas and more. You can plan various celebrations at one time. And you can invite other hostesses to help with planning and assign tasks, share ideas, etc. 

It is the fastest growing website for moms planning celebrations and will save you HOURS.

Gender Reveal Party Ideas

Gender reveal parties have been growing in popularity over the past few years, and we can see why! Letting the world (and yourselves!) know the gender of your baby is a fun way to spread more happiness during this joyful time. We never mind another excuse to plan a party!

There are so many smart ways you can learn the gender of your baby, and we've rounded up a huge list of ideas to help inspire you to create a magical gender reveal party!

Fun Ways to Reveal Your Baby's Gender:

Cake Gender Reveal

Have a friend or the host order a delivery on your behalf with the inside of the cake dyed pink or blue. When you cut into the cake, you'll instantly know whether you're having a baby girl or a baby boy!

The same idea can be used for cupcakes--this is a fun idea to have everyone bite into a cupcake at the same time to reveal pink or blue pudding and share in the fun.

Get the dog involved and make the gender reveal cake for the pup. He or she can eat the cake and announce to the world if you'll have a boy or a girl!

Pop an Opaque Balloon

This is another fun way to reveal your baby's gender: have an opaque balloon filled with pink or blue glitter, confetti, or powder for an exciting gender reveal moment at your party!

Boy or Girl Outfit Surprise

Have the parents-to-be open a neutral box with boy or girl clothes inside. They can be blue or pink, or a dress vs. vest and tie!

Confetti Cannon to Reveal Your Baby's Gender

Confetti cannons are gaining in popularity and they are the perfect way to discover your baby's gender at the party! Plus, it's one of the more masculine gender reveal ideas we've come across. What man doesn't like shooting off a canon?

Or, get the crowd involved and have them shoot confetti cannons off over the future parents like this image above! This makes for a really cool moment and photo.

Pinata

Pinatas are always fun at parties and with each strike, the excitement of the gender reveal builds! Mom and dad (and big brother or sister) can take turns hitting the pinata to reveal blue or pink colored candy, or confetti (we like the candy idea for obvious reasons!).

Balloon Release Gender Reveal

Decorate an extra large box with festive paper and bows and fill the box with pink or blue helium balloons. Get the camera ready because when the couple opens the box and the balloons pop out and up, it makes for a beautiful moment that they'll want to cherish forever.

The Thinking Closet shared their balloon release gender reveal at their family gender reveal party it was so such a great moment!

Gender Reveal Party Themes

Trucks or Tutus

Matchbox toy trucks and tutus are easy to find and use at the gender reveal party! Make or buy inexpensive tutus for guests to wear and use toy trucks as cupcake toppers.

Quarterback or Cheerleader

Decorations with a quarterback or cheerleader gender reveal theme can include mini footballs, pom poms, and pennants on the wall! Have mini footballs and pom poms for guests to toss or shake throughout the party.

Blue or Pink Party Decorations

Keep things simple at your gender reveal party: either have the party host decorate ahead of time in secrecy so that when you arrive, you are surprised by the color of the decorations. Or, use both blue and pink (or green and peach) at the party and keep up the suspense until the big reveal!

Pirate or Mermaid

Ahoy, Matey! We love the idea of an "Out on the High Seas" gender reveal party. You can use the ocean and pirate ships as the central theme and then pirates and mermaids to designate each gender!

There are so many cute options to use for decor--ships, blue tablecloths, mermaid tails or pirate hats for cupcake toppers, the possibilities are endless!

Bow ties or Bows?

This is a fun theme and easy to come up with decorations for a "bow ties or hair bows" gender reveal. Pass out bow ties and hair bows for guests to wear at the party and use that theme for the cupcake toppers, cookie decorations, or cake toppers!

Menu items can include bow tie pasta salad, hair bow cookies, bow ties and hair bows as cake toppers, and more.

Lashes or Mustaches?

This gender reveal party theme screams for a photo booth with props! Buy (or make!) mustaches and lashes on sticks and add in feather boas, big hats, and more props on sticks (like big pink lips, crazy glasses--the ideas are endless!)

He or She: What Will it Be?

Keep things simple with a basic theme of 'he or she: what will it be?' Use any of the gender reveal techniques from above to fit in this theme. We are partial to the hidden blue or pink frosting inside cupcakes!

Now that you have the gender reveal party themes and ideas on how to reveal your baby's gender at the party let's find out what people do at gender reveal parties! Aside from visiting, eating, and having fun guessing what the baby will be, you can offer games to keep it light and fun.

Gender Reveal Party Game Ideas

Suggest a Name

Name suggestion jars are a fun way for guests to drop a boy or girl name in a jar for after the baby's gender is revealed. Even if you've already picked out names, this could be fun to look through after everyone's left the party.

Cast Your Vote

Create a poll on a cute chalkboard or other decorated backdrop with a line down the middle designated boy on one side and girl on the other. Any of the above themes can easily be incorporated into this game!

Guess the Number!

Fill a Jar with pink and blue candy and have guests guess if there's more pink or blue candy in the jar! Have a party gift on hand for the winner to up the stakes. To make it extra challenging, ask them the number of pink and blue candy in the jar. The competitors in the crowd will really make this game fun!

What is a Gender Reveal Party?

Wondering what a gender reveal party is? It's somewhat of a recent phenomenon where a couple has the baby's gender sealed in an envelope only to be revealed at a party with friends and family.

Gifts are not expected--save those for the baby shower!

Should You Have a Gender Reveal Party?

Some people like to wait until the baby is born to be 'surprised' at the birth. But many people like to know ahead of time so that they can plan the nursery and their baby registry.

Doing a gender reveal party makes finding out what your baby will be extra fun and exciting and it's a moment that you can share with friends and family well before your baby is born.

It's a personal decision--some people do a small and intimate gender reveal party and other people plan a big party! Either way, we hope these ideas have inspired you to plan your gender reveal the way you want.

Want to save these ideas for later? Pin this image below!

Party Planning Blogs That Will Inspire You

At LYFETYMES, you could say we love all things parties. And you'd be right. We love scouring the internet for the latest and greatest party planners and their blogs--they're on the front lines of planning parties and they help to keep our creative juices flowing!

Below we're sharing our favorite party planning blogs:

Party Planning Blogs We Love

Cake and Confetti

Meredith Timms Staggers is the face behind Cake and Confetti and she started out as a party planner back in 2013. She's evolved her business into a party planning blogger/content creator and photo stylist. She writes about all things parties, entertaining, and a bit of lifestyle blogging for good measure!

Candy-themed birthday party from Cake and Confetti. Image: The Cotton Collective | Party Planning Blogs That Will Inspire you from LYFETYMES party planning blog.

Her recent candy themed 1st birthday party for her daughter, Piper, was full of beautiful and fun ideas! You can follow along with her amazingly fun and happy Cake and Confetti Instagram feed.  

Twinkle Twinkle Little Party

Andressa Hara is a local party planner turned party stylist and creator of her wildly popular Twinkle Twinkle Little Party blog and Twinkle Twinkle Little Party Magazine, a lifestyle and party planning publication.

One of our recent favorites was her sweet pink & gold ballerina/princess inspired party--it looks like every little girl's dream party!

Pink & gold ballerina/princess inspired party from Twinkle Twinkle Little Party. Image: Twinkle Twinkle Little Party.

She has an incredible knack for styling the most creative parties and capturing the theme and vibe perfectly which is why major brands have hired her to create beautiful campaigns for them.

If you're looking for party inspiration, check out her blog or the Twinkle Twinkle Little Party Instagram feed for her always inspiring styled party shoots!

Kara's Party Ideas

The creative force behind Kara's Party Ideas is Kara Allen and she's a party designer, content creator, dessert stylist, and author, among other things. Recently dubbed the "new" Martha Stewart of party planning, her work is in high demand and she's worked too many brands to list!  

Vintage inspired lavender baby shower from Kara's Party Supplies is one example of Kara's party planning genius. Photo credit: Kara's Party Supplies

This stunning vintage inspired lavender baby shower left no detail undone.

Follow Kara on Instagram for daily inspiration!

The Bashery

Pamelyn Rocco brings.the.party. She's been creating parties for over 20 years and started a successful party rental and party styling company where she rents awesome and unique things to people planning a party and creates content and inspiration for her blog and Instagram. She creates beautiful content and yes, FUN PARTIES!  

A mother's day party from The Bashery. Photo: The Bashery

This stunning Mother's Day party included pretty photo backdrops, activities for the kids, and a mimosa bar for the moms! Follow along with The Bashery on Instagram for more inspiration!

Oh Happy Day

Jordan's site is just...well, HAPPY. From the photography, to the styling, to the themes--she makes us want to throw a party just because ;)

Minecraft Balloons | Oh Happy Day commits to her party themes! Photo: Oh Happy Day

This incredible Minecraft themed birthday party was so creative! From the food to the decorations--she nailed it. Oh Happy Day also has a store where you can find almost anything you can think of to throw your party! She's built a powerhouse of a space for inspiration and decoration.

Follow Oh Happy Day on Instagram for a daily dose of color and party inspiration!

Feeling inspired, but not sure where to start? Check out Lyfetymes where we help you plan your perfect party with our easy tool FOR FREE!

Sugar and Cloth

On a break from college, Ashley Rose created Sugar and Cloth. That was eight years ago! She runs the site and studio full-time where she pumps out gorgeous party and lifestyle content that will be all up in your Pinterest boards!

DIY Hot Chocolate Bar by Sugar and Cloth. Photo: Sugar and Cloth

This DIY Hot Chocolate Bar they whipped up for a charity event with State Farm is perfection. We love her because she shares so many DIY projects from decor, to recipes, to entertaining, so that you can incorporate some fun into your life, too!  

The Sugar and Cloth Instagram feed is not to be missed--gorgeous studio shots, photo shoots, and behind the scenes family snaps that will keep you smiling!

Black and Twine

Where do we start with our love for Black and Twine? Their gorgeous site is organized and curated so beautifully and you'll surely find the inspiration for your next party. We love reading their blog where they do deep dives into parties that will get you inspired to start creating your next celebration!

Jungle Themed Baby Shower via Black and Twine | photo: Bethany Lane Photography | Top Party Planning Blogs

This jungle themed baby shower was such a unique idea for a baby shower and the color scheme kept the vibe fun, yet classic.  

Black and Twine collaborates with their 'stylist circle' from across the world which keeps the content fresh and exciting!

Black and Twine is also on Instagram!

Laura's Little Party

Full of themed party ideas for birthdays, holidays, movie nights, game nights, and more, Laura's got an idea for every party!  

Unicorn themed girl's birthday party from Laura's Little Party. Photo: Laura's Little Party | Top Party Planning Blogs

This adorable unicorn themed birthday party was a big hit and we can see why! The decorations, the treats, and that cake--this is one birthday party idea that will melt your little girl's heart.

Her Instagram account is popular for a reason-bright and beautiful party pics to inspire your every day!

Hostess with the Mostess

This site is so beautifully laid out and curated--it's a party for your eyes! They offer their own content and also feature other's creations. You could literally spend days sifting through all of their party topics.

Love Birds Bridal Shower from Hostess with the Mostess | Top Party Planning Blogs

This adorable Love Birds bridal shower was so clever and sophisticated. Plus, she includes links to these gorgeous printables for you to use at your own love birds bridal shower!

Follow Jenn at Hostess with the Mostess on Instagram for daily inspiration!

Little Miss Party

In addition to curating and creating stunning content on their blog, they offer personal party planning, branded event planning, and "party in a box" options to help you plan your next event!

Bridal Shower via Little Miss Party photo: LMP | Party Planner Blogs We Love

We love the simple touches they added for this 'best friend's bridal shower' event. The feminine and festive backdrop elevates the brick wall and keeps things festive with a few basic elements (balloons and a gold banner--it's true what they say: less is more!).

Follow along with Seri over on the Little Miss Party Instagram as she shares their parties and a little behind the scenes action, too!

We'll be updating this list often, so check back soon to see which party planning blogs have been added!  

Better yet, pin the following image so that you have it bookmarked on one of your Pinterest boards:

Remember to check back soon to see more party planning blog inspiration!

Unforgettable and Unique Bridal Shower Themes

Bridal showers are an important event leading up to any wedding. There are a lot of moving parts in this celebration! Today we've rounded up the most current trends we're seeing in bridal shower themes to get your creative juices flowing!

With the right theme (ideally one the bride is head over heels for), all the other details will start to fall into place, from finding the right decor ideas or picking the perfect bridal shower dessert to match the vibe.

Whether the bride-to-be is always ready for brunch or has a long-standing traditional style, you'll find the idea to match her every pre-wedding dreams in this unique list of bridal shower themes.

Unique Bridal Shower Themes

Make a Special Bride to Be Cocktail

Have some fun and create a special cocktail name in the bride's honor! Or, make her favorite drink and put it on the menu for all of the guests to enjoy! Check out LYFETYMES Pinterest Board here for ideas!

Spa Day Bridal Shower

If the hustle and bustle of wedding planning have your bride completely worn down, one fun bridal shower alternative is to pack her and her guests off to a day at the spa. The pampering possibilities are endless and she'll end the day completely relaxed and ready to keep planning that dream day.

Garden Party Shower

If there's one bridal shower theme that will always sound like a perfect fit, it's a garden-inspired shower. There's just something about floral displays and overflowing arrangements that shouts "wedding!" This shower theme is a great one to make co-ed and get the groom in on the party.

Extend this theme to your pre-wedding event with the help of a flower-packed setting and you're well on your way to an unforgettable garden party. Click here for inspiration.

With a wedding in the works, sometimes it's best to stick to a bridal shower idea the bride already has on her brain—like a flower arranging class. Even if she's not even thinking about hand-making her own wedding arrangements, learning how to create her own centerpiece (or flower crown) may be the perfect way to unwind and still acknowledge the upcoming celebration.

Race and Brunch Bridal Theme

Is she a runner or biker? Have everyone sign up for a local race followed by a brunch to celebrate the bride. This is a fun bonding experience because you'll be working towards a shared goal AND there's brunch. So...

Tea Party Bridal Theme

Let the sweetest bite-sized delicacies tempt guests at an afternoon tea style shower. Tea sandwiches, towers of handheld desserts, and, of course, the tea itself will ensure your event goes off without a hitch. A theme shower is especially suitable for brides who have already accumulated many of the housewares that tend to be given as gifts at traditional showers. For awesome Tea Party Ideas, click here!

Kentucky Derby Themed Bridal Shower

Look no further than this particular bridal shower theme for an idea that's worthy of the Triple Crown. You'll definitely impress the bride to be and all her favorite ladies with a celebration packed with mint juleps, Southern snacks, and all the best hat fashion.

Sweet Treats Brunch Bridal Shower

If the bride considers brunch the most important meal of the day, your theme decision is simple. Pile plates high with her favorite flavors of donuts, or feel free to get extra creative with a waffle or pancake cake. Just don't forget the mimosas! Check out our brunch inspirations here.

Candy-Themed Bridal Shower

Plan a shower that is sweet like candy -- just like Darcy Miller did for bride-to-be Dylan Lauren, owner of Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City. "This theme is so much fun and perfect for Dylan," Darcy says. "But, really, who doesn't like candy?" Inspire your sweet tooth here!

Co-Ed Formal Bridal Shower Theme

Include the groom and his beaus in this formal affair--black tie optional, but encouraged. A decadent evening out to celebrate their upcoming nuptials is the best way to kick off all of the celebrating!

Or, if that's too formal for the couple, rent a room at their favorite restaurant or have everyone meet at the bar for a casual couples night out bridal shower theme.

Sports Bridal Shower Theme

Is the bride-to-be a big sports fan? Rent a suite at a local ballpark and cater the event with high end beer and party food. Have a blast doing something fun while celebrating the bride before her big day.

We're talking everything from guest lists and invitations to food and drinks, entertainment, and even items like party favors. Fortunately, LYFETYMES makes coordinating the perfect bridal shower infinitely easier, no matter which theme the bride chooses!

For some more amazing ideas check out our Bridal Shower Inspiration Board here.

And be sure to save this pin for later!

The Best Kids' Birthday Party Trends!

Top Party Trends for Kids

Celebrating your child’s birthday? Thanks to DIY, ETSY, Amazon, Instagram, and Pinterest- parents are more inspired and empowered to get creative when it comes to planning their child's birthday celebrations! Get ready to explore the biggest upcoming kids’ party trends for 2019. Parents and kids are now looking for bigger and better ways to be entertained as they celebrate. We've rounded up an incredible list of ideas to get your creative juices flowing and plan a kid's birthday party that everyone will enjoy!

Birthday party trend we're seeing in 2019 is breaking away from traditional gender-based themes. Parties are now geared more towards themes, personalities and experiences that play into the child’s interest, whether it be baking, painting, spa party, or camping – there are so many low-cost options to make everyone feel like a rock star.

Need some inspiration and ideas we've got you covered in our list below, or check out our Pinterest boards here.

Trending Kids' Birthday Party Ideas

Floral Arranging Birthday Parties

Custom floral arranging parties including children's birthday parties where participants learn how to create a beautiful floral arrangement or a beautiful flower crown (huge trend) fit for a queen.

You can do this at home or at a local florist venue! The kids will learn a skill and you will enjoy the fruits of their labor all week.

The New Princess Parties

Mermaid, unicorn, and rainbow themes are popular alternatives to the traditional princess party.

Unicorns and mermaids are fun, ethereal, glittery, and build a child’s confidence through traditional and inspirational story telling. You can really get creative with these themes: from the cake to the party favors you can get as creative as you want.

Make it a Rainbow Unicorn Party to take it to the next level. Activities can include decorating unicorn headband horns.

If you want to add an actual unicorn or mermaid, more and more companies are providing services where a character will come to you- check out lyfetymes.com to see what is available in your area.

Tea Party & Fairy Party

This is one of the sweetest trends coming on from creating a backyard team party, in the house or at an actual venue. Tea parties are becoming more popular. From Alice to Wonderland Themes to Shabby Chic Vintage Themes, kids love playing dress-up- not to mention those yummy tea sandwiches and pastel macaroons are darn cute!

Have them decorate crowns or wings as activities. Or they can paint their own tea cup.

Check out more amazing tea party ideas here from modern to vintage.

Spa Party, Glamping, Camping & Slumber Party

The big trend being seen, especially with older children are sleepover spa party. This does not have to be at an actual spa! The market is flooded with fun low-cost home-based spa treatments. Drop cucumber slices in ice water to cover their eyes while they let a face mask settle in and offer soft and cozy robes and slippers and twirl their hair up in a towel for a day of pampering.

Image: Sprinkle and Dot

Slumber parties make some of the best memories, string up some garland and lights, a few decorations, music and it’s a party! If weather permits- go glamping outside. Sleep easy by checking out some great ideas here.

For a Camping theme, you could pitch a tent in your backyard if weather allows and have a night under the stars or set up in a room inside. Have everyone bring sleeping bags, BBQ some hot dogs & dig into s’mores.

You could apply lumberjack or forest or woodland animal party theme. Mix in some bandannas, nature decor and lanterns and have activities like a scavenger hunt list.

Experience/Activity Trend

Instead of doing a typical pizza party at the same place every year, mix it up: Trampoline Park, Bounce Houses, Bowling Alley, Go Carts, Indoor Climbing, Video Gaming, Laser Tag & Skating Rinks are great options. There are so many event venues to choose from now!

Pro tip’s for parents: These activity-based birthday parties are usually low cost, plenty of room to run around, private rooms if needed, and no clean up required.

With all the options available you can really make sure it is geared towards the kids’ interest and everyone gets some exercise!

Cooking and Baking Parties

Another idea for both boys and girls is to have a cooking or baking party. With kids cooking competition shows rising in popularity, kids are being encouraged and inspired to learn to cook or have some creative fun decorating cupcakes and cookies.  

You can do this at home by putting out different colored icings and sprinkles. As an activity them could decorate and personalize their own aprons. Bakeries are also great venues to host a party! Check out venues here.

Mad Scientist or Exploration Party

This is all the rage! Kids will love being hands-on with a science-themed bash! Hand out lab coats and safety goggles, drink from beakers, and put together simple experiments.

You can do this at a home party or most children’s museums offer kids birthday parties at a reasonable cost, so the kids can party SMART! Don't go mad trying to think of everything yourself, check out some great ideas here!

Arts and Crafts Party

These are great opportunities for kids to do something different and use creativity to create something to hold on to forever. Keep kids busy with art and craft stations during the party. Kids can create a painting or a craft that will also serve as a party favor.

Whether you are planning a painting party where the kids can paint on canvas or a ceramic party where they can mold and decorate their special piece, a great opportunity to capture their imaginations with a keepsake to remember! Check out some our favorite ideas here.

If you can't stomach the chaos (and mess!) Craft stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann also offer birthday parties which will save you from the mess!

These are the top birthday party trends we're seeing for 2019! Pin the next image to your Pinterest and save it for later:

Trendy DIY Graduation Party Ideas

It’s one of the proudest moments in a parents’ journey: when your child walks across the stage, receives their diploma, and throws their graduation cap into the air. If your son or daughter is graduating this year, celebrate this huge milestone with an awesome graduation party using these DIY party ideas!

LYFETYMES can help you plan your perfect graduation party stress-free so you can soak up every moment. Here are some ideas to help celebrate this milestone in style without breaking the bank. So, dry those tears (#proudparent) and let’s get ready to party!

Photo Backdrop

It's not a party unless there's a photo backdrop. There are a ton of options, complete with fringe, balloons, and star garland is Insta-worthy.

It will help commemorate the day for years to come and easily DIY-able. Check out our favorite backdrops here for inspiration.

"Then and Now" Centerpieces

Pictures are a great way to help personalize tables and works as a centerpiece. Take some of the millions of photos you have taken as they have grown up and shared with the guests. Check out our centerpieces Pinterest board for all kinds of inspiration.

Candy Buffet

These are popular for milestone celebrations. You can buy in bulk, find something cute to put candy in with a scooper and it is a great “Thank You” treat for guests to leave with.

You can even personalize the bags with your Graduates name, etc. And your candy buffet can go beyond just candy: you can use DIY dipped doughnut pops, candy apples, and more Your guests will feel like a kid in a candy store! We have great ideas curated for you here.

Metallic Letter Balloons, Balloon Garlands, Jumbo Balloons with Tassels

Balloons have come a long way baby! With so many options available, you can get really creative with your graduation party decorations. You could decorate with words “The Tassel Was Worth the Hassle” with metallic letter balloons for stylish decorating this grad season.

Balloon garlands are very popular from decorating the entrance or incorporating in a photo backdrop. Balloons can serve as colorful but inexpensive centerpieces or create a chandelier.

Another significant trend that adds a pop of color and helps to fill a party space is jumbo balloons with colorful tassels.

Mix in smaller balloons to create an eye-popping display. Check out our Pinterest board here for fantastic ideas.

Theme Party

Like when they were little, one of the best ideas is to have a themed Graduation Party. You can theme based on the College they may be attending including colors, mascot, and personalized décor.

Another favorite theme due to the time of year is a Luau. It's bright, fun, tons of inexpensive DIY decor options and it’s fun to have your guests show up in their best Jimmy Buffett outfit. With LYFETYMES you can invite your Guest of Honor to help with personalization without giving away the party details.

Make a Graduation Money Lei

Along the Luau theme: remember when you used to pin money on the bride’s dress to dance with her? A money lei is a popular graduation idea that puts a modern spin on tradition.

Roll up dollar bills to get it started and use mini clothespins to attach them to DIY lei or buy one here and leave empty ones that your guests can attach money. It’s fun for the graduate to wear around and fun for the guests to pin on them.

Food Bars for Easy Menu Planning

If you are feeding any group of people, the new trend is Food Bars and Drink Stations- they are LYFE-savers!

From Hot Dogs with all the fixings to Taco Bars, you can help save hours of stress and money by having your guests serve themselves. The best part is you can put together a fantastic display with some inexpensive options that will fill them up and leave them happy. Check out some tremendous Bars and Stations here.

The New Interactive Guest Book

You could apply this with anything but skip the boring guestbook, and ask guests to sign a Jenga block with a piece of "Life Advice" with one-liners and their name on the other side.

Or how about a Polaroid guest book where guests snap it, shake it, stick it and sign it. Or if you’re a tech family come up with a hashtag for Instagram for your guests to use, so you get every pic from every guest there- remember when we used disposable cameras at every table?

Graduation parties are the perfect time to mix things up and make things FUN, not stuffy! Use some of these trendy DIY Graduation Party ideas that will make your graduate grin from ear to ear!

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Rose Gold Bridal Shower Decor

We've rounded up our favorite rose gold bridal shower party decorations, so that her rose gold dreams can come true!  BONUS: You can purchase them all for under $125 to have a great shower! Plan the entire bridal shower for free at LYFETYMES, your Free All-In-One Party Planning Website.

You can also add unlimited co-hosts to help celebrate the special day! Be sure to check out our beautifully curated boards here for inspiration  

Rose Gold Bridal Shower Decor Ideas for Under $125

Gorgeous Decoration Kit

This gorgeous bridal party decorations and supplies kit will make your party stand out and includes everything you need for your party. It fills the room- it is a great kit complete with a bridal sash! Rose Gold balloons combined with gold letters add a perfect touch. Purchase here.

Photo Backdrop

Photo backdrops are a must-have for every party--especially bridal showers!  These rose gold metallic tinsel foil fringe curtains are perfect for selfies and posing with your friends. Purchase this set-up here.

Rose Gold Table Runner

Continue the rose gold love with this beautiful table runner. This runner will create a gorgeous base for all of the amazing bridal shower eats and treats. Purchase here.

But First Mimosas Rose Gold Cocktail Backdrop

Will you have a special area for drinks at the bridal shower? Separate the champagne and mimosas with this gorgeous backdrop. It will help make things festive while your guests grab their cocktail or mocktail. We LOVE this decor to put over the busiest place in the party! Purchase Here.

Table Covers

Rose gold everywhere sounds divine for a bridal shower, but to use it more as an accent, but give your guest's eyes some visual white space, use these classy white table covers with rose gold polka dots accents. Plus, they are disposable which makes cleaning up after the party a breeze! Purchase 4-pack here.

CupCake Toppers

Cupcake Toppers elevate basic cupcakes for her special day. These gorgeous bridal shower cupcake toppers will take your cake or cupcakes to the next level. We love these wedding themed toppers, buy here.

Table Settings

To keep the rose gold theme going, coordinate with these pretty matching flatware and, cups, napkins, and plates. Purchase our favorites here.

Your rose gold bridal shower is just a few clicks away with these awesome products! You can use LYFETYMES to plan every last detail, in addition to the rose gold decor! Your bride-to-be will be amazed at how you pulled it all off. You've got this!

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LYFETYMES: The New Way to Plan a Party

Here’s a little backstory of why LYFTYMES was created.

I volunteered to plan my close friend’s baby shower; I figured I'd crush it. I’ve been the right-hand gal supporting huge corporate organizations in many roles for years. If I could do that, how hard could it be?

So when it came time to start planning, I started with what everyone does. I pulled out my laptop and entered:

"How to plan a baby shower."

"Tools to plan a baby shower."

"I need help planning a baby shower."

I kept getting printable checklists, helpful blogs, and great articles.. There were plenty of pictures and inspiration, but I could not find an end-to-end website for all things party outside of weddings.

I went through the same thing planning my niece's graduation party (and let me promise you one thing, you do not want to screw up a teenage girl’s party). I was running around like a crazy person, trying to divide and conquer with co-hosts, worried sick it wouldn’t be the guest of honor’s vision, or I would forget something important.

I was so stressed over it and  a full-time job working mom with little time.

I love to celebrate life’s milestones or just throw a party on the weekend, just because. My fondest memories are from these moments, and I hope there are many more.

But as I sat at my computer and thought of everything that needed to be done for my friend’s baby shower, I knew it should not be full of pain points—a baby shower should be full of joy and most of all, fun!

That's why I decided enough was enough, and LYFETYMES was created.

LYFETYMES is a free, fun, DIY website that is easy to use for any celebration or party. It's like having a personal party planner. It’s great for baby showers, birthday parties, bridal showers, graduation parties, holiday get-togethers, or ANY occasion. LYFETYMES has you covered, no matter what you are celebrating!

When you join our party, you will have access to powerful tools like:

• Celebration Dashboard

  Easily to read dashboards to keep track of important information and updates, including countdown clocks.

• Invitation Station

  Build easy email, mailing and texting lists(coming next month), import previous guest lists or from your contacts, send invites and track RSVPs and the numbers of attendees. Great for Save the Dates & Thank You notes. Email & message co-Hosts and guests party updates.

• Inspiration Boards

  Upload and share your favorite pictures to capture or inspire your vision for decor, cakes, themes, etc.

• Vendor & Venues

  Your “party motherboard” of all the things you may need for a party all in one place!

• Registry & Gift Board

  Create wish lists or add registry URL’s that can be shared with guests or begin a new registry with your favorite store.

• Planning & Tools

  Interactive checklists, add and track to-do’s, assign tasks and due dates. Assign your celebration a budget and track spending.

• Food, Drink & Dessert Center

  It’s the center of every celebration! You can order catering, book a restaurant, order food delivery or DIY grocery lists – its all in one place!

• Decoration Center

  Browse decorations based on occasion, purchase from top suppliers or get inspiration for your celebration!

• Include the Guest of Honor

  Are you hosting for someone? Maybe graduation or baby or bridal shower? No problem, with LYFETYMES you can send your guest of honor a link to help personalize the celebration with limited view (so you don’t give all the details away!) to help with invites or provide registry information or theme favorites.

• Guest View

  Guest will be able to view invitation details, mapping directions, gift, and registry information and send the host or co-host questions.

We know that not every day is a party, but it’s still important to remember someone's birthday, anniversary, or any special day. To keep you organized so that you never forget one of these special days, we created LYFEMINDERS: Lyfe’s little reminders - you pick the day, and we will send you a reminder so you can send your love.

You can even plan multiple celebrations at the same time and access past celebrations to reuse tools and information like past invite lists to make LYFE easier!

LYFETYMES has also personalized the experience for all party goers including:

• Star of the Show (Guest of Honor)

• Hostess with the Mostess (Host & Co-Hosts)

• LYFE of the Party (Guests)

We can't wait to start celebrating with you. Come for the party, and stay for a LYFETYME!

Check out our website at www.lyfetymes.com and start planning in 30 seconds and follow us on social media for the best tips, inspiration and trends.