Birthday party ideas for 5 year olds
Five-year-olds have usually started school, and parties often include the whole class. They're ready for proper games, short races and simple crafts. Active parties such as a bouncy castle, a superhero camp or a pirate hunt suit bigger groups well.
Every idea below is suitable for 5 year olds and includes a timed plan, games, party food and a shopping list. Use the tags to check the cost and effort before you choose.
34 ideas
Teddy bears' picnic
Toddlers bring their favourite teddy for a picnic, a teddy hunt, bear games and a bear-shaped cake.
Choo-choo train party
A wooden railway play zone, a cardboard train ride, ticket punching and a train cake with sweet cargo.
Dinosaur dig site
Bury plastic fossils in a sandpit and let young palaeontologists dig them up with brushes and goggles.
Princess garden tea party
Mini sandwiches, paper crowns, a flower-decorating table and a royal tea served in the garden.
Superhero training camp
Kids make capes, pass an obstacle course and defeat a slime villain to earn their hero certificate.
Construction site party
Hard hats, diggers in the sandpit, a cardboard box building zone and a dump truck cake.
Fairy garden party
Wings and wands, a fairy door hunt, mini fairy garden planting and a toadstool picnic.
Farm animal party
A visiting petting farm brings lambs, rabbits and chicks, with a hay bale picnic and tractor games.
Jungle safari party
Explorer hats, an animal tracking trail, binocular making and a jungle juice feast.
Mermaid pool party
An under-the-sea pool party with a shell hunt, mermaid tail races and an ocean-themed feast.
Pirate treasure hunt
A crew of young pirates follows clues and a treasure map around the garden to find the buried chest.
Unicorn rainbow party
Glitter, rainbows and a unicorn horn craft, plus pin the horn and a rainbow cake reveal.
Building brick challenge
Timed building challenges with plastic bricks, a team city build and a brick-themed cake.
Kids disco party
Disco lights, a dance-off, party games like musical statues and limbo, and a glow-stick finale.
Magic show party
A magician performs, then children learn three tricks of their own and put on a show for the parents.
Ninja warrior party
Trainee ninjas tackle a backyard obstacle course, balance challenges and a final ninja test.
Pizza chef party
Little chefs make their own pizza from the dough up, decorate chef hats and bake cookies for dessert.
Racing car party
A chequered-flag party with cardboard box cars, a slot-car racetrack, a pit stop challenge and a podium.
Space mission party
Astronaut training, rocket launches and a moon rock hunt, with a galaxy cake for the countdown.
Bouncy castle party
A hired bouncy castle in the garden, with bounce games, a snack station and a picnic-blanket lunch.
Football party
A mini tournament with skills stations, a penalty shootout and a trophy presentation for every player.
Pony party
Real pony rides with a handler, horse grooming, a hobby horse race and a horseshoe hunt.
Water fight party
Water balloons, water blasters, a sprinkler obstacle course and a giant slip and slide on a hot summer day.
Trampoline park party
A booked session at a trampoline park with dodgeball, foam pits and a party room for food afterwards.
Ice skating party
Book a session at an ice rink, with helmets, penguin skate aids for beginners and hot chocolate afterwards.
Backyard carnival
Carnival stalls in the garden: hook-a-duck, tin can alley, face painting, candy floss and a ticket-based prize stand.
Backyard movie night
A projector, blankets, bean bags and a popcorn bar for an outdoor cinema under the stars.
Ceilidh party
A live ceilidh band and caller lead everyone through Scottish country dances, with a hearty supper and a dram.
Garden party with lawn games
An English-style garden party with Pimm's, a croquet tournament, giant games and a summer buffet.
Hawaiian luau
Leis on arrival, tiki torches, a limbo contest, a hula lesson and a tropical feast with pineapple everything.
Ice cream sundae party
A sundae bar with five flavours, sauces and toppings, an ice cream eating race and a vintage ice cream parlour look.
Mini golf party
Build a crazy golf course in the garden from household items, play nine holes and award a green jacket.
Taco fiesta
A build-your-own taco bar, a piñata, papel picado bunting and fresh agua fresca.
Wood-fired pizza party
Fire up a garden pizza oven, set out a topping bar and let guests stretch and cook their own 90-second pizzas.