Party Planning 101
How to Plan a Magical, Stress-free Kids Party Without Losing Your Mind
Planning a kid’s party should be fun…
But let’s be honest—between Pinterest overload, last minute shopping, and kids changing their minds every 12 minutes, it can quickly turn into chaos.
At PartySeeds, we believe the best parties don’t start with stress—they start with a plan.
So today, I am breaking down a simple, foolproof way to plan a magical kids party that feels intentional, creative, and actually enjoyable.
Carnival Party Entrance
Step 1: Pick a theme that sparks excitement
The theme is your party’s foundation. A good theme:
Gets your child excited
Guides every decision (decor, food, activities, invitations)
Saves you from impulse buys
Popular crowd pleasers include:
Video game parties: Minecraft, Fortnite, Mario, Call of Duty, retro arcade, gamer night.
Character adventures: Fairies, heroes, mermaids, unicorns, etc. OR popular kids characters from movies and TV, like Stitch, K-Pop Demon Hunters, Spiderman, Bluey, and the like.
Animals: Dinosaurs, reptiles, bees, kitties and puppies, horses, and safari or jungle animals.
Sports: Basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, baseball, gymnastics, dance, and soccer to name a few.
Pro Tip: Once you choose a theme, stop scrolling. Over-inspiration is real.
Step 2: Set the Scene (Decor without overdoing it)
You don’t need a balloon arch that requires a degree in engineering.
Instead, focus on 3 visual anchors:
A statement backdrop or table
Coordinated tableware
A few themed props or signs
When everything matches the theme, it looks impressive, even if it’s simple.
This is where themed kits and pintables shine. They do the visual heavy lifting so you don’t have to.
Step 3: Plan Activities That Actually Work
The secret to a great kids’ party?
Keep their hands busy.
Aim for:
1 Structured activity (craft, game, challenge)
1 Free-play option
1 Calm station (coloring, word puzzles, building, sensory bin)
Kids don’t need non-stop entertainment—they need purposeful fun. Try to tie activities in with your theme.
Decorate a snowflake for a Frozen party
Pokemon scavenger hunt for a Pokemon party
Build a pirate ship for a pirate party
decorate a tiara for a princess party
Freeze dance for a Frozen party
Themed carnival style games
At PartySeeds, every Party Plan incudes tested games, crafts, and activity ideas so you are not guessing what will flop.
For more ideas, visit our “Ideas and Inspo” page here:
Step 4: Goodie Bags That Don’t End Up In The Trash
Skip the plastic junk.
Great goodie bags are:
Theme coordinated
Mostly consumable or useable
Easy to assemble
Think stickers, activity sheets, small toys, or themed favors kids actually want.
Some ideas:
Ramen and chopsticks for a K-Pop Demon Hunters Party
Pokemon cards for a Pokemon Party
Barbie Doll shoes or accessories for a Barbie Party
Inflatable guitar and sunglasses for a Rock Star party
Dinosaur dig egg and grow a dinosaur toy for a dinosaur party
I have had great success with sunglasses, crazy straws, punch balloons, ring pops or rock candy lollipops, bath squirter toys, necklaces, and pencils (all in theme colors).
Curated goodie bags=less shopping, less stress, more smiles.
Step 5: Use a Plan (Future You Will Be Grateful)
The biggest mistake parents make? Trying to keep everything in their head.
A solid party plan should include:
A shopping list
A party timeline
Activity instructions
Setup tips
printables and templates
When you follow a plan, the party runs itself—and you get to really enjoy it. Several premade Party Plans are available at PartySeeds.com
Plant the Seeds, Grow the Fun.
That’s exactly why PartySeeds exists.
Whether you need:
A Party Plan Book with everything laid out step by step
A Party in a Box with decor, activities, and favors
Custom invitations and pintables that match perfectly
Custom printed Activity Placemats with coloring, puzzles, and games matched to your theme
PartySeeds has you covered! I’ll plant the seeds, you grow the fun!
