6-Year-Old Birthday Party Ideas for a Memorable Celebration

Your little one is getting bigger and this year they’re turning six years old! There’s no better reason to invite friends and family for an afternoon of fun and games. To start planning the best festivities ever, look no further than this list of 6-year-old birthday party ideas. 

From themed party ideas and decor to games and activities, you’ll find everything you need for a memorable birthday bash. Plus, we’ve included some of our favorite birthday invitations to spread the word about the big day.

6-Year-Old Birthday Party Ideas: 13 Ways to Celebrate

Ready to celebrate your six-year-old in style? Whether you want an over-the-top bash or a simple celebration, you’ll find something your child and young guests will love.

1. Host a Tea Party

Design: Kid Collective

Does your child love to play tea time? If so, why not host a birthday tea party celebration? Set up a kid-friendly tea party in the backyard or playroom using plastic or toy tea cups. Serve lukewarm tea (or cool fruit juices) in lightweight teapots alongside finger sandwiches, fruit cups, and other bite-sized snacks. 

You can also add a note on your tea party invitation to encourage everyone on your guest list to dress up. Alternatively, you could offer fun accessories like boas, hats, and gloves to add a playful element to the festivities. 

2. Hang Up Decorations

Whatever birthday party theme you choose, hang decorations to make it feel festive. Streamers, confetti, and birthday balloons are an easy way to dress up any event space. Choose colors to match your motif or look for kid favorites like superheroes, animals, and space objects.

3. Go on an Adventurous Scavenger Hunt

Design: Shiny Penny Studio

Send the party animals on a scavenger hunt to celebrate the birthday boy or birthday girl. Use an invitation with a treasure map and download lists of items for the kids to search for during this party activity. You can match the scavenger hunt to a theme like a pirate treasure hunt or a jungle safari party theme.

4. Get Colorful with a Sprinkle Party

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Host a sprinkle–themed birthday party and invite party guests with this Confetti Sprinkles invitation. This is a simple yet festive theme that could easily work for a casual get-together or more elaborate celebration. Amp up your space with tablecloths, garland, and balloons featuring sprinkles or glittering confetti. Of course, you can’t go wrong with a fantastic birthday cake loaded with sprinkles in brilliant hues or pastels to match your color palette.

5. Make a Night of It with a Pajama Party

If the thought of having a slumber party with a handful of six-year-olds doesn’t scare you away, this could be one of the best 6-year-old birthday party ideas ever. Invite your little one’s closest friends to enjoy an evening of movie watching, game playing, dancing, snacking, and storytelling. 

If weather permits, you might even have a cozy campout in the backyard. Whatever you decide, be sure to let parents know which sleepover essentials they should bring.

6. Host a Splashy Pool Party

Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery

To cool off in the heat, plan a pool bash for your six-year-old’s birthday. Have plenty of inflatables on hand and make sure someone is always on duty for pool watch. For party activities, get water balloons, squirt guns, and beach balls. You can also play fun games like the fastest swimmer competitions or the biggest cannonball splash. 

Pick out a pool-themed birthday invite like the Polka Dot Inner Tube Invitation to add all your important event details.

7. Jump for Joy with a Trampoline Party

Energetic six-year-olds will love this birthday party idea. Take the kids to a trampoline center where they can jump and learn cool tricks all in the comfort of padded zones. If you don’t have a center like this in your area, rent or buy a trampoline (or bounce house) for the kids to enjoy in your own backyard.

8. Visit a Petting Zoo

Design: Jackie Crawford

Host a memorable kids’ birthday party by taking the little ones to a petting zoo — or bringing one to your own home. Visit a local zoo or farm where the kids can interact with the animals. 

In some areas, you can also hire private companies to bring animals like miniature horses, sheep, and goats to your home. Get guests ready for the special event with an invite like the Barnyard Birthday Invitation featuring donkeys, cows, pigs, and sheep on a farm.

9. Get Moving with an Obstacle Course

Let the kids channel their energy into a fun and competitive obstacle course for your child’s birthday bash. Since it’s a child’s birthday party, choose obstacles that are age appropriate. You can set up chairs and pool noodles or bean bags and stuffed animals to create obstacles for the kids to jump over or go around.

10. Enchant Guests with a Unicorn Party

Design: Elizabeth Silver

If your child loves the magic of unicorns, make these whimsical creatures the theme of your party. Decorate the space with rainbows and metallic elements for an enchanting scene and include fun unicorn party ideas like Pin the Horn on the Unicorn. 

Customize this Unicorn Magic invitation to ask the guests to dress up as unicorns or bring a special dish to share.

11. Plan a Carnival Party

Design: frau brandt

Let guests know they’re invited to the carnival of the century with this Classic Carnival invitation. Rent a big top tent and create your own carnival with face painting, cotton candy and popcorn stations, clowns, and a bounce house. Want more? Don’t miss our list of carnival theme party ideas.

12. Host a Fairytale Party

No list of 6-year-old birthday party ideas would be complete without a fairytale party. Get tiaras and regal capes the kids can wear and let them rule their own little kingdom for a few hours. 

On your digital invitation, be sure to invite guests to dress as their favorite fairytale character, be it Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, or someone else. Along with enchanting party decorations, transport little ones to a magical world with fun party games like crown making, a castle building contest, and other princess party ideas.

13. Make It Sweet with an Ice Cream Party

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC (photo courtesy of Angel & Evan Photography)

Skip the birthday cake and cupcakes and make this event all about ice cream! Set up a DIY ice cream bar where little guests can choose their favorite flavor and add toppings like sprinkles, coconut flakes, fresh fruit, and caramel. 

Decorate the space with colorful confetti and sprinkle gold elements around for a hint of glamor. Don’t forget to choose a vibrant invitation like the Drippy Ice Cream Invitation to get guests ready for the special event. 

It’s Time to Celebrate Your Special 6-Year-Old 

Make your little one’s big day unforgettable with these 6-year-old birthday party ideas. From scavenger hunts and slumber parties to unicorn and carnival themes, there are plenty of ways to celebrate this special birthday.

When you’re ready to announce the big event, Greenvelope has you covered. Pick out a design that matches your theme, add all your important event details, and send it to your guest list instantly via email or text.

For more 6th birthday party planning tips and ideas, continue browsing our Stationers blog where you’ll find even more ideas for kids’ birthday party themes, decor, and more.