Throwing a fun birthday party for your child is no small feat, especially when you’re spending every weekend at similar parties. Whether you’re planning that milestone first birthday bash or throwing an intimate gathering for family, the first step is choosing a unique birthday party theme.
While there are tons of great options out there, the best thing to do is to focus on your child's interests. And if your family dog (or just a puppy walking down the street) makes your little one cry with glee, you're in luck because dogs make a terrific party theme.
Pick out a fun birthday cake, get some paw print decorations and you're ready to go. Here are some fun ideas for creating a pawsome party that guests (even grown-ups) will love.
Dog birthday party decorations
1. Cool color scheme
A color scheme for this kind of party can be tricky, since most dogs are brown, black or white. Instead of taking inspiration from fur, think spots! The classic Dalmatian pattern is an easy way to bring some of that puppy energy to the party while also working in brighter colors. Combine black and white spots with peaches and pinks or a variety of blues to make a dog-themed party feel fresh.
2. Punny signage
Nothing hammers home a great theme like fun signs! "Let’s Pawty" is the ultimutt (sorry) pun to kick off the day. Check out the "adopt a puppy" favor sign and the "dig in" dessert sign, too. They make for a paw-sitively cute welcome table.
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3. Fetching photo backdrop
Every party needs a cool photo opp for capturing memories in style, and this one is picture perfect. Blue, black, brown and beige oversized balloons (and a few blow-up bones!) transform simple boards into a dramatic backdrop. The sweet doggy banner in front is a great final touch.
4. Puppy plates
This sophisticated tablescape is made up of simple shapes and patterns like scalloped dinner plates, gridded napkins and a kraft paper tablecloth (which is perfect for messy toddlers who may want to doodle some dogs in between bites). All you need are some puppy-faced dessert plates to drive the theme home and make it feel festive.
5. Dog house place cards
Sometimes place cards can feel a bit stuffy for children's parties, but not these! Each kid gets a mini paper dog house with a paper pet and their name written on a teeny-tiny bone. It serves as both a place marker and something to play with while they wait for pizza to be served.
Dog birthday party food
6. Custom pet cake
A talented baker (like Alisha Henderson, whose work is featured here!) can paint your pup onto a cake, or you can order a photo cake featuring your family's four-legged member. Either way, putting the birthday kid's own dog on the dessert is the sweetest surprise.
7. Toy cake toppers
DIY or buy your own simple birthday cake, and then top it with tiny dog figures (in even tinier paper party hats!) to bring in the theme. Best of all, the figurines turn into little gifts or favors after you're done.
8. Dog bowl-shaped treats
These may look like mini bowls of kibble but they're actually human-grade treats! Icing-coated Oreos make up the bowls, and cocoa puffs double as dog food. Who wouldn’t get a kick out of that?
Dog birthday party favors
9. Adoptable pups
What does nearly every kid want to take home with them? A puppy! Luckily, these ones are made of fabric and require neither walks nor feeding. Fill a basket with a variety of adoptable stuffed dogs so that each partygoer can pick out a new pet. Cardboard dog houses complete this adorable favor and give kids something to play with during lulls in the party.
10. Doggone cute cookies
Every kid looks forward to the goodie bags at a birthday party. Why not send them home with some edible treats as well? This batch features dogs, birthday candles and the birthday boy's name and age. You can also display them on the dessert table before gifting them to guests.
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