Whether it's your little one's first birthday party or the fifth, the party-planning tasks can pile up. Simplify your to-do list by choosing a birthday party theme that dictates the activities, decorations, favors and food — and kids will be over the moon about this one!
A space-themed birthday party allows kids (and parents) to use their imaginations and draw inspiration from the sun and the moon, shooting stars and comets, and astronauts and aliens. Whether they're chowing down on asteroid cookies or getting lost in a galaxy of balloons, little ones will surely have a memorable time. Here are some stellar ideas that will make your space party a successful mission.
Space birthday party invitations
1. Launch your party space-themed invitations
Get the party started the moment guests open the invitation. Online stationery shops offer plenty of space-themed options with stars, planets, astronauts and spaceships.
Ask guests to join you to celebrate your little one's first (or any subsequent) trip around the sun. (A bit of toddler birthday party etiquette: Specify whether parents are expected to stay.)
Space birthday party decorations
2. Choose a cool color scheme
Outer space is (of course) dark, but just because the real thing is big and black doesn't mean you can’t have a little more fun with colors at your space party. Bring in pops of cobalt, turquoise, orange, navy, red and silver — in the balloons, signage and other decor — to give it a youthful spin.
3. Put together space rock centerpieces
Rock candy has an out-of-this-world look. Incorporate it into your party by grouping sticks of purple, blue and white crystalized sweets in clear vases. These easy, edible centerpieces can double as a dessert or take-home favors.
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4. Fill the room with a galaxy of balloons
Balloons are a cost-effective way to add a major burst of color and fun to a party — and they work especially well for an abstract theme like space. Plus, when filled with helium, they're anti-gravity!
Different sized balloons in a variety of blue shades (along with some fun one-offs, like an astronaut, spaceship and some silver stars — as seen in this garland from Balloons Wow) make a major visual impact.
5. Set the table with rocket plates
Get ready to blast off! Sweet rocket-shaped plates are the perfect finishing touch for a party table. Admittedly, the oval shape may not be the most practical, so save them for apps or layer them on top of round, iridescent paper plates.
6. Hang up some sunny signage
No party is complete without festive bunting. This one (made by Paper Blitz) works in the space theme with rockets, planets and shooting stars, as well as the age of the birthday boy or girl.
Space birthday party food
7. Make a star-studded cake
A classic cake can get a galaxy-inspired makeover with some star sprinkles and fondant planets. Set a tiny astronaut figurine on top for the final touch.
8. Decorate asteroid cookies
Who wouldn't gravitate toward these cool cookies? Planets and stars tend to steal the show in space party decor, but these cookies make the case for asteroids belonging in the mix. If you'd prefer to DIY, just flood your cookies with light gray frosting and place some chocolate chips on top to resemble craters.
9. Serve star-studded treats
Even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can feel thematic by taking a small extra step: Use a cookie cutter to cut PB&Js (and rice crispy treats or even cheese and crackers) into star shapes to fit with the rest of the party. Plus, the cute shape just makes everything more fun to eat — especially in the minds of picky eaters.
Keep party safety in mind, and avoid serving any round and firm food (like grapes and hot dogs, unless sliced) or sticky and gooey ones (like gum and thick globs of peanut butter) to younger attendees.
Space birthday party games
10. Make edible constellations
Looking for a boredom-busting party activity? Gather some thin pretzel sticks and marshmallows, and pass them out to partygoers to make constellations. Kids can use marshmallows as sticky "joints" to connect the sticks into fun shapes. When they're done creating, they have a sweet and salty snack to munch on.
11. Land the astronaut on the moon
Here's a space-themed twist on pin the tail on the donkey: Stick a paper moon to a black poster board, and hang it up somewhere in the party room. Then blindfold guests, give them a couple spins and have them try to stick a cut-out astronaut as close to the middle as they can.
12. Moonwalk to some tunes
Encourage wriggly toddler guests to express their sky-high excitement on the dance floor. Blast tunes like Elton John's "Rocket Man" and R.E.M.'s "Man on the Moon" for a round of freeze dance.
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