4th Birthday Party Ideas Your Little One (& Party Guests) Will Love (2024)

Turning four is such a big day for a little one. Make their dreams come true and surprise them with their favorite things with these fun 4th birthday party ideas.

Whether they love the idea of a princess tea party or an adventure with their favorite movie character, we have plenty of 4th birthday party ideas for themes, decor, party games, food, and invitations.

Fantastic 4th Birthday Party Theme Ideas (with Matching Invitations)

Adorable TV characters, fantasy creatures, sweet animals, and favorite toys are all wonderful themes for a 4-year-old’s birthday party. Every birthday party theme listed below is paired with a matching kids’ birthday party invitation so you can set the tone and dazzle your guest list from the moment they receive it.Â

Best of all, each online invitation is customizable. Have fun changing the fonts, choosing your color scheme, and updating the message.

Superheroes Party

Matching Invite: Comic Book Invitation

Celebrate your little one’s big day with aÂsuperhero birthday party. Encourage your guests to arrive dressed as their favorite superhero and hand out superhero-themed party favor bags. This is a fun theme for any birthday girl or birthday boy who loves all things action and adventure.

Unicorn Party

Matching Invite: Unicorn Rainbow Invitation

Unicorns remain a beloved party theme for preschoolers, and it’s no surprise why. These mystical creatures inspire a sense of wonder and magic. Decorate your space with unicorn birthday decorations, play “pin the tail on the unicorn,” and serve unicorn bark as a sweet treat.

Dinosaur Party

Matching Invite: Party Dino Invitation

Have a roaring good time with a dinosaur-themed birthday bash. This 4th birthday party idea is ideal for little ones fascinated by these impressive creatures. Spruce up your space with dinosaur decorations, play dinosaur-themed party games, host a dino-themed cookie decorating contest, and include dino stickers in your goodie bags.

Race Cars Party

Matching Invite: Burnin’ Rubber Invitation

Vroom, vroom! Cars are a popular interest for kids at this age, so why not use it as a birthday party theme? Set up toy cars on a racetrack so your guests can race them, hang up checkered flags, and sing “happy birthday” as your little one sets eyes on a racecar-shaped birthday cake.

Tea Party

Matching Invite: Sweet Berry Cake Invitation

For a sweet 4th birthday party idea, host aÂfabulous tea party. Treat guests to tiny sandwiches (perfect for little fingers!), fruit juices in teacups, and a lively party atmosphere. You could also turn it into a teddy bear tea party by asking guests to bring their favorite plushie with them to afternoon tea.

Favorite Characters Party

Matching Invite: Princess Carriage Invitation

Almost every four-year-old has a favorite character, and this is your chance to make it come to life. Whether it’s a Disney princess, Star Wars hero, or beloved character from a book, use elements from the story to inspire all aspects of the celebration.

Trampoline Party

Matching Invite: Trampoline Puppies Invitation

If your little one is really active, host a party at your local trampoline park. Ask their friends to join you for a few hours of bouncing around before cooling down with refreshing drinks and light bites. This is a great child’s birthday idea if you don’t want to host at home and want to focus your attention on the activity.

Party Decor Ideas for a 4th Birthday Party

It wouldn’t be a celebration without a few party decorations. Once you’ve decided on a party theme, it’s quite easy to choose your decor. Here’s a quick dose of inspiration for your 4-year-old’s birthday bash.

Balloon Arch or Backdrop

Gather a collection of balloons in bright colors or hues that match your theme to build a balloon arch. An eye-catching arch makes a big statement and offers a perfect photo opp for little ones. Whether you feature your balloon arch at the entrance to your venue or as a fun photo backdrop, it’s a fun way to add instant pizazz.Â

Personalized Birthday Signage

Celebrate the guest of honor with personalized signage. You could easily add a happy birthday message on a chalkboard or whiteboard or customize a store-bought banner with their name and photo. If you’re feeling crafty, consider making a DIY birthday banner. For a unique twist, use individual balloons to create the banner — simply add letter stickers to each balloon to spell out the words “Happy Birthday!”

4th Birthday Balloon Stand

For a cool decor piece you probably don’t see at every party, try a balloon stand shaped as the number 4. Construct the stand and fill it with mini balloons that match your party theme, and watch your four-year-old’s eyes light up as they see it.

Fun 4th Birthday Party Games and Activities

Kids this age love to play party games, which means there’s always an endless amount of party activities you can plan. Use these 4th birthday party ideas to add some interactive fun to your big celebration.

Outdoor Party Games

If the weather permits, nothing beats getting out in the fresh air to play some outdoor party games together. Gather your party guests and lead them on a scavenger hunt or a treasure hunt — perfect for an adventure or pirate-themed party. Set up ring toss or cornhole in the backyard and bring out a few soccer balls for plenty of running around.

Themed Piñata

Few things are more enticing to some kids than hitting a piñata and hoping for all the candy to drop out. Look for a piñata that matches your party theme — like a unicorn, dinosaur, or soccer ball — and fill it with your little one’s favorite treats.

Art Station

Four-year-olds love getting their hands into things, so set up an art station and let them express their creative side. Encourage them to make DIY party hats, paint themed keepsakes, or simply use crayons, paints, and pencils to create their very own masterpieces.

Tasty Food and Drink Ideas for a 4th Birthday Party

Most 4-year-old birthday parties involve lots of running around and staying active. Give your party guests a way to stay hydrated and keep them happy with these kids’ party food and drink ideas.

Fresh Fruit Smoothies

Instead of sugary soft drinks, offer guests a selection of fresh fruit smoothies or juices. Not only do these make nutritious drinks but they’re often bright and colorful — making them a fun addition to match your party theme. Try serving up a green dino smoothie or a blue ocean smoothie to tie it into your overall theme.

Kids’ Party Food Classics

Your kids’ party food menu doesn’t have to be complicated. Most kiddos prefer simpler meals and snacks — especially if their attention is on party games, music, or the birthday cake. Treat your guests to traditional party foods with healthier twists like plant-based sliders, sweet potato fries, mini veggie pizzas, colorful salad cups, and fruit kebabs.

Delicious Desserts

Mini desserts are always a popular hit at parties — especially kids’ parties. For a winter party, make s’mores outside. For a summer party, set up an ice cream sundae bar — especially if you’re hosting an ice cream birthday party. Make sure to have extra cookies or cupcakes to include in your goodie bags too.

Themed Birthday Cake

For four-year-olds, the birthday cake is a big deal. Make your little one smile with joy by surprising them with a fabulous birthday cake. Bake your own at home and add a themed topper or ask a local baker to come up with a masterpiece.

Bring Out the Smiles with These 4th Birthday Party Ideas

Party planning is always fun, but preparing a 4-year-old’s celebration feels even more special. Use these birthday ideas to help you create an exciting day that your little one (and your guests) will enjoy.

When you’re all set with your party theme and have the date and time secured, use our birthday party invitations to let your guests know what’s happening. Find your favorite design, customize it, and wait for those excited RSVPs to land in your inbox!