Children's birthdays: 8 themes that work, and how to set them up

A successful children's birthday does not come down to how many things you buy. It comes down to three: one dominant colour, one motif that repeats, and one strong feature you see as you walk in. The rest is padding. Here are eight themes we see working in store, the age each one lands at, and what to buy first.

The method, in three pieces

Before the theme, the structure. It is the same for every theme.

1. The strong feature. One big balloon — Airloonz, Airwalker, balloon on a base — placed where the children come in. That is the photograph the parents will take.

2. The table. Matching plates, cups and napkins. That is what the children have in front of them for forty minutes.

3. The game. A piñata, a treasure hunt, tattoos. That is what they will talk about the next day.

Three pieces, between 25 and 60 € depending on the theme, and the party stands up. Everything added after that is comfort, not structure.

The eight themes

UnicornDinosaurPirateMermaidSuperheroFootballCircusSpace

Unicorn — ages 3 to 7

The safe bet for ten years now, and by far our best-stocked children's range. It works because it comes down to two pastel colours and a golden horn: even bought item by item, the whole thing still hangs together. The Airloonz balloon stands on the floor, is nearly a metre forty tall, and replaces an arch on its own.

Balloon Airloonz unicorn 139 x 83 cm34,90 €10 plates unicorn5,90 €50 Latex Balloons 30 cm Unicorn - Make a Wish24,90 €Standing unicorn balloon 63 cm14,90 €

See the whole Unicorn range

Dinosaur — ages 4 to 8

The equivalent on the boys' side, with one practical advantage: green and brown go with any tablecloth you already have at home. The T-Rex Airwalker moves in the slightest draught — that is the effect that makes the table shout.

Pinata Dinosaure Vert 35x8,5x43 cm26,90 €Airwalker Balloon 152 cm Green T-Rex39,90 €8 plates in card dinosaurs5,90 €8 Dinosaur Straws4,90 €

See the whole Dinosaur range

Pirate — ages 5 to 9

The only theme that arrives with its game built in. The treasure map fills half an hour with no entertainer needed — outside if there is a garden, in the hallway otherwise. The rest can stay minimal.

Pirate Party bateau pirate8,90 €Pirate table runner 30 cm x 5 m14,90 €Pirate Treasure Map - 29 x 45 cm3,90 €Assiettes Pirate en carton, paquet de 8 - 23 cm4,90 €

See the whole Pirate range

Mermaid — ages 4 to 8

Iridescent scales, blue and mint. This is the theme that needs the fewest purchases: scale-pattern cups and two seahorse balloons are enough to set the scene, and the light does the rest on the iridescent finish.

Seahorse Balloon 96 cm9,90 €10 Mermaid Scale Cups4,90 €Mermaid Scales Foil Balloon6,90 €3 Mermaid Cake Toppers4,90 €

See the whole Mermaid range

Superhero — ages 4 to 9

The theme where guests turn up already in costume — it is the one that keeps the dressing-up aisle busiest. A tip: put the budget into one big character balloon rather than wall decoration. Children do not look at walls.

Giant Batman™ Air Walker Balloon - 91 cm x 111 cm39,90 €Mylar balloon – Batman mask9,90 €FSC Paper Cups Spider-Man 200ml - 8 pieces5,90 €6 Spiderman Warriors invitations + envelopes5,90 €

See the whole Superhero range

Football — ages 6 to 12

The theme for the older ones, and the one that lasts longest: an eleven-year-old still accepts football, but not the unicorn. The piñata and the bouncy balls do most of the work; the decoration can stay plain.

Football Piñata19,90 €3' Foot balls Soccer White (2 PCS)22,90 €Set 10 Assiettes en carton Football 23CM5,90 €Football Bouncy Balls, pack of 811,90 €

See the whole Football range

Circus — ages 2 to 5

Our recommendation for the very young: bold colours, animals, and no character you need to know in advance. It also works very well for a first birthday, where the photograph matters more than the theme.

AirLoonz Lion Balloon 114 cm34,90 €6 cups circus4,90 €Circus Popcorn Boxes, pack of 65,90 €6 Circus Cake Toppers3,90 €

See the whole Circus range

Space — ages 6 to 10

Midnight blue, rockets, planets. This is the easiest theme to extend with what you already have: add plenty of blue and silver balloons and the decor is done.

Foil balloon rocket with alien8,90 €DIY Space Rocket Garland Kit34,90 €6 plates Fusée - space4,90 €60/40 Helium/Air Outlet Hose Inf12,90 €

See the whole Space range

What about the licensed characters?

These are the most requested themes, and each has its own aisle: Pat'Patrouille · Frozen · Mickey · Minions · Super Mario · Pokemon · Stitch · Harry Potter.

One practical tip: ask the child a week before, not a month. At that age the favourite character changes fast — and licensed decoration cannot be reused on another theme.

When to come in, and where

Helium inflation is done in store, at collection: plan your visit the day before or the same morning. Large character balloons are delivered folded and inflate with air, so they can be bought in advance.

All the children's themes are in the Children's birthday themes range, online and in our two shops — Hollerich and Junglinster — with free collection. If you are hesitating, come in with the child's age and your budget: our teams will put the set together faster than you will choose item by item.