Our Favorite Kids' Party Themes
At Ink & Paige, we love a party—particularly if little ones are involved. Here are a few themes for kid-friendly celebrations that make us smile.

Alphabet City
Make it personal (and educational) with a theme that's perfect for kids just learning about the love of reading.

Start with: Cute invitations

Decor: Create a fun bunting using alphabet flashcards held to twine via small wooden clothespins. Ask the birthday boy or girl to write notes to each guest on lined writing paper, and then laminate them for use as place cards and placemats.

What to serve: Cupcakes with lettered candles or sandwiches and sugar cookies shaped using alphabet cookie cutters.

Games & activities: The Body Language Game: Divide guests into teams and challenge them to use their bodies to form the shapes of the following letters: U, O, Y, K, N, A, H, T. Take a photo of each team (you might want to stand on a stool!) and award a prize to the group that makes the most realistic letters. Then, use photo-editing software to piece the pics together to spell out "Thank You"--then ask your child to send it as his or her thank-you note.

Craft: Let each child decorate wooden letters (found at any craft store) that spell out his/her initials.

In the gift bag: Snack mix made with nuts, chocolate and alphabet cereal, personalized notebooks, or writing utensils.

Superherores Unite!

Save the day--and the party--with a celebration that makes everyone into the good guy (especially Mom).

Start with: Superhero invitations

Decor: Put up cartoon captions like “WHAM!,” “POW!,” and “ZAP!” throughout the party space. Play theme music from old-school superhero television shows. Hang a cape on the birthday boy or girl’s chair at the table.

What to serve: Hero sandwiches, of course—bonus points if you order the super-long kind! Shaped cookie cutters always work well here, as do cupcakes individually topped with small superhero figurines.

Games & activities: Ask kids to color and create a new superhero. Hold a superhero quiz. And leave plenty of time for kids to jet around the backyard or playroom dressed in their craft (see below).

Craft: Pick up colorful (and non-plush) bath towels from a discount store—or order capes online—and help kids decorate their own superhero costume capes. To save time, pre-cut super shapes like lightening bolts, stars, and circles from felt so that kiddos can easily glue them on.

In the gift bag: Comic books, bouncy balls, and superhero stickers.

Tea Time
Invite guests to bring their favorite doll or stuffed animal to join in on a jolly good time.

Start with: Tea Party invitations

Decor: The table is your main focus, so play it up with a fun tablecloth, place cards, formal-looking plastic “china,” and flowers arranged in teapots. If you can, include a small table nearby where the dolls and/or stuffed animals can also enjoy their own "tea."

What to serve: Small “tea sandwiches” with the crusts removed and cut into quarters (you can use PB&J or a meat and cheese). Scones and jam, if possible. And, of course, pots of decaffeinated teas in pretty teapots.

Games & activities: Let guests compete in a teacup relay, with each child filling a teacup with water and running to the end of the yard and back without spilling it. Pick up party clothes, hats, and jewelry at a thrift store and let the kids play dress-up.

Craft: Buy teacups and saucers at a discount store and let guests paint one to take home (remind them that they're for decoration only!).