39 Un-Four-Gettable 4th Birthday Party Ideas for 2025
Every birthday is a big deal when you’re a little kid, so 4th birthday party ideas need to be epic. Are you wondering what to do on a 4th birthday? From the decorations to the food to the games, planning 4th birthday party ideas can seem daunting — but it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you’re looking for 4-year-old birthday party themes or indoor birthday party ideas for 4-year-old girls, this list has lots of fun options. From ice cream and pizza parties to unicorns and dinosaurs to blanket fort movie nights, these ideas are designed to keep kids entertained and make the birthday boy or girl feel special.
Jump to Section
- Top 4th Birthday Party Ideas to Try
- Adorable 4th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls
- Awesome 4th Birthday Party Ideas for Boys
- Fun 4th Birthday Party Ideas at Home
- Creative 4-Year-Old Birthday Party Themes
- Cozy Winter and Indoor Party Ideas for 4-Year-Olds
- Budget-Friendly Party Ideas for 4-Year-Olds
- 4th Birthday Party Ideas FAQs
Top 4th Birthday Party Ideas to Try
1. Jungle Themed Party
Turning four is a wild ride! 4th birthday party ideas with a jungle, zoo or safari theme are always a hit. Decorate this kid's birthday party with lots of greenery and animal cutouts and serve fun snacks like animal crackers. For games, one idea could be to play animal sounds and have the kids guess which animal it is.
2. Ice Cream Party
There’s no party like an ice cream party! This is one of the best 4th birthday party ideas because it’s foolproof. When it comes to keeping kids entertained, you can’t go wrong with ice cream. Turn your kitchen into a makeshift ice cream shop by setting up a counter (which could simply be your island) where the kids can “order” their favorite flavor. Offer an assortment of toppings like sprinkles, candy and nuts, plus the obligatory cherries and whipped cream.
3. Farm Animal Party
Bring the classic children’s song “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” to life with a barnyard animal-themed party. Decorate with farm animal cutouts, hay bales and red-and-white checkered tablecloths to create a rustic ambiance. You can even find white balloons with black spots that look like cows! If you can, renting a petting zoo is one of the most fun 4th birthday party ideas that the kids will absolutely adore.
4. Space Themed Party
4th birthday party ideas should be out of this world and a space-themed party is just that. Get cutouts of the Sun and all the planets to decorate with and plan a space-inspired food menu with things like donuts (they look like planets!) or even astronaut food if the kids are feeling adventurous. You could even dim the lights and project stars onto the ceiling for a more out-of-this-world vibe.
5. Beach Bash
If you live near a beach, throw one of the most memorable 4th birthday party ideas ever with a beach bash. Pile everyone into the car with some beach pails and shovels for a memorable day of building sandcastles and combing for seashells. No beach nearby? No problem! With sandboxes, inflatable pools (or an actual pool, if you have one) and beach-themed décor, your backyard is the next best thing.
6. Jump “Four” Joy
Searching for 4-year-old party places? Look no further than an indoor trampoline park. Everyone can jump “four” joy, burn off some energy and celebrate the special occasion.
Adorable 4th Birthday Party Ideas for Girls
7. Barbie
When it comes to 4th birthday party ideas for girls, Barbie is a natural choice. Beloved by young girls for decades, Barbie isn’t just a doll — she’s an icon. Make your house pretty in pink and encourage everyone to dress up like their favorite Barbie doll. You could even let the girls play dress-up as one of the party activities. Send guests home with goodie bags filled with sunglasses, pink pencils, erasers and other fun party favors.
8. Princess
There are few 4th birthday party ideas more iconic than princesses. Whether the birthday girl prefers a specific princess or loves them all equally, you’ll have no trouble finding decorations. All the kids can dress up like their favorite princesses and you could even hire a professional princess to make it even more magical.
9. Flower Power
Throw it back to the ‘70s with a flower-power-themed birthday party. Flowers, peace signs, smiley faces and bright colors come together for one of the grooviest 4th birthday party ideas. Play some disco music and tell everyone to come dressed like a flower child with heart-shaped sunglasses, sequins and bell-bottom pants.
10. “Alice in Wonderland” Tea Party
Whimsy and wonder come to life with an Alice in Wonderland party. Have a tea party in your backyard and decorate with playing cards, greenery and floral arrangements. Serve beverages and snacks that say “Drink Me” and “Eat Me” just like in the movie and host games such as croquet matches.
11. Under The Sea
Fans of “The Little Mermaid” will love 4th birthday party ideas with an undersea theme. Use pastel colors and decorations like seashells, mermaid tails and coral to set the scene. If it’s summertime, inflatable pools (or your backyard swimming pool) bring the theme to life, especially if the kids wear mermaid tails to splash around in. This is one of the greatest birthday party ideas because it’s such a fun, immersive experience.
12. Unicorns
Unicorn cakes used to be all the rage and for good reason. A unicorn theme adds a touch of magic to 4th birthday party ideas, complete with rainbow colors and lots of sparkles. Bonus points if you get unicorn hats for the kids to wear and hand out unicorn goodie bags!
Awesome 4th Birthday Party Ideas for Boys
13. Dinosaurs
Kids are fascinated by dinosaurs, so a dino-themed celebration is one of the most fun 4th birthday party ideas for boys. Turn your house into a prehistoric world filled with faux greenery and dinosaur cutouts, then set up a sandbox with dinosaur toys buried in the sand to create a dig site. When the kids arrive, give them shovels and magnifying glasses so they can channel their inner paleontologist and excavate the toys.
14. “Fantastic Four” Superheroes
If the birthday boy loves superheroes, there are few 4th birthday party ideas more fitting than a “Fantastic Four” theme. Decorate with cutouts of his favorite superheroes and put out sugar cookies and cupcakes with various superhero logos on top. As a bonus, get everyone (even the adults!) to dress up as the character they love most.
15. Sports Theme
Not all little boys love sports, but for those who do, sports-themed 4th birthday party ideas are an easy way to “have a ball.” From balloons to party favors to table settings, the décor is a snap to find at your local party store. Plan on-theme games like basketball and football (miniature versions, of course) or even tag or potato sack races to make it more of a field day.
16. Pirates
Ahoy, mateys! You can’t go wrong with pirates when it comes to 4th birthday party ideas for boys. Encourage everyone to dress up in eye patches and bandanas, decorate the house with “treasure chests” filled with costume jewelry and plan a treasure hunt where you give the kids a map (X marks the spot!).
17. May The “Fourth” be With You “Star Wars” Theme
Although “Star Wars” is dated, kids still seem to love it, so it’s one of the greatest 4th birthday party ideas. Decorations inspired by the movie are easy to find online and a color scheme of white, gold, black and silver will be the most authentic. Consider snacks like star-shaped cookies to further enhance the theme.
18. Super Mario Bros.
Kids today probably don’t even know what a Game Boy is and it’s probably safe to say they’ve never played “Super Mario Bros.” on one. However, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” came out in 2023 and was an instant hit among the younger crowd, making it the perfect theme for 4th birthday party ideas. Whether you host the party at an arcade or decorate your house to look like a real-life video game, the kids will surely have a blast.
Fun 4th Birthday Party Ideas at Home
19. Science Experiment Party
4th birthday party ideas that combine play with learning are always a good choice. The guests will never want to leave if you throw a science experiment party with bubbling test tubes, slime, silly putty and all sorts of other fun things kids love. If you need experiment ideas, the classic baking soda and vinegar volcano is a big hit.
20. Bubble Bash
What kid doesn’t love bubbles? If you need 4th birthday party ideas that are relatively easy to plan, a bubble bash fits the bill. Give each kid a jar of bubbles or a bubble wand, or even set up bubble machines if you really want to go big.
21. Water Park Themed Party
If it’s summertime, one of the best 4th birthday party ideas at home is to turn your backyard into a water park. Slip ‘n slides and kiddie pools will keep the kids thoroughly entertained and you can serve healthy snacks for kids like watermelon.
22. My Fourth Rodeo
It’s not their first rodeo — it’s their fourth! Western-themed decorations like horseshoes and cowboy boots are the perfect 4th birthday party ideas for kids with a country side. If you’re looking for 4-year-old birthday party places, consider hosting the party at a stable that offers pony rides (or getting a hobby horse if that isn’t an option).
23. “Four”-ever Sweet
Kids and candy go together like peanut butter and jelly, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find better themes for 4th birthday party ideas. Decorate with bright colors, lay out an assortment of sweet treats on the snack table and fill goodie bags with fun-sized pieces of candy. As for games, playing bingo using candy instead of bingo chips would be a neat idea. Then, the kids can eat the candy they used to cover their cards!
24. “Four”-est Party
4th birthday party ideas at home can be magical with a bit of effort. Turn your backyard into an enchanted forest with string lights and cutouts of mushrooms and woodland creatures. Give out fairy wings for all the kids to wear at the party and serve fun treats like cupcakes designed to look like owls, foxes and raccoons.
Creative 4-Year-Old Birthday Party Themes
25. Camping Theme
Do you need 4th birthday party ideas for a sleepover? Transform your backyard into a campground! Set up some tents, get flashlights to tell (kid-friendly) spooky stories and make some s’mores inside to bring out for the kids to enjoy. They’ll talk about this party for years to come.
26. Stuffed Animal Picnic
Think outside of the box for 4th birthday ideas and plan a stuffed animal picnic. Whether in your backyard or at a local park, each kid can bring their favorite stuffed animal for a lovely outdoor picnic. Lay blankets out on the grass and pack sandwiches and other snacks in wicker baskets for an authentic picnic experience.
27. Carnival Theme
Turn your house into a carnival midway with classic games like ring toss and the cake walk. Play whimsical music, serve fair foods like funnel cake and maybe even hire a clown for good measure. This would also make a great theme for face paint ideas — you can set up a booth and let the kids choose from a variety of designs.
28. Mini Olympics
Set up an obstacle course in your backyard for one of the most unique 4th birthday party ideas. Make sure everyone is wearing a helmet and knee pads, then let them loose to scale mini-climbing walls, crawl through tunnels and jump across stepping stones. It’s a great way for them to burn off some energy and have a blast in the process.
29. “Four”-nado
This tongue-in-cheek theme for 4th birthday party ideas is inspired by the “tornadic” energy four-year-olds possess. You can find lots of tornado-themed decorations online, from gift bags to balloons to cupcake toppers.
30. Nature Party
Since spending time outdoors is so good for kiddos, nature-themed 4th birthday party ideas are the perfect way to get them excited about going outside. Give them magnifying glasses to get a close-up look at bugs in the backyard, or have them paint their own wooden birdhouses, which you can purchase at a craft store.
Cozy Winter and Indoor Party Ideas for 4-Year-Olds
31. “Frozen” Themed Party
If you need indoor birthday party ideas for a 4-year-old girl in the winter, how about a Frozen-themed party? It’s a favorite movie among young children (and adults, for that matter) and the party guests can come dressed as their favorite character as you transform your house into Arendelle. You can also have the movie and/or the soundtrack from the film playing in the background.
32. Magic Show Party
4th birthday party ideas are all about keeping the kids constantly engaged and an at-home magic show is the perfect way to do that. Whether you hire a magician or learn some simple tricks yourself, the kids will be on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens next.
33. Blanket Fort Movie Night
Many adults have fond memories of building blanket forts when they were younger, so give the kids an experience they’ll cherish. A blanket fort is one of the coziest 4-year-old birthday party ideas in winter or for inclement weather any time of the year. Whether or not the party is a sleepover, the kiddos will love building the forts (and maybe having a few pillow fights in the process!) and climbing inside with their favorite snacks to watch movies.
Cozy setups like this can also work beautifully for younger kids. If you're planning a celebration for a younger sibling or want more ideas to mix and match, these 3rd birthday party ideas are packed with fun and flexible themes to try.
34. Arts and Crafts Party
It’s rare to find 4th birthday party ideas that are both fun and educational, but crafts for kids check both boxes. Get the kids busy with projects like pasta necklaces and sand art, or even let them paint their own T-shirts. You could also set up a long table with a plain white tablecloth (not an expensive one, of course) and let the kids free-draw on it. If you can, giving each of them a kid’s smock will make them feel like real artists.
Budget-Friendly Party Ideas for 4-Year-Olds
35. Pizza Party
If there’s one thing kids love, it’s pizza. Grab a few takeout pizzas, plan some games like Simon Says or Pin the Tail on the Donkey and call it a day. This is one of the best 4-year-old birthday party ideas on a budget and it couldn’t be easier to plan.
36. Dance Party
Great 4th birthday party ideas get the kids moving to burn off some of that rambunctious energy. Play kid-friendly music and let them dance their little hearts out — you can even get a fake disco ball and some low-cost disco lights from your local party store. For added fun, on-theme games like musical chairs are sure to keep the kiddos entertained.
37. Storybook Party
You’ve probably collected lots of kid’s books over the years, so have a storybook party and save yourself some money. Tell all the kids to bring their favorite stuffed animal to the party, then have everyone gather around while you read. Hand out bookmarks as party favors and serve snacks inspired by classic children’s stories (like green deviled eggs from “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss).
38. Scavenger Hunt
4-year-old birthday party ideas on a budget are perfect because kids are easily entertained. Set up a scavenger hunt with household items or inexpensive Dollar Store finds, and let the kids enjoy the adventure. They'll have a blast and won't notice the difference between a budget-friendly and a more expensive party.
39. Rainbow Party
Kids love bright colors, so a rainbow party is a no-brainer when it comes to 4-year-old birthday party themes. Get multicolored balloons and paper plates, cups and napkins from the Dollar Store and put on your chef hat to make a rainbow-colored layer cake. This is one of the most fun 4th birthday party ideas and the best part is that it comes together for cheap.
4th Birthday Party Ideas FAQs
What To Do on a 4th Birthday?
Whatever 4th birthday party ideas you plan, keep them short and simple to keep the kids engaged without tiring them out too quickly. For parties at home, activities like arts and crafts, a dance party or a movie night are all good choices. If you’re looking for 4-year-old birthday party places, consider age-appropriate attractions like a petting zoo or bounce zone.
How To Celebrate a 4-Year-Old Girl’s Birthday?
When it comes to 4th birthday party ideas for girls, just consider her interests. Princesses, unicorns and tea parties are all great themes. Or, if you need 4-year-old birthday party ideas in winter, let her channel her inner Elsa or Anna with a “Frozen” theme.
Should a 4-Year-Old Have a Birthday Party?
While it isn’t necessary to throw birthday parties for four-year-olds (or kids of any age for that matter), they’re usually old enough by then to fully enjoy and remember the celebration, so it’s a nice way to mark the special occasion.
Four-year-olds can tire easily, so if you do have a party, consider holding it in the morning and keeping it short. All in all, whether or not you plan 4th birthday party ideas is up to you and your child. Every kid is different and some show more interest in having a birthday party than others.
How Many Kids Should I Invite to a 4-Year-Old Birthday Party?
According to BabyCentre UK, a good rule of thumb when planning 4th birthday party ideas is one guest for each year of the child’s life, plus one or two extra. That shakes out to roughly five or six guests — but plan on at least some of the parents or guardians attending as well, since kids that young often aren’t independent enough to be left alone (even in the presence of other adults). That being said, if you have the space for a larger party and enough eyes to watch all the kids, feel free to invite more guests.
Bright colors, fun games and themed snacks are just a few things that make 4th birthday party ideas unforgettable. Whether the birthday boy or girl is into princesses, sports or arts and crafts, there are tons of great ideas here to suit a variety of interests. Create core memories for the newly turned four-year-old and their friends with these fun 4th birthday party ideas.
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