Birthday parties are joyful occasions we only get to enjoy once a year. They’re special, and it’s your job as a venue or event manager to help your client make the most of theirs.
However, no matter how creative you are, there’ll come a time when you need help coming up with a birthday party idea for your client.
Lucky for you, we’ve collected 26 of the best birthday celebration ideas. These unique birthday party ideas are sure to engage your clients, improve your venue’s reputation, and increase your venue revenue!
Understanding Your Client, the Birthday Person
Before you choose a birthday party idea, you first need to consider the birthday person. No two people are the same. A birthday party that appeals to one might not appeal to another.
So, before you choose from our list of the best birthday party ideas, get to know your client. What are their preferences? What foods do they like? Do they enjoy leisure or more active events? What are their expectations?
These are just a few questions you can ask the birthday person to determine what birthday party idea suits them the best. If you match them with a birthday party idea that suits their style, they’re far more likely to have a great time.
Always take time out of the venue planning process to chat with your clients and to determine what birthday party ideas appeal most to them. Using event management software like Perfect Venue can streamline this process, allowing you to keep track of their preferences and feedback efficiently.
You might even go as far as preparing a couple of proposals that you suspect they might like. Then you can present them to your client to choose from ensuring that you host the best celebration.
You’ll also create a great reputation as a careful listener and diligent worker.
26 Creative Ideas for Hosting a Birthday Celebration
Once you understand your customer and their preferences, incorporate these creative birthday party ideas to spice things up. These are all sure to be a hit at your venue!
We’ll give you ideas for entire events and fun and unique additions to add.
1. Themed Birthday Party
This one is probably one of the most popular options on this list. A themed party is a great way to enjoy an exciting birthday party while celebrating the birthday person’s unique taste.
Facilitate your clients by building a collection of multipurpose props. You can lend these props to clients and reuse them for future ones. You don’t need to be specific with your props. Go for ones that can fit with a variety of different party options.
2. Live Entertainment
Prepare your venue for live performances by equipping the venue space with a venue sound system. Event planners or clients can bring their chosen performers, from DJs to stand-up comedians, and enjoy a thrilling show at your venue.
3. Customizable Menus
There’s no better addition to a birthday party than delicious food. However, everyone's idea of deliciousness differs. That’s where customizable menus come in handy.
Offer to prepare a custom birthday menu that matches the birthday person’s preference. You can create a variety of menu options to cater to the dietary needs of all the attendees. There’s also the option for specialty menus that match the birthday party theme.
4. Memory Wall
A memory wall is a great way for your client to celebrate the birthday person. If they’re interested, provide a wall for friends and family to put photos and heartfelt messages on. You could also invite your guests to add a message either on a chalkboard or a pinboard during the event.
5. Dance Party
Get everyone dancing by opening up a dance floor. Dancing is a highly effective way to make guests happy and to encourage word-of-mouth marketing of your venue.
Use any open venue space with smooth flooring as the dance floor. If you don’t have separate space, open up the middle of the seating area to allow attendees the space to dance if they want to. Let the client create a playlist of their choosing. They can also hire a DJ.
All you need to provide is the floor space and a sound system.
6. Custom Birthday Cake
Collaborate with a local bakery to create amazing, one-of-a-kind custom cakes. Use whatever information you gathered about the birthday person to create an interesting and delicious cake. Don’t hesitate to ask the event planner or clients themselves for input.
Not only will the cake be a great surprise, but it’s also a great opportunity for your venue to collaborate and form connections with other local businesses. This can prove very handy in the future.
7. Open Pool Party
A pool party is one of the most exciting birthday party ideas on this list. It’s especially great if you have a client who wants to host a beach party at your venue. So, if your venue does have a pool, market it as a great birthday party add-on.
As always, keep your guests safety in mind. There should be someone at the pool at all times to check for any mishaps with kids or drunken adults.
Also, give attendees a gentle but firm warning about adhering to pool safety standards. For example, guests are not allowed to take their glasses into the pool. If a glass broke, it could harm guests walking along the pool floor.
8. Interactive Photo Booths
Spruce up the venue space and create lasting memories for guests with interactive photo booths. Offer to set up a backdrop, decorate the photo nook, and provide props for guests to use when taking their photos.
If your venue has a professional photographer on hand, rent out their services for a small additional charge.
9. Signature Cocktails
Nothing says “Happy Birthday!” quite like a signature birthday cocktail does. Work with your client and your bar manager to create a delicious cocktail that encapsulates the birthday person and party theme.
Give it a fun name and market it at the event venue on the day of the birthday party! However, make sure you have all the relevant documentation and a state liquor license before serving any alcohol at your venue.
10. Surprise Guest Appearance
If your client wants to bring in a surprise guest for the birthday person, work with them to make the monument truly special. Show your client how to sneakily bring the guests into the venue without any of the guests noticing and provide refreshments and a clean space to wait until the final reveal.
11. Game Night
If your client is interested in hosting a game night, prepare the venue to facilitate the fun. Prepare tables and a small stage for the MC to work from. Provide a mic and connect the MC to the venue sound system. If the game requires extra labor, bring in additional venue staff to help out.
12. Professional Photographer
There is nothing better than looking back on photos of happy memories. However, it’s difficult for venue attendees to capture beautiful, high-quality shots while enjoying themselves.
Help out by offering your venue photography services. Have your in-house photographer canvas the venue and take candid shots of the party and the attendees. Your venue clients are sure to enjoy seeing their happy moments captured in HD.
13. Virtual Attendance
If your client is hosting an in-person birthday party but has friends or family who can’t attend, set up a virtual birthday party call for them to attend. Not only is it simple to set up, but the offer presents a great opportunity to improve customer satisfaction and broaden your venue services.
14. Murder Mystery Party
A murder mystery party is one of the most well-known birthday party ideas and for good reason! It’s fun, engaging, and thrilling – everything you need during a birthday celebration.
Suggest it to a client and set up a section of the venue for the murder mystery to commence. Or, if the client especially likes the idea, suggest using the entire venue as a fake crime scene when the sun sets.
Get staff to help set up the props, engage the venue's sound system for a touch of realism, and match the lighting to create the perfect ambiance.
15. Fireworks Display
If you’re allowed to set off fireworks in your state, take advantage and offer clients the opportunity to set off a spectacular fireworks display. Either let the guests purchase the fireworks themselves or offer it as an additional service to their package.
Of course, always have a professional pyrotechnician on hand to ensure a smooth and safe experience. Your state might also have additional stipulations, so check your local state laws on the requirements for putting on a fireworks display.
16. DIY Bar
Let the birthday party attendees get in on the fun with a DIY bar. All you, as the venue, need to do is provide the ingredients. The attendees will do the rest and mix up their unique drinks.
Remember to spice things up with fun edible additions, like edible glitter or edible dye, and fun props like weird straws and huge drink umbrellas. The more quirky, the better.
17. DIY Activity Stations
While on the subject of DIY, another popular option is a DIY party! Let attendees decide what they want to do and let them get creative with DIY activity stations.
Include DIY craft stations where guests can create personalized mementos, such as custom jewelry or painted canvases. They can even use this opportunity to create a unique birthday gift for the birthday person!
Not only is it majorly fun, but you can reuse the crafts and activities for future events being held at your venue.
18. DIY Desserts
Everyone enjoys a good dessert. But what one person considers delicious isn’t the same for everyone else. So, let the party guests make their own version of the perfect dessert with a DIY dessert station, where guests can use the available ingredients to create their ideal dessert.
Remember, variety is the spice of life, so provide the weird and unique toppings that caters often ignore. Lastly, keep dietary restrictions in mind. Have a separate bar for special foods and provide clean utensils to avoid cross-contamination.
19. Outdoor Fire Pits
Outdoor activities are always popular among partygoers because they allow guests to enjoy fresh air and the romantic night sky. It’s no different at birthday parties.
So, if your venue has available outdoor space, set up cozy fire pits for attendees to sit around and reminisce. Create a special seat for the birthday person and make sure there is someone to safely and quickly top up the fire with wood when necessary.
20. Aerial Performers
Aerial performers, such as acrobats or silk dancers, add an element of wonder and excitement to the event.
As the venue, all you need to provide is the space. Different aerial performers have different requirements. So, scope out your venue and provide accurate details on floor space, ceiling beams, and the like. That way the performers can create an engaging and safe routine.
21. Memory Book
This is one of the more sentimental birthday party ideas. A memory book is a great way to capture the heartwarming atmosphere and loving sentiments of all the people who attend.
It’s also an affordable way for your venue to go the extra mile for your venue client. All you need to do is purchase a book and make it available to partygoers. They can use it to share their well wishes and special messages for the birthday person.
Once the night is over, present it to the birthday person as an extra birthday present from your venue to them.
22. Custom Playlist
Go the extra mile and create a custom playlist for the birthday person. You can either get in touch with friends and family and ask them for song recommendations. Or you can leave the playlist up to a close friend of the birthday person. All your venue needs to do is hook it up and blast it on the day of the event.
23. Art Installations
One of our more unique birthday party ideas is art installations. If your guest is more high-brow, open up wall space for the client to share art pieces. Provide inserts, floating tracks, and gentle adhesive products to protect the art and your venue space.
24. Karaoke
No matter if your guest is hosting a pirate party, a costume party, or a high-brow art installation, no one can deny the appeal and fun of a karaoke machine. If your client is interested, bring out the venue karaoke machine, provide a mic, and let guests choose from a list of classics to modern party bangers.
25. Custom Lighting
There is no better way to set the mood than with custom lighting. From LED lights to atmospheric chandeliers, the lighting you use at your venue has a direct impact on the mood and theme of the event.
If your guests are hosting a specific themed event or want a more ambient venue atmosphere, use lamps, LED lights, chandeliers, and light diffusers to create the perfect custom event lighting.
26. Food Trucks
Invite local food trucks to serve a variety of gourmet street food, adding a trendy and casual dining option. It’s a great way to work with local businesses and provide a wide array of food options. It also makes it easier for the client as they won’t have to provide separate catering for the guests.
Conclusion
Hosting a memorable birthday celebration at your venue requires creativity, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of your client’s desires.
With these 28 creative birthday party ideas to spice up the event, you can ensure each birthday party is unique and unforgettable. You’ll delight your clients and enhance your venue’s reputation.
So, are you ready to bring in birthday party clients and boost your venue sales? Then partner with Perfect Venue. Simple yet powerful, Perfect Venue event management software is built to help local venues and restaurants compete with big chains. Start your 14-day free trial today!
