7-year-old birthday party ideas

Planning a seven-year-old's birthday party might seem like a huge task, but we know that organising a special celebration for your child is important for you and for them. This is everything you need to know, from venues to food to gifts.

Indoor party ideas

Now that your child is approaching seven years old, you have a little more freedom when it comes to birthday parties, as they'll now be old enough for a wider variety of activities. Plus, they'll likely be a seasoned attendee of their friends' and classmates' birthday parties, so they'll have a stronger idea of party structure and probably a better idea of what they want!

If they've enjoyed a few of their younger birthdays at home, this might be the time to branch out to an exciting external party venue. However, at this age it can also be nice to spend quality time with a few close friends at home.

There are plenty of other indoor venues to choose from that cater to different budgets, so why not try some of our ideas below?

Your own home

Even if your child has had some of their younger birthday parties at home, there are plenty of ways to make an at-home party fun and feel like a treat!

At this age, you might decide they are old enough to invite friends round for a sleepover - which is guaranteed to be an exciting thought for boys and girls alike! Keep the numbers small; no more than five friends is ideal. A handy trick is to try to get it to an even number in total if possible, so that nobody ends up feeling left out.

It might be the first sleepover your child's friends have attended, so be prepared for them to feel a little nervous. Line up some films for them to watch, and some snacks as a treat, and they'll likely settle in easily!

Other at-home party ideas for a smaller group include an arts and crafts party where everybody makes something to take home, or a karaoke party where each guest takes it in turns to perform. There are loads of karaoke videos on YouTube that you can get up on the TV - just provide a microphone for added effect!

You can buy karaoke kits, with access to a library of songs. You can buy this model by Lucky Voice, here at Amazon.

A party in your own home is also a great way to keep the cost low, and it means that there's no time limit on how much quality time your newly seven-year-old gets to spend with their friends.

Activity parties

By seven years old, your child will most likely be starting to develop their own hobbies, and an activity party is a great way for them to do something that they love on their birthday. Whether they're a budding dancer, footballer or actor, check to see if their local club hosts birthday parties.

Many dance or theatre schools will host kids' parties with games and music, and perhaps a performance at the end, while sports clubs will also host parties full of active games - which will be great fun for all!

An arts and crafts party is also a chance to do something a bit different for your son or daughter's birthday. Many craft shops will host workshop parties where kids can each paint an object, whether it's a mask, a wooden initial or painting ceramics. Plus, they'll enjoy taking their hard work home!

Cinema

At this age, you might feel that your child is old enough to take a few friends out to the cinema for a birthday treat. This will make them feel extra grown-up, and it'll be exciting to go out and about with friends if they don't usually see them outside of school.

Cinema chains like ODEON offer party deals for screenings of kids films, with snacks and balloons included. Plus, if you want to push the boat out you could go for a viewing booth or a completely private screening. Your child's guests will feel extra special!

Soft play centre or village hall

By seven years old, your child will still be at a good age to enjoy a soft play party or a big run around in your local village hall. Hosting a party at an indoor venue like this is also a good option if you want to invite a bigger group of children. Plus, catering and entertainment can often be included, which takes the hassle away from you!

You can browse your local soft play centres with our handy search tool here, or look for your local halls for hire here.

Outdoor party ideas

Petting zoo or farm

If your child is a big fan of animals, then a trip out to a petting zoo or farm will be an exciting chance for them to get up close to some creatures, and a guaranteed fun birthday day out.

Your child might already be familiar with smaller creatures like guinea pigs, bunnies and chicks at this age, so look for a petting zoo with larger animals, like goats and ponies, to really make them go 'wow'! Plus, if your child and their guests are brave enough then you could arrange for them to each ride a pony, too.

The kids will all get a chance to stroke or hold the animals if they want to, and you'll be able to snap some super cute photos to look back on! Just be prepared to answer a tonne of questions about getting a pet if you don't already have one.

Garden party

A garden party is the perfect compromise when it comes to an outdoor party that still maintains the familiarity of your own home, especially if you think your child might feel shy or daunted around a bigger group in an unfamiliar setting.

If your child would just like to invite a small group of friends, consider letting them 'camp out' in the garden as a treat. However, be prepared that they likely won't spend the whole night out there (and you probably won't want them to either). Perhaps suggest that they have a few hours in a tent in the early evening, before coming to sleep inside or heading home. The novelty of the tent will probably have worn off by then, too!

For a daytime garden party, you could host a picnic complete with all of your child's favourite foods. Simply lay out a long table or some picnic blankets, and decorate the garden however you like! Bunting, balloons and a fun tablecloth will be easy to pull off (just make sure nothing blows away!). And for some extra fun, you could hire a bouncy castle, or organise some ball games.

During the summer months, a water play party in shallow paddling pools will be endless fun and something a bit different. Just of course make sure to supervise at all times.

Adventure playground

Now that your son or daughter is a bit older, a party at an adventure playground is a great way to get them out and about on their big day. Have a look for adventure parks in your area, though you might need to venture out more rurally, to see what they offer.

Many will include climbing equipment and obstacle courses, crazy golf and even mini go karts. So, if your child loves being active, this is sure to excite them!

Who to invite

Now that your child is a few years into school, knowing who to invite to their birthday party can be a tricky one. Don't feel under pressure to invite the whole class if you don't want to. And if your child has formed a small circle of close friends, it might be nice for them to enjoy some quality time together alone.

Who you invite will depend on where you're hosting the party - and this will likely make the decision for you.

For a venue like soft play or an activity like a dancing party, you'll need to consider the per-head cost before inviting a big group. Plus, venues like this might have a limit on how many children can attend.

For day trips to a farm or adventure playground, you might find it easier to keep the guest list to a small group of close friends - especially if you want to fit them into one or two cars.

When it comes to etiquette rules to consider, if your child has been invited to a classmate's birthday party, then it's only kind to invite them back. Secondly, if you are planning on inviting a large number of your child's class to the party, don't just leave out a handful of kids as they might feel excluded.

At this age, parents will probably want to drop their kids off at the party and collect them at the end. Make sure you have enough adults on hand to supervise, and if not, consider asking a couple of parents if they're happy to stick around.

When it comes to invitations, it's a nice idea to sit down and make some handmade invitations with your child, so they feel even more involved. It's ideal to send invites out between two to four weeks in advance, and ask for RSVPs early too so that you can get organised.

Games and activities

By seven years old, kids will be full of energy and keen to get involved in traditional party games. They'll be better at following rules and will better understand the concept of 'winning' and 'losing'. Plus, they might even get quite competitive! Though your guests might not get as upset at the thought of losing, it's still a good idea to have some smaller prizes available to hand out to everyone, so that nobody feels left out if they don't win the game.

At this age, some children might also be happy to sit and get on with some craft activities in smaller groups, so you could always set up a craft table for those who don't want to join in with a loud game.

Games like What time is it, Mr Wolf? and duck, duck, goose will be ones they are used to in the school playground. Or for something more elaborate, try setting up an obstacle course if you have the space! Even simple household items like boxes and blankets make great props for an assault course.

Similarly, you could set up a scavenger hunt where kids search for specific items, or a treasure hunt where they follow a trail of clues. Or for something that adults will enjoy too, why not try a game of limbo?

You can buy ready-made limbo games to make things easier. See more details here at Amazon.

Check out some more party games for seven-year-olds here.

Food and drink

Party food

For a party at home or at a hall or soft play venue, it's unlikely that children will sit down to eat - so small, bite-sized food is your friend here!

If you’re worried about making sure there’s enough food to go around, consider filling up a cardboard meal box for each child. That way, you know no one will miss out and they can always take it home if they're having too much fun for food.

Party foods like mini hot dogs, mini pizzas and finger sandwiches will go down well (and the adults can eat some too!), and make sure to include some carrot or cucumber sticks too as a healthy option.

If you're at home or hosting a sleepover, it's a nice idea to get the kids involved in preparing the food. You could get some plain mini pizza bases and have the kids decorate with their own toppings. They'll love eating food they've made themselves!

Organised parties at a venue will often come with food included, and if you're out with small group somewhere like the cinema, consider treating them to eat out (just check with parents for any dietary requirements).

For more ideas, check out our party food guide here. 

Drinks

For drinks, the healthiest option is to stick to water or milk. If you want to give children fruit juice or smoothies, the NHS recommends that you stick to no more than one 150ml glass per day served with a meal for children over five.

The NHS advises against fizzy drinks and squashes with added sugar for children, so they're best avoided. But if you want to give them as a party treat, perhaps do so after the food, so you know they're getting something nutritious, too.

If you’re at home and are worried about damaging furniture or carpets, keep the food and drink in a designated room or the garden. You'll thank yourself later!

Birthday cake

There are plenty of different options for birthday cake, depending on how much of a baker you are!

If you're opting for a themed party and want the cake to match, most supermarkets will sell themed birthday cakes - or you can contact your local cake maker for something extra personal. Guaranteed your seven-year-old will love seeing all their favourite things in icing form!

For a middle-ground hack, buy a supermarket sponge cake and add the personalised decorations yourself. The kids won’t know any different and it's an easy way to create something unique at a low price. We've got plenty of cake decoration ideas for you to follow here, from castles to trains, to a classic caterpillar cake or your child's favourite fictional character - whatever they'll love the most!

If you fancy baking your own cake, browse our library of recipes, from cupcakes to chocolate cake or rainbow cake, plus gluten free and egg free options, too.

Desserts

For extra dessert options other than cake, it’s a good idea to have some finger bites available, like little chocolate pieces or popcorn (though not too many!) and sliced pieces of fruit like melon, strawberries and banana to make sure the kids get something healthy too.

Jelly and ice cream is another classic party dessert, and one that the kids will love (and they'll likely start to expect, the more parties they attend!). To make it that touch healthier why not try some of our fruity ice cream recipes? Alternatively, you can serve sorbet as a dairy-free option that goes down a treat with kids.

Gift ideas

Whether you’re buying for your own child or giving gift ideas to friends and family, you want to make sure your child gets some birthday gifts they'll love! At seven years old, your child will have formed their own likes and dislikes (which will probably change every day!) and they might have taken up some hobbies or joined some clubs, so you'll have a better idea of which presents they'll really enjoy.

At this age, many children will enjoy playing independently, whether it's creating their own world with dolls or action figures, or focusing on building a Lego set. Plus, there are plenty of themed Lego kits if your child is into a particular film or TV show.

If your child is creative, a magnetic drawing board will be endless fun. For something more tech-savvy, the Harry Potter wand coding kit is suitable for kids aged six and up - and it's a great way to support their learning in a fun way.

Have a browse through some more of the best gifts for seven-year-olds here.

Party bags

Your seven-year-old will likely have already been invited to lots of friends and family member's birthday parties, which means they'll quickly have gotten used to receiving a party bag each time, as will their friends! It can sometimes be tricky to know what to include ...

To avoid party bag gifts being instantly thrown away, pop in something more practical for kids to use, whether it's a small paint set or something a bit different like a harmonica (and maybe some ear plugs for the parents!). Other small practical gifts like pencils, rubbers and notebooks will always end up being used, and they're little enough to easily fit inside a party bag.

Traditional party bag presents like party blowers, balloons and bubbles will be guaranteed to put a smile on children's faces. And for something more fun, kids will love anything messy like goo or silly putty (though parents might not agree on that one!)

If you host at a soft play centre or opt for an activity like dancing or football, often party bags will be included, which will save you time when it comes to organising. Plus, if you're worried about the plastic waste, paper or fabric bags are great alternatives. Oh, and don't forget the cake!

Check out more party bag ideas here.

Tips for a great seventh birthday party

As with any party, planning ahead and getting organised with a list of everything you’ll need to do in advance of the big day will make things a whole lot easier. These top tips should help things run even more smoothly:

• Child-to-adult ratio: Make it clear on your invitations whether you'd like parents to stick around or not - that way, you won't end up stuck with more or fewer adults than expected! If you're hosting at a venue, check whether they need you to bring your own adults to supervise. And if you're at home, ask family members, friends, or the parents you know the best if they can stay. Make sure you reward them with some grown-up food, too (they'll be grateful!).
• Write down the gifts your child receives and who they're from as soon as your child opens them. You'll thank yourself later when it comes to writing thank-you notes!
• Set an end time on your invitations. If you're hiring a hall or a soft play centre, the party will have a time limit. But if you're hosting at home, make sure you specify an end time on the invitations. This way, guests won't outstay their welcome and all the parents will know what time to arrive to pick up.
• Ask for your child's input. At this age, your child will have a better idea of what they want to do and who they want to invite than they have done in previous years, so it's a nice idea to involve them in the planning. Have them help to make the invitations or decorations to give their party that extra personal touch!
• Don’t drop your usual rules. Okay, a party is a time for kids to have fun - but that doesn’t mean you should drop your usual rules when it comes to tantrums and misbehaviour. However you usually deal with a tantrum, the best thing to do at a party is to take your child away from the audience, so going to a free room is a good idea. For the best chance of avoiding any upset during the party, make sure the birthday boy or girl has an early bedtime the night before, so they'll be less likely to be irritable.

Take a look at

100 fantastic kids' party ideas

Whether you're planning a child's birthday party, kids' Halloween party, mini disco or any other type of kids' celebration, our top 100 children's party ideas will help you throw an event to remember. With great ideas for decorations, party food, party bags, party games and entertainment, you'll find all the inspiration you need to host a fantastic kids' party, for any age.

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