2nd Birthday Themes That’ll Get the Party Started
Your kid is turning 2, and it’s time to celebrate! In the past 24 months, your little one has likely learned to crawl, walk and talk. In addition to these major developmental milestones, your kiddo’s unique personality—and their distinct likes and dislikes—will start to shine through at this age. Keep your tot’s interests in mind when brainstorming second birthday themes. If they’re obsessed with dinosaurs, opt for a prehistoric theme. If they jump up and down with glee every time you tune into a certain TV show, plan the day around their favorite character. Need a helping hand? Check out our event-planning tips, plus a few unique 2-year-old birthday themes for boys and girls to inspire your day.
Love a good pun? You’re in luck! There are tons of funny—and punny—second birthday themes. You could head to Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration—or just check out a few of our favorite 2-year-old birthday party ideas below.
Two cool for school birthday theme
Is your toddler too cool for school? Consider throwing them a gender-neutral “two cool” birthday party, similar to the one Mari-Louise of Just a Mamma blog threw for her 2-year-old daughter.
The party was outside, and she used apples and letter blocks as the centerpiece on top of a red-and-white gingham table runner. Each kiddo received a small chalkboard with their name on it, as well as a paper bag lunch to stick with the theme. Mari-Louise also created an adorable photo display and letterboard, filled with the family’s favorite memories of her daughter from the past year. For snacks, she doled out bran-muffin balls, mini toffee apples, popcorn, PB&J macaroons and adorable school-themed sugar cookies. She also hosted a build-your-own-sandwich bar with various types of breads, deli meats, cheeses, pickles, tomatoes, guacamole and more. The dessert was a chalkboard-inspired red-velvet and dark-chocolate cake covered in black fondant.
For party favors, she used chalk, play dough, star stickers, crayons and other popular recess toys. Plus, she constructed a book corner, filled with children’s books party attendees could take home with them. How cool is that?
Two fast birthday theme
Ready, set, go! A “two fast” birthday party is the perfect choice for mini motor-heads. For her nephew’s party, Merissa, of Emelbe Design blog opted for a color scheme of black, white, gray, green and peach for the party. The decorations included a balloon arch, a checkered pennant banner and a big “2” balloon in the design of a racetrack. The tableware also stuck to the theme, with adorable race car-shaped plates, striped napkins and race car-themed cups. The goodie bags were small white drawstring bags filled with mini notebooks, crayons, modelling clay, a gold trophy and a wooden car, of course.
For snacks and dessert, Merissa had custom sugar cookies, a chocolate cake with a wooden car topper, chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting, popcorn and a charcuterie plate. Meanwhile, she kept the kiddos busy by having them decorate their own wooden cars using custom stickers of the birthday boy’s face.
Love you two the moon birthday theme
For good vibes that are out of this world, consider the sweet, but punny 2-year-old birthday theme “love you two the moon.” Stick with galaxy-themed decorations in blues, purples and blacks, as Katie of In Life and Littles blog did for her son’s party.
She decorated using a banner that spelled out “two the moon,” as well as with a centerpiece spelling out “two” in marbled-blue, black and silver. She also blew up silver “2” and martian balloons, hung up silver star streamers and created a balloon arch of black, blue, metallic and red balloons. She had a display piece, created by a loved one, depicting her son soaring in a rocket ship to outer space. For dessert, she stuck with the theme, using galaxy-inspired chocolate cupcakes and frosted cookies.
Two groovy birthday theme
Here’s another punny 2-year-old birthday idea for good measure: A “two groovy” party. Decorations in vintage hues—like orange, yellow, white and pink—will take center stage at this event, as they did for Madison of Metcalf Ministries blog. For decorations, the party included a balloon arch with white daisy balloons and a gold birthday banner, as well as a bigger “two groovy” sign outlined with balloons.
The food was also all on-theme, with a baked potato and nacho bar, rainbow fruit skewers and charcuterie boards designed to look like peace signs. Plus, Madison served up cupcakes with yellow, red and pink frosting, as well as daisy cupcake toppers. The birthday girl was also dressed on theme, sporting an adorable pink flared jumpsuit and pink flower sunglasses.
Disney-inspired 2-year-old birthday themes are always magical. While we certainly couldn’t cover every classic film, here are some 2nd birthday party ideas inspired by a few favorite flicks and characters.
Minnie or Mickey Mouse birthday theme
Honor Disney’s roots with a Minnie and Mickey-themed birthday party for your 2-year-old. When it comes to decor, don’t fight the urge to go all out on the mouse motif. For her daughters’ party, Jen of Red White and Denim made a balloon display featuring Minnie Mouse and white, blush pink and gold balloons. She also hung a pink and gold birthday banner, as well as arranged pink and white flowers to place on tables as centerpieces. Her girls dressed in pink and white tutus for their party and each, of course, wore Minnie Mouse ears.
For desserts, Jen swapped out a birthday cake for white- and pink-frosted cupcakes and cookies. The cupcakes all featured glittery pink Minnie Mouse toppers, while the cookies were in the shape of Mickey Mouse ears. Party activities included a pink bounce house and Mickey-themed coloring table. For goodie bags, she had Minnie-themed toys, Minnie Mouse ears and personalized flower sunglasses for each tot.
Encanto birthday theme
We’re still seeing lots of 2-year-old birthday themes for boys and girls inspired by the smash hit Encanto. For her son’s second birthday party, Morgan of Morgan Ma Belle, DIYed most of her decorations. These included a banner, made of green, blue and purple construction paper, spelling out “Glen is Encantwo,” a cactus balloon plant and balloon arch and a print of Antonio’s magic door.
For food, she hosted a fun “Taco ‘Bout Bruno Bar,” which consisted of make-your-own tacos, Antonio’s animal crackers, chips and salsa, cactus-themed pretzel sticks and brownies. For activities, Morgan set up a coloring and sticker station for little ones on her coffee table; she also had cornhole set up for older kids and adults, as well as pin the tail on the donkey.
Two infinity and beyond 2nd birthday theme
Toy Story is a classic that exemplifies the meaning of friendship—so it’s not surprising that it also makes for a popular 2-year-old birthday idea. For her son’s party, McKayla of Happily Ever Madsens decorated with a balloon arch featuring red, blue, yellow and cow-print, as well as a themed wall banner and big block letters to spell out her son’s name. She even decorated her front porch with cardboard boxes for “Clyde’s toys” and character balloons.
While the party didn’t host any formal activities, McKayla did set up a coloring station and piñata, and opened up her son’s playroom to all the party guests. Even cuter, she created “make your own Forky” kits for each kiddo. The food consisted of pizza, green jello cups, chips, veggie trays and cupcakes with character toppers. Dessert also featured custom cookies and a Woody-themed cake for the birthday boy, who attended the party dressed as Buzz Lightyear, naturally.
Of course, a 2-year-old’s birthday party doesn’t have to focus on a certain character or funny play on words. Why not go old-school with a whimsical 2-year-old birthday theme? From a pancake party to a summer camp event, here are three of our favorite party ideas for toddlers.
Summer camp birthday theme
Searching for outdoorsy 2-year-old birthday party ideas? Have an adventure in your own backyard and host a camp-inspired celebration. Ashley of Heirloomed Blog chose the theme for her son’s party because he loves being outside. For the event, she pitched a tent in her backyard for the kids to play in and set up a kid-friendly red car for them to “drive” around. She even hosted a supervised s’mores station with a firepit.
Also part of the food spread were two separate s’mores cakes—one for adults and one for the kiddos. For his party, the birthday boy sported a hand-painted shirt made by grandma, an adorable beanie and sporty green Hunter boots.
Vintage tea-party birthday theme
Toddlers love to imitate adults, which is why an afternoon-tea 2-year-old birthday theme proves to be such a success. While you may need to help your tot pour the “tea,” this still makes for an adorable second birthday theme—especially if you bring along some favorite dolls to join in on the fun.
Codi of Creative Wife and Joyful Worker used the theme for her daughter’s second birthday party. She decorated with a pale purple and white balloon arch, as well as gold balloons spelling out “two.” The party also incorporated hanging string lights and flowers, as well as thrifted tea cups and saucer plates. For food, Codi served up classic tea party snacks and treats, including berries, cookies, cinnamon rolls, donut holes and croissants. The birthday girl dressed the part in a floral dress and fairy-like floral crown.
Pancakes and pajamas 2nd birthday theme
If you’re looking for a sweet and simple second birthday theme, look no further than this one from Amber of The Massey Spot. For the party, she stuck with a purple, pink and gold color palette, and asked guests to come dressed in their favorite pajamas and slippers. Decorations included pink and purple streamers, a gold “let them eat pancakes” banner and pink balloons.
For the cake, Amber used a stack of pancakes decorated with frosting and confetti sprinkles. She also served cupcakes, pink and purple M&Ms and gold lollipops. But the star of the food station—especially since the party was held in the morning—was the pancake bar, complete with buttermilk pancakes and different types of butter and toppings. Other breakfast offerings included a fruit salad, bacon, sausage and chocolate milk for the kids.
Looking for even more second birthday themes to get some inspiration? Check out the fun options below. From a cute fruit-themed bash to a classic train themed party, these toddler birthday party ideas are sure to impress.
Train birthday theme
If your little one loves all things trains, consider this classic birthday theme. For her son’s 2nd birthday party, Merissa of Emelbe Design combined a mountain and train theme. For decorations, she used a wooden mountain sign, a blue “2” balloon, white balloons tied together to look like clouds and a “choo choo” wall sign she made using striped paper plates. She also set up a wooden train set around the birthday cake, which was topped with wooden green trees and a “choo choo” topper. Leaning into the mountain theme, she ordered cupcakes with cotton candy “clouds” on top and custom cookies.
Merissa also set up a white cardboard train the kiddos could color on. For party favors, she created cute goody bags filled with a wooden train whistle and coloring cards.
Rainbow themed second birthday party
Does your little cutie always say “rainbow” is their favorite color? If so, this is the right second birthday theme for them. Wendy of Wendy Correen leaned into pastel rainbow color patterns for her daughter’s birthday party. She decorated with multiple balloon arches of pastel blue, pink, purple, green and yellow balloons, as well as with floral arrangements for table centerpieces and rainbow-shaped pillows.
The birthday cake was topped with pastel rainbow sprinkles, and other snack items included Chex mix and a charcuterie board. But before cake, the kiddos played with homemade “ribbon wands” and indulged in a game created by Wendy: pin the cloud on the rainbow.
Tutti or two-tti fruity 2nd birthday theme
When it comes to 2-year-old birthday themes, you can’t go wrong with a tutti-fruity theme, particularly if you’re celebrating in the summer. Cristina of My Party Design celebrated her daughter’s birthday using the theme during a summer trip to see family in Portugal. The cake was designed by a family member to look like a pineapple, but the party also featured lots of other food and dessert options. These included fruit-shaped almond cakes, brigadeiros (chocolate fudge balls), watermelon slices, a fresh fruit platter, sandwiches and a charcuterie spread. For decorations, Cristina used fruit-themed balloons in the shape of a lime, orange, watermelon, strawberry, pineapple and more. She kept the party activities simple, with fruit-themed coloring pages and crayons. For favors, she stuffed fruit-themed cups with stickers and small chocolate bars, plus each kiddo got to take home a fruit shaped balloon.
Even if you have a seed of an idea, plotting a toddler birthday bash for your soon-to-be 2 year old can overwhelm even the most organized parent. Take a deep breath. With these second birthday ideas and tips from party-planning experts, you can pull off a memorable celebration for your 2-year-old with minimal stress.
Keep it short and simple
When your child turns one, parents typically go all out and throw a blowout party. “But by baby’s second birthday, you’ve been there and done that,” says Seri Kertzner, owner of the New York City-based planning group REV New York. “No need to go big. Invite just your child’s friends (classmates, cousins and neighbors) and keep the party low-key.” Plus, shoot for two to three hours max, recommends Mindy Weiss, a Los Angeles-based party and wedding planner with over 30 years of experience.
Embrace a theme your kiddo loves
“Pick a theme that can come to life through the decor, games and the details that your child loves—not just one that you do,” Weiss says. “My own grandchildren started giving me themes—they knew what they wanted!” Once you have a theme, you can craft the food, activities, decor, personalized signs and more around it. “You can also introduce the theme through a character that welcomes and plays with the kids,” Weiss says. If you’re stuck and looking for some inspiration, Kertzner says her favorite themes include a rainbow, a farm or a rubber-ducky party. Make your life easier by picking a pre-packaged concept like Disney characters or Sesame Street, or get inspired by your toddler’s current favorite cartoon. And if you’re crafty, go for a DIY theme where you can let your own talents shine.
Keep kids busy
Let’s face it: There’s always a chance a tantrum will break out in a room full of toddlers. Prevent meltdowns by planning plenty of activities to keep kids busy. Better yet, hire someone to help. It’s best to find an entertainer your child is familiar with—a band member from your child’s music class or a storyteller from the nearby library or school, Weiss says. Ask parent friends for vetted recommendations. Weiss also suggests art projects, slime stations and coloring books as some activity options. “Anything interactive (like art!) will be a hit at a party for these littles,” she says, adding, “Bounce houses also never seem to go out of style… So many companies in several areas have fun, themed bounce houses to fit your party—and it’ll keep the guests entertained for hours.” (It may also be helpful to have a dedicated calm down corner in case a meltdown does happen.)
Make it fun for adults too
Don’t forget to entertain the parents and other grown-ups too, advises Weiss. If appropriate, Kertzner and Weiss also suggest having themed, adult-friendly beverages and snacks readily available. “It’s also nice to set some grown-up food for them to snack on, such as a crudités or a cheese platter,” Kertzner says.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
“Like any event, mishaps happen. For example, if it’s an outdoor gathering, have a backup plan in case of rain,” Weiss says. But don’t stress too much over it—after all, it’s a 2-year-old birthday party. “Kids are generally easy to please, so not everything has to be perfect as long as they can feel special for the day,” Weiss says. Try to relax and have fun, Kertzner adds. As long as you nail down the theme, the fine details—like invitations, cake ideas and birthday party outfits—will all fall into place.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Seri Kertzner is the owner of the New York City-based planning group REV New York and The Social Society, a brick-and-mortar boutique in the city. She’s worked with clients such as Hallmark Media, L'Oréal Paris, Neutrogena and Essie.
Mindy Weiss is a Los Angeles-based party and wedding planner with over 30 years of experience. She’s worked with notable clients, such as Justin and Hailey Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi and the Kardashian family. She’s also author of three bestselling books: The Wedding Book, The Wedding Planner and The Baby Keepsake Book and Planner.
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