How to Plan an Unforgettable Circus Birthday Party for Kids in 9 Easy Steps

A circus-themed party is bright, playful and colorful. What makes a carnival-themed birthday different from other themes is that instead of sitting around, eating and watching, this theme is set out to allow children to move from station to station. Playing games and winning exciting prizes. It should feel just like a fair and the moment your guests enter the venue it should instantly make them feel like they’re under the big top. 

Here’s an overview of how you can plan and set-up the most exciting circus-themed party:

Step 1: Pick Your Circus Color Palette

Step 2: Send Out Circus-Themed Invitations

Step 3: Decorate!

Step 4: Serve Circus-Themed Party Food

Step 5: Plan Circus-Themed Games and Activities

Step 6: Create Simple Party Favors

Step 7: Sample Party Timeline 

Step 8: Create Photo Moments 

Step 9: Prep Ahead For a Stress-Free Party

Now, let’s dive deeper into each of these steps. 

Step 1: Pick Your Circus Color Palette

This step is important so please don’t skip it. Before planning anything else, I like to decide on a few main colors that I plan to use throughout my party setup. This way you don’t end up with random accents that don’t exactly match with the theme. For a cohesive look, I suggest sticking to 3-4 colors– red, white, yellow and a shade of blue.

Step 2: Send Out Circus-Themed Invitations

 

Once you finalize your guest list, send out circus themed invitations. You can do this both electronically or in person. There are so many circus-themed invitations that you can purchase online at very affordable prices. All you really have to do is edit to personalize and bam, they're ready to be printed! Check out this Editable Circus Invite.

Make sure the invite includes all the necessary details like:

• Party time and date
• Location
• RSVP details
• A fun line like: “Come One, Come All!”

Step 3: Decorate!

 

This is where the carnival-style party comes into action. I’m going to share with you my tips on how you can easily transform your space into the big top. Always begin with the backdrop. This is what makes it feel like a birthday. Choose a red and white stripe backdrop or get a big top backdrop. For the balloon arch, invest in a circus themed balloon arch so it frames the backdrop. Use circus animal cutouts and clowns to complete the look. Place your cake stand in front of the circus-themed backdrop. And don’t forget a “Welcome to the Circus” sign.

To bring the carnival feel, adding fair-style stations is a must. Simply use large pieces of cardboard to make booth stations or you could just get carnival themed table skirts to create easy and affordable stations. Include signage at each booth to mimic a true fair. 

Here are my suggestions for booths:

• Tickets and prizes station: Hand out tickets of entry and fill this station with fun prizes so kids can come back to collect them. Hand out things like stickers, mini toys, bubbles and temporary tattoos.
• Games Station: Set up games like sack races, kids talent show, ring toss and feed the lion (bean bag toss).
• Face Painting Station: Paint clowns, lions, tigers and butterflies.
• Treat Station: Fill this stand with popcorn, cotton candy and pretzels. 

As for the tables, use matching tablecloths. Place large popcorn boxes and steel buckets to serve and display food and treats.

To make your circus birthday party stand out and look professionally done, design the space with a printable circus-themed party stationery bundle. They usually come with cute invitations, matching favor tags and cupcake toppers, welcome signs and birthday banners and so much more. These will enhance the carnival theme by making it look professional, organized and decorated without having to purchase extra decor. Here is the perfect carnival birthday bundle to complement your party. 

 

Step 4: Serve Circus-Themed Party Food

No party is complete without an appetizing menu. When planning themed parties I love making the menu correlate with the theme so it’s super exciting. Kids especially love it when standard food items have fun, intriguing names– it makes the food x10 more appetizing. No one will know about this cool circus menu until you tell them. I recommend using food labels that match your theme to label each dish. Don’t forget to name your food station something fun too! How about “Grab a Bite Under the Big Top” or “Clowns Dine Here”?

Here’s my favorite circus menu:

• Main Course: Carnival Bites (chicken nuggets or tenders), Cheesy Clown Pasta (Mac & Cheese), Big Top Pizza (pizza)
• Party Snacks: Showtime Popcorn (Popcorn), Sugar Spun Magic (Cotton Candy), Clown Cookies or Animal Cracker Cookies (Any favorite cookie varieties or animal shaped cookies), Ringmaster’s Fudge Bars (Brownies), Twisted Circus Knots (Pretzels)
• Cake: Circus Celebration Cake (Birthday Cake)
• Drink: Magic Potion Juice (any drink of choice), and small water bottles

 

 

Step 5: Plan Circus-Themed Games and Activities

 

A carnival-style birthday is never complete without competitive games that keep excitement and energy levels high. Set up games that don’t take too long to complete individually. Instead opt for games that require minimal set-up and minimal materials. This makes transitioning fairly quick and simple so the birthday schedule flows nicely. 

• Sack Races: All you need is sacks. If there isn’t enough space or sacks break the children into groups of 4 to compete at a time. Place markers at the start and finish lines. For smaller children make the race shorter and add obstacles for older kids to make the race more competitive.
• Kids Talent Show: Kids take turns showing off their special talents. Whether it’s dancing, singing, magic tricks, or silly performances. Cheer them on like a real circus audience and make every performer feel like a star!
• Ring Toss: Kids toss the rings and try to land them over the targets (bottles or cones). The child with the highest toss score wins.
• Feed the lion (bean bag toss): Kids aim at the lion’s mouth by tossing bean bags into the lion’s mouth. The more you feed the lion, the more chances you have to win the game!

Step 6: Create Simple Party Favors

 

Party favors are a great way to say “thank you” to your guests for popping by. I recommend giving something small but meaningful. Here are some easy suggestions that are sure to come across as thoughtful and will be very well received by both children and their parents alike. To make your favors look extra special and personalized consider using these super cute circus-themed favor tags . 

• Mini Carnival Prize Packs: Pack any combination of these fun items– stickers, mini toys, bubbles, temporary tattoos, clown noses, animal masks, bow ties and fake mustaches.
• Activity Packs: Add a circus coloring book, crayons or markers and puzzle sheets.
• Edible Treat Bags: Fill with popcorn, cotton candy, cookies or brownies.

 

 

Step 7: Sample Party Timeline 

It’s easy to ignore a party schedule. But in the moment you realize how quickly things can fall apart when there’s zero structure. To avoid unnecessary stress and chaos stick to a schedule so everything runs smoothly and according to plan. 

Here’s an easy 2-hour structure:

0:00–0:20: Arrival & Face Painting

0:20–0:50: Games (Feed the Lion & Sack Race)

0:50–1:20: Food Time

1:20–1:40: Cake & Happy Birthday Song

1:40–2:00: Handout favors & Final goodbyes

Step 8: Create Photo Booth

Creating a photo booth is a fun way to make sure my parties are memorable and shareable. For a carnival style party I suggest getting fun and bold props so my guests can have plenty of fun while capturing special moments. Before I get into all the fun prop ideas, don't be tempted to create a separate photo booth. Instead utilize the spaces you already have. I personally like to use the backdrop setup because that’s usually the star of my decor. So it doubles as a photo booth. 

Here are fun prop ideas: 

• Clown noses (red foam)
• Oversized glasses
• Colorful wigs
• Bow ties
• Mini top hats
• Magician wand & hat
• Juggling balls
• Fake mustaches
• Ringmaster cane
• Popcorn boxes
• Cotton candy props
• Giant lollipops
• Large pretzel cutouts 

Step 9: Prep Ahead For a Stress-Free Party

If you truly want to be stress-free on the day of the party I highly recommend planning ahead and doing tasks ahead of time and in an orderly sequence. That way you get everything done in time and there’s no room for chaos and error. 

• 2-3 months before: Set a budget, decide on a venue, make a guest list and choose your color theme.
• 1 month before: Book any vendors, send out invitations, order party decor and cake, plan games and menu, and follow up-on RSVPs.
• 1 week before: Buy non-perishable food and drinks, serving-ware and tableware, finalize party outfits and clean house (indoors & outdoors).
• Day before: Prep or cook food, chill drinks, assemble party favors, set up tables and chairs and hang decorations.
• Day of: Pick up cake, charge phones and cameras, and set up food and drinks!

 

If you want the full list of actionable items to prepare ahead for a successful party, check out this FREE party planner. 

What’s one must-have activity you would include to make this circus party unforgettable? -- would love to know in the comments below!