This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend products I use and love. Read the full disclosure here
Last Updated on June 12, 2025 by Alaina
Looking for summer party themes kids will love? These fun-filled unique ideas are easy to pull together and won’t drain your budget!
When it comes to throwing a summer party for kids, the theme sets the tone. and let me tell you, the possibilities are endless (and so much fun!). Over the years, I’ve learned that the best themes are the ones that spark excitement without sending you on a wild goose chase for expensive supplies. The good news? You don’t need a party planner or a huge budget to pull off a party your kids will talk about for weeks.
Here are some of my favorite simple summer party themes for kids that are easy to plan, full of personality, and guaranteed to bring big smiles!
Why You’ll Love These Kids’ Summer Party Themes
- They use stuff you already have or can grab cheap at Dollar Tree, Walmart, or Amazon
- Each theme includes food, decor, and activity ideas to make it super easy
- They’re perfect for any age, from toddlers to tweens
Fun and Easy Summer Party Theme Ideas
1. Ice Cream Party with DIY Sundae Bar
I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream! Who doesn’t love ice cream, especially when it involves a DIY sundae bar? This summer kids party theme is a classic crowd-pleaser that never fails. especially in the summer heat.
- Decor: Buy an ice cream party kit or put together your own using pastel tablecloths, cone-shaped banners, and balloons that look like scoops
- Snacks: Set out ice cream cones, toppings galore, frozen yogurt tubes, and if you are going to do a DIY sundae bar, don’t forget the plastic sundae bowls, spoon, sprinkles, whipped cream and cherries.
- Activity: Print out some “Design your own cone” coloring pages or set up an ice cream relay race where kids line up into two teams and pass a scoop to the next person in line using plastic spoons. First team to get their scoop to the end without dropping it, wins! It’s a bit messy, but loads of fun!
Pro Tip: Freeze toppings like gummy bears and marshmallows ahead of time to keep them from melting in the sun. You could also pre-scoop ice cream into cupcake liners and store them in a muffin tin in the freezer. Pull them out when it’s time to serve, less mess and no scoop juggling required! And don’t forget the hand wipes!
2. Backyard Camping
Turn your backyard into an adventure zone, no tents required (but they’re fun!).
Decor: Pop-up tents, string lights, faux campfires, and paper lanterns
Snacks: S’mores and S’mores-themed treats like S’mores Mug Cakes S’mores dip, S’mores Pudding Pops, and even S’mores Snack Mix. Don’t forge the trail mix, hot dogs, campfire kettle corn, and other camping-themed food, too.
Activity: Nature scavenger hunt or flashlight tag
Pro Tip: While no real fire is required, adding a small fire pit can make the party even more memorable, especially if you’re planning an overnight campout. Roasting marshmallows under the stars is the kind of core memory kids talk about for years!
3. Under the Sea
Perfect for hot summer days and water play, this one is always a hit at our house!
Decor: Blue streamers, ocean-themed balloons, seashells, inflatable pools
Snacks: Goldfish crackers, blue jello cups, shark bark, great white popsicles
Activity: Water balloon toss, fishing for prizes from a kiddie pool, ocean sensory bins
We did this kid’s summer party theme one summer when my stepson was younger and it was a big hit! My son still talks about the “fishing pond” game we set up with a kiddie pool and magnetic fish! It was simple, affordable, and a total crowd-pleaser.
4. Carnival Party
Big energy and big fun with easy DIY games and snacks!
- Decor: Red and white stripes, balloons, ticket garlands
- Snacks: Popcorn, mini corndogs, cotton candy
- Activity: Ring toss, bean bag throw, face painting station
Pro Tip: Use cardboard boxes or tri-fold boards to set up simple DIY booths for games like ring toss or duck pond. Let older kids help run them, they’ll love feeling like part of the action.
5. Rainbow Party
This bright and happy theme is easy to pull off with a quick trip to the dollar store. The bright colors make everything feel extra festive.
- Decor: Rainbow streamers, color-coded table settings, rainbow balloons
- Snacks: Rainbow fruit skewers, colorful cupcakes, jellybean jars
- Activity: Rainbow chalk art contest or rainbow scavenger hunt.
Pro Tip: Assign each color to a different activity station, it makes everything more organized and exciting!
We bought some plain white cupcakes and let the kids “paint” their own with frosting and sprinkles. It doubles as an activity and a snack, and cleanup is a breeze if you prep a frosting station ahead of time.
6. Water Wars Party
Cool off with a little friendly competition! This awesome theme allows kids to cool off and get some of that energy out.
- Decor: Buckets of water balloons, water gun center, team flags
- Snacks: Hydration station with flavored water, watermelon wedges, popsicles
- Activity: Water balloon dodgeball, sponge tag, water gun obstacle course
- Affiliate idea: Reusable water balloons, water guns, team bandanas
Pro Tip: Use colored chalk to draw water-safe zones and activity areas on pavement. It adds a playful look and helps keep things organized when the kids get wild with the water balloons.
7. Mini Chef Party
Let kids play chef for the day with their own cooking station. Not only do they get to make their own food, but it’s fun AND lunch is solved.
- Decor: Mini aprons, mixing bowls, pretend food playsets
- Snacks: Make-your-own pizzas, sandwich kabobs, fruit parfaits
- Activity: Decorating cookies or “build your own lunchbox” stations
- Affiliate idea: Kids’ cooking sets, reusable recipe cards, cookie cutters
8. Bubble Bonanza Bash
Everything’s better with bubbles! Bubbles make everything feel so magical, even us grown-ups can’t resist.
Decor: Bubble machines, bubble-themed banners, balloons filled with confetti
Snacks: Popcorn balls, round cookies, soda “fizz”
Activity: DIY bubble wands, bubble wrap hopscotch, giant bubble play
Another hit at our house! We used a couple of inflatable pools and an inexpensive bubble machine, the kids played for hours.
9. Backyard Safari Adventure
Bring the jungle to your backyard! It’s animal fun without the zoo trip!
Decor: Animal print tableware, faux vines, stuffed animals
Snacks: Animal crackers, jungle juice, banana chips
Activity: Safari scavenger hunt, binocular craft, “spot the animal” game
10. Color Splash Party
Perfect for little artists, this kid’s summer party theme is messy, but worth it! Encourage kids to wear their favorite color and celebrate a mix of shades!
Decor: Color-coded zones, tie-dye backdrops, color balloons
Snacks: Skittle popcorn, layered Jell-O cups, color-themed candy
Activity: Color wars (with chalk or water), DIY tie-dye, color hunt
11. Art and Crafts Party
Let kids create a mess — the fun kind!
Decor: Drop cloths, paint splatter balloons, DIY paint palette plates
Snacks: Crayon-shaped candy, color wheel cookies, paint-your-own cupcakes
Activity: Watercolor painting, tie-dye, outdoor easel station
12. Backyard Beach Party
Even if you’re hours from the ocean, you can bring the beach home. Just add water and kids = instant success!
- Decor: Beach towels, paper umbrellas, sand buckets.
- Snacks: Sand pudding cups, gummy fish, seashell cookies. and this M&Ms Beach Ball Cake!
- Activity: Sandbox treasure hunt, limbo, beach ball races
13. Glow in the Dark Party
When the sun goes down, the fun lights up! This is perfect for older kids or later summer nights!
Decor: Glow sticks, blacklights, neon streamers
Snacks: Bright cupcakes, glow cotton candy, neon Jell-O
Activity: Glow dance party, glow bowling, glow ring toss
Pro Tip: Be sure to start the party before sunset so kids can ease into the darkness, especially for younger kids. Also, have your glow accessories ready to hand out as the sky dims. We’ve found glow necklaces work great as prizes and also help parents spot their kids in the yard!
15. Back to the 90s Party
Totally rad and full of throwback fun. Let’s be honest, this one’s for the parents too!
Decor: Neon shapes, cassette tapes, smiley faces
Snacks: Dunkaroos, pizza rolls, Kool-Aid
Activity: Freeze dance, retro trivia, slap bracelet crafting
16. Watermelon Party
Celebrate summer’s juiciest fruit with this unique kid’s summer arty theme! Summer’s favorite fruit gets its own spotlight!
Decor: Watermelon-themed plates, green and pink balloons, fruit slice garlands
Snacks: Watermelon pops, watermelon cookies, fruit skewers
Activity: Seed spitting contest (use chocolate chips!), watermelon relay, fruit craft
Party Planning Tip
Let your child help pick the theme! Kids love having a say, and they often come up with the most creative twists, mine once insisted our beach party needed a treasure map and that treasure hunt became the hit of the day!
Need Help Picking the Perfect theme?
Think about your child’s age, favorite activities, and the size of your guest list. Younger kids tend to love sensory fun (bubbles, water, sand), while older ones lean toward games and themed competitions.
FAQs:
Q: How far in advance should I pick a party theme?
A: Ideally 2–3 weeks before the party. That gives you time to gather supplies without feeling rushed.
Q: What’s the easiest theme for last-minute planning?
A: Ice cream or water play — both are simple to pull off with store-bought supplies.
Q: Can I mix two themes together?
A: Absolutely! A rainbow water party? Yes, please!
Show Me What You’ve Got!
Did you try one of these party themes? I’d love to see how it turned out! Tag me on Instagram @bullocksbuzz or use #bullocksbuzz and show off your summer celebration!
Don’t forget to click that heart to save this post or pin it for later — and share with a friend who could use some party inspiration too!