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  5. 25 Fun Summer Birthday Party Ideas

25 Fun Summer Birthday Party Ideas

Sarah Martens headshot
By Sarah Martens Updated April 21, 2022
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paper marbling party snacks table
Credit: Buff Strickland

Celebrating a warm-weather birthday? We have plenty of joyful summer birthday party ideas for kids and adults. Get our best birthday recipes and ideas for DIY decor to host a summer party on a small budget. These summer party ideas are all about having fun in the sun. After you pick your party theme, brush up on our expert outdoor party-planning tips before the guests arrive.

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Ice Cream Social Party

no-churn ice cream varieties and scoop
Credit: Carson Downing

This summer birthday party idea is all about the season's sweetest treat! A colorful lineup of crafts and foods keeps guests entertained all afternoon, and an ice cream sundae bar is a tasty way to end the evening. Now that's a sweet shindig!

Related: How to Host an Ice Cream Social

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Outdoor Game Night

Painted ring toss yard game on lawn
Credit: Chelsea Foy of Lovely Indeed

An outdoor game night—complete with yard games like bocce ball, ring toss, DIY cornhole, and giant Jenga—is a perfect summer birthday party idea for any age. Set up different game stations around the yard so no one gets stuck waiting for a turn. Since this theme is casual, you can keep the decor to a minimum: A cooler of drinks and a casual snack bar are all you need! 

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Cupcake-Decorating Party

Cupcake party
Credit: Andy Lyons

Summer is the time for something sweet. This birthday party for kids is all about getting creative with candy. Set out frosted cupcakes and a variety of colorful sweets. Let the kids decorate their own take-home party favor. Keep the decor bright and colorful—just like summer!

Related: Our Best Cupcake Recipes

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Watercolor Summer Birthday

paper marbling party snacks table
Credit: Buff Strickland

A new take on painting and pinot parties, this summer birthday party for adults is filled with rose and watercolors. Gather the girls for a night of painting on the porch with pink sips and summer appetizers. All you need is white card stock, watercolor paint, and brushes. Set everything up on a table covered with paper and you're ready to go. Arrange a food buffet nearby food buffet to break for bites.

Related: Easy Summer Appetizer Recipes

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Backyard Movie Night

outdoor movie party with projector
Credit: Rebekah Molloy

This summer party is worthy of the silver screen! Set up a backyard movie night complete with concessions, theater decor, and popcorn. Create a simple DIY movie screen and you're ready for the show to begin!

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Mimosa Party

close-up poolside mimosa cart
Credit: Adam Albright

Host a morning mimosa party! Invite the gals over for a casual birthday celebration over drinks and brunch. Set up an drink cart with different kinds of juice so each guest can create their own mixture to cheers the birthday girl with.

Related: Our Very Best Brunch Recipes

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Birthday Bagel Brunch

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Skip the late-night party and throw an easy birthday bagel brunch! Set-up is easy: Pick up a selection of sliced bagels and arrange a tray with all your favorite toppings and spreads so each guest can help themselves. And don't forget the coffee and juice!

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Rainbow Kids Birthday Party

Parents Magazine girl dog rainbow
Credit: Ari Michelson

Nothing says summer party like bright colors and outdoor games. This rainbow kids birthday party is filled with easy recipes and DIY decor. Plus, get our favorite recipes for fun rainbow food to serve at the party.

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Root Beer Float Party

root beer float wagon
Credit: Rebekah Molloy

Looking for a summer party idea that won't break the bank? Celebrate a warm-weather birthday with root beer floats! Create a mobile float station with ice cream, soda, straws, and glasses. Set out yard games and relax. Toss a bottle of bourbon in your wagon if you're hosting this summer birthday party for adults.

Related: 14 Tasty Float Recipes for Summer

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Bright Outdoor Fiesta

Rhubarb Agua Fresca
Credit: Blaine Moats

Make your backyard a party-worthy place with just a few simple DIYs. Colorful glassware and bold paper flowers set the scene for this festive fiesta birthday party. Go all-out on party food (we recommend a tres leches cake rather than a traditional birthday cake) and a signature cocktail. 

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Summer Spa Party

spa party woman hand soak flower petals bowl
Credit: Rebekah Molloy

Need a last-minute summer birthday party idea? Create a beauty bar right in your living room. Set out assorted nail polish colors, robes, and towels in bright colors for a fun girl birthday bash. Serve up easy-to-eat finger foods and fruit-infused spa water.

Related: Party-Ready Finger Foods to Serve

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Summer Pool Party

sw-melissajohnsonbestfriendsforfrosting.jpg
Credit: TwoTwentyPhotos.com

This ocean-theme birthday bash is perfect for celebrating outside by the pool. From under-the-sea snacks—like blue Jello and fish-shape crackers—to easy party decor (these layered blue tablecloths resemble ocean waves), this summer pool party is shore to be a blast!

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Summer House Party

entertaining patio
Credit: David Tsay

Don't stress about hosting a summer birthday party. Have guests gather in the backyard for a casual celebration filled with potluck foods and summer sips. Add a fun party playlist and let the party begin!

Related: Our Best Summer Potluck Recipes

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Luau Birthday Party

close-up make your own lei station plaque
Credit: Adam Albright

Bring a tropical twist to your birthday party with luau birthday party—complete with a make-your-own lei station to greet guests upon arrival. The key to this party is lots of bright flowers and a tasty spread of tropical fruit.

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Backyard Shrimp Boil

Bayou Boil
Credit: Rebekah Molloy

This Southern-inspired shrimp boil is the ultimate summer birthday party for adults. A spicy feast of shrimp, sausage, and corn is the main attraction. Round out the party with DIY nautical decor and plenty of cold drinks.

Related: How to Make a Low-Country Shrimp Boil

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Outdoor Watermelon Party

watermelon party refreshments table
Credit: Marty Baldwin

Make this fabulous summer fruit the center of your summer birthday party theme with watermelon drinks, watermelon snacks, and watermelon decorations. Guests will dig this sweet-but-healthy birthday bash, especially the watermelon fruit pizza.

Related: Watermelon Cocktails for Summer

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Outdoor Brunch Birthday

overhead table view with two plates of eggs benedict
Credit: Carson Downing

Who says a birthday party has to be in the evening? On those hot summer days, get the party started early with an outdoor brunch. As a bonus, our outdoor brunch menu features grilled breakfast pizzas, fruit, and a bloody mary bar—no standing over the stove all morning.

Related: Host an Outdoor Summer Brunch

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Summer Garden Party

completed concrete block bar with buffet of fruit lemonade and desserts
Credit: Cameron Sadeghpour

Celebrate the beauty of summer with this flower-inspired backyard party. Set up a DIY mimosa bar and handmade paper flowers for a sweet afternoon gathering. Plus, get our best tips for creating hand-lettered party invitations.

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BBQ and Brews Party

beer bucket
Credit: Ray Kachatorian

This summer birthday party for adults is all about beer and BBQ! Host a fun beer-tasting and finish the party with a few DIY yard games. Plus, get our tips for putting together a build-your-own s'mores bar—yum!

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Trail Mix Bar

trail mix bar overhead view with hands

Save the hassle of preparing food for your birthday party and instead, have the guests do it themselves! This party theme doubles as the menu and a party favor. Set out an assortment of trail mix ingredients, including granola, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and chocolates, then have each guest create their own mix in individual Mason jars.

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Rosé Birthday

glass of sparkling rosé iced bottles crudites
Credit: Jason Donnelly

Center your birthday around a favorite summer drink—rosé! Keep this party light and bright, just like the drink. Pair with your favorite charcuterie options, sit back, sip, and enjoy the party.

Related: Throw a Gorgeous Rosé Party for Summer

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Summer Burger Bash

july burger party toppings spread
Credit: Annie Schlechter

Gather friends and family to for a grill-out birthday party and burger bash! Making juicy burgers isn't hard with a few tips from the pros. Set out your favorite toppings and side dishes and your party is on its way!

Related: How to Host a Burger Bash

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Ice Cream Bar Party

serving ice cream scoops on cold tray

Bring the ice cream social to your party with a DIY ice cream sundae bar. Set out all the ingredients in decorative trays, or keep it simple and repurpose cupcake trays to hold your treats. Tip: Pre-scoop ice cream so the carton doesn't melt at your party.

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Tie-Dye Birthday Party

girl with pink dye
Credit: Allison Cottrill

Since this iconic trend is making a comeback, a tie-dye theme birthday bash is the perfect retro party to throw this summer. Prepare by ordering white shirts (or any other white cotton item) and have guests decorate each item with colorful dye. Be sure to let each person's shirt dry completely in the sun before sending them home with their creation as a party favor.

Related: How to Tie-Dye

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Have a Birthday Picnic

picnic with sandwiches, charcuterie, and pink plates
Credit: Carson Downing

Summer is peak picnicking time, which makes it the perfect birthday party idea for summer! Picnics are all about good food, good conversation, and enjoying the outdoors—all of our favorite summer party activities!

Related: 16 Ideas for the Perfect Picnic

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    1 of 25 Ice Cream Social Party
    2 of 25 Outdoor Game Night
    3 of 25 Cupcake-Decorating Party
    4 of 25 Watercolor Summer Birthday
    5 of 25 Backyard Movie Night
    6 of 25 Mimosa Party
    7 of 25 Birthday Bagel Brunch
    8 of 25 Rainbow Kids Birthday Party
    9 of 25 Root Beer Float Party
    10 of 25 Bright Outdoor Fiesta
    11 of 25 Summer Spa Party
    12 of 25 Summer Pool Party
    13 of 25 Summer House Party
    14 of 25 Luau Birthday Party
    15 of 25 Backyard Shrimp Boil
    16 of 25 Outdoor Watermelon Party
    17 of 25 Outdoor Brunch Birthday
    18 of 25 Summer Garden Party
    19 of 25 BBQ and Brews Party
    20 of 25 Trail Mix Bar
    21 of 25 Rosé Birthday
    22 of 25 Summer Burger Bash
    23 of 25 Ice Cream Bar Party
    24 of 25 Tie-Dye Birthday Party
    25 of 25 Have a Birthday Picnic

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    25 Fun Summer Birthday Party Ideas
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