Got a birthday party to plan? Say hello to these awesome autumn-themed party ideas perfect for the crisp weather ahead
Fall is here! It’s time to say goodbye to pool parties and hello to the awesome autumn-themed birthday party themes perfect for the crisp weather ahead. We’ve collected our fave fall birthday party ideas, from festive takes on fall scents to tried-and-true autumn ideas like football and pumpkin patch-inspired parties. You’re sure to find an easy crowd-pleasing option that won’t be too hard to pull off.
1. Apple Picking Party
Make the most of apple season with an apple-themed fall birthday party. There are loads of twists on candied apples perfect for a sweet treat, like Butterfinger Caramel Apples, or you can let your guests serve themselves with a delicious caramel apple bar. If you’re feeling crafty, check out these DIY felt apple tote bags. As an activity, party guests can make these dentist-approved puffy paint caramel apples.
2. Artsy Autumn
Put a fall spin on an art-themed party with these creative, eco-friendly leaf crafts from The Artful Parent. We love that these activities can be done indoors, so no matter the weather your party guests can craft away. Check out the glitter leaves and autumn suncatchers. To round out the theme, bake up delicious seasonal fall tree cupcakes.
3. Indoor Scavenger Hunt
With so many hiding places beneath furniture and inside closets, it’s easy to host a scavenger hunt party in the fall when the weather’s chilly. Create a list of items around your house, like this one from Scavenger Hunt, or make it a little more challenging by writing clues that lead your hunters to the next item on your list. Pass out magnifying glasses as take-home favors that mini sleuths can use on the hunt. After the fun, send your guests home with a piece of treasure: individual sacks of chocolate coins.
4. Sunflower Style
Summer may be over, but that doesn't mean you have to leave flowers behind. Fall's favorite bloom, the sunflower, makes for a lovely autumn theme and gets extra delicious in the form of a chocolate sunflower cake. The perfect party favor? A pack of sunflower seeds. For more ideas, check out this inspiring party that combined rustic elements with sunflowers for a floral fall bash.
5. Glow Up
It gets dark earlier in the fall—and that means it's the perfect time for a kid-friendly glow-in-the-dark party. Turn off the lights and turn up the fun. Toss DIY glowing balloons in the air and play a few rounds of glow-in-the-dark hopscotch. Add a delicious twist with a few of our favorite glow-in-the-dark recipes.
6. Bake Off Birthday Bash
Obsessed with The Great British Baking Show? Us, too. Host a bake-off of your own. You can download your own printable party pack, complete with themed invites and signs, from the British Bake Off masters themselves here. If your party guests are on the younger side, the bake-off can be a cupcake decorating contest. Stock up on frosting, sprinkles, candy, and fruit, and have your guests decorate cupcakes of their own. Older guests can roll up their sleeves and make recipes straight from the BBC like these Simple Iced Biscuits
Pro tip for bakers: aprons make a perfect party favor.
Related: 2023’s Top Birthday Party Ideas You’ll See Everywhere
7. A Wonderfully Witchy Party
Invite your neighborhood coven to fly in on their broomsticks for a witch-themed birthday bash. This enchanting purple party spotted at Hello Wonderful combines fall activities like bobbing for apples with purple-and-black decor and costumed guests for a magical celebration. Make these kid-friendly Wicked Witch Cupcakes from baking queen Martha Stewart and your guests will be spellbound.
8. Ghost-Themed Birthday Party
Invite ghouls and goblins to come out to play at a spooky ghost-themed birthday party. These adorable, not-too-spooky cupcakes from What Should I Make For have a secret ingredient that makes for a perfect white frosting. As for party activities, plan some Halloween Minute to Win It games or other Halloween party games, or pick an easy Halloween craft for kids.
9. Touchdown
Sports fans will cheer for a football-themed party. We love the foam finger cupcake toppers and DIY field goal posts at this football party over at Kara's Party Ideas. Plus, with this theme, it couldn't be easier to feed a hungry crowd: put out your kiddo's favorite game-day snacks and grill a few hot dogs. Play flag football, drink Gatorade and you'll win the championship with this fall birthday party idea. Touchdown!
10. Silly Monsters
Monsters come out to play in October, and we love that this monster-themed bash from Catch My Party skews more silly than scary. Brightly colored monsters make for eye-catching decor, and we love the googly-eyed cake. Pick up this adorable monster bean bag toss for an easy activity, or follow these instructions to DIY your own toddler-friendly Feed the Monster game.
11. Magic, Mystery, and Muggles
The next best thing to a letter from Hogwarts might be a Harry Potter-themed birthday party. Check out this wizard's dream party at Kara's Party Ideas for inspiration. Set up your own potion-making and care of magical creatures classrooms and send your guests home with their own personal stash of candies from Honeyduke's.
12. Pumpkin Patch
Set up a picture-worthy pumpkin patch for your kiddo's birthday, like this sweet party over at Catch My Party. Gather up your fave seasonal decor—pumpkins, scarecrows, and a hay bale or two—and you'll be party-ready in a snap. Not up to playing farmer this year? Reach out to your local pumpkin patch. Lots of them, like Lehner Pumpkins in Ohio and Lemos Farm in California, offer parties on-site and take care of all of the prep, decorating, and fun activities for you!
Related: 22 Fantastic Party Favors Kids Will Actually Use
13. Fall at the Farmyard
Because fall doesn’t have to mean orange and brown, why not throw some blue gingham into the crisp air and let farm friends take the cuteness to the next level? We think Sweet Georgia Sweet LLC’s Preppy Barnyard Birthday Bash over at Project Nursery is so darn adorable you’ll want to save this idea for spring babes, too. Don't forget to play farm games too!
14. Woodland Wonder
Foxes, owls, and squirrels, oh my! Nature themes continue to be a sure bet, and they're especially popular fall birthday party ideas. Head over to Catch My Party for great tips on how to bring the outdoors in for this adorable first birthday party idea. For older partiers, modify this theme into a fall fairy bash or celebration for a little lumberjack dressed in buffalo plaid!
15. Happy Campers Birthday Party
Go wild on your home turf. A campout is one of the best fall birthday party ideas for grade-school campers who are well-versed in sleepovers. Pitch tents in the backyard or the living room. Make ‘smores around a fire pit. Set up a stargazing station, and of course, tell ghost stories.
