Kids' Birthday Party Supplies and Ideas

Party hats by age group

Getting hats on, and keeping them on

Flat-pack hats take a little prep, so build them the day before. The paper party hat assembly guide walks through rolling, locking the tab and threading the elastic. At the party, adjust the elastic so it's snug but comfortable under the chin, shorten it with a knot rather than stretching it, and hand hats out at cake time instead of at the door. More tips are in how to keep party hats on kids.

Balloons and decorations kids notice

Big shapes and faces get the most attention. The 30 in smiley face birthday balloon carries a party hat, a cake and a Happy Birthday speech bubble, and the pink-and-green snail suits bug, garden and jungle themes. The paper flag banner repeats the smiley faces with dots, stripes and chevrons across up to 32.8 ft of ribbon. Hosting a teddy bear picnic? See mini party hats for stuffed animals and dolls.

Safety with little guests

Pom poms, glue dots and uninflated or broken balloons are small parts, so assemble everything yourself, keep spares out of reach and pick up balloon pieces right away. Take hats off before naps or rough play, since the strap sits under the chin, and keep an adult nearby while toddlers wear them.

Kids' party prep checklist

• Confirm the number of kids and add a couple of spare hats; the party hat count guide has the math.
• Pick mini or standard hats based on the youngest guests.
• Assemble hats and thread the banner a day or two before.
• Fill foil balloons with air the day before, or with helium on the day.
• Set the hat table near where kids will sit for cake.
• Keep small parts and uninflated balloons in a closed box.

Shopping for a mixed-age party? Our birthday party page covers hats and decorations for adults too, and the party supply calculator estimates quantities by guest count.