10 Fun Kids' Birthday Party Ideas Slideshow

For the wee bear who fancies nursery tales, host a "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" party like Paula from Frog Prince Paperie did for her son Brannan's second birthday. After crafting paper-bag bear puppets, posing with proper grizzly accessories in a "Be the Bear" photo booth, and coloring bear paws, the kids settled down for a reading of the special story.

Boxed lunches and provisions fit for a bear were served at a four-poster twin bed converted into an adorable kids' table, where the guests munched on baked porridge with cinnamon maple frosting, marzipan acorns, and honey cupcakes. No cub left the party empty-handed, as each received a personalized porcelain bowl for breakfast and their own teddy bear with whom to share their porridge at home.

For the 4-year old who dreams of Neverland, a Peter Pan birthday can be divine. Consider what photographer mom Stacy Jacobsen did for her son Ollie's fourth birthday. Each child arrived dressed as their favorite character from the tale, and was supplied with Peter Pan hats and eye patches.

After photo shoots in front of the Hangman's Tree, painted by Stacy, and a hunt for a real treasure chest, children blissfully munched on snacks like "croc crunch" (or veggie sticks and apple slices). And for dessert, in true Peter Pan spirit, they ate cupcakes displaying messages like "Happy Thoughts," while their parents wished they'd never grow up.

Who doesn't love a just-baked cookie that they can decorate themselves? Inspired by her daughter's love for this round treat, Amy Bellgardt from MomSpark.net, hosted a cookie decorating party to celebrate the birthday.

Children connected with their inner artist by spreading varieties of colored icing, made with sugar whisked together with milk and food coloring. With tools like little paintbrushes, spoons, and a choice of colored sprinkles and other toppings, kids can create masterpieces. And after the party, the cookies make a delicious alternative to goody bags (allowing guests to remember the fun day).

Most little boys become infatuated with the sport of football well before they can wrap their little paws around the ball and send it sailing. This is certainly true for Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons blogger Jill Mills' boys.

Be inspired by tailgating décor when setting the scene. After refueling on a lunch of spaghetti and football-shaped meatballs with melted "cheese" laces while watching the game, send guests outside for a football-tossing contest in the yard, providing prizes to the kids who throw the farthest. Alternatively, set up a game of corn hole (also known as bean bag toss), dividing the kids into two teams representing a major football rivalry. Afterwards, you can go a step further and download the Sports Illustrated football rivalries app on your iPad and let the kids interact with the content, challenging each other with real football trivia questions.

For the little boy who believes he's a Jedi Master, there's nothing cooler than a Star Wars fantasy world created just for his birthday — just as Jill Mills did for her 5-year-old Jedi.

Guests dressed up and dueled with specially constructed balloon "lightsabers" with a foil handle, and jumped in a Star Wars-themed jumpy castle. The children feasted on Yoda quesadillas (spinach tortillas filled with cheese, sour cream, and black beans) and sweet and salty "lightsaber" snacks (red and green fruit roll-ups wrapped around pretzel rods like a tennis racket grip). The best part of the day was dessert, designed by Jill and her son: a "Garbage Masher" cake, inspired by his favorite Star Wars scene, with chocolate frosting, graham crackers, and pretzel rods.