Throwing birthday parties can be difficult and time-consuming, and if you’re stuck at the very first stage, deciding on a theme for your soon-to-be 2-year-olds party, you’ve come to the right place.
To make your life that little bit easier and a whole lot less stressful, I’ve put together a list of 18 incredible birthday party themes for both boys and girls, as well as games and activities to keep the little ones entertained, different food options that won’t break the bank, and party favors and gift ideas to simply cover all basis.
How to Pick a Birthday Theme for a Two-Year-Old
Last year you celebrated your baby’s first birthday, and although that was a momentous occasion, 1-year-olds can’t really do much. 2-year-olds, on the other hand, are walking, potentially talking, and they definitely have their own likes and dislikes when it comes to food, TV shows, and toys.
The easiest way to pick a theme for your 2-year-old’s birthday is to go with something they like. If your little one is currently obsessed with Baby Shark, for example, and they scream the house down every time the song finishes playing, then your best bet would be a Baby Shark-themed birthday party.
If your child has no stand-out interests, you could instead go down a more generic route with a cars, zoo, or rainbow theme.
Remember that birthday parties are meant to be fun, so don’t stress yourself out too much when picking a theme. Your little one is two, after all, and they will love any party you throw them, especially if cake is involved.
Birthday Party Themes For 2-Year-Old Boys
Although I’ve categorized the following themes into boys and girls, there is nothing stopping you from throwing a princess party for your son or a pirate-themed party for your daughter. You know your child best, and many of these themes are unisex.
Oh, Two-dles
Mickey Mouse’s clubhouse is a firm favorite in my house, and what better way to celebrate turning two than with a Disney-inspired birthday party? You can create a Mickey Mouse balloon arch with black, white, red, and yellow balloons, top the birthday cake off with an Oh, Twodles cake topper and create the ultimate table set up with a Mickey tablecloth and character centerpieces.
Two-Infinity and Beyond
If you have a little Toy Story fan, then a Two-Infinity and Beyond party starring none other than Buzz Lightyear himself would be a perfect party theme. Your balloons, party banners, and napkins can all be Buzz themed, or you can instead opt for a more generic space theme with an assortment of balloons and a rocket ship pinata.
Two-Wild
For all those wild two-year-olds out there, there is no better party theme than a Two-Wild birthday party. Decorate your venue with a selection of animal balloons or statues and a nature-inspired color palette. You can even purchase some animal headbands to turn your guests into their true inner spirit animals.
Two-Rannosaurus Rex
A dinosaur-themed party is a surefire win for most 2-year-old boys. You can make it simple with some dinosaur balloons, green tablecloths, and a cake topper, or you can go all out with a 60″ inflatable raptor, dinosaur temporary tattoos, and felt dinosaur masks.
Two-Fast Two Furious
Little boys love cars, and you can take this theme in one of two directions. The first would be theming the party towards the Disney movie Cars with banners and character cake toppers of Lightening McQueen and all his best friends.
Or you can head down the Two-Fast Two Furious route with black, red, and white balloons, race car tablecloths, and even toy race cars that your guests can take home as party favors.
Paw Patrol
Paw Patrol has been a popular kids’ show for nearly ten years now (can you believe it?), and if your 2-year-old loves Marshall, Rubble, and Chase as much as my kids do, then why not go full-blown Paw Patrol for their birthday party theme?
This Paw Patrol party balloon set is all you really need to get the party theme across. But if you want to take it up a notch, you totally can with Paw Patrol masks that let your guest pretend to be their favorite character, Paw Patrol candles to make even the simplest cake special, and a Paw Patrol create your own sippy cup activity that your guests can then take home after the party has finished.
Superheros
A superhero birthday party is another simple theme that any little boy would love. You can decorate your party space with superhero decorations and have your little ones’ friends dress up in their favorite superhero costumes.
Circus
If you’re after color, color, and even more color, then look no further than a circus-themed party. You can put up colorful balloons and banners, put together a popcorn stand so each guest can take home a popcorn bag as a party favor, and if your kids aren’t scared of people in costumes, you can even hire a clown for some light-hearted party entertainment.
Pirates
The final theme for a 2-year-old boy’s birthday party is a classic pirate theme. These adorable pirate party decorations will completely transform your venue into the ultimate pirate’s den. And to get your guests even more into the pirate spirit, you can have them dress up in this pirate set equipped with inflatable swords, eye patches, and pirate hats.
Birthday Party Themes For 2-Year-Old Girls
Again, these next girls’ birthday party themes can also be ideal themes for boys. At the end of the day, it’s your child’s party, so do whatever makes them happy!
Two-Sweet
If you’re stumped on party themes, then this two-sweet theme is a fantastic option. Think ice creams, cupcakes, donuts, and candy. I personally love this balloon arch set that comes with banners, a cake topper, balloons, and a birthday crown. And if you want a cute backdrop for photos with the birthday girl, then this two sweet birthday backdrop is an excellent option.
Tea for Two
Tea for two is a sweet little birthday party theme that you can decorate with pink girly shaded decorations and little finger sandwiches and cupcakes spread out across a table. I love the idea of having all your guests bring their favorite teddy bear to join them at the tea party, and for an afternoon activity, you can even have them decorate cupcakes or cookies.
Cocomelon
Cocomelon has made its way into everyone’s homes with a toddler at some point, so it’s no surprise that it is a great birthday party theme for both boys and girls. Bright rainbow colors, Cocomelon balloons, and these cute little Cocomelon character centerpieces are all you need to get the Cocomelon party started.
I’ve also put together an entire article on 17 Amazing Cocomelon Birthday Party Ideas. You should definitely check it out if you’re considering throwing a Cocomelon-themed party!
Frozen
I haven’t yet met a little girl who doesn’t love Frozen, and thanks to Elsa and Anna’s popularity, every guest at your party will be happy that they came. Decorate with blue, purple, and white balloons, accompany those balloons with this Frozen party decoration set, and for a little added fun, have your guests play pin the nose on Olaf while blasting the Frozen soundtrack.
That last part is completely optional, but you can’t have a Frozen party without a bit of “Let it go!” now, can you?
Check out our article on 42 Unforgettable Frozen Birthday Party Ideas.
Unicorns
A great theme for your daughter’s second birthday party is a unicorn-themed party. This unicorn party set comes with everything you’d need, including balloons, cake toppers, dinner plates, paper cups, gift bags, and a tablecloth, amongst other things.
For party entertainment ideas, you can have your guests play pin the horn on the unicorn, unicorn ring toss, or you can have them create their own unicorn mask with this scratchboard unicorn mask set.
Mermaids
In my opinion, one of the best party themes for little girls is a mermaid-themed party, and I think that because of the beautiful mermaid tail balloon arches you can make with purple, turquoise, and white balloons.
I love the theme so much, in fact, that I’ve put together an entire article on 37 Mermaid Birthday Party Ideas so you can throw the ultimate mermaid-themed party.
Disney Princesses
Whether your little one loves Cinderella, Belle, Tiana, or Aurora, a Disney princess birthday party lets your 2-year-old be queen for a day. Have your guests dress up as their favorite Disney princesses, decorate your table with this Disney princess table set, and send your guests home with tiaras and wands fit for a princess.
Peppa Pig
Peppa Pig is yet another TV show that has made its way into everyone’s home at least once since your little one was born. And as Peppa Pig is an extremely bold, vibrant, and colorful show, you can inflate balloons of all colors, lay your table with Peppa Pig plates, cups, and napkins, and you can also have a Peppa Pig backdrop which makes the perfect photo opportunity.
Fairies
A whimsical 2nd birthday party option is a party themed solely around fairies. Put together a beautiful pastel-colored balloon display, give your guests a set of fairy wings and have each of them paint their own fairy house that they can take home and display in their yard.
Games & Activities For 2nd Birthday Party
For the most part, Toddlers are fairly easy to entertain, especially if they aren’t mid-tantrum. So, finding games and activities that the little ones will love shouldn’t be too difficult. Some games and activities you can play at your party include:
- Sing-a-longs
- Dance contest
- Pass the parcel
- Simon says
- Make-a-face sticker sheets
- Bubble popping
- Finger painting (just be sure to remind your guest’s parents to bring a spare set of clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty)
- Pinatas
- Parachute
- Face painting
Food & Drink Ideas For 2nd Birthday Party
In my personal opinion, buffet-style food is the best type of food for birthday parties. It’s no secret that 2-year-olds don’t eat much, and if you don’t want to waste money on food that probably won’t get eaten, then creating a table of sandwiches, vegetable sticks, and sweet treats, for example, will be your best bet.
Alternatively, if you’re throwing the party at home, you could cook BBQ foods like hot dogs and hamburgers. And if you’re having your party at a venue, you can ask if they have food options for your guests.
Party Favors For 2nd Birthday Party
Party favors aren’t a necessity, and if you’re throwing this party on a budget, then don’t feel obliged to send your guests home with favors.
If you do want to put together a party favor, you can theme the favors to match your party theme. For example, if you’re throwing a Two-wild party, then this safari party favor set would be perfect and hassle-free. If you don’t like that idea, then you could also put together your own favors and include things like coloring books, bubbles, and crayons.
Gift Ideas For 2nd Birthday
Two-year-olds are easily pleased but if you’re stuck on a gift for your little one, then here are a few suggestions.
Pretend Kitchen Playset
Miniature kitchens are a fantastic gift for two-year-olds, and as many are made from plastic, like the Little Tikes Super Chef Kitchen, they can play with them both inside the house or outside when the weather is nice. For an extra little gift, you could also purchase a play pretend cutting food set so they can practice their chopping and cutting skills.
Toy Cleaning Set
Sticking with the play pretend gift ideas, a toy cleaning set, like this beautiful wooden 6-piece set from Melissa & Doug, will have your kids practicing important life skills while also potentially keeping your house clean at the same time. That’s a win-win in my books.
Balance Bike
My eldest loved a balance bike around the two-year mark, and not only do they help develop gross motor skills, but they also provide you with a great reason to get out of the house, which, let’s be honest, that’s something we all need from time to time. This balance bike from chillaFish is an ideal unisex option.
Crayons
By two years old, your little one should be coloring to their heart’s content, and these beeswax crayons are natural, durable, and sustainable. Sidewalk chalk is also another great option if you don’t mind your driveway being all colors of the rainbow.
Bath Toys
Bath toys are always a hit, and with so many options, you are spoilt for choice. Some of our family favorites are the hoopla octopus, foam bath letters, and bath squirter toys (just make sure you’re cleaning them thoroughly and regularly, as they can become a breeding ground for mold.)
Wooden Train Set
A wooden train set is a fun toy that will last your little one for years. They can assemble, disassemble, and then reassemble the tracks for hours on end.
Baby Doll
Girls and boys love baby dolls, and they’re never too young to have their own. This 12″ baby doll Melissa & Doug has a soft body, cleanable arms, and removable clothing, making it perfect for your 2-year-old’s birthday.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! 18 adorable party themes for your soon-to-be 2-year-old. I hope you have a wonderful time planning your party, and remember, parties are a time for fun, so don’t get too stressed out and try to enjoy the process!