70 Of The Best 10th Birthday Party Ideas For Boys & Girls

Gather a group of friends and set up an obstacle course in your backyard or take everyone to an adventure park. Kids can try a ropes course, zip line, climbing wall, and other challenging tasks, either competing individually, in teams or against the clock. If you decide to do things at home, you can find various Ninja courses online or in sporting goods stores. Or get creative and make your own unique course using various items like hula hoops, old tires, wooden beams, etc.

Have the party at a local arcade so kids can play games, test their skills, and have a blast. Many indoor game places also have party rooms or tables that you can book for your guests to enjoy food, cake, and drinks. Plan to get a certain number of tokens for everyone to use for the games. If the arcade games give tickets to swap for prizes, some party packages might also include a certain number of extra tickets.

If your 10-year-old is an aspiring performer, incorporating some theater games and activities into the birthday plan is a unique, fun idea. Guests can play improv games or attend a production, or the kids can write and perform their own play. If you have the party at a theater, you might be able to arrange a special meeting or Q&A session with some professional actors and actresses. Another option is to hire a company that brings performers to you.

Host your child’s party at a local park or set up an amazing spread in your backyard. You can grill, have classic outdoor games ready to go, rent a bounce house, and have a variety of snacks and desserts. Use picnic tables, spread blankets on the ground, use lawn chairs, or a combination of all of these. Kids can play, eat, run around, be loud, and have a fantastic time being together.

If you have a laser tag arena in your area, then look into booking your kid’s party there. Many offer packages with different time frames, games, and other extras. Kids and adults can play, and then all gather in your designated party room for pizza and birthday cake. Check with the venue about possible add-ons or other activities they may offer, like bumper cars, video games, or glow-in-the-dark putt-putt.

Take your child and some of their friends to a local rock climbing gym for a birthday filled with challenges and triumphs. Kids can test their limits, get some exercise, and have a lot of fun in the process. There are also companies that can come to you and set up a rock-climbing wall on-site. Either way, you’ll have a pro there to teach kids the basics and ensure things remain safe.

Kids of all ages love the zoo, and as they get older, they can do even more, learning about the animals and participating in special presentations. You can host the party at the zoo in a designated party room or simply take a small group of your child’s friends with you on the outing. If the zoo allows outside food and drink, bring some items for a birthday picnic. If you can rent a party room, ask about food options the zoo might provide. You can also look into what times the zoo does various events like animal feedings or shows and schedule your party around those times.

Make this birthday a relaxing one with a spa escape for your kid and all their friends. You can visit a local spa for mani/pedis or kid-friendly face masks. Or, you can host a spa day in your own home. For an added activity, let kids mix up their own avocado or oatmeal masks to apply to their faces. Serve refreshing smoothies and healthy snacks, play soft music, and maybe you can even snag a little bit of relaxation for yourself.

You can have a cake decorating contest at a local bakery that hosts parties or set up everything you need at home. It’s best to have your cakes already baked and ready to go. (You don’t have to have a full cake for everyone — instead, use small sizes, like smash cakes). If you’re doing it at home, ensure you have enough table space (and lots of disposable tablecloths). Gather an assortment of frostings, sprinkles, fondant, decorating tools, piping bags, and anything else kids might need for their cake creations.

Rent out a few lanes at the local bowling alley so kids can knock down pins and chow down on pizza. You can bring decorations and a birthday cake, but you’ll likely have to get your food at the venue. Kids can bowl a couple of games together and compete for the title of champion bowler. This is also a fun activity for a small group of kids to do before a sleepover.

You can take kids out to eat, to a movie, go bowling, or similar activity, then end up at your house for cake and slumber party fun. Or you can host the entire sleepover at home or go to a hotel if you’d rather not have it in your house. Organize a few games for kids to play, have some movies they can watch, or they can play video games, etc. Make sure to have some arrangements for breakfast the next morning, even if it’s grabbing a couple of dozen donuts.

You don’t need to live where there’s ice and snow to have an ice skating party. But you do need to be near an indoor ice rink if that’s the case. Whether outside or indoors, an ice skating party can be a blast if your kid and their friends are fans of the sport. If you’re at a rink, they might even have party rooms available. If not, you can go ice skating, then plan to continue the fun at a nearby eatery for some food and cake.

Does your kid love to dance like nobody’s watching? (But they really love when all eyes are on them too?) Look into dance studios that offer specialized kid classes and ask if you can book a class for your child’s birthday. They might even let you bring the cake and everything to the studio, or you can go out to eat after. Another option, if you have the space at home, is to hire a pro dancer to lead a dance class in your house.

Kids love to slide, run around, climb, and do all sorts of things, even as they get older. Having your kid’s party at a park can be a lot of fun when there’s a playground…but indoor play places offer lots of different options. Plus, you don’t need to worry about a backup plan if it rains. The venue will likely have party packages you can book that provide food, a lengthy play session, and a party host that handles everything for you. It’s an excellent way for parents to enjoy a stress-free party.

If you don’t mind a little mess (probably more like a lot of mess), consider throwing an outdoor art party. Definitely make sure you can have fun outside because this is certainly not an activity you want to do indoors. Hang up some old sheets on a clothesline, spread them on the ground (on grass is best), set up easels, etc. Have lots of brushes and washable, non-toxic paints available for kids to use. Let kids know on the invites to wear old clothes that can get covered in paint, and let everyone channel their inner artists.

Dive under the sea with a birthday at the aquarium. Kids can explore underwater exhibits, see fantastic sea creatures, and do it all with their friends. Many aquariums offer birthday party options with party rooms so you can have the birthday cake and food there too. You can also look into booking a special behind-the-scenes tour for your child and their party guests. This add-on activity can make the day extra special.

Let kids party like rockstars with a karaoke party that allows them to cut loose and sing out loud. If you have an avid shower singer or a kid who sings nonstop, this is definitely the party for them. You can find party places that specialize in hosting karaoke parties or buy a karaoke machine, load up some of your kid’s favorite tunes and let it be the main attraction at a party in your house.

It doesn’t need to be Halloween to have a costume contest. It’s a great idea any time of year, especially if your child and their friends love to create different costumes. You can even challenge people to design and make their own outfits for the contest instead of going with store-bought options. For added fun, take everyone out for pizza or hamburgers in costume or have them put on an improv show as their characters.

Check out the schedules for local sports games in your area and consider scheduling your child’s birthday party during a game. Bring kids to the stadium or ballpark, chow down on classics like hot dogs, nachos, and cotton candy, and cheer for your favorite team. Have face paint so they can show their team spirit, or let them design and create posters before the game. It doesn’t have to be a pro team, either. Many 9-year-olds might have a local high school whose football or basketball team is a big deal to them.

A crafting party is an outstanding way to celebrate for artists, creators, dreamers, designers, and kids with big imaginations. You can have some guided crafts if you want. But things really get amazing when you let kids come up with creations all on their own. Provide basic supplies like glue, scissors, and tape, and then throw in a bunch of craft materials. You can use fabric and paper scraps, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, pom poms, and more. Recyclables are another great addition, including empty cereal boxes, cardboard tubes, plastic bottles, and other odds and ends.

If your kid is into engineering and science, let them build some robots with their party guests. You can purchase a few STEM robotics kits for kids to work on together at the party. Depending on what you choose, they can work on individual units that they get to take home or work as a group to make a large robot for the birthday kid. (If you choose the latter, consider putting “instead of gifts” on your invites). Or, you can hire an outside company that brings all the necessary components and knowledge to your home. They can guide kids through the process, answer questions, and teach them various concepts.

You can get really creative when it comes to movie nights, or you can keep things simple. Friends can gather at your house to watch a movie and have fun munchies. Or, you can go to a movie theater that serves food or see if they have a party room you can use for the cake. Another fun option is to set up a projector outside and enjoy a movie night under the stars. Pop some popcorn, have movie theater candy classics, comfy places to sit, and add in some fun props that coincide with the film.

Do you have a little detective living under your roof? Does your kid love to do puzzles and solve mysteries? You can invite people over to play an escape room in a box game. Or, if you have an escape room venue in your area, book a room for the party. Remember that many of these locations only provide sessions for a maximum number of people. Some only go as high as 6, but others could be open to 8 or 10 people. So talk with the company to decide which mystery would be the best for your party.

No matter where you go these days, you’re likely to find a trampoline park or several nearby. They have fast-become popular places for kids and adults to play, blow off steam, and even get in a great workout. You can book a party room at a jump place and have all your guests jump, run, climb, and play to their hearts’ content. Then your party host will help round everyone up into your designated party room for pizza, cake, and drinks.

Music lovers would enjoy attending a concert of their favorite artist along with some of their closest friends. It makes a great birthday gift and celebration, all in one fun package. You can sweeten the deal with a fun dessert shop after the event or let the kids sleep over afterward. Grab some dinner before the concert, or arrange to have everybody meet at your place ahead of time for pizza.

Summertime birthdays open the doors to all sorts of added party options. You can set up some fun water play in your yard with sprinklers, water balloon fights, an inflatable water slide, etc. Or, if you have a pool, throw a pool party with food and snacks outside. You can also look into renting some pool time at a local rec center for your kid’s birthday. If you’re a member, they often offer discounted rates.

Set up a spy-style party with NERF guns and blasters and other accessories, and place various obstacles throughout your yard. Give kids a mission and place them on opposing teams to try and battle their way to victory. For example, you can set up a special prize or treasure hidden somewhere in your yard. Kids have to attempt to reach it without getting hit. (Be prepared to referee) If the weather’s warm, make it a super soaker party.

Visiting a local museum that caters to your child’s interests creates a learning opportunity and birthday party in one. It might be a science museum, a local history museum, or perhaps a military park. Talk to the museum about the possibility of bringing a group there for a birthday party. Some museums have party rooms available, especially ones geared more toward kids. If not, they might offer a special tour, and you can go out after to a restaurant to enjoy food and birthday cake.

If your son or daughter loves to experiment in the kitchen, hire a pro chef to conduct a cooking class for their birthday. Some chefs will come to your home with the necessary supplies and ingredients. But, if you don’t have the space (or just don’t want the mess in your kitchen), you can look into local cooking classes. Some options are if you happen to have cooking schools in your area, or some restaurants will offer occasional courses. You might also be able to set something up at a local community college that offers a culinary program.

Minute-to-win-it games come in all different forms, but they have one thing in common. You need to complete them in a minute or less to win, and the fastest person becomes the champion. You can let kids compete against each other or simply challenge them to finish tasks within one minute. Some examples are stacking plastic cups in a specific configuration or trying to blow a ping-pong ball across a surface using a drinking straw. To ramp up the challenge, have kids attempt some of the games blindfolded.

You can go camping with your family for your child’s birthday and let them invite one or two friends along. This could be ideal if your kid prefers a more intimate celebration and loves to camp. You can rent a cabin or a tent site, or if you have a camper, that’s another option. If going to a campground isn’t in the cards, host a sleepover, but let the kids camp out in the backyard overnight. Tell stories around a campfire, roast marshmallows, go for a hike, grill burgers, and let your child guide the activities.

A day trip to a farm provides all sorts of activities that can be an excellent birthday celebration for many kids. Especially if your child loves animals, let them invite a few friends and visit a nearby farm. You can feed animals, pick berries or produce, learn how various products are made on the farm, ride a tractor, and get a tour of the facilities. Let the owners know you’re coming for a birthday visit to see if you can arrange a unique activity or tour.

Various companies provide science activities and experiments they will do at your house or a location of your choice. They’ll bring everything necessary to teach kids and guide them through a predetermined experiment. If your child loves science, then this idea is a winner. There are also places that you can go to and book a session if you would rather not hold the party at home. For extra fun, have lab coats and safety goggles for all the participants to take home. (Outside companies will likely require the kids to wear safety items and provide certain things.)

Kids love to get messy, be competitive, and run around, so paintball becomes a no-brainer. But, for many places, kids need to be at least 10 to play paintball, and often older is better. But, you can create a kid-friendly paintball party using throwable paintballs instead of guns. You can find various ways to make the balls online, like water balloons with paint. Make sure to hold the party outside, use washable paint, and give the kids a heads-up to wear old clothes.

Scavenger hunts are an excellent way for kids to work together and engage in healthy competition. Give kids lists of items they need to find by a specific time. They must go and seek out the objects and return to a set location once they’ve completed the list. Cater the lists to go with where you are for the party. Some items can be virtual — like a picture of yourself with a stuffed animal, a pic of a ladybug, etc.

Hire a magician to come and amaze your child and their friends. Or see a show at a local theater. If you’re attending a show, if you let them know you’re there for a birthday, they might be able to arrange a little extra fun. For example, giving your kid a birthday shout-out or calling them up on stage to participate in the performance.

Have a skating park at the roller rink, complete with skate time, skates, birthday cake, and food. They likely have party plans that provide different timed sessions and certain food items. You can bring in your own cake, and you might even be able to rent out the rink for an hour or so if you prefer a private party. Some places offer special rates for certain slower times, for example, if you have the party on a Monday-Thursday night, etc.

Bring out the LEGOs for an ultimate creating and building party that lets kids use their imaginations and show off their skills. Kids can work together to make structures or have their own version of LEGO Masters in your living room. Make sure you have enough LEGOs to go around and set up separate stations if people opt to work on individual masterpieces.

Instead of throwing a party, ask your child if they’d prefer to go somewhere special. You can take the money you would spend on a big birthday bash and put it toward a fun vacation. It could be a weekend getaway to their favorite place or exploring a new city none of you have been to. Let your child participate in the planning and choosing, and deciding on the destination. If willing and able, let your kid invite a close friend for the experience.

You can visit a  farm or stables that offer horseback riding services and arrange for a session for your group. Let them know it’s mostly kids and their ages, so you make sure to find a place that can accommodate you. The handlers will make sure to choose horses that are a good fit for the kids, whether beginners or seasoned riders. You can go on a horseback ride, tour the stables, and might be able to set up a chance for kids to brush or feed the horses.

Have kids meet at a sip-and-paint or paint-the-pottery-type place for a birthday painting session. You can also hire a professional artist to come to your home to lead kids in creating a specific artwork. If you opt for the latter, the pro will bring all the necessary supplies. You can provide fun snacks and treats for kids to nibble on while they paint. If you go to a specific venue, ask them about their rules for bringing snacks and drinks.

Have everyone get dressed up and go to a fancy restaurant. Depending on your budget, you can keep it just the family or have your child invite one or two close friends. Tell the host or hostess you’re there to celebrate a birthday, as many restaurants will do something special or provide an extra dessert. Let your kid get a taste of being a grown-up for their special day.

If your kid wants to enjoy a more casual, laid-back party with friends, invite people over to have a night filled with board games and jigsaw puzzles. Let kids bring their favorite games, and have lots of munchies on hand for kids to snack on as they play. If you want, let your kid’s friends stay over and play into the wee hours of the morning. Make sure to have some breakfast options ready for the next day if you decide to turn things into a slumber party.

Kids can get wet and wild at a water park for their birthday by splishing and splashing at a water park. They can tackle huge waterslides, wave pools, tube rides, and more while enjoying spending time with their friends. You can bring food and the cake with you and have it at a table or rent a room if available. It can be a party for a large group, or you can keep it small with just a few close friends.

Zoom through your kid’s birthday at the go-kart track and let kids race and compete for the racing crown. You can find outdoor and indoor go-kart courses, so search for one near you. Many also include extra activities like laser tag, bumper boats, or an arcade if they’re in an entertainment complex. Book a party package so you can also get a designated area for kids to eat together.

Aspiring athletes and sports fans can bring the game to their birthday with a training camp session. A baseball or football camp or other sports practice facility can offer group sessions to kids to practice their skills and learn more about the game. Book a session for your child and their friends, and arrange to enjoy some food and cake when the session is over.

Dress in your fanciest clothes and go to high tea with finger sandwiches, fruit and cheese, mini cakes, scones, and flavored teas. Bring your child and their friends to a tea room, or host an elegant tea party at your house. If the weather is nice, set up fancy tables and chairs for a sophisticated garden party.

Host a video game marathon for avid gamers with multiple consoles and televisions. You can rent a video game truck or bus from gaming companies specializing in bringing the action to your driveway. Kids can lounge in swanky style as they play some of their favorite games.

Go to a nearby amusement park or carnival with a group of your child’s friends to celebrate their birthday. They can eat junk food, ride rides, play booth games for prizes, and enjoy each other’s company. If you visit the park at night, consider letting your kid’s friends come over after to sleep over.

Take a trip to the beach for some fun in the sun and sand. Have a sandcastle competition, bring a frisbee or football, grill out on the beach, and splash in the waves. Let your kid invite a couple of friends for a beach blast and if able, rent a nearby hotel room so they can carry the party over to the hotel pool.