Planning a ten-year-old's birthday party might seem like a huge task, but we know that organising a special celebration for your child is important for you and for them. This is everything you need to know, from venues to food to gifts.

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Indoor party ideas

Now that your child is approaching ten years old, you have a little more freedom when it comes to birthday parties, as they'll now be old enough for a wider variety of activities. Plus, they'll likely be a seasoned attendee of their friends' and classmates' birthday parties, so they'll have a stronger idea of party structure and probably a better idea of exactly what they want!

If they've enjoyed a few of their younger birthdays at home, this might be the time to branch out to an exciting external party venue. However, at this age it can also be nice to spend quality time with a few close friends at home.

There are plenty of other indoor venues to choose from that cater to different budgets, so why not try some of our ideas below?

Your own home

Even if your child has had some of their younger birthday parties at home, there are plenty of ways to make an at-home party fun and feel like a treat!

By ten years old, your child will probably love the idea of a sleepover with their closest friends - and they might have even already attended one at a friend's house too. It's a good idea to keep the numbers small; no more than five friends is ideal. A handy trick is to try to get it to an even number in total if possible, so that nobody ends up feeling left out.

Remember that some of your guests might be a little nervous, or it might be their first sleepover at a non-family member's house. But line up some films for them to watch, and some snacks as a treat, and they'll likely settle in easily!

For a sleepover or simply a daytime party, you could also host a spa at home . Have the kids wear slippers and robes and treat them to some child-friendly treatments, like having their nails or toenails painted or a cucumber eye mask. They'll love being pampered !

You could also host a cookie or cake decorating party for some extra fun at home . Just grab some icing, sprinkles and any extra decorations and let your guests go wild! Or if you want to go the extra mile, you could help the kids to bake cookies or cupcakes themselves. Plus, they'll love eating something they've made!

Other at-home party ideas for a smaller group include an arts and crafts party where everybody makes something to take home, or a karaoke party where each guest takes it in turns to perform. Just pop the lyrics up on YouTube and get a microphone for added effect!

You can buy karaoke kits, with access to a library of songs. You can buy this karaoke kit by Lucky Voice, here at Amazon.

Activity parties

By ten years old, your child will most likely be starting to develop their own hobbies, and an activity party is a great way for them to do something that they love on their birthday. Whether they're a budding dancer, footballer or actor , check to see if their local club hosts birthday parties.

Bowling

If your child would rather be active on their birthday, a bowling party is another great option. Hiring the lane for an hour or two will be enough time - and the kids will love the competitive spirit! Just perhaps keep some small prizes on hand in case anyone gets upset about losing.

Laser tag

Now that your child is older, a party at your nearest laser tag centre will be really exciting! A group of around 8-12 kids is ideal and you'll be able to watch the kids get competitive! Plus, this is a fun one for adults to join in with too.

Games usually last for around half an hour and you can sit down for food afterwards if you arrange a birthday package, so it's nice and hassle-free.

Some Laser Quest centres also include a climbing wall, which will be another exciting activity for your little one and their friends to get involved with!

An aquarium

For an alternative day trip out, your ten-year-old will now be old enough to properly appreciate a trip to the aquarium - and they'll likely be floored by the huge fish! This is an ideal party for a small group and a great chance to do something a bit different.

Swimming pool party

By ten years old, you might feel that your child and their friends are old enough for a swimming pool party. Swimming parties can be loads of fun, especially if the pool provides inflatables to play on! Different children's confidence levels can vary a lot at this age when it comes to swimming, but most pools will have a shallow end or a baby pool for less-confident swimmers.

You'll usually need a large amount of adult supervisors for a swimming party, unless the pool provides them, so ask parents in advance if they'll be able to help out.

You can browse your local swimming pools here .

A joint birthday party

If your child's birthday falls around the same time as one of their close friends, it can be a nice idea to throw a joint birthday party for them. They'll be able to invite more guests and it'll help the two birthday boys or girls form a special bond which will be carried forward for years to come. Some children will love sharing their celebrations with a friend but others won't, so if you think your child will get jealous it might be best to steer clear.

Outdoor party ideas

Exotic animal party

If you've got a little animal-lover and feel that farm animals just don't cut it anymore, then an exotic animal party is sure to impress them! You can arrange for the party provider to come to your house or venue with a collection of their most impressive creatures, from spiders to snakes to birds of prey. This will definitely be a memorable event so make sure to have your camera at the ready!

The zoo

Another animal party option is to take a small group of friends on a day trip to the zoo. This is a great option if you want a long and fun-filled day out - and it'll be a great chance for your child to spend some quality time with their closest friends! Some zoos will offer party packages, but the kids will have just as much fun with a regular ticket and a day of looking at the animals.

It's better to keep your group small so that nobody gets lost - and stick some pillows in the car as they'll likely be worn out by the time you're ready to drive home!

Theme park

At ten years old, you might feel that your child is old enough to enjoy a day trip to a theme park with a few close friends. As well as the rides in the park, birthday packages will often get you added extras like a buffet, goodie bags and unlimited photos from the rides - which make for great keepsakes! Just check in advance that your guests will be old enough and tall enough for the rides at your chosen park - and be prepared for nerves!

Adventure playground

You might not feel that your child is ready for a big and scary theme park, so if that's the case then an adventure playground could be a great alternative.

Many will include climbing equipment and obstacle courses, crazy golf and even mini go karts . So, if your child loves being active, this is sure to excite them!

Outdoor cinema

Creating a really special experience for your child in the comfort of your own home can be easier than you might think! Simply set a up a projector in the garden and use a bedsheet as the screen (unless you have your own screen) to create a cosy outdoor cinema. Small projectors can be reasonably cheap, and some will even link to your smartphone.

The kids will love the feeling of 'camping out' in the garden, and if you want to extend the experience even more then you could grab some tents and let them properly 'camp' outside.

However, be prepared that they likely won't spend the whole night out there (and you probably won't want them to either). Perhaps suggest that they have a few hours in a tent in the early evening, before coming to sleep inside or heading home. The novelty of the tent will probably have worn off by then, too!

Garden party

For a daytime garden party , you could host a picnic, complete with all of your child's favourite foods. Alternatively, turn it into a tea party to make your ten-year-old feel even more grown up!

Simply lay out a long table or some picnic blankets, and decorate the garden however you like! Bunting, balloons and a fun tablecloth will be easy to pull off (just make sure nothing blows away!). And for some extra fun, you could hire a bouncy castle , or organise some ball games.

During the summer months, a water play party in shallow paddling pools will be endless fun and something a bit different. Just of course make sure to supervise at all times.

Who to invite

By this age, your child will most likely have close group of friends, and their birthday is a great chance for them to spend quality time together!

How many children you invite will mostly depend on where you're hosting the party, which will help to make the decision for you. But a general etiquette rule is that if your child has been invited to a classmate's birthday party, then it's only kind to invite them back.

If you're hosting your child's party at a venue, you'll need to consider the per-head cost before inviting a big group. Plus, there might be a limit on how many children can attend. For a day trip, you might find it easier to keep the guest list to a small group of close friends - especially if you want to fit them into one or two cars.

When it comes to invitations , it's a nice idea to get your child to make them themselves on a computer or tablet, so they feel even more involved. It's ideal to send invites out between two to four weeks in advance, and ask for RSVPs early too so that you can get organised.

Games and activities

At ten years old, your guests might be a little old for traditional party games like pass the parcel or musical chairs, but they'll still be keen to take part in some other fun activities! Older kids will be able to understand complex rules and will enjoy taking part in team games, too.

While your guests will be old enough to not get too upset at the thought of losing, it's still a good idea to have some smaller prizes available to hand out to everyone - so that nobody feels left out if they don't win the game.

At this age, some children might also be happy to sit and get on with some craft activities in smaller groups, so you could always set up a craft table for those who don't want to join in with a loud game.

Try a game of wink murder , bingo or charades to get everybody involved. While your child might think they have outgrown games like pin the tail on the donkey, why not put a spin on it and play 'pin the accessory on the popstar'? Simply print out a photo of your tween's favourite celeb and an accessory of your choice. It'll feel much more grown up!

For something more elaborate, you could set up an obstacle course - even simple household items like boxes and blankets make great props! Similarly, you could host a scavenger hunt where kids search for specific items, or a treasure hunt where they follow a trail of clues. Or for something that adults will enjoy too, why not try a game of limbo ?

You can buy ready-made limbo games to make things easier. See more details here at Amazon.

Check out some more party games for ten-year-olds here.

Food and drink

Party food

If you're hosting your party at an organised venue, like a swimming pool or an activity party, it's likely that party food will be included, which will take the hassle away from you! However, if you're at home, in the garden, or bringing your own food to a party, here are some ideas of what to include...

Finger foods: Your guests will be having so much fun that it's unlikely you'll get them to sit down and eat for long, so small, bite-sized food is your friend here!

If you’re worried about making sure there’s enough food to go around, consider filling up a cardboard meal box for each child. That way, you know no one will miss out and they can always take it home if they're having too much fun for food.

Party foods like mini hot dogs , mini pizzas and finger sandwiches will go down well, and make sure to include some carrot , cucumber or pepper sticks too as a healthy option.

Make-your-own food: If you're at home or hosting a sleepover, it's a nice idea to get the kids involved in preparing the food. You could get some plain mini pizza bases and have the kids decorate with their own toppings, or build a make-your-own sundae bar. They'll love eating food they've made themselves!

Eating out: If you're out on a day trip, you might want to treat kids to some food while you're there. Or you might feel that they're old enough to sit down to eat in a cafe or restaurant (if your group is small enough to manage!). Just make sure to check with parents for any dietary requirements.

For more ideas, check out our party food guide here .

Drinks

If you want to give kids a healthy drink that still feels like a party treat, go for sparkling water with added pieces of real fruit. And if you do want to give them fizzy drinks, perhaps do so after the food so they're not too full of sugar to eat anything.

Fruit juices and smoothies are also OK in moderation, and make sure that juice squashes are well-diluted.

As a handy tip, if you’re at home and are worried about damaging furniture or carpets, keep the food and drink in a designated room or the garden. You'll thank yourself later!

Birthday cake

There are plenty of different options for birthday cake, depending on how much of a baker you are!

If you're opting for a themed party and want the cake to match, most supermarkets will sell themed birthday cakes - or you can contact your local cake maker for something extra personal. Guaranteed your ten-year-old will love seeing all their favourite things in icing form!

For a middle-ground hack, buy a supermarket sponge cake and add the personalised decorations yourself. The kids won’t know any different and it's an easy way to create something unique at a low price. We've got plenty of cake decoration ideas for you to follow here , from castles to trains , or your child's favourite fictional character - whatever they'll love the most!

If you fancy baking your own cake, browse our library of recipes , from cupcakes to chocolate cake or rainbow cake , plus gluten free and egg free options, too.

Desserts

For extra dessert options other than cake, it’s a good idea to have some finger bites available, like little chocolate pieces or popcorn (though not too many!) and sliced pieces of fruit like melon, strawberries and banana to make sure the kids get something healthy too.

Jelly and ice cream is another classic party dessert, and one that the kids will love. To make it that touch healthier why not try some of our fruity ice cream recipes ? Alternatively, you can serve sorbet as a dairy-free option that goes down a treat with kids.

Gift ideas

Whether you’re buying for your own child or giving gift ideas to friends and family, you want to make sure your child gets some birthday gifts they'll love!

At ten years old, not only will your child have developed their own likes and dislikes, but they'll probably also be considering what's 'cool' when it comes to presents. The good news is: they'll most likely write you a clear list of what they want!

If you've got a little bookworm, they'll now be old enough for some pre-teen or young adult fiction books - a great gift for encouraging them to read alone.

Or if they're into tech, a cool gadget like a kids' drone will be really exciting! To take it up a notch, try a coding toy, like the Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit , where kids can programme and control their own droid from their smartphone app.

Meanwhile, for a creative present try a make-your-own kit , whether it's for perfume or jewellery, which will keep them busy. Otherwise, outdoor gifts like a bike or a scooter will mean hours of fun!

Have a browse through some more of the best gifts for ten-year-olds here.

Party bags

Now that your child is a little older, they'll probably want to say goodbye to 'childish' party bag toys and have their gifts seem 'cooler'. If you're hosting at an organised venue, party bags will often be included so you won't need to worry. But if you're putting them together yourself, here are some ideas of what to include ...

For some more 'grown-up' gifts, you could include some small bits of child-friendly make-up, like lip balms , nail polishes or a cute mirror. Games like Top Trumps cards, or other playing cards and collector's cards will also seem like more grown-up presents.

Fun practical gifts like a 'make your own bracelet' kit can be fun for girls or boys, especially if it's a friendship bracelet which matches everybody else's.

Other practical gifts like a small paint set and fun stationery like pencils , rubbers and notebooks will always end up being used! And throw in some sweets too to treat them.

At this age, you might want to give children one large gift instead, like a football , rather than lots of little things that could end up being thrown away.

If you're worried about the plastic waste, paper or fabric bags are great alternatives. Oh, and don't forget the cake !

Check out more party bag ideas here.

Tips for a great tenth birthday party

As with any party, planning ahead and getting organised with a list of everything you’ll need to do in advance of the big day will make things a whole lot easier. These top tips should help things run even more smoothly:

• Child-to-adult ratio: If you're hosting somewhere where you'll need extra adult supervision, like a swimming pool, make sure to ask in advance if parents are able to stick around (or state it on the invitation) and check ahead of time how many adults you will need. If you're taking a group out on a day trip to somewhere like an aquarium or a farm, be sure to plan ahead when it comes to how you'll actually get there. If everyone won't fit in your car(s), ask a family member or a parent of one of your guests in advance if they'll also be able to help with lifts. Plus, if they stick around they'll get to enjoy the party too!
• Write down the gifts your child receives and who they're from as soon as your child opens them. You'll thank yourself later when it comes to writing thank-you notes!
• Set an end time on your invitations. If you're hosting at an organised venue, the party will have a time limit. But if you're hosting at home or elsewhere, make sure you specify an end time on the invitations. This way, guests won't outstay their welcome and all the parents will know what time to arrive to pick up.
• Ask for your child's input. At this age, your child will have a better idea of what they want to do and who they want to invite than they have done in previous years, so it's a nice idea to involve them in the planning. Have them help to make the decorations or some invitations on a computer or tablet to give their party that extra personal touch!
• Create a photo album. Make sure you have your phone at the ready to take tonnes of pictures during your child's big day! However, it can be easy for photos to end up forgotten about in the digital ether. It's a nice idea to create a physical photo album to add to for each of your child's birthdays. That way, you won't forget about the pictures and they'll be fun to look back on!

Looking for more birthday party ideas? Check out our articles below, or swap tips with other parents in our forum.

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