Does your child love pirates? Are you ready to throw a birthday party your little pirate that they will never forget? With this list of ideas you can turn your home into a pirate’s paradise full of fun games, decorations, and treasure-filled goodies.
Let’s get started.
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Setting the Scene: Pirate Party Decorations
Transform your space into a pirate’s lair with these easy decoration ideas:
Inflatable Pirate Ship Centerpiece / Cooler
This inflatable pirate ship is marketed as a cooler, and it can be used as that, or you can use it as a large, eye-catching centerpiece for a pirate birthday party.
It’ll need to go for a fairly large table though…it measures over 3-feet long from stem to stern.
DIY OPTION: If you don’t want to go this route, you could grab a big cardboard box and turn it into a pirate ship! Paint it brown, add portholes, and stick a mast with a black pirate flag on top.
Treasure Map Table Cloth
Cover your tables with brown paper and draw your own treasure map on it using markers. The kids will love it!
Skull and Crossbones Balloons
Balloons are the ultimate party decorations, and these 36 pirate-themed balloons allow you to add a festive touch to the party.
Jolly Roger Flags and Pennants
Hang pirate flags around your space for that real pirate ship feel.
And draping a pirate banner across the room is a great way to add to additional pirate decor.
Treasure Chest
A small pirate treasure chest is a great way to serve up treats, snacks or to hold the goodie bags for later.
Pirate Ship and Ocean Backdrop (great for photos)
Paste this 7’x5′ pirate ship backdrop against a wall and it will add to the decor, and provide a great place to snap photos of all the little pirates.
Pirate Props
What’s a pirate party without the pirate costumes! You can make the props yourself or buy a pack of inflatable swords, eye patches, and pirate hats like this well-rated set from Legigo.
Pirate Birthday Party Decor Set (includes cake topper)
Organizing a kids party can be tricky. So instead of buying a bunch of separate decorations, you could buy a set like this one with includes a “Happy Birthday” banner, balloons, cupcake accessories and a cake topper.
If you want to make decorating for the pirate birthday easier on yourself, check this out.
Need food for the party? Check out these pirate party food ideas.
Fun and Games: Pirate-Themed Activities
Keep your little buccaneers busy with these pirate-inspired games:
Treasure Hunt
The main event! Hide clues around the house or yard, and let the kids search for a treasure chest filled with party favors.
It’s like a scavenger hunt, but with a pirate theme.
Each of the clues could be a small treasure map leading to the next clue.
Walk the Plank
Lay a wooden board on the ground as the “plank,” and challenge the kids to walk across it while blindfolded. It’s a hit!
Cannon Ball Toss
Blow up black balloons to use as “cannon balls” and have the kids toss them into buckets or cardboard “ships.”
Pin the Eye Patch on the Pirate Parrot
A pirate twist on the classic pin-the-tail game!
This game set comes with reusable stickers, so it will be fun at the party, and future gatherings too.
Pirate Ship Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course with “shark-infested waters” (use a blue tarp), “rocky cliffs” (scatter some cushions), and a “crow’s nest” (have them climb a ladder and ring a bell).
You could incorporate the “plank” from earlier into the game too. Just make sure you have cushions or something down in case they fall.
Treasure Dig
Bury small treasures like this set of “pirate treasure” in your backyard sandbox for the kids to dig up. They’ll love the hunt!
If you don’t have a sandbox, you could get a small tote, some bags of sand and put the sand into the tote. (Just remember to put a lid on the tote or the neighborhood cats will think its a litter box!)
Decorate a Pirate Hat
Let the kids design their own pirate hats to wear by using this free printable pirate hat template.
It is a PDF I created that hopefully your party attendees will enjoy.
Click here to get the template. It opens in a new window. (Then you can print off at home and enjoy.)
X Marks the Spot: Party Favor Ideas
Here are some take-home party bag ideas for the attendees:
- Mini treasure chests packed with chocolate coins, plastic gems, pirate tattoos, eye patches, and pirate-themed rubber ducks.
- Personalized treasure maps that lead to a small treat waiting for them at home.
- A pirate-themed coloring book and crayons to keep the fun going after the party.
- A fun spyglass or telescope toy for spotting ships at sea.
- “Hardtack” cookies (use shortbread cookies) to add a sweet pirate touch.
- Pirate-themed pencils or pens for school or fun at home.
If you want to buy a set of pirate goodie bag fillers, you can check out the set below on Amazon. It may make it a bit easier on you.
With these easy ideas, your little pirates will be talking about their birthday adventure for weeks. So grab your pirate hat, hoist the Jolly Roger, and have an amazing pirate birthday.
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