How to Plan a Princess Birthday Party

Updated: May 04, 2021

Bring on the castles, glitter and balloons! Here's how to plan a princess party fit for your little royal.

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Princess Collage PhotoKidskingdomBoutique/Etsy.com, Taste of Home(2)

I couldn’t even begin to tell you how many princess parties I’ve had in my lifetime. Each year, I begged my mom for another. I have to give her credit, though: She found plenty of ways to make each party even better than the last. I can still remember all of the details, from the towering castle cake my grandmother made for me to twirling in my shimmery pink dress while I waited for my fellow princesses (and even a prince!) to arrive.

From bejeweled tiaras to sparkling confetti cakes, here’s how to plan the perfect princess party that your princess will never forget—no magic fairy dust or fairy godmother needed.

Princess Party Invitations

Roll out the royal details in style. We recommend sending your regal invitations about a month before the big day. To add a magical touch, hand-deliver them to each guest’s house. They’ll feel like they’re being invited to a magical ball.

Want to go the DIY route? Here’s a budget-friendly idea straight from my mom: Write out the necessary party information onto pretty pastel paper, roll the paper and tie it all together with gold ribbon. Voila! You’ve got a beautiful scroll invitation fit for royalty.

No time to DIY? Any of these party invitations will have your guests counting down the days until they put on their gowns and crowns.

Princess Party Decorations

Cake Smash Birthday Backdrop Fairytale Boho Prince or Princess, Party Backdrop Birthday Decor, Personalized Book Backdrop (Item - RBK700)ZCDGifts/Etsy.com

It’s time to transform your home into a magical kingdom. Luckily, it’s not that hard to add a touch of magic. Blow up some balloons, roll out a pastel pink tablecloth, hang some streamers and you’re all set. If you want to turn things up a notch, create a magical space for the birthday princess to receive gifts or pose for pictures, like a custom fairytale backdrop. Add balloons around an armchair or pile some festive pillows for a cushy seat.

Here are a few more pieces of princess party decor that should be on your list. Spoiler alert: You’re going to want them all in your shopping cart.

  • Toss some confetti in the air! This princess confetti pack will add a simple touch of elegance to any princess party.
  • Capture the fun with little ones in this giant carriage photo booth. Everyone will be lining up to get their photo taken.
  • Add a touch of flair with this pretty pinwheel decoration. It’s the perfect addition to any blank space you’re trying to decorate.

Princess Party Activities

Keep the royal highnesses entertained with a schedule of events that will make the party festive from start to finish. But don’t stress if activities don’t go quite as planned. As long as they’re having fun, your little one is bound to feel extra special.

Food Fun

Princess wands party craftTaste of Home

Start the party with this fun foodie craft. To make edible princess wands, prepare and wash strawberries, blueberries and watermelon. Then, cut watermelon slices into star shapes and place the fresh fruit on a wooden skewer. Up for more crafts? Have a decorate-your-own-tiara station filled with pre-cut paper crowns, jewels, glitter and markers.

Dress Up

Unicorn Birthday outfit unicorn bodysuit first birthday unicorn outfit baby girl birthday outfit 1st birthday unicorn tutu set unicorn shirtKidskingdomBoutique/Etsy.com

It’s not a true princess party without dress-up time. Ask the attendees to bring their favorite makeup, accessories and gowns for a princess fashion show (and have some extras on hand, too). Colorful tutus like these from Kids Kingdom Boutique are a must. Give each princess a turn to strut their stuff in true regal fashion—with stick-on earrings and plastic heels, of course.

How to Make a DIY Princess Tutu

Need a princess outfit on the fly? Making a DIY tutu is the way to go! If you have older kids at the party, you can turn this into an activity, too. Just leave handling scissors to the chaperones.

What You’ll Need:

  • Colored tulle
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors
  1. Cut the ribbon based on the princess’ waist measurements, leaving a few extra inches to tie.
  2. Next, cut strips of tulle (two times longer than your desired tutu length). Fold the strip in half and tie each strip into a slip knot onto the ribbon. Complete until the entire band is filled and poofy. If you really want to get creative, try alternating colors or adding a second layer of tulle on top for an extra-bouncy tutu.
  3. Ta-da! Give her a spin and she’s ready for the ball.

Once the princesses are all dolled up, it’s time for some games! Work off the sugar with a princess dance party and sing-along, filled with Disney princess music numbers from Frozen to Snow White. Two other fun games I enjoyed were musical “thrones” and pin the crown on the princess.

Princess Party Food Ideas

We’ve got the most magical princess party food ideas for you to try—from finger foods to the perfect princess cake. Be prepared for a bunch of frosting-covered grins by the end of the event.

Small Bites

Taste of Home

Finger foods are perfect for little hands! These darling Princess Toasts and Unicorn Mane Cookies need to be on your menu. (Psst! If there’s a tea party at your princess party, you’ll want to check out these dainty tea party foods, too.) Need a last-minute princess treat? Make a sweet-savory trail mix using pretzels, animal crackers and pastel candies for this Kiddie Crunch Mix.

Princess Cakes

Princess Layer Cake Exps Hca21 258600 B03 23 4b

I can’t think of anything more fitting for a princess party than this bright pink layered princess cake. You can even place a tiara or a sparkling wand candle on top for some extra flair. Pink velvet cupcakes are easy to grab and eat at outdoor events. Or if you want to go over the top, bust out your best decorating skills for this show-stopping unicorn cake.

Princess Party Favors

Send the princesses home with these unforgettable party favors. You may even want the guests to crack their gift bags open during the party to help them get all dolled up.

While homemade candies are a great goodbye gift, here are some of our favorite stuffers:

  • A princess needs a set of pearls and these plastic pearls are the next best thing.
  • Crown each guest with their very own tiara. This tiara set is sold in packs of 12, so make sure you snag enough for your party-goers.
  • Older tots (and their parents) will love these fairytale hair ties. With the fave of a wand, your princess’ locks will stay in place.