15 Special 3rd Birthday Party Themes

Choose a 3rd birthday party theme your little one will remember forever.

Lauren Miolene

Editor

It’s time to celebrate the end of the “terrible twos” by ringing in the big three! Now that your little one is officially three years old, you’re going to want to throw them a birthday party they’ll remember forever.

Sometimes it’s difficult to keep up with the latest kids party trends, so that’s why we’re here to help. Using these themes and our handy kids birthday party checklist are the perfect ways to celebrate your child’s special day. If you’re stumped on how to make the birthday bash extra special, consider this the ultimate party guide.

Here are 15 fun 3rd birthday party themes:

Kidchella

Kidchella 3rd birthday party themePhoto: Rita Zima/shutterstock.com

Turn the annual Coachella music festival into an unforgettable third birthday party theme. Provide a flower crown for each guest, serve trendy (kid-approved) food options like macaroni and cheese bites, and book live music that will tie the entire theme together. This theme works best hosted in an outdoor space, but you can definitely bring the desert vibes inside for this celebration.

Star Wars

Star Wars 3rd birthday party themePhoto: Leonelrochas/shutterstock.com

This is the 3rd birthday party theme you’re looking for; if your little one enjoys the action of  intergalactic battle, they’ll love a special Star Wars themed party. Decorate your space with stars, streamers, and all things space while serving delicious treats including wookie cookies, Yoda soda, and an out-of-this-world birthday cake. Give each guest their own lightsaber to bring home so they can save the galaxy, under parental supervision, of course.

Tea Party

Tea party 3rd birthday party themePhoto: FamVeld/shutterstock.com

Celebrate three with tea for an adorable, royal tea party. Little guests will love the experience of dining on cucumber finger sandwiches, sipping juice and hot chocolate, while wearing their fanciest clothes. Don’t forget to play our tea time playlist that will help set the mood for this afternoon tea.

Young, Wild, and Three

Young, Wild, and Three 3rd birthday party themePhoto: Elena Sherengovskaya/shutterstock.com

Your kiddo will only turn three once, so incorporating the age into the theme will make the party even more special. Young, Wild, and Three is a spin on the classic safari themed party with all the same wild details.

Serve mud inspired pudding cups, organize an adventurous scavenger hunt, but most importantly, book a professional animal handler to bring reptiles, monkeys, and birds to the celebration. Young, wild, and three is the perfect neutral 3rd birthday party theme for a girl or boy.

Frozen

Frozen 3rd birthday party themePhoto: Natalia Kirichenko/shutterstock.com

Most children who’ve watched Disney’s Frozen just can’t seem to “let it go!” Bring the magical world of Arendelle to life with a Frozen themed birthday party. Fill your space with blue and purple decor, serve delicious snow cones, and book a visit from Elsa and Anna themselves! Start your search for costumed characters on The Bash to turn your party into a real Disney movie.

Three Rex

Three Rex 3rd birthday party themePhoto: Anna Nahabed/shutterstock.com

If your kiddo is a dino lover, use it as a special third birthday party theme. From triceratopses, stegosauruses, and of course “three” rexes, these adventurous prehistoric creatures will help make the day even more memorable.

Turn your venue into Jurassic Park using mini volcanoes, tropical greenery, and dinosaur shaped balloons. Serve plenty of food options for guests both herbivore and omnivore so everyone will have something to snack on.

Beauty and The Beast

Beauty and the Beast 3rd birthday party themePhoto: enchanted_fairy/shutterstock.com

The tale as old as time always makes an excellent party theme. Start planning this Beauty and the Beast birthday celebration by incorporating rose decor, having a fairytale singalong, and even serving gray stuff cupcakes; don’t worry, they’re delicious! If you’re feeling extra fancy for this birthday bash, consider booking a caterer to whip up plenty of royal bites for the little princes and princesses.

Adiós Dos

Adios dos 3rd birthday party themePhoto: New Africa/shutterstock.com

Say “goodbye” to the terrible twos with an adiós dos, hello three-esta party! This 3rd birthday party theme calls for bright colors, delicious Mexican cuisine, and of course a performance from a professional mariachi band.

Friends and family will love celebrating the guest of honor with this unique fiesta featuring a traditional piñata, music, and margaritas for the adults. Find special decor to bring this 3rd birthday party theme to life on Etsy.

Marvel Universe

Marvel 3rd birthday party themePhoto: VM.Shpilka/shutterstock.com

Avengers…assemble! If the guest of honor enjoys wearing their cape to fight crime, a Marvel themed party is the way to go. The best part about MCU is that there are plenty of amazing superheroes to choose from. You can focus on a favorite or combine details for an epic, heroic birthday bash. Ask guests to wear their superhero costumes and consider booking a face painter that will help everyone transform into super humans.

Come On, Barbie, Let’s Go Party!

Barbie 3rd birthday party themePhoto: Natalia Kirichenko/shutterstock.com

Chances are, your soon to be three year old has plenty of Barbie dolls laying around, so host a pretty pink party to bring Barbie’s dream world to life. Pamper guests with mani pedis, serve deliciously pink treats, and rent a photo booth to capture all of the party memories. Find more Barbie theme party ideas on The Bash.

Third Down

Third down 3rd birthday party themePhoto: Pixel-Shot/shutterstock.com

Your little athlete will love a tailgate inspired birthday party for their big day. Choose from football, soccer, baseball; any or all sports will do for this one. Serve stadium favorites like nachos and hot dogs, arrange equipment for guests to play their favorite games outside, and broadcast live sporting events in the background. If you want to take this party to Super Bowl level, consider booking live music or an illusionist for your very own halftime show. 

The Magical World of Encanto

Encanto 3rd birthday party themePhoto: IGN

The Madrigal family knows how to throw a birthday party, so we’re taking notes from them! Celebrate your little one turning three years old with an Encanto themed birthday party that incorporates all the fun details from the movie. Book a magician to perform tricks and illusions, serve Colombian inspired dishes, and host a talent show so every guest can share their unique gift at the party.

3, 2, 1…Blast Off!

3, 2, 1...Blast off! 3rd birthday party themePhoto: SeventyFour/shutterstock.com

If you’ve wanted to host an out of this world party, now is the perfect opportunity. Transform your home into a starry galaxy with backdrops, balloons, and all things space. Little guests will enjoy getting crafty with DIY galaxy slime, playing galactic games, and dancing along to music. 

Book a professional DJ on The Bash that will play all of the top children’s songs, so you don’t have to worry about creating a playlist. Keep reading for more galaxy party ideas to celebrate your child’s third birthday.

Candy Land

Candy Land 3rd birthday party themePhoto: HTeam/shutterstock.com

Celebrate your sweetie’s special day with a candy filled dreamland! To pull off this theme you’re going to have to put your DIY skills to the test, or you can hire a professional event planner to take care of all things decor, sweet treats, and fun party activities. No matter what, you need to feature a candy bar for guests to fill individual bags for a party favor. 

A Royal Princess Party

Princess 3rd birthday party themePhoto: Elena Efimova/shutterstock.com

If your little one can’t decide on a favorite prince or princess, combine every fairytale into one royal celebration. Host the fairest third birthday party of them all by handing out plenty of crowns as party favors, playing musical thrones, and renting a castle shaped bounce house. Keep reading for more magical princess party inspiration.

For more 3rd birthday party inspiration, follow @thebash on Instagram to bring your celebration to life!

Find more theme party ideas here on The Bash.