I bet you’d agree that an ice cream themed birthday party is a sure way to put a smile on everyone’s face. The good news is, you don’t have to stress about it or spend a fortune. With these simple and do-able decor ideas, you can pull off a fabulous celebration at the last minute!
Let’s dive into the details of Juniper’s Ice Cream Themed Birthday Party. I’m excited to share some of my favorite party ideas with you.
Theme
Choosing a party theme can be a daunting task for some, but for me, it’s a fun way to focus and get creative. Last year, I took inspiration from a felt flower crown and planned Juniper’s Blooming First Birthday Bash. This year, I wanted to incorporate a shared family obsession into the theme.
Juniper comes from a long line of ice cream lovers. Her grandpa, my dad, is a true fanatic. So, why not have an ice cream themed birthday party? It’s a theme that suits everyone’s tastes and is perfect for beating the scorching Orlando heat.
Invitations
For the invitations, I opted for Paperless Post, which combines the ease of digital invites with the thrill of receiving real mail. I included one of my favorite photos of Juniper relishing in a lick of ice cream. Her eyes sparkle with joy and anticipation.
We kept the guest list limited to family to keep things simple and also took the opportunity to invite everyone to our new home for a house-warming celebration.
DIY Ice Cream Themed Decor
I’m not much of a cook, but I love investing time into decorating. A few weeks before the party, I scoured Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. I found some inexpensive and do-able projects that I knew I could pull off in less than 24 hours.
Ice Cream Balloon Backdrop
Since most of the party would be spent on the back patio by the pool, I wanted to create an instant party atmosphere. Inspired by @BackdropsByAnna on Instagram, I decided to create a balloon backdrop at the food table.
Here’s a quick rundown of how I recreated this backdrop:
Supplies:
- 2 large white plastic tablecloths
- small handful of clear push-pins
- scissors
- clear heavy-duty shipping tape
- butcher paper, kraft paper, or IKEA GIVANDE wrapping paper with waffle cone pattern
- three colors of balloons
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
- Hang your tablecloths. I used plastic tablecloths as they are affordable, lightweight, and versatile. I covered a pair of french doors on our back patio with two overlapping white tablecloths, creating a blank canvas for the balloons. I secured the tablecloths with clear push-pins.
- Cut out and secure your cones. I used wrapping paper with waffle cone pattern and cut out two cone shapes. I secured them to the tablecloths using clear heavy-duty shipping tape.
- Blow up your balloons and layer them row by row. I blew up the balloons slightly smaller than full capacity to fit more side-by-side. I attached the balloons to the tablecloth using clear shipping tape. I repeated this step for each row, adjusting and securing them as needed.
- Optional: Add red balloons or construction paper to create the “cherry on top” effect.
- Optional: Purchase a matching “Happy Birthday” banner to hang across the front of the table for added decoration.
The backdrop turned out to be the centerpiece of the party, adding a festive touch and creating a fun photo backdrop.
“I Scream, You Scream” Letter Board Quote
As a fan of the felt letter board trend, I couldn’t resist including it in the party decor. I added a new quote in honor of Juniper’s birthday: “I scream, you scream, we all scream for Juniper’s second birthday!”
Here are a few other quote ideas that almost made the cut:
- Treat Yo Self
- Juniper’s Ice Cream Bar: 1. Scoop 2. Sprinkle 3. Enjoy
- A party without ice cream is just a meeting
The letter board added a touch of whimsy and served as a great prop for capturing precious moments.
Ice Cream Cone Lawn Decor
To create anticipation and set the party mood right from the start, I wanted to welcome guests with eye-catching lawn decor. I stumbled upon a brilliant tutorial by Chica & Jo for Ice Cream Cone Lawn Decor and had to try it myself.
Here’s how you can create your own ice cream cone lawn decor:
Supplies:
- bamboo skewers
- scissors
- double-sided tape or scrapbook EZ runner tape
- clear heavy-duty shipping tape
- butcher paper, kraft paper, or IKEA GIVANDE wrapping paper with waffle cone pattern
- balloons
Step-by-Step Tutorial:
- Cut out and create your cones. I used wrapping paper with waffle cone pattern to create cone shapes. I secured the sides using double-sided tape or scrapbook EZ runner tape.
- Blow up your balloons and attach them to the skewers using clear shipping tape.
- Poke the skewer through the bottom of the cone and stick it into the ground to create the desired arrangement.
- Optional: Add spray adhesive and sprinkles to the top of the balloons for a fun touch.
I lined our front driveway and walkway with these adorable ice cream cones, signaling to guests that a treat-filled celebration awaited them. The ice cream cone lawn decor was a hit with kids and adults alike!
Dinner Menu
Keeping things simple yet satisfying, we served sweet tea, pink lemonade, and light snacks like chips & salsa, veggies & dip, and hummus upon arrival. An hour into the party, Mark fired up the grill, and with the help of our nephew, Jeremiah, grilled burgers and hot dogs. We also added watermelon and Caprese Pasta Salad to the mix for a refreshing and easy-to-assemble meal.
Ice Cream Sundae Station
And finally, the highlight of the party—the ice cream sundae station! We kept it simple by offering Neapolitan and cookies & cream ice cream. As for toppings, we went all out with gummy bears, sour patch kids, coconut, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, sprinkles, Reese’s Pieces, M & Ms, chocolate shell, chocolate syrup, caramel, whipped cream, and more sprinkles!
The kids couldn’t resist flocking to the table when they saw the tray of delicious toppings. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Juniper, and everyone dug into their customized sundaes with delight.
Favors
As a parting gift, each cousin received an ice cream shooter—a throwback toy that brought back memories for many parents. I found a set of 12 ice cream shooters on Amazon, and they kept the kids entertained during the car rides home.
To Close
I hope Juniper’s Ice Cream Themed Birthday Party has sparked some inspiration for your own celebrations. Remember, party preparation doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Let’s focus on doing what we love to celebrate those we love. That’s the best gift we can give them!
Thanks for joining the party, and don’t forget to take an ice cream shooter as a parting treat! Cheers to many more joyful celebrations to come!
