Planning a child’s birthday party is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming – especially for busy Singaporean parents. You want to throw a fun, memorable celebration for your little one without forgetting any details. Fret not! We’ve put together a handy checklist of kids party essentials to help you plan a stress-free kids’ birthday party. From balloons and themed tableware to goodie bags and gift wrap, we’ll cover all the practical and fun must-haves. And the best part? You can find all these items at a one-stop shop, iPartyMart, a Singapore brand known for fast local delivery and a wide range of high-quality, practical products. Let’s get the party started!

1. Pick a Theme and Plan the Basics
Every great party starts with a fun theme. Involve your child in choosing a theme – whether it’s their favorite cartoon character, a superhero adventure, pretty princesses, or just a color they love. A clear theme will guide the rest of your planning and make decision-making easier. Once you have a theme, you can coordinate invitations, decorations, and even games around it for a cohesive feel.
Don’t forget the basics of planning: set the date and time (consider nap times for younger kids and maybe avoid the hottest part of the afternoon if outdoors), and decide on the venue. Will you host it at home, in a condo function room, or perhaps at a nearby park or play gym? In Singapore’s climate, an indoor or sheltered venue can be a lifesaver in case of sudden rain or heat. Once these basics are settled, send out your invitations early. You can opt for cute themed e-invites via WhatsApp or printed invites that match your theme. Early RSVPs will help you prepare enough food and goodies for everyone.
Checklist Tip: Guest list & invites: Write down all the names of the kids (and parents) invited. This will help later when preparing goodie bags and seating. Plus, make sure to note any dietary restrictions when planning the menu or cake.
2. Decorations: Balloons, Banners & More
No kids’ party is complete without festive decorations to set the mood. Balloons and banners instantly transform any space into a celebration zone. Here are the decoration essentials to check off your list:
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Balloons: Balloons are a must-have for birthdays! Go for a mix of regular latex balloons and eye-catching foil balloons. You can choose balloons in theme colors or printed with favorite characters. Consider big number balloons to highlight your child’s age, or even a DIY balloon garland kit for a stunning backdrop. Tip: Fill some balloons with helium (if available) so they float, and scatter some on the floor for kids to play with. Check out our balloon bundles here – iPartyMart offers convenient balloon sets that match popular themes, making decorating a breeze.
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Happy Birthday Banner: A bright banner saying “Happy Birthday” adds a focal point to your party space. Hang it on the wall or across a doorway. You can even get a personalized one with your child’s name for extra excitement.
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Streamers & Hanging Decor: Crepe paper streamers, bunting flags, pom-poms, or hanging swirl decorations add color everywhere. Drape streamers from the ceiling or along tables. Hang paper lanterns or tassel garlands in matching colors to fill empty spaces. These little touches make the venue feel festive and fun.
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Table Decor & Centerpieces: If you have a main party table (perhaps for the cake or snacks), decorate it too! A themed tablecloth (more on tableware later) plus a cute centerpiece can tie the look together. For example, for a superhero theme, you might place some action figures or comic-style word cutouts as table decor. For a princess theme, a small vase of flowers or tiaras can be lovely. Balloons can also double as centerpieces if anchored in a weighted holder.

Remember, iPartyMart has you covered for decorations. As a local Singapore party supplier, we stock high-quality balloons that won’t pop easily and vibrant banners and decor to match any theme. And if you’re in a pinch, our fast local delivery means you can get your party decor in no time.
3. Tableware & Cake Cutting Essentials
When it’s cake and food time, having the right tableware is essential for a smooth party experience (and easy cleanup!). Save yourself the dishwashing – go for fun, themed disposable tableware that kids will love. Here’s what to prepare:
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Themed Plates and Cups: Choose paper plates and cups that match your party theme or color scheme. Whether it’s cartoon characters or just bright polka dots, kids will be delighted. Make sure to have enough plates for cake and any other snacks or meals you’re serving. It’s wise to have a few extra in case of surprise guests or dropped plates.
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Napkins: Messes are inevitable when kids and cake are involved! Have plenty of napkins on hand, ideally in a matching theme or color. They add to the decor and make post-cake cleanup much easier.
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Utensils: If you’re serving food that isn’t finger-friendly, have disposable forks and spoons ready. Even for cake, some guests (especially parents) might appreciate a fork. You can find colorful plastic utensils or even wooden biodegradable ones for an eco-friendly touch.
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Tablecloth or Table Cover: Protect your table and make it festive with a themed tablecloth. iPartyMart offers table covers featuring popular kids’ themes and vibrant solid colors. A tablecloth not only makes cleaning spills easy (just roll it up and toss it after the party), but it also ties your decoration theme together.
Setting up a self-serve snack or dessert table? Arrange the plates, cups, and napkins in an inviting way. You can even label fun drinks or foods with small tent cards that match the theme. For example, at a dinosaur-themed party, label the fruit punch as “Dino Juice” – little details like this make the party memorable! And don’t worry – all these kids party essentials like plates, cups, and more are available at iPartyMart, so you can mix and match to suit your theme.

4. Don’t Forget the Cake (and Candles!)
The birthday cake is the star of the show (after the birthday child, of course!). Whether you’re ordering a custom cake from a local bakery or baking one at home, make sure you’ve got the cake-time essentials ready:
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Cake Stand or Platter: Have a nice cake stand or plate to display the cake. This makes for great photos during the candle-blowing moment. It doesn’t have to be fancy – even a large decorative tray works. Just something sturdy and presentable.
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Birthday Candles: It’s not a birthday without candles to blow out! This is one item that’s surprisingly easy to overlook until the last minute. Stock up on candles that match your theme or age. You can go classic with small colorful candles or use big number candles for the birthday age. There are also fun options like sparkler candles or relighting candles for a bit of magic and laughter. iPartyMart offers a variety of candles, including glittery numbers and themed sets, so be sure to grab those ahead of time.
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Cake Cutter & Lighter: Many parents forget to have a lighter or matches on hand to light the candles – don’t be that parent frantically searching the kitchen drawers! Put a lighter on your checklist. Also, have a knife or cake cutter for slicing the cake, plus a big serving spoon or spatula to lift the slices. These might not be sold at a party store, but you’ll likely have them at home – just set them aside beforehand so they’re handy when needed.
If your dessert includes cupcakes or little treats, consider getting some cute cupcake toppers or wrappers that fit your theme. These small extras (often available in party stores) make your spread look professionally planned. And when it’s time to sing “Happy Birthday,” you’ll be glad you remembered all these little essentials that make the moment go smoothly.
5. Party Hats & Dress-Up Fun
One of the simplest ways to get kids into the party spirit is with party hats and costumes. Handing out silly hats or accessories at the door can set a festive mood immediately. Kids absolutely love dressing up, and it makes for adorable photos!
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Birthday Party Hats: Those classic cone hats never go out of style for younger kids. You can get them in almost any theme or color. Simply pop a hat on each child’s head as they arrive, and watch the smiles appear. For variety, iPartyMart has not only the traditional cone hats but also themed headbands or tiaras (think princess crowns, superhero masks, animal ear headbands, etc.). Choose one that fits your theme – for example, cowboy hats for a Wild West theme or animal masks for a jungle theme.
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Dress-Up Accessories: Depending on your theme, consider adding some inexpensive dress-up props. For a pirate theme, give out eye patches or bandanas. If it’s a superhero party, have some simple capes or masks available. Having a costume element makes the party extra immersive and fun for the kids. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or costly – even a paper crown for the birthday boy or girl can make them feel special.
Make a little “dress-up station” near the entrance or the gift table, where kids can grab their party hat or accessory. Not only will the children giggle with excitement, but parents will appreciate the cute take-home item as a souvenir. And yes, all these fun party hats and accessories can be found at iPartyMart, so you can check this off your list with ease.

6. Games, Activities & Entertainment
Now that your party space looks amazing, let’s make sure the kids are entertained! Planning a few simple games or activities will keep the children engaged and laughing throughout the party. You don’t need to hire a professional entertainer if it’s not in your budget – plenty of classic kids’ games are easy to set up with minimal supplies.
Some fun activity ideas to consider:
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Interactive Games: Traditional party games like Musical Chairs, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, or Duck Duck Goose never fail to get kids giggling. Adjust them to your theme (for example, Pin the Eye Patch on the Pirate for a pirate theme) for an extra twist. Prepare any materials needed (like a music playlist for Musical Chairs, or a poster and stickers for Pin the Tail).
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Craft or Coloring Station: Set up a small table with coloring pages or a simple craft that matches the theme. For instance, at a unicorn party, kids could decorate their own unicorn horns (provide paper cutouts and stickers). At a superhero party, have blank masks for kids to color. This gives a calm activity for kids who might need a break from running around.
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Piñata and Prizes: Kids love piñatas! A piñata filled with candy or small toys is both a game and a source of goodies. Choose a piñata design that fits your theme (perhaps a treasure chest for pirates or a giant cupcake shape for a generic birthday theme). Make sure you have a sturdy string to hang it and a light stick for batting it. Always supervise this game for safety, especially with younger children. If a piñata isn’t your style, you can instead prepare a lucky draw or treasure hunt for prizes.
When planning games, also think about prizes and rewards. Little prize bags with stickers or candies for game winners are a nice touch. (Pro tip: You can get extra little toys or treats from iPartyMart’s party favors section to use as game prizes too.) Keep the competition light and fun – the goal is laughter, not tears, so have consolation prizes or let kids play in teams if needed.
7. Goodie Bags & Party Favors
One tradition kids look forward to at the end of a party is receiving their goodie bag (also known as party favor bag or “loot bag”). Preparing goodie bags is your chance to send each child home with a small token of thanks and a bit of the party magic to keep.
What to include in goodie bags? Aim for a mix of fun and practical items. Some popular goodie bag fillers are: small toys (think mini puzzles, toy cars, or figurines), stickers or temporary tattoos, bubbles, playdough, and of course a bit of candy or chocolate. You can also include theme-related items – for example, dinosaur stickers for a dino party, or princess necklaces for a princess party. It’s a nice idea to include one slightly larger item or useful favor like a cute pencil and eraser set or a notepad with a fun cover. Parents appreciate when favors are not all sugary treats!
Choosing the actual goodie bag packaging is half the fun. At iPartyMart, you’ll find a wide range of goodie bag options: from printed plastic loot bags featuring popular characters, to paper bags in pretty designs, or even little gift boxes. Pick one that matches your theme or let your child choose their favorite design. Fill the bags ahead of time and keep them in a box or basket, ready to hand out as kids say goodbye.
Checklist Tip: Prepare a few extra goodie bags beyond your headcount. This covers you in case a sibling tags along or an extra guest shows up. It also saves the day if a bag accidentally rips or if one was misplaced. You don’t want any child feeling left out.
Finally, you can personalize the goodie bags by writing each guest’s name or a simple “Thank You for Coming!” tag. This little gesture goes a long way in making guests feel appreciated. With iPartyMart’s array of goodie bag supplies and fillers, putting together party favors is a breeze – and you might even have fun assembling them!
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8. Gift Wrapping & Final Touches
As you run through your kids party essentials checklist, make sure not to overlook those final touches that can make a big difference. One of those is gift wrapping. If you’ve bought a special birthday present for your child, or if you have prizes for games, wrap them up nicely to add to the surprise factor!
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Gift Wrapping Supplies: Choose wrapping paper or gift bags that match the party’s theme or color scheme. For instance, for a space-themed party, use paper with stars; for a toddler’s party, bright polka dots or stripes are always cheerful. iPartyMart has a lovely selection of gift wrapping paper and gift bags, along with ribbons and stickers to decorate. Wrapping the birthday child’s gift in themed paper and placing it on the gift table will also add to the decor until it’s time to open presents.
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Birthday Card: Don’t forget a birthday card for your child where you can write a heartfelt message. This might not be a “party supply,” but it’s a meaningful detail to remember among the hustle and bustle of party prep.
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Thank You Notes: A thoughtful touch (especially for older kids who can write) is sending a simple thank-you note or message after the party to thank guests and their parents for attending and for any gifts received. You could even snap a photo of the child with each friend at the party, then send it to them afterward as a memory – a sweet gesture that other parents will love.
Before the party starts, do a quick last-minute checklist: Do you have a lighter or matches for the candles? Is the camera or phone charged for photos? Got a trash bag handy for cleanup and a first-aid kit for minor bumps? These aren’t glamorous items, but busy parents know they’re practical lifesavers. Set them aside so you’re prepared for anything.
Now take a deep breath – you’ve got all the essentials covered! With gifts wrapped and all supplies on deck, you’re ready to celebrate.

9. Ready, Set, Party! (Conclusion)
Planning a kids’ birthday party in Singapore doesn’t have to be stressful. With a bit of early planning and this checklist of kids party essentials, you can organize a fantastic party and actually enjoy it too. The key is having everything you need at your fingertips – and that’s where iPartyMart comes in to help busy parents like you. We’re a proud Singapore brand that offers fast local delivery and a wide range of high-quality party supplies, from balloons and decorations to tableware, party favors, and gift wrap. In other words, we’ve got all your party needs covered in one place.
So as the date approaches, you can feel confident and excited knowing you’ve checked off each item on your list. No more last-minute scrambles for balloons or forgotten candles – instead, you’ll be watching your child laugh and play, making wonderful memories with friends and family. That’s what it’s all about!
Summary: With this handy checklist and iPartyMart’s help, planning your child’s birthday party will be a fun and rewarding experience. Here’s to a joyous, stress-free celebration and happy kids all around. 🎉 Happy party planning! And when you’re ready to stock up on those party essentials, remember that iPartyMart is here to make your prep as easy as can be. Let’s party!