Where to Buy (and How to DIY) Kids' Party Decorations
You don't need to decorate every surface to make a kids' party look intentional. Here's where to buy what you need, and what to make yourself.
Best places to buy themed decorations for a toddler's birthday party
Target — fast, affordable basics, though theme selection is limited
Party City — the widest variety of themes and same-day in-store pickup, but quality can feel disposable
Amazon — convenient with broad selection, though quality varies by seller
Etsy — best for custom or handmade designs, at a higher cost and longer lead time
Best places to buy themed party supplies for kids
For tableware, favors, and general supplies (not just decor), the same retailers apply with one addition: Oriental Trading, which specializes in bulk party favors and supplies at lower per-unit cost — useful if your guest list is large.
A simple way to prioritize spending: put your budget into one or two statement pieces (a balloon arch, a backdrop, or coordinated tableware) rather than spreading it thin across napkins, plates, cups, and small favors that guests barely notice.
DIY decoration ideas for a kids' party
If you'd rather make decorations than buy them, these take the least time for the most visual payoff:
Balloon garland — balloons attached to fishing line or a balloon strip kit; roughly an hour to assemble, costs a fraction of a store-bought garland
Tissue pom-pom or paper fan backdrop — cheap craft supplies, photographs well behind a cake table
Printable banner — free or low-cost templates online, printed at home or a print shop
Color-coordinated dessert table — no new decorations needed, just consistent colors across what you're already serving
None of these require special tools or more than an hour of setup, which makes them realistic to do the morning of the party rather than needing a separate decorating day.
FAQ
Where can I buy cheap kids' party decorations? Target and Party City are generally the most affordable for in-stock, ready-to-use decorations; Amazon and Etsy work better for specific or custom designs.
What's the easiest DIY party decoration? A balloon garland — it's inexpensive, takes about an hour, and creates more visual impact than most store-bought decoration sets.
Do I need to decorate the whole room for a kids' party? No. One or two statement decorations (a backdrop or balloon arch) plus the activity itself usually reads as "decorated" without full-room styling.
If the activity is doing the heavy lifting, decorating gets a lot simpler. See party kits that double as the centerpiece.