Birthdays & partiesPlayful: fun and upbeatKids

Kids' birthday party invitation

A cheerful invitation parents can act on: the times, the place, whether to stay or drop off, and a request for allergies.

When to use it

  • Your child is having a party at home, a park or a venue and you're inviting classmates or friends.
  • You need parents to tell you about allergies and whether they'll stay.

Preview

Party time!

Mia is turning 6

  • Sunday 15 November
  • 10am to 12pm
  • Riverside Park playground, Bank Road

RSVP to Jess by Friday 6 November

The card shows example details until you add your own.

Your details

Optional. Anything you type goes straight into the wording. Nothing is sent or saved.

The wording

Email subject

[Child's name] is turning [Age they're turning]: party invitation

[Child's name] is turning [Age they're turning]!

You're invited to [Child's name]'s birthday party.

Date: [Date]
Time: [Start time] to [Finish time]
Place: [Place and address]

There'll be games, party food and cake. Please wear clothes that are fine to run around and get a bit messy in.

Parents are welcome to stay, or you can drop off and pick up at [Finish time].

Please let me know by [Reply by] if your child can come, and tell me about any allergies or foods they can't have. You can text or call me on [Your phone number].

Thanks,
[Your name] ([Child's name]'s parent)

Words in [brackets] are the details to fill in, here or after you paste it.

Variations

The same invitation, adjusted for a different setting or channel. Your details carry over.

Themed party

Invites dress-up without making it compulsory.

[Child's name] is turning [Age they're turning] and having a [theme] party!

Date: [Date]
Time: [Start time] to [Finish time]
Place: [Place and address]

Come dressed as your favourite [theme] character if you like. Normal clothes are perfectly fine too.

Please let me know by [Reply by] if your child can come and about any allergies. Text or call [Your phone number].

[Your name]

Party at a venue

For trampoline parks, play centres and pools that need numbers and forms.

You're invited to [Child's name]'s [Age they're turning]th birthday party at [Place and address]!

Date: [Date]
Time: [Start time] to [Finish time]

The venue needs final numbers, so please reply by [Reply by]. They may also ask a parent to sign a form on arrival, so please make sure a grown-up comes in at drop-off. Grip socks or swimmers: [what the venue asks for].

Let me know about any allergies too. Text or call [Your phone number].

Thanks,
[Your name]

Short text to parents

For a class parents' group or individual messages.

Hi! [Child's name] is having a birthday party on [Date], [Start time] to [Finish time] at [Place and address], and would love your child to come. Could you let me know by [Reply by], and mention any allergies? Thanks, [Your name]

What to ask in the RSVP

Ask only what changes your plans. For this kind of event, that's:

  1. Child's nameClass lists share first names, and you'll want it for name tags or party bags.
  2. Can they come? (Yes / No)Numbers for food, party bags and any venue booking.
  3. Allergies or foods they can't haveEssential when you're serving food to other people's children.
  4. Will a parent stay, or drop off?Tells you how many adults to cater for and how many children you'll be supervising.
  5. A phone number for the daySo you can reach a parent if a child is unwell or upset.

Leave out

  • Siblings: if you can't host them, say "invitation is for [child] only" in the wording rather than asking.
  • Gift preferences: leave it out unless parents ask.

More on this in what to ask guests when they RSVP.

Tips before you send

  • Send it three to four weeks ahead: family weekends fill up fast.
  • If you're inviting from a class, invite everyone or a clearly smaller group, and send invitations privately rather than handing them out in front of the class.
  • Text a reminder two days before with the address and pick-up time.

Sending it by email, text or WhatsApp, and tracking replies

  • Email: paste the wording into a new message, use the subject line above, and put guests in BCC if they don't all know each other.
  • Text or WhatsApp: use the short version. Send it to each guest, or to a group chat if everyone already knows each other, and pin it so the details are easy to find.
  • Tracking replies: for a handful of guests, a note on your phone works. For more, collect answers in one place, like a shared spreadsheet or a simple online form with the RSVP questions above.
  • EvntBuild: event software that will send invitations by email, text and WhatsApp, with RSVP forms that only ask what applies and replies kept in one place. It's opening soon and isn't live yet. Join the EvntBuild waitlist to hear when it opens.