Birthday party decorations printed the night before
A banner, a tag on every party bag and a card that says what the food is cover most children's parties. Pick the theme the birthday child chose and use it on all three.
Birthday party decorations
For a children's birthday party, print a happy birthday banner on 12.8 × 17.2 cm flags (about 2.1 m long) or 18 × 25 cm flags for a big wall, a gift tag with each guest's name for the party bags, and an A4 menu card listing the food and allergens. Use 250 gsm card in the party's theme colours.
Last reviewed 3 October 2026
What a birthday party usually needs
- 1
A happy birthday banner
Across the wall behind the cake table, where every photo will be taken. Add the child's name or age on extra flags so it is theirs, not just any party.
- 2
Party bag tags
A tag with each guest's name and a thank you for coming, tied to every bag. It stops the end-of-party scramble and tells parents which bag is whose.
- 3
A food menu card
What each plate is, in plain words, and which dishes contain common allergens such as nuts, milk, egg or gluten. Parents of children with allergies will look for it first.
- 4
Themed cut-outs
Dinosaurs, rockets, unicorns or footballs fixed to the walls, the door and the front of the table. A few large ones do more than many small ones.
- 5
A door sign
Party this way or the child's name and age on the front door or the hall entrance, so arriving families know they have the right house or room.
Sizes for a birthday party
| Piece | Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Happy birthday banner | 12.8 × 17.2 cm flags, two per A4 | About 2.1 m long; fits behind most tables |
| Big wall banner | 18 × 25 cm flags, one per A4 | For a hall or a long wall |
| Name or age flags | 8.8 × 12.4 cm, four per A4 | Hangs below the main banner or along the table |
| Party bag tags | About 5 × 9 cm | Room for a name and a short thank you |
| Food menu card | A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | Stands on the table in a frame or folded tent |
| Door sign | A4 or A3 | A3 reads from the pavement or a car park |
Free printables for a birthday party
A happy birthday banner for the cake table, a tag for every party bag and a menu card for the food, in one theme.
Happy birthday banner
A printable Happy birthday banner: one bright letter to each pennant flag, with a star between the words. Change the words, free A4 PDF.
OpenParty bag tags
Printable party bag tags: 12 bright solid colour tags saying Thanks for coming, with a star, a To line for each guest and From Isla. Free A4 PDF.
OpenKids party menu
A printable kids party food menu in big sky blue playful lettering: sausage rolls, sandwiches, pizza, fairy cakes and jelly. No prices, free A4 PDF.
Open
Want the party theme designed?
WallKiwi's bunting maker designs a set of themed flags from one sentence, such as space rockets for Leo's 6th in blue and orange, with matching lettering and cut-outs, ready to print on A4. Designs use credits, and a free account includes some each month.
Questions people ask
How long is a happy birthday banner?
Happy birthday is 13 letters plus a space. On 12.8 × 17.2 cm flags with small gaps it runs about 2.1 m; on 18 × 25 cm flags it is about 2.8 m, which suits a hall. Hang it in two rows if the wall is short.
What do you put on party bag tags?
The guest's name and a short thank you from the birthday child, such as thanks for coming to my party. If the bag contains food, a note of anything with nuts is helpful for parents.
Should a children's party menu show allergens?
It is a kind thing to do. List what each plate is and mark which contain common allergens such as nuts, milk, egg or gluten, and ask parents about allergies when they reply to the invitation.
How far ahead should I print party decorations?
Banners and cut-outs can be printed a week or more ahead. Print party bag tags once you know who is coming, which is often a day or two before.
Can I reuse a birthday banner?
Yes, if you keep the name and age on separate flags. The happy birthday part stays the same and only the extra flags need printing next year.