Planning a birthday party for your 10-year-old girl can feel a bit daunting—she’s not a little kid anymore, but she’s not quite a tween either!
As a former educator, camp counselor, and parent of a child this age, I know how important it is to find that perfect mix of fun and excitement. The key is to blend classic games and activities with a modern twist that keeps everyone entertained.
Ready to make her celebration truly memorable? From creative crafts to energetic outdoor games, here are 50 fantastic party ideas that your birthday girl and her friends will love!
1. Boba Tea Party
Boba Tea is all the rage with the tweens these days.
From setting up your very own boba tea birthday party, complete with an array of flavors and toppings, to engaging in a boba tasting challenge that tickles your taste buds, we’ve got ideas galore to ensure your bash is bubbling over with excitement.
Whether you’re a seasoned party planner or a curious newbie, our roundup of 25 Boba Tea Party ideas is the perfect starting point for an unforgettable celebration.
2. Swiftie Party
Are you ready for it? A Taylor Swift themed birthday party is so much fun! From an Eras-style invitation, to friendship bracelets, to a Milkshake-if-off station, we’ve got the ultimate guide to hosting a party that will be a chart-topping hit for your 10 year old.
3. Spa Party
Spa parties are a fantastic way to introduce kids to self-care in a fun and age-appropriate way. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for them to relax and feel special.
From DIY bath bombs and manicure stations to delicious snack ideas and thoughtful party favors, we’ve got everything you need to make your spa party a hit!
4. Donut Making Party
If you’re hunting for a birthday bash idea that’s a bit outside the box and guarantees a sprinkle of fun (pun totally intended), consider a donut-making party!
With colorful kitchenware, the scent of sweet batter, and a bunch of kids donning chef’s hats, my kitchen turned into the sweetest little bakery.
Here are some ideas to bring this party to life.
5. Paint & Sip Soiree
A Paint & Sip party is not just for adults anymore. Kids can get in on the fun with personal art stations, a Sipping Station with sparkling juices and crafts sodas, and a guided painting session!
Designed for young artists aged 9-12, this party theme promises laughter, creativity, and a dash of sophistication they’ll absolutely adore.
Let’s dive into making this party a masterpiece!
6. Tie Dye Party
A tie-dye party is a chance for kids to let their creative juices flow, and create something beautiful that they can wear and treasure. The best party? Built-in party favors!
7. Mad Scientist’s Lab Party
Bust out your lab coats and plan a science-themed birthday party that will keep all your little scientists engaged and excited.
The best part? I’ve got you covered with a list of 100 easy science experiments that are perfect for the party. Each experiment can be completed in about 30 minutes, using ingredients you probably already have at home.
From DIY Lava Lamps to Vinegar Volcanoes, let’s dive into the list together and pick out the experiments that’ll make your science party a blast.
8. Movie Night
There’s nothing better than a classic movie night at your birthday party. This can be part of a sleepover or an “undernight” (when the kids get picked up before bedtime).
To make it memorable, have everyone lay out their sleeping bags or blankets, pop some popcorn (you can add candy like gummy bears or sprinkles to make it even more special), and turn out all the lights!
This is a great option for a small group of your child’s closest friends.
Variation: Outdoor Movie Night!
Snuggle up on an outdoor blanket and watch a movie outside. There’s something special about watching a movie under the stars!
9. Hot Cocoa Bar
Everyone on the guest list will love a hot cocoa bar! This is an especially good idea during the colder months. Buy some hot cocoa, whipped cream, and fun toppings like sprinkles, marshmallows, and chocolate shavings. Everyone will love this sweet and special treat.
10. Blindfolded Makeup
For this fun activity, split the party guests into groups of two. One person puts on a blindfold. (The birthday girl goes first!) The blindfolded person applies makeup to their partner’s face trying to follow the instructions of their partner. It gets wacky pretty quickly!
11. Make Your Own Pizzas
Buy individual crust and some sauce for each guest, and then put out some toppings for them to create own pizza.
12. Photo Booth and Props
If there aren’t photos, did it even happen? A good way to make sure you document sufficiently is by having a photo booth. You can rent a professional photo booth, or you can simply hang a backdrop and add some props for the kids to take silly photos of each other.
13. Tipi Tents
Tipi tents at sleepover parties are all the rage right now. Local companies usually offer themed tents and everyone gets their own special space to hang out and sleep. Tipi tents will definitely make the party memorable!
14. Mocktail Mixing
Search up some fun and simple mocktail recipes and have the kids make them together, then sample them. You could also choose a signature mocktail for your party and serve it to all the guests.
15. Twister
Twister is a fun game for this age group, and it’s a sure hit for a birthday party. The game caller shouts out the body part and what color it needs to be placed on. The last person standing wins!
You can order the classic game or create a giant outdoor Twister game on your lawn using paint. See it on sheknows.com.
16. Selfie Museum
17. Cupcake Wars
Pre-bake some plain cupcakes and let the kids compete with each other for the best-decorated cupcakes, just like in their favorite baking shows! The winning team can earn a baking-themed prize. The best part? It’s built-in party food!
18. Mad Libs
Mad libs are a really fun way to pass the time at a sleepover. Kids take turns suggesting nouns, adjectives, verbs, and other parts of speech to fill in the blank of a story. The end results is usually pretty hilarious!
19. Nerf War / Laser Tag
Having a Nerf War is one of the most fun birthday party games you can plan! Gather up all of your Nerf or water blasters that you have around the house, and ask your kid’s friends to bring their own, too.
Then organize a Nerf war in the backyard or local park. You can even get a Nerf-themed birthday cake, and giveaway small water blasters as a party favor.
If you’d rather take the fun outside of your home, look for a local laser tag place that hosts birthday parties. They’ll often do most of the work for you!
20. Roller Skating
The nineties are cool again, and roller skating is making a comeback. Head to your local roller skating rinks for your 10 year old’s next party, and ask if they’ll play your child’s playlist to make it an extra special day.
20. Truth or Dare
Truth or Dare is a great way to get to break the ice at a party and help everyone get to know each other better. One player asks another player if they want a “Truth” or a “Dare.” If they say “Truth”, you can ask them anything and they have to answer truthfully. You can come up with a question on your own or find a list online.
Examples of Truth Questions:
1. “When is the last time you lied?
2. “What is the most embarrassing music you listen to?
3. “What is your biggest regret?”
If they choose Dare, you get to dare them to do something silly or embarrassing!
Examples of Dares:
1. Do a free-style rap for the next minute.
2. Act like a chicken until your next turn.
3. Talk in a British accent until your next turn.
4. Do 20 pushups.
5. Dump out your purse, backpack, or pockets and do a show and tell of what’s inside.
Important Note:
It’s important to stay safe both emotionally and physically. Set clear expectation for your party guests.
21. Would you Rather?
Playing “Would You Rather” is a great way to spark discussion and laughter, and get to know each other better. It’s fun to pose questions that require the other person to choose between two great options, but sometimes it’s even more fun to make them choose between two terrible options.
Use your imagination or google the term “Would You Rather Questions”, and choose a few that appeal to you.
Here are some examples:
“Would you rather live in a house shaped like a circle, or a house shaped like a triangle?“
“Would you rather only be able to walk backwards or only be able to walk on all fours?“
“Would you rather eat a slug or take a bath with a spider?“
Need some help coming up with questions? This book on Amazon has some ideas for you.
22. Cosmic Bowling
Head to the local bowling alley for some good old-fashioned fun and fried food. Many bowling alleys also have arcade rooms for an added fun activity.
23. Classic Board Games
Bust out the board games from the cabinet and make a night of it! Kids this age love games like Monopoly, Taboo, Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit, and more. Just serve up some snacks, put on some music, and let them have some fun together.
24. Fort Night
No, not the video game. An actual Fort Night. I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t love to build a blanket fort. And a sleepover party is the perfect time to do it. Bust out every blanket and pillow in your house and let you kids have at it!
25. Piñata (With a Twist!!)
You can buy a piñata at any party store, or even Walmart. The kids will love putting blindfolds on and trying to break it open so that all the candy will fall out! Depending on the number of guests you have attending your party, you may want to get more than one piñata.
For some extra fun, add something other than candy to the piñata. It could be fidgets, pop-its, hair ties, baseball cards, etc.
26. Treasure Hunt or Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt can be adapted for all ages. If you’re feeling motivated, organize a simple treasure hunt or neighborhood scavenger hunt for your birthday party guests. If you have a theme for your party, it’s a good idea to have the scavenger hunt go along with it. For example, if it’s a Harry Potter party, it could be a Marauder’s Map theme.
27. Backyard Campout
Who says your child’s birthday party has to be complicated? Take it back to simpler times with a backyard campout. Have everyone bring their tent and sleeping bag and campout in the backyard. Bonus points for a campfire, flashlight tag, and s’mores. Some children who haven’t slept outside before may get spooked, so chat with parents beforehand.
28. Charades
Charades is one of those classic party games that will help break the ice and get everyone laughing. To prepare, review the basic instructions with the kids, do an example for them, and write down some of things they could act out.
Variation: Sprinkler Tug Of War
Put one person on either side of the sprinkler, grab a rope, and tug! The losing team will get soaked!
29. Balloon Stomp
A Balloon Stomp is a high-energy game where everyone tries to pop balloons that have been tied around each person’s ankles. The last person standing wins!
30. Karaoke Party
Fire up the karaoke machine and let the kids be silly! This pairs well with a glow stick dance party, movie night, and sleepover party or undernight.
31. Two Truths & A Lie
Two Truth & A Lie is a tried-and-true ice-breaker, but it’s surprisingly fun to play even with close friends and family. Even the closest of friends don’t know everything about each other, and learning something new about the other person is what keeps a relationship new and exciting.
How to play:
Take 1-2 minutes to write down three facts about yourself. Two things should be completely true, and one should b e should be completely false. Try to choose a lie that is not obviously false, and try to choose true facts that might surprise the other person. You want it to be difficult for the other person to know which items are true, and which are false.
32. Soccer Shootout
Set up two goals and start up a soccer game. Or do a soccer shootout! To do a shootout, set up two cones for your goal, and mark a ten foot distance, or any distance you choose. Dribble the ball up, and shoot! See how many you can make in a set amount of time.
33. Water Balloon Games
On a hot summer day, all you need are some water balloons for an epic party. And a classic water balloon fight is just the beginning!
Here are 21 fun water balloon games you’ll all love. Afterwards, serve some ice cream sundaes.
34. Ninja Bootcamp Obstacle Course
This age group loves a good challenge. Give everyone a bandana to tie around their head. Grab some cones, hula hoops, outdoor blankets, small stools, and any other equipment you could use for outdoor obstacle courses and relay races. You can set it up for them or let them set up their own obstacle course. Time each other running through. Who can pass the finish line fastest? This is a simple, fun way to get active.
A great party favor for this activity? Water bottles!
35. Balloon Bulls Eye
One of the best party activities is balloon bulls eye. Affix several balloons to a vertical surface that you are okay with getting damaged. Provide darts to each child and see if they can pop the balloons.
36. Hula Hoop Fun
Use a hula hoop to play human ring toss, or just have some fun spinning the hula hoop around your waist!
37. Sidewalk Chalk Mural
For a cool-looking geometric chalk mural, place masking tape on the ground, fence, or any surface you are working on your chalk mural. Create geomatric shapes similar to a stained glass window. Color in the shapes. When you lift the tape up, you’ll have a beautiful geometric mural.
38. Glow Stick Dance Party
One of the best things about being a kid is letting loose and dancing up a storm. Give everyone a set glow sticks, turn out the lights, and put on their favorite music!
39. Slip n’ Slide n’ Grab
When you can’t have a pool party, a slip n’ slide is the best way to get wet and wild! Better yet, place random objects along the slip n slide. Try to grab them as you slide down! Any 11-year-old boy or girl would love to have a slip n’ slide birthday party.
40. Talent Show
Have each child demonstrate one of their talents, be it silly or serious. Maybe they play an instrument, love to sing, or are really good at swinging a yo-yo. Whatever their abilites, a talent show will be a great addition to your next sleepover.
41. Fashion Show
Let the kids raid the closets and create their outfit for a fashion show. You could have a theme or just let them have fun with it. Then create a makeshift runway and put on some catwalk music. Then each child can walk the runway.
42. Decorate t-shirts
Stock up on fabric paint and have the kids bring a plain t-shirt to decorate. Not only will they have fun designing their own wearable creation, they’ll also have a keepsake to remember the party by!
43. Freeze Dance
Bring a speaker outside and blast your favorite music. When the music stops, everyone freezes! You can also play musical chairs, where everyone has to sit down in a chair when the music stops. Take one chair away each round.
44. Potato Sack Races
Use sleeping bags or potato sacks to race across the yard in this field day favorite.
45. Flashlight Tag
A really easy birthday party game to play is flashlight tag. All you need is a flashlight for everyone and an open space! If the flashlight shines on your, you’re out!
You can also play shadow charades, catch the light, flashlight limbo, or have a flashlight disco party!
46. Limbo
The classic game of Limbo is one of the most fun party games there is. Put some limbo music on the speaker, and grab a pole, stick, or shower rod. Let the limbo games begin! The entire party will love this activity. Want to level up? Get some island-themed party decorations, since the game of limbo originated in Caribbean island of Trinidad.
47. Lawn Bowling
Set up some bottles and use any ball for a DIY version of lawn bowling, or get an official set.
48. Beach Ball Shot Put
Create a throwing line in the grass and throw the beach balls from there by “pushing” the ball in the form of a shot putter. Measure each throw with a tape measure and write the measurement. See who can throw the farthest!
49. Giant Jenga
Stack up the wooden blocks and remove the one by one. Don’t let the tower fall! We like this set from Hey! Play! on Overstock.com because the pieces are large, but they aren’t so giant that they would hurt someone when they all come crashing down.
Alternative: If you don’t have a giant Jenga game, or want a budget friendly game option, you can opt for a giant Memory Game. Use a Sharpie to write two of each letter or number on large pieces of cardboard. Then lay all the cardboard facedown in your yard and play a giant game of Memory!
50. Water Blob
Get a clear plastic tarp and fold it in half. Duct tape the three open sides so that they are completely shut. Leave a small opening to fill up the blob with water. Once it’s filled, close it up with duct tape. Everyone will love sliding, jumping, and laying on your new water blob.
51. Ice Skating or Sledding
In a cold weather climate, ice skating and sledding can be the perfect birthday party activities. Just add hot cocoa!
Happy birthday to your 10 year old!
We hope you loved these fun ideas and that your party is a huge success!
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
