How To Throw a Book Themed Birthday Party
So, you want to throw a big birthday bash that celebrates your love of literature?
Well, you're in the right place. Today I’m going to talk you through how to plan, invite and throw a wondrously wordy birthday party that suits your bookish style.
Whether it's yours, a friend or a family member's birthday, we're sure this guide will inspire your party from beginning to end. Sounds super fun! Am I invited?...
PS - Don't forget to check out the gorgeous digital Book Lovers Birthday Gift Set for the most beautiful birthday treat.
BOOK THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR ADULTS & KIDS
Step 1 - Find Your Theme
A bookish theme is super versatile, and you can make it as specific or as open as you like. Think about your favourite genre, author, series or book, and decide whether it would work as a good theme.
Take a look at some ideas I have thrown together below:
GENRE THEMES
Genre themes are good as they are specific but still offer scope for creativity. You can base activities around the theme and ask your guests to come dressed as characters from a book related to the genre.
Horror
Fantasy
Action and Adventure
Romance
Mystery
Thriller
LGBTQ+
Children’s
AUTHOR THEMES
Choose a famous author and build activities around their most famous pieces of work.
William Shakespeare
Stephen King
Agatha Christie
Roal Dahl
JRR Tolkien
Edgar Allan Poe
Virginia Woolf
Enid Blyton
Dr Seuss
Jane Austen
BOOK THEME
Picking a famous novel or series and basing the party around it can be super fun! Just make sure the book has lots of recognisable content for your guests.
Lord of the Rings
Alice in Wonderland
Romeo and Juliet
The Hunger Games
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
A Game of Thrones
A Court of Thornes and Roses
Sherlock Holmes
BYO BOOK THEME
A ‘bring your own book theme’ can be super fun for your guests and can also be turned into a game later on. Ask your guests to dress up as a character or bring something that represents their favourite book. Award prizes to the best dressed/object and play a game where everyone guesses what everyone's favourite book is!
Step 2 - Invitations
Like with any party invitation, make sure you state the time, place and dress code on the invite.
You can design your party invites on websites such as Canva, which offers lots of great templates. Many lovely designs are available on Etsy, such as this Alice in Wonderland Theme invitation or a library card design.
My super cute printable bookish birthday cards also double up as fantastic party invites. They are simple to download and easy to print at home, online, or at a local print shop. Check them out!
Another sweet but secretive way to had out your invites is to slip the invitation in between the pages of an old book. This can be a little gift and the invite in one. Make sure to check in on your friend a couple of days later to make sure they found the invite!
Don’t forget to tell your guests if they need to bring anything to your party.
Step 3 - Get Planning
It's a good idea to plan around 3 - 4 book-themed activities. Often, your guests will be happy chatting and mingling, but an excellent book-themed game will break the ice and be lots of fun!
Below are a few suggestions which you could include:
A BOOKISH QUIZ
Nothing gets people talking like a bit of trivia. Split your guests into teams and watch them work together to answer your literary questions. (Top tip - My blog The Best Bookish Quizzes has so many fabulous quiz options!)
SCAVENGER HUNT
Who doesn't love a scavenger hunt?! Hide items related to your book theme (i.e. chocolate bars for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or teacups for Alice in Wonderland) or hide actual books that belong to your genre theme and send your guests searching!
A short but fun scavenger hunt usually works best, with prizes for the winning team! Write clues for each team to guide them in the right direction.
Check out this blog by outdoor book club: How to plan a scavenger hunt for grownups for more tips and tricks.
BOOKMARK CRAFTING
If your an artsy bunch, then get crafting! Cut out some bookmark-sized cards, provide pens, crayons, and other decoration material, and let your guests enjoy making their own personalised bookmark.
BOOK PONG
A literature version of the classic American frat game, beer pong!
How to play:
Split your guests into two teams on either side of a ping pong table.
Layout six different books on each side of the table.
Your guests must bounce a ping pong ball to the opposite end of the table and aim to hit one of the books.
If they succeed, the book is removed, and the opposing team has to shout out the book's title and the author from memory.
If the opposing team cannot complete the challenge, they have to do a forfeit.
The team who wins in hitting and removing all the books on their side wins!
BOOK BALANCE
How many books can your friends balance on their heads? Can they do it in a race? Challenge your friends to a book balancing competition and see who comes out top dog!
COSTUME COMPETITION
If your friends have come dressed up, make sure to award their efforts! Alternatively, everyone can bring an object which relates to a book. If the rest of the guests know which book your object is from, you can win a prize!
Step 4 - Decorations
Bunting! Confetti! Balloons!
You name it; you can use it. There are no rules with a book-themed party when it comes to decorations. Etsy has lots of weird and wonderful ideas for you to try. I especially love this book bunting which works well with any theme.
Our printable wall art creates a cosy, creative vibe that your guests will love! Chose your favourite designs and start decorating! Check out our guide 12 Ways to Arrange Prints Like a Pro to make sure it's perfect!
Step 5 - Food and Drink
Your food and drink is a great way to indulge your theme.
You can do this however subtly or committed as you like. For example, perhaps you want to put on a vast banquet with butterbeer like the great hall in Harry Potter, or eat spooky Halloween themed food to match your horror genre!
Cake toppers are a great way to hint at your theme while keeping it simple. Check out this super cute birthday cake topper that works well at any bookish bash!
Step 6 - Party Favours
A great party favour to close the night is a second-hand book personalised for each guest. Write a little note inside which expresses your gratitude for their attendance and send them home with a good read you think they will enjoy.
Bookmarks are also a lovely party favour. They are cost-effective and very versatile! Check out my wide range of printable bookmarks to spoil your guests.
I hope you have the most wonderful bookish birthday! If you have any questions, drop me a message. I always love to hear from fellow book lovers!
