Is your child a car enthusiast? Well, start your engines and hit the road! Our car and truck birthday party ideas will get you in “gear” and “steer” you in the direction of pure party success. We’ve got tons of fun activities, crafts, recipes and more for the birthday child and your guests to enjoy!

Best For…

Car enthusiasts of the four through seven set will be raring to go to this party.

Party Planning

For peace of mind, begin planning your bash six to eight weeks in advance. This will allow you time to gather all the supplies that you need, including decorations, gifts, and menu items. Planning ahead also gives your guests time to RSVP and make travel plans, if needed. Don't panic if you find yourself short on time; you can still plan a great party! Planning ahead simply reduces the risk of conflicts with guests' plans and may increase your party’s attendance.

If you are making homemade invitations, gather up the construction paper and get started. Fold a sheet of construction paper in half and cut on the crease. Fold both of those pieces in half to create your cards. You should get two cards from each full sheet. Glue black foam circles onto the bottom of the front of each card, and draw on a door and a windshield. You can even trim off the corners to create the front and back curves of the car. Draw lines on the inside of the invitation to imitate a road, complete with the dashed lines that run down the center. Write your information on the “roads” for time, place, and RSVP information. If you prefer, you can follow our instructions for a printable race car invitation. Or, if you’re short on time, purchase personalized or pre-printed car and truck invitations online. We recommend mailing your invitations three to four weeks prior to the party—any sooner and your guests may forget, any later and they may already have plans.

To simplify the rest of the party planning process, check out our Party Planning Timeline, take a look at our When & Where to Have the Party page, and read the paragraphs below for information on selecting decorations, supplies, activities, and more for your child's party.

What Do I Need for the Party?

If you plan to use paper tableware and themed party supplies, our Suggested Party Supply List may be quite helpful. Please note that you may not need everything on the list; it is intended only as a guide.

For this party, primary colors are ideal, such as yellow for construction trucks and blue and red for cars. For goodie bags, purchase car- and truck-themed toys, candies, stickers and temporary tattoos, and other party favors. Or, purchase themed favor sets from our sister site, Birthdayinabox.com. Place all items inside clear or printed cellophane bags and tie with chenille sticks in primary colors, or make these super easy Race Car Favor Bags that look just like a stop light!