Set sail this birthday on the wild seven seas! These creative pirate party ideas – including pirate party invitations, pirate birthday decorations, pirate party recipes, and more – will have all your guests feeling like they’re at sea!

Best for

Boys aged five through ten just love this pirate-themed party.

Pirate Party Planning

For peace of mind, begin planning your pirate birthday 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.

Your first decision will be whether to hold your Pirate Party at your own home or at another location. You can plan a great party at home, complete with pirate party decorations, activities, and food that fit your theme. If you choose a different location, however, a swimming pool or an amusement park might be good choices. 

To simplify the rest of the party planning process, check out our Party Planning Timeline, and read the paragraphs below for information on selecting pirate party supplies, pirate party favors, and more for your child's party.

Pirate Party Invitations

Want to make your own invites? Here are a few creative ideas:

• Use black card stock or construction paper folded in half, and decorate it with pirate picture cutouts or pirate stickers.
• Send a Message in a Bottle! Thoroughly wash and dry old soda bottles. Write your party details on a slip of paper, roll it up, and slide it inside. Make sure the paper is rolled tightly and secured so it will easily slip out of the bottle once your guests receive it. Check out our Invitations in a Bottle for inspiration!
• Make a treasure map invitation. Cut a jagged edge around a piece of brown construction paper to give the paper the illusion of being burned. Draw a crude map of your neighborhood on one side, with a dotted line leading from one edge of the paper to a big X, marking where your home would be. Write your party details on the opposite side of your map.
• Punch a hole in the corner of a card-style invitation and attach it to a bag of Pirate Gold Nugget Gum. Hand deliver these to your guests.
• Cut the shape of a skull and crossbones out of black construction paper. Write your party details in gold pen.
• Include creative wording for your party details, such as:
  Come sail a ship on the Seven Seas,
  With Captain [child’s name] and his crew!
  We’ll steal some gold and bury our treasure,
  Then relax with some grub and brew!

Or, if you’re short on time, purchase personalized, pre-printed or blank pirate birthday invitations. We recommend mailing your invitations three to four weeks prior to the party—any sooner and your guests may forget, any later and your guests may already have plans.

Pirate Birthday Party Supplies and Favors

If you plan to use paper tableware and pirate 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. In addition to the basics (plates, tablecloths, etc...), you might want to consider the following extras for your pirate party:

• Old Storage Chests
• Costume Items
• A Pirate-Themed Movie, such as Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (Rated PG-13), Muppet Treasure Island (Rated G), or Hook (Rated PG)
• Pirate Ship Cake Pan
• Sand
• Pirate Ship Pinata

Don't forget about favors! You can give one large favor, such as a “ship in a bottle” craft or pirate-themed DVD, or combine smaller favors such as pirate stickers, toy swords, magnets, bandanas, skull-themed balloons and bubbles, assorted candies and other pirate party favors. Place all of these items inside clear or printed cellophane bags, and tie the bags closed with pirate-colored ribbons.