Birthday theme
A fishing party
A dock, a bobber, and the big one that got away.
Fishing invitations
Free designs with an RSVP link that tracks every reply. Tap one to start yours; your names, date and place fill in, and you can change the design any time.
Ideas for your fishing party
Pick one or two from each and keep the rest simple.
Decor
- Red and white foil balloons tied in pairs, like bobbers
- A "Gone fishing" sign on the door, and a net on the wall with the catch of the day: a paper fish for each guest
- An empty tackle box as the snack station, with a different snack in each tray
- A brown paper runner for a dock, leading to a blue sheet lake on the floor
Food
- A "catch of the day" board with sandwiches cut into fish shapes, melon wedges, cheese sticks and baked fish sticks with ketchup
- Chocolate pudding "dirt" cups with cookie crumbs, and a gummy worm on the rim for ages 4 and up
- Fish-shaped crackers in a clean new bucket marked "bait"
- Lemonade and water in a cooler by the dock
Cake
A round cake iced red and white like a bobber, or a blue buttercream lake with a fondant fish on a thin fondant line.
Favors
Optional. Something small and edible travels best.
Colors
DeepBrightPopSoft
Pick one bright color for balloons and napkins, and keep plates plain.
Activities for your fishing party
How to play and what you need. Pick them in your plan and the supplies go on your shopping list.
Magnet fishing pond
Cut big fish from craft foam and tape a large flat magnet, 2 inches across, shut inside each one. Spread the fish on a blue sheet "pond". Each child gets a stick with a short string and a large magnet taped shut on the end, and reels in fish one at a time. Every fish is worth a sticker.
You’ll need: Craft foam or felt fish, 12, Large flat magnets, 2 inches across, 1 per fish and 1 per rod, Strong tape, Sticks or dowels with short strings, 1 per child, Blue sheet or tablecloth, Stickers
Cast at the lake
Lay hula hoops on the grass as lakes, near and far. From a tape line, each player gets five casts of a beanbag, or a hookless practice casting plug at least 2 inches long, and the near lakes score 1 while the far ones score 3. Highest score wins.
You’ll need: Hula hoops, 3, Beanbags or hookless practice casting plugs, 5 per player, Masking tape, Paper and a pen for scores
Tackle box relay
Teams line up, each with an empty tackle box at the finish. One at a time, players run to a pile of gear, take one thing (a foam bobber, a plastic fish, a sun hat, a pool-noodle rod), and pack it in their box. First team with all four packed wins.
You’ll need: Tackle boxes, empty and new, 1 per team, Foam bobbers, plastic fish, sun hats and pool noodles, 1 set per team
Fish tale
Each person tells a 30-second story about the one that got away, and everyone else holds their hands apart to show how big it gets. The biggest hands, and the tallest tale, win the loudest applause.
Nothing to buy.
Shop the fishing look
Plates, decor, favors and a cake idea in the theme's colors. The Shop counts each one for your guest list.
What to do and when
The plan for a birthday party, counted back from the party day. Festidy puts real dates on it. See the full birthday party plan.
6 to 8 weeks out
- Pick a date, a start time, and a backup date
- Set a budget and choose your big two
- Write the guest list
- Choose a theme or a look
- Lock in the location and a rain plan
- Note food, accessibility, and comfort needs
4 to 6 weeks out
- Decide on music and one main activity
- Book rentals if you need them
- Decide: cater, order trays, or cook
- Collect photos and messages from friends
- Book a photographer or pick a friend to shoot
- Send the invitations
- Order the cake or dessertsCake idea: A round cake iced red and white like a bobber, or a blue buttercream lake with a fondant fish on a thin fondant line.
- Ask helpers and give them roles
- Make one contact and confirmation list
2 to 3 weeks out
- Order decor, tableware, and favorsDecor idea: Red and white foil balloons tied in pairs, like bobbers
- Plan the menu and check allergiesMenu idea: A "catch of the day" board with sandwiches cut into fish shapes, melon wedges, cheese sticks and baked fish sticks with ketchup
- Plan the one or two moments that matterActivity idea: A magnet fishing pond with a short rod for each child
- Follow up on RSVPs
- Plan drinks, including good non-alcoholic options
- Build your one-stop shopping list
The week before
- Confirm every vendor
- Lock the headcount and shop for food and drinks
- Prep favors, decor, and a playlist
- Write the party-day schedule
- Send the final party note
The day before
- Pick up the cake and set up what you can
- Pack a party-day kit
- Charge devices and share the run sheet
- Make the final weather and space call
Party day
- Set up an hour before
- Run the party and finish on time
- Reset the space and check for left-behind items
After the party
- Share photos and settle any remaining balances
- Send thank-yous
- Save photos and notes for next year
- Leave a quick note for your future self
Party-day run of show
For a 3-hour party starting at 2 pm.
- Final setup and safety checkSetup crew gets food, activities, and the entrance ready.
- Arrivals and drinksGreeter welcomes guests and handles coats.
- FoodFood lead opens the food and keeps it stocked.
- Toasts and slideshowCo-host introduces two or three short toasts.
- CakePhotographer gets the candle moment and a group photo.
- Music and dancingEntertainment lead turns up the playlist.
- Quick resetCollect gifts and check the space for left-behind items.
Free fishing printables
Print at home on letter paper or card stock.
More birthdays themes
