A pickleball party

Pickleball 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.

CourtUse this designDraw sheetUse this designDoodlesUse this designClub pennantUse this designRetro posterUse this designBig dillUse this design

CourtUse this designDraw sheetUse this designDoodlesUse this designClub pennantUse this designRetro posterUse this designBig dillUse this design

Ideas for your pickleball party

Pick one or two from each and keep the rest simple.

Activities for your pickleball party

How to play and what you need. Pick them in your plan and the supplies go on your shopping list.

Mini tournament

Ages 8 and up · 45 min

Draw a bracket on poster board and pair everyone up. Play short games to 7 points, switch partners each round, and cheer on the winners at the end. Beginners can use a soft foam ball.

You’ll need: Paddles, 4 or more, Pickleballs or soft foam balls, A net, or a rope strung between two chairs, Poster board and a marker

Dink the cup

Ages 6 and up · 15 min

A dink is a soft shot that just clears the net. Set three cups on the far side and give each player five dinks to land a ball in one. Most cups wins.

You’ll need: Paddles, Pickleballs or soft foam balls, Plastic cups, 3, A net, or a rope strung between two chairs

Pickle taste test

Ages 10 and up · 15 min

Set out four kinds of pickles in numbered cups, like dill, sweet, bread-and-butter and garlic dill. Guests rank them and guess which is which.

You’ll need: 4 kinds of pickles, cut into small pieces, Numbered cups, Score cards, Pens

Paddle balance relay

Ages 6 and up · 15 min

Teams of four take turns carrying a ball on a paddle around a cone and back, then hand off. If the ball drops, pick it up and restart where it fell. First team done wins.

You’ll need: Paddles, 1 per team, Pickleballs or soft foam balls, Cones, 1 per team

Shop the pickleball look

Plates, decor, favors and a cake idea in the theme's colors. The Shop counts each one for your guest list.

PlatesCupsNapkinsBannerBalloonsFavor bagsPhoto propsCake

Open the pickleball shop

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.

1. 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

2. 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 green sheet cake with white buttercream court lines and a yellow sugar ball in the corner.
   • Ask helpers and give them roles
   • Make one contact and confirmation list

3. 2 to 3 weeks out

   • Order decor, tableware, and favorsDecor idea: Court green, white and lime foil balloons tied to the fence
   • Plan the menu and check allergiesMenu idea: Pickle spears and cheese cubes in cups
   • Plan the one or two moments that matterActivity idea: A mini tournament with a bracket on poster board
   • Follow up on RSVPs
   • Plan drinks, including good non-alcoholic options
   • Build your one-stop shopping list

4. 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

5. 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

6. Party day

   • Set up an hour before
   • Run the party and finish on time
   • Reset the space and check for left-behind items

7. 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.

• 1:30 pm
  Final setup and safety checkSetup crew gets food, activities, and the entrance ready.
• 2:00 pm
  Arrivals and drinksGreeter welcomes guests and handles coats.
• 2:45 pm
  FoodFood lead opens the food and keeps it stocked.
• 3:40 pm
  Toasts and slideshowCo-host introduces two or three short toasts.
• 4:00 pm
  CakePhotographer gets the candle moment and a group photo.
• 4:15 pm
  Music and dancingEntertainment lead turns up the playlist.
• 5:00 pm
  Quick resetCollect gifts and check the space for left-behind items.

Free pickleball printables

Print at home on letter paper or card stock.

More birthdays themes

Garden tea partyArt studioWinter wonderlandBlack and goldSpa dayRodeo roundupGlowCampingParisDiscoLuauPool partyFiestaTailgateBackyard cookoutSage and blushBohoWildflowerAmalfi lemonsCoastal summerPearls and champagneCelestialSupper clubPicnic in the parkMasqueradePalm SpringsBookwormYogaWoodshopBird watchingKnittingGone fishingRoaring twentiesMurder mystery dinnerThrowbackGame nightAdventure awaits