Hey girl, today let’s chat about all the best 40th birthday theme ideas that everyone will have a blast with.
If you are anything like me, you love making birthdays as special as possible and this includes the adults in your life.
And even though I am not 40 yet, it is quickly approaching, I have helped to plan a few parties with these 40th birthday theme ideas.
These amazing 40th birthday theme ideas are so much fun and will take your 40th birthday party from something good to something your guests will be talking about for years.
We will go through 40th birthday party supplies, 40th birthday party decorations, 40th birthday party games, and so much more.
Let’s get this party started with all these 40th birthday theme ideas that will take your party to the next level.
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Best 40th Birthday Theme Ideas
40th Birthday Party Decorations
Birthday Party Decorations
If you want to decorate but want to keep it simple, toss up some crepe paper streamers and colorful balloons.
They always look good and it will look like you put in a ton of effort, when it wasn’t that hard at all.
Photo Booth
Oh yeah girl, a photo booth. This is a fabulous way to get all your guests involved in your party. You can keep it as simple as you want or go all out.
Check out these fun photo booth items!
The one that I am most famous for is from our Halloween party – It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.
It took a while to make but it was so worth it.
Birthday Pictures
Find pictures of the star of the party growing up and get them printed as 8 x 10s. Hang them all over the place.
It is fun for your guests to see the age progression.
Walking Decorations
My aunt made T-shirts for my dad's 40th party with white T-shirts and iron on transfer paper. Each shirt had a different picture of my dad on it.
This is the coolest decoration I have ever seen!
40th Birthday Party Games and Activities
Bounce House
Are you looking for a way to keep any kid guests entertained? Girl, you have to rent a bounce house!
You will have to drag those kids out of it when the party is over.
Pinata
A pinata is also a fantastic way to keep all those kids entertained.
You can fill it with candy, party favors, or snack bags of chips and crackers (which is my favorite way to do it).
Bean Bags/Corn Hole
Set up a Bean Bag tournament for all of your willing party guests.
We have done this at my extended family picnic and everyone gets involved! It is so much fun
Laser Tag
Watch the inner child of every male guest you have come out with a game of Laser Tag.
It is fun for the kids as well.
The guys don’t have to worry if the vests fit or not because there are sensors on the laser guns as well.
Dance Party
As your party gets going, and drinks get flowing, turn the music up a little bit and have a dance party.
I have this JBL Flip Bluetooth speaker. It is small but mighty!
This party light gets the crowd revved up for dancing and best of all, it is cheap.
If you want your dance party to be incredibly memorable, book an Elvis impersonator (or something like it). My aunt did this for my dad’s 40th birthday party and people are still talking about it 25 years later.
40th Birthday Theme Ideas
1. 40th Birthday
Go with the classic, hey I'm turning 40, as a theme.
There are tons of decorations that are made for turning 40. These are a few of my favorites.
Black 40th Birthday Party Decorations
2. Backyard BBQ
If the weather is nice and you have the space for it, plan a backyard BBQ.
We love grilling up hamburgers, brats and hotdogs, and chicken the most.
If you want to make it into a challenge and you are having a smaller guest list, have a rib cook-off. Our neighbors do this every summer. About 6 guys are doing the cooking and each of them brings their own grill.
It smells delicious all day long!
This is my dream smoker grill! I love grilled food. My dad has this one and he has yet to make something taste bad on it.
I am also super intrigued by this Flat Top grill. If you have it, let me know what you think in the comments below.
3. Mexican Fiesta
Last summer, my oldest sister turned 40 so we had to throw her a party!
Choosing the Mexican Fiesta theme for her party was a no-brainer because she loves a fantastic margarita along with tacos. We ended up having a taco bar for the food, yum!
Now, my sister swears that the best way to make a margarita is by using this margarita machine, and she is so right!
Things got crazy when we found a full-sized sombrero for her and sombrero headbands for the rest of us.
We had a pinata for the kids along with a shot or 2 of tequila for the adults. 😊
4. 80s Theme
My second oldest sister is turning 40 this summer, so another sister and I (there are 7 girls and 1 boy in my family and it is quite the loud crew) are planning an 80s theme party for her.
Check out the decorations we found.
5. Luau
A luau themed birthday party is fun any time of the year.
Your guests will love these Hawaiian leis and fun party glasses😊.
You can use that smoker grill I was talking about before to create a whole Hawaiian Luau feast.
6. Outdoor Movie
A few times every year, our neighborhood gets together for outdoor movie night and it is such a hit.
This is the movie projector and screen that we use.
You can set up a whole movie theater snack bar like popcorn and m&m's to get everyone in the movie groove.
Just don’t forget the bug spray!
7. Murder Mystery Party
As I said before, I have a large family and when we are all together there are about 18 adults with a few older teens sprinkled in.
We have done murder mystery parties on a few occasions now – Christmas, the celebration of a new house, and a bachelorette party.
And every time it was a hit and everyone dress up and joined in on the fun.
You can find a bunch of different Murder Mystery Party packets here.
8. Game Night
One of my sisters loves playing games and wanted to do a small party for her 30th birthday. It was so much fun.
Catch Phrase and Pictionary are fantastic games for a crowd.
9. Color Theme Party
My good friend loves the color red. I’m serious, she can’t get enough. The theme for one of her birthdays was to have everyone wear black and red.
It was a lot of fun for everyone.
10. Black Tie Affair
Are you feeling fancy? Fancy enough for a black tie affair?
Try out having a black tie theme then.
I have to say that the only time I got my husband to wear a tux was for our wedding, after that – no way so I don’t see this one happening for us. ☹
11. Roaring 20s Party
Bring on the Flappers! We did the Roaring 20s theme for one of my sister’s bachelorette parties and it was amazing! There are so many costumes for it too! This one was mine.
I helped plan this party and found a bunch of decorations like these.
12. African Safari
Did she just say an African Safari for a 40th birthday party? Shouldn’t that be for kids?
No way girl, it can totally be for adults and it is a blast.
We put together this 40th birthday theme for my husband last year because an African Safari is on his bucket list.
My kids made animal masks but then we got these masks for other kiddo guests to wear.
Inside our whole house was decorated like a jungle with streamers, balloons, and huge different-sized leaves, which my kids made out of construction paper.
13. Disco Party
Even though I haven’t been to a disco themed party, all that dancing would be right up my alley.
This set of photo booth props is amazing and I can’t get enough of these balloons either.
14. Pirates
Our neighbor loves the pirate theme, and he even goes all out for a Halloween party with it. It is something we go to every year.
There are pirate yard blow-ups, pirate music, we all dress up in costumes, and more decorations! He even decorates all the drink coolers as treasure chests.
You could use this theme for your 40th birthday party and then have Halloween decorations for years to come.
15. Ice Cream Social
If you are looking for more of a tame 40th birthday party idea and want to involve all the kids, an ice cream social is it!
Have an ice cream toppings bar with as many toppings as you can think of – chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, hot fudge, whipped cream, mini cookies, nuts, sprinkles, candies, maraschino cherries, and so much more.
Pick up this amazing ice cream maker and whip up some homemade ice cream. It is fast and easy with this machine and you can make it ahead of time so you won’t be working on it during your party.
16. Camping Party
If you are throwing a party for someone who loves camping, have a camping theme party.
You can put these cute lanterns out on the tables, hang up this outhouse door cover on your bathroom, and have an area to make s’mores.
And I love being around a campfire! It is so relaxing.
17. Yard Games
We love yard games for grown-ups around here. It gets everyone up and doing something.
My favorites include bean bags, lasso golf, and croquet (and this can get intense when you have ruthless people playing).
What are some of your favorite yard games? Let me know in the comments below.
18. Under the Sea Theme
I like the ocean but some people are bananas about it. If this is true for you, check out all of these amazing under-the-sea theme party decorations.
No matter what, you have to get these bubble garlands. They are so cool!
I love this wavy tinsel foil as a backdrop. It looks so fantastic!
19. Scavenger Hunt
Send your guests on a scavenger hunt in groups of 2 - 4 either at your house or around town.
If you send them around town, set some rules like a time limit and they must have photo proof.
This post was all about the best 40th birthday theme ideas.
Let me know in the comments below which 40th birthday theme idea you plan to run with.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.