The Top 40th Birthday Party Ideas At Home

Hey girl, today let's chat all about the best 40^th birthday party ideas at home that will be talked about for years to come.

Holy moly, someone is turning 40 and you want to plan a celebration.  However, you are limited to celebrating at home.  Don’t fret, I have you covered with these amazing 40^th birthday party ideas at home.

Even though I am not quite 40 yet, I have had my hand in the mix of planning a few amazing 40^th birthday parties (including 1 right now).

You are going to learn about what you need for your 40^th birthday party including 40^th birthday party decorations, which 40^th birthday party themes are the best, some birthday games and activities, and so much more.

After hearing about all of the must-haves for your birthday party, you will be more than ready to start planning this epic bash!

Go put your party pants on and let's get into all the top 40th birthday party ideas at home.

Deep Dive on The Mexican Fiesta Theme

First of all, I am 1 of 8.  We are a close family so we have parties and gatherings all of the time.  I am #3 in line and my #5 sister and I love to plan parties.

Just this last summer, our #1 sister turned 40.  To celebrate we threw her a surprise Mexican fiesta party.

It included lots of tacos, sombrero headbands, a pinata, and a shot or 2 of tequila (only for the adults).

We also had margaritas for everyone, even the kids.  Rest assured though; the kids' margaritas had no alcohol in them.

This thing is no joke, guys!

To make the best margaritas of your life, you have to get this margarita machine!

Whew, it is a bit expensive but worth it if you love to drink frozen drinks.

Deep Dive on The African Safari Theme

Now I know what you are thinking, an African Safari theme for someone who is turning 40?  Well, hear me out.

My husband wanted to go on an African Safari so badly for his 40^th birthday, which was last year.  But as luck would have it, the pandemic had taken over and we had to adjust the birthday plans. 

He did not want a party, surprise or otherwise, with friends.  That is just not his way of celebrating his birthday.

But my kids and I wanted to do something over-the-top special for him.  So, we created an African Photo Safari in our house.

My kids were all in and created construction paper animal masks to wear - a hippo, a lion, a cheetah, and a gazelle.

I was set to be the tour guide.

We decorated our whole main level with streamers, balloons, and leaves (which we made out of construction paper). 

When he got home from work, he was so surprised and laughed the whole way through “the tour”.  Safe to say, he loved it.

I am still not sure how in the world my kids didn’t spill the beans about it or how I am going to top it this year.

Theme Decorations

For all of the 40^th birthday party themes I mentioned above, there are amazing party decoration kits for them all.

And there are lots of extras you can buy if you want to go hog wild about it.

Maybe painting is more her vibe when it comes to art.  These painting materials are great for her.

Mexican Fiesta Theme

The 80s Theme

Black Tie Affair

Roaring 20s

Disco Party

Pirate Party

African Safari

Decoration Party Pack

If you are looking to keep things a bit more basic and have your theme be a 40^th birthday party then these decoration party packs will be perfect for you.

Guys Decoration Party Pack

Ladies Decoration Party Pack

Birthday Decoration Basics

Photo Booth

Pictures

If you can find them, put pictures up of the birthday boy/girl – 1 of every year they have been alive.  Do you know what I mean?

A picture of when he was 1 and 5 and 12 and so on.

Guests love to look at pictures and it is fun to see how a person has changed over 40 years!

Walking Decorations

For my dad’s 40^th birthday, my aunt had t-shirts made with a picture of my dad on them for all of my sisters and me to wear. 

What was so cool about these shirts was that I was 14 at the time, so the picture of my dad was when he was 14.  And this age match was true for all of my sisters.

Bounce House

For most of you, I am sure there will be kids running around this birthday party.

The best thing you can do is rent a bounce house.  Yes, you heard me right.  RENT A BOUNCE HOUSE!!!

Those kids will be in there pretty much the whole party and you can spend some time chatting with everyone.

Pinata

This one is for the kids too but so worth it.  Grab a pinata.

You can fill it with candy, of course.  But you can also put in kid party favors.

A pinata is so much fun and takes a bit of time.  I honestly can’t remember the last time that we did NOT have a pinata at our parties.

Human Battleship

All right, guys, I have not tried human battleship yet but we are getting it set up for my sister’s 40^th birthday party.

It goes something like this.  Set up a volleyball net and put blankets or a tarp over it, so one side can’t see the other.  Split up into teams and have everyone kneel or sit down.  Then everyone takes turns tossing water balloons over the net.

If a person gets hit, they are out.

Let me know in the comments below if you have played this and how it went.

Bean Bags/Corn Hole

Laser Tag

Music

I also love this party light.  It is cheap and can be put anywhere.  The dance party is even better when you have 2 of these lights going.

If you want to go all out, book an Elvis impersonator (or something of the like).  My aunt did this for my dad’s 40^th birthday party and it was the best time!

I am not the best at providing party favors for my guests.  Honestly, I concentrate more on the food, decorations, games, and activities.

However, if you are hoping to give your guests a little gift these are some fantastic options.

For the grown-ups, I would go with a bottle of wine and some chocolates.

Otherwise, these are some fun party favors that are also useful for your guests.

Cups

Can Coolers

Bottle Openers

As much fun as parties are, they can get expensive in a hurry.  So, if you are on a budget, here are a few things that can save you money.

• Keep it simple!  You don’t have to have decorations, party favors, and so on.
• Don’t have a large guest list.
• Spend some time and make the food and desserts yourself.  Catering gets expensive.
• If friends offer to bring food, let them.
• Ask your guests to bring their adult beverages.
• Have your party at a restaurant.  Let guests know that they will be buying their supper.  This is ok!  We did this for my sister-in-law’s 40^th birthday and it worked out great.