13 Creative 9-Year-Old Birthday Party Ideas (2024)

Need a few 9-year-old birthday party ideas to celebrate your little one? You may be really surprised how time is flying – your little one isn’t so little anymore. They’re about to turn 9! At 9, they have a world of excitement and discovery ahead of them, but they’re still young enough to enjoy all the perks of childhood. It’s also their last birthday before officially hitting double digits. In our book, that’s a call for a memorable birthday party.

To help spark your creativity, here are 13 creative 9-year-old birthday party ideas for your favorite almost pre-teen. And if you need help finding an awesome spot to host your party, then Peerspace can help you find rentable party venues for just about any theme in the book. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, rely on our platform to discover and book amazing kid-friendly venues near you.

We’ll discuss that more ahead. But for now, let’s check out our favorite 9-year-old birthday party ideas!

1. Throw a Hollywood-worthy movie night party

Looking for laidback 9-year-old birthday party ideas? Then host a movie-watch-a-thon party where your child can watch their favorite movies with friends. You can add playful touches by setting up a blanket fort, or set up an outdoor projector to watch movies under the stars.

You could even take things above and beyond by hosting at this Hollywood heaven four-bedroom home in Los Angeles, CA. It’s a movie-themed home that comes complete with a private movie theater room, a drive-in, a pool, and other A-list accouterments. The screening room boasts comfy seating for several guests a large-screen TV, and a starry night ceiling. Now all you need is popcorn! 

2. Make it magical with a fairytale tea party

For 9-year-olds obsessed with all things magical, consider throwing a fairytale-themed party centered around their favorite story. You could center your decorations around a Disney adaptation of the movie, like Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast, or go off-road with a more classical take on your decor. Hosting at a venue with magical touches can help you set the stage for some fantastical fun.

For inspiration, check out this real-life hobbit hole in Lake George, NY, and try not to imagine some dwarves cutting a birthday cake here. Seriously, we dare you. This one-of-a-kind retreat rental features an adorable mini home and a whimsical outdoor area complete with mountain views, a hot tub, and a fire pit.

3. Unleash their creativity with a painting party 

Here’s one of those great 9-year-old birthday party ideas for creative kids. Host a “painting party” where kids can express themselves through art. You could set up easels and have party guests try to paint the same subject, or hand out art supplies and let imagination have free reign.

If you need art supplies and space to set up for the occasion, keep an eye out for all of the art studio rentals you can find on Peerspace with artistic endeavors in mind. One of our favorites is this bright and colorful DIY maker studio in New South Wales, Australia. It’s a sweet kid-friendly space ideal for painting, arts and crafts, robotics, and more.

Check out our creative fairy party ideas to delight your child’s imagination!

4. Host a whimsical dress-up party 

Got a 9-year-old who’s obsessed with fashion on your hands? Then try hosting a dress-up party where they can channel their inner fashionista. You could hand out old clothes and have party guests compete to style their favorite outfits.

Or, try hosting at a Peerspace venue with dresses and costumes on hand for the occasion, like this adorable Alice in Wonderland boutique in Oakland, CA. Your kid and their friends can try on costumes, accessories, wigs, and more. Since the boutique also has an on-site photo studio complete with professional gear and backdrops, your child can pose with their besties for adorable pictures! 

Nine-year-old birthday party ideas like this enhance their creativity while providing lifelong memories.

5. A bake-off party for the most competitive youngsters

Do you have an aspiring chef with an upcoming birthday? Then put their culinary skills to the test by hosting a “bake-off” for their birthday. Check out the way this mom threw an amazing Great British Bake-off-themed party for her son, complete with signature, technical, and showstopper bakes.

Not only does every kid get to try their hand at baking, but you’ll also end up with an array of delicious birthday cakes for your 9-year-old and their friends to sample.

Oh, if you need space to host your birthday bake-off, check out all of the gorgeous kitchens for rent in your area available through Peerspace. One of our favorite options is this Ghirardelli Square studio in the heart of San Francisco. This spacious and colorful creative space will allow your little chef to express themself in the fully-equipped kitchen. Plus, guests and parents can enjoy time in the multiple seating areas that invite socialization.

6. Let them meet new furry friends with an animal party 

Does your 9-year-old love to spend time with animals? Then why not host the party at a petting zoo? They’ll get to spend time with fluffy rabbits, alpacas, and other animals, alongside the company of their two-legged friends.

This petting zoo in Timmonsville, SC is available to rent through Peerspace and is home to alpacas, sheep, goats, chickens, and five adorable cats. You can also relax in the on-site cottage while the kids enjoy the tree swing. 9-year-old birthday party ideas like this are a paradise for young animal lovers! 

7. Pool parties for all the little tadpoles out there 

For 9-year-olds with a spring or summer birthday, there’s nowhere cooler to host a birthday party than by the pool!

If you’re not lucky enough to have a pool in your own backyard, don’t worry. You can find incredible rentable pools in your area on Peerspace, like this backyard event space in West Lake, FL. The host offers pool toys, speakers, and a kayak ride in their private lake for free, with extra amenities like a barbecue grill and hot tub access for an additional fee if you’re interested.

A parent who booked this Peerspace for their own kiddo’s birthday shared the following review after the event: “Amazing place. The host it is wonderful. My daughter’s birthday was beautiful, kids enjoyed I was so happy to find him. I recommend this place 100%”

8. Plan a book party for your little bibliophile 

Do you have a reader on your hands? Then encourage their love of reading by hosting a book-themed party celebrating their love of literature. Try to incorporate elements from their favorite book or series into the decor, like shades of deep blue for a Percy Jackson birthday. 

You could also listen to chapters from the audio version of the book, or read chapters aloud to give the party a “book club” feel. And if you want to up the coziness factor, hosting at a venue with a library can do the trick. We love this Brooklyn Peerspace venue since it boasts a gorgeous library with super-high ceilings and a true industrial aesthetic. Definitely a fun spot for parents and kids alike to explore!

Our magical “Harry Potter” birthday party ideas can add an extra dimension to this fun suggestion!

9. Let them get competitive with a gaming party 

What 9-year-old doesn’t love video games? Take your child’s favorite video game – Minecraft, Roblox Fortnite, Among Us, or whatever else – and integrate it into the theming of the party. Beyond using video game-themed party decorations, you can also bring your console to your venue so your child can play with their friends.

Or better yet, host at a retro arcade where everyone can go head-to-head at classic arcade games. One of our favorites is this retro arcade in Lithia Springs, GA that’s home to 45 gaming cabinets that your 9-year-old and their young guests can play coin-free!

A Peerspace user who booked this arcade for a family gathering shared the following review: “This was our second time visiting, and it was even better than before. Don has an amazing collection of games and he’s a fantastic host. We will be back!”

10. Enjoy the outdoors with a camping party

Do you have a 9-year-old that loves spending time outside? Then a camping party would be perfect and you don’t even have to head out on an expedition to the woods. Pitching a tent in the backyard can bring the camping spirit to the day without much fuss.

And if you want to skip that step too, there are rentable backyard venues that come complete with tents, all of which are a breeze to book through Peerspace. We especially like the safari tent in this suburban neighborhood home in Los Angeles for hosting all your 9-year-old birthday party ideas. 

It’s a 1940s California cottage that offers you access to its decked-out safari tent, swimming pool and hot tub, kitchen, trampoline, putting green, and pool table. Yes, pretty much everything a kid (and their parents!) could want for a camping party in the LA wild.

11. A karaoke party for your little performer

Got an aspiring pop star on your hands? Then put those pipes to the test by hosting a karaoke party for your 9-year-old! You can find plenty of lyricless karaoke videos for popular songs on YouTube.

Or, if you want to book a special venue for your kid’s party that comes equipped with a karaoke system, then consider this at-home karaoke bar in Spokane, WA. It’s a nearly 900-square-foot private space with a stage, performance lighting, and all the comforts of home.

“Beautiful space and great host,” shares a Peerspace reviewer. “Although I used the space for my child’s birthday party I can’t wait too book it with adults and get good use of the bar as well! Loved the set up in multiple spots it was perfect for photo and video backgrounds! Will definitely book again!”

12. Create the perfect setting for a dance party 

If you’re the parent of a 9-year-old who loves to dance, why not encourage their talent by hosting a dance party?

Sure, you can probably host a dance party at your home. But why not make your little one’s birthday party even more special by renting a dance party venue that can provide light-up dance floors that make the perfect spot for 9-year-olds to show off their favorite Fortnite dances or TikTok routines?

In New Jersey? Then check out this fully-equipped event space in Dunellen! It boasts LED-lit furniture, an infinity dance floor, a white leather lounge, a sound system, a DJ booth, and a VIP suite.

Don’t forget to grab your phone and record your kid and their friends dancing the night away. You’ll need those videos on hand for memories, after all … and to tease your child when they’re a teen! 

13. Challenge your kid and their friends with an obstacle course

Hosting an outdoor obstacle course is one of of favorite 9-year-old birthday party ideas for kids who have boundless energy. It’s especially great if you live somewhere warm or for kids with late spring and summer birthdays.

So how do you pull off an obstacle course for your 9-year-old’s birthday party? To start, all you need is a large backyard space. Create separate stations throughout the yard, like a hula hoop station, a jump rope station, etc., using toys and sports equipment that you have laying around. Then, challenge your child and their guests to do a few sets of each activity before running to the next station, timing them along the way.

If you’d rather leave the setup to the prod, then book time at a ready-made obstacle course on Peerspace. For instance, our friends down under can rent this massive outdoor obstacle training course in New South Wales. Let’s not forget this large gathering space with an indoor obstacle course in Midloathian, VA!

9-year-old birthday party ideas: conclusion

Turning 9 is such a special time for your child and with these 9-year-old birthday party ideas, you can celebrate accordingly!

Remember to book a cute and trendy Peerspace venue that your kid and their friends will love. Since you can easily find one that’s stylish and still affordable, the adults at the party are sure to appreciate the change of venue, too. No more public “family entertainment centers” with rubbery pizza for you and your group again!

Find unique kids’ birthday party venues on Peerspace