13 Great 90th Birthday Ideas To Make The Big Occasion Special

The key to a long life — is amazing birthday celebrations! We have 13 great 90th birthday ideas based on advice from centenarians on how to live a long, healthy life. And you probably already know the first step to booking the party of the (almost!) century — finding the perfect setting. Luckily, that’s something Peerspace can help you with, too. As the largest online marketplace for venue rentals, we have countless clean, safe, and incredibly stylish venues available near you. You can book your dream venue by the hour, from a local host whose listing includes all the information you need about the space.

Besides 90th birthday ideas the guest of honor will appreciate, we also threw in a few other fun and unique ideas that guests of all ages will love!

1. Go somewhere new with Peerspace

Make this birthday extra special with a change of scenery! Find a venue on Peerspace with a beautiful view, space for the whole family, and big, comfy couches to take naps after filling up on cake! Choose a venue where you’ll be able to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio while listening to the birds or a space where you can hear the waves hitting the beach from the living room window. You can also sort venues through keywords like “handicap accessible” or only show listings with amenities like elevators if you have accessibility concerns.

Find the perfect venue but need other party essentials, like catering and waitstaff? Contact the Concierge service and they will source and deliver anything else you need to make this party even more memorable!

2. Beer and whiskey

Cheers to a long and healthy life! Don’t be afraid to include beer, whiskey, or another of the birthday guy or gal’s favorite drinks in the birthday celebration. After all, New Jersey’s longest-living resident swears by it! NBC New York reported that “[Agnes] Fenton was prescribed alcohol by a doctor for a benign tumor in 1943. She took heed, drinking Miller High Life and Johnnie Walker Blue Label daily for decades. When interviewed on her 110th birthday, Fenton credited the routine for her longevity.”

3. Pajama party

Napping counts as a hobby too! Keep the birthday party relaxed with a pajama party vibe, bringing the whole family to celebrate in their best flannel PJs, nighties, and hairnets. On her 110th birthday, Flossie Dickey said she would rather take a nap than have a party. So we say go ahead — your guest of honor has earned that nap! The best birthday celebration may just be to snuggle up with hot cocoa and watch a movie.

4. Find your zen

If possible, help your senior be more flexible on their 90th birthday— literally— and try yoga!  Lil Hansen taught yoga on her 105th birthday, so you can’t necessarily use the excuse that they’re too old to join in on the fun! This is one of those 90th birthday ideas that can be a fun activity for the whole family — from grandparents to grandkids.

Peerspace has yoga studios available to rent, and some of them have yoga instructors ready for you to use! For example, check out this cozy studio in Philadelphia and this gorgeous light-filled space for yoga and a birthday party in San Anselmo, CA.

5. Oh so sweet

Feed that sweet tooth on your birthday!  Leandra Becerra Lumbreras lived to almost 130 years old and said chocolate is key to a long life. Her granddaughter told the Press Trust of India that “she has no diabetes or hypertension so can eat as many chocolates and sweets as she likes.” So go ahead — break out the fondue fountain, make some chocolate-covered pretzels, and serve hot cocoa to the guest of honor for their 90th birthday celebration! 

6. Soak it in

Relax all your worries away with a 90th birthday celebration in the hot springs! Masazo Nonaka, once crowned the world’s oldest living man, was a huge fan of soaking in the springs. This would be a fun birthday activity to pair with a spa day — maybe a pedicure and massage after the soak?

7. There’s no crying in cribbage

Let your senior flex their mental muscles and celebrate the big day by beating all the grandkids at cribbage! Teach them terms like “nob” and rack up points as they learn phrases like, “15-2, 15-4, that’s all there is, and there ain’t no more!” Cribbage is a fun game to play on any birthday and a great tradition to pass along! Centenarian Edris Mathiesen said cards and crossword puzzles are what keep her feeling young!

8. Let them eat cake!

Are you worried about what you serve the birthday boy or girl? Don’t be — today’s their birthday, and you should spoil them! As centenarian Elizabeth Sullivan put it — you’ve made it further than most people giving you advice. Here’s Elizabeth’s rather frank take on it:

“I saw the doctor, and he said, ‘Are you careful about what you eat?’ and I said, ‘Certainly not, I drink three Dr. Peppers a day,’ and he said, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s too much sugar. You will die if you keep drinking that,’” she recounted. “But 10 years later, he died, and I had to change doctors.”

9. Par 90

Golf is a fun sport no matter your age — so take your senior out to play a round with their friends and family! To ensure success for the birthday player, add the caveat that par for the round is actually whatever your age is. It’s going to be a good day for anyone over 72!

10. Trivia night

At 90, they’ve lived through more history than you think! Let them show off all that knowledge in a game of trivia — with a focus on the years they look back on most fondly. Trivia questions can be related directly to your family history (like Uncle Bill’s only male second cousin?) or more generic U.S. and world history and pop culture facts from years past.

11. Masquerade ball

If you are looking for 90th birthday ideas that give everyone a great excuse to dress up — consider a masquerade ball! Young guests can decorate their own masks, while adult guests can come ready in all the attire for a beautiful and fun night of dancing. Make the night extra special by hiring a string quartet to play at the party!

12. Go bird watching

Get outside for the 90th birthday celebration so your guest of honor can enjoy the warm weather and bird songs! Bird watching is a fun activity to keep everyone busy during the party but still relaxed enough to not feel too overwhelming. A great birthday gift for this activity would be a birdwatching book or a good set of binoculars.

13. Do what makes them happy

A birthday is about the person you’re celebrating, so if they don’t like any of these 90th birthday ideas, that’s okay, too. Do whatever makes them happy this birthday! Picture the perfect day in your head? What does it look like? Whatever it is … do that. Make today whatever they want it to be!

90th birthday ideas are better with Peerspace

No matter how many of these 90th birthday ideas you include at your favorite senior’s party, remember that location is crucial! On Peerspace, you can find private party venues that make gatherings with family and friends safe and convenient. Browse listings to find spaces that are wheelchair-friendly, completely indoors or outdoors, that include catering, or whatever else you think is best for the birthday guest of honor.

And remember, if you need anything to make the birthday party even better, rely on the Concierge service to source and deliver an array of goods and services. Party planning isn’t always easy, but Peerspace is here as your secret weapon to help the event unfold without a hitch!

Find unique 90th birthday party venues on Peerspace