These 50th birthday party ideas are a great way to celebrate a huge milestone for the most important people in your life! Great 50th birthday games, food ideas, and more!
A few years ago we celebrated my dad’s 50th birthday with a little celebration and ever since I can’t stop thinking about all the things I would’ve done differently!
So now I’ve put together a collection of super easy 50th birthday party ideas including 50th birthday games, decorations, food ideas, and more!
The ideas are easy, universal, and great for celebrating any 50th birthday – no matter your theme or budget!
50th Birthday Decorations
For our party, I used 50th birthday party supplies as the base for my party decorations and added in some other fun elements like striped straws (of course), straw toppers, and colored balloons that I picked up.
These other 50th birthday party decorations are some of the cutest I’ve ever seen!
Use photos to create a number backdrop like this idea from Martha Stewart.
Go all out and create the number 50 out of colored balloons like this one.
Or go super simple and just order balloons with the number 50 on them.
Print out a bunch of pictures of the guest of honor and set them up with funny sayings like these fun centerpieces.
Get a personalized printable sign with facts about the person or the year they’re born.
Or better yet, write it up a large chalkboard like this flashback sign.
If you’re feeling crafty, use tissue paper to create colorful numbers like these ones.
50th Birthday Party Food
You can either use your guest of honor’s favorite foods like we did with candy sushi and Cincinnati chili cheese coneys, or you can do 50th birthday party themed food like these cute ideas!
For dessert, serve funny insult cupcakes.
Or skip the insults and just shape the cupcakes into the number 50.
Or maybe these older than dirt cups.
And if you want a standard cake, try a tombstone one.
Or maybe tombstone and over the hill cookies.
Add number 50 toppers to any party food to make it 50 birthday party themed.
Don’t forget the chocolate – chocolate 50s that is!
50th Birthday Gift Ideas
Gifts can either be funny or something sentimental like a book with notes from 50 people in the guest of honor’s life.
Here are some more funny ones.
An old age gift basket like this one.
Or forget the gift basket and get them a time capsule from the year they were born.
Create a funny candy gram like this one using their favorite candy bars. Or better yet, put the statements on balloons like this candy gram!
A vintaged aged to perfection t-shirt
A clever 50th birthday survival kit like this one.
A 5 rings necklace – one ring for each decade they’ve been alive.
Give them this clever card with either $50 in it or an amount of money equaling the year they turned 50 (e.g., $20 in 2020).
Or last but not least, a book like Dr. Seuss’ You’re Only Old Once.
50th Birthday Games & Activities
The first game that we played was Name That Tune.
I put together a playlist with one song from the past 50 years (plus ones from the past few years since we played this back in 2013!) and we played my dad versus the rest of the family. My dad beat us but only by a few points.
Here is the full list of songs that I used as well as detailed instructions on how to play Name That Tune.
Play some of these minute to win it games for groups. I’ll be the first to tell you my dad loves minute to win it games!
You could also try out one of these fun games or activities!
Play The Birthday Party Board Game
Try your hand at 50 years of Trivia with these 50 years trivia playing cards.
Play 50th birthday bingo with cards filled with words that describe your guest of honor.
More Birthday Ideas
Check out these other birthday party ideas you might love!
- Creative 30th birthday gifts
- Birthday party ideas at home
- Birthday scavenger hunt
- Birthday party games
- DIY cake topper
Update: This post was originally published in 2013 and has been updated with new photos and ideas.
cheap party shop says
Awesome resources!
Thanks for sharing such good article. This is really helpful.
BritniV says
Thanks so much
Lisa says
Thanka so much for all uour wonderfil creayive ideas. Eo helpful!! Glad your Dad celebrated 50 yrs. Loved the candy board!
BritniV says
thank you so much!
Alisha Ross says
I did your spa party and everyone loved it! it’s so relaxing but you can still have great fun with the facemasks and stuff. I definitely recommend a lush bathbomb to put in the bathtub. then get everyone to stick their feet in. it’s great and leaves Ur skin SOOO smooth;!!!!
BritniV says
thank you so much!
Brenda V says
I can’t access the Name that Tune list of songs and instructions. Says “file not found”. Would you mind posting it again or emailing it to me? Thanks so much. Found a LOT of great ideas on here for a last minute party for a friend!
BritniV says
Just fixed it – not sure what happened, sorry about that! And sorry if it’s too late for your friend’s party!
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Anne Boss says
Really! this is great idea about Wholesale Party Supplies in birthday party decorations. Some fun elements are added also in this party. There are many types of food as-Cupcakes ,fruits,slice of banana,vanilla wafer etc. available. It is looking soo….nice.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Thanks for posting this at the Saturday Night Fever link party. Hope to see you back on Saturday!
Robin says
I think this is a great party! Happy Birthday to your dad 🙂 I love the candy sushi ! How adorable!!1
Thanks for linking up with Twirl & Take a Bow! ox
Kathy H says
Totally love this post! These ideas even top the 40th we had for my husband a while ago. You did a great job on all the photos and your ideas are super! Thanks
Melanie G says
I love the candy sushi! what a great idea! I’m a new follower by way of Create Link Inspire party.
Melanie
Violetsbuds.blogspot.com
Stephanie @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says
That candy sushi is absolutely adorable! I am totally going to use that sometime. What neat ideas. Stopping by and pinning from Pin It Monday!
Deauna says
It looks like you guys had a great time. I love the 50 Sucks straws.
Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple says
It’s crazy that I have a brother that is 50!!! Wow 🙂
Britni Vigil says
Isn’t that crazy? That must mean that you’re almost…
lydiaf says
I love it! I turned 50 and 2013, and it was an awesome year…evryone should celebrate instead of mourn the passing of years 🙂
Britni Vigil says
I completely agree Lydia! And happy 50!
Danita@ O Taste And See says
FUN! It looks like a great party. I love the food and decor…best part…no black “over the hill” decorations. (This coming from someone who’s not too far from 50)
Britni Vigil says
Thanks Danita! I tried to keep it bright and fun.