Ever watched your kid light up at the sound of “Sunny Day”? Yeah, that’s the magic of Sesame Street right there.
Planning a birthday bash around these lovable characters isn’t just about slapping some Elmo stickers on a cake—it’s about creating a whole vibe that’ll make your little one (and honestly, you too) feel like they’ve stepped right into that iconic neighborhood.
I’ve thrown a couple of these parties myself, and lemme tell you, the devil’s in the details.
So let’s jump into 15 ideas that’ll turn your party into the talk of the playground. 🙂
If you’re looking for more ways to keep the celebration going beyond the party, check out these unique ways to wish birthday online for some digital inspiration.
1. Cookie Monster’s Cookie Decorating Station
Image Prompt: A colorful party table setup with blue Cookie Monster themed decorations, featuring plain sugar cookies, various colored frostings in bowls, sprinkles, chocolate chips, and Cookie Monster face cutouts. Kids’ hands visible decorating cookies with Cookie Monster plush toy sitting nearby. Bright, cheerful party atmosphere with googly eyes and blue tablecloth.
Nothing says Sesame Street like Cookie Monster’s insatiable appetite, right? Setting up a cookie decorating station is basically a win-win—kids get entertained, and you get about 20 minutes of peace while they’re focused on frosting. Plus, they get to take home their edible masterpieces.
How to Do It:
- Bake simple sugar cookies beforehand (or buy them if you’re short on time—no judgment here).
- Set up bowls with blue frosting to match Cookie Monster’s fur, along with other colors like red, yellow, and green.
- Provide toppings galore: sprinkles, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and edible googly eyes.
- Include Cookie Monster face templates so kids can recreate his iconic look on their cookies.
2. Oscar’s Trash Can Toss Game
Image Prompt: A DIY carnival game setup featuring a large gray trash can decorated with Oscar the Grouch’s face, surrounded by colorful bean bags or soft balls. Green shaggy fabric draping from the top to mimic Oscar. Kids lined up waiting their turn, with a scoring chart visible in the background. Outdoor or indoor party space with Sesame Street banners.
Oscar might be grouchy, but this game is anything but! Kids absolutely love tossing stuff into targets, and making it Oscar-themed adds that perfect Sesame Street twist. I set this up at my nephew’s party, and honestly, the adults got competitive too.
How to Do It:
- Grab a large trash can (clean, obviously) and decorate it with Oscar’s face using construction paper or printouts.
- Create bean bags or use soft balls in various colors—bonus points if you make them look like “trash items.”
- Mark throwing lines at different distances for various age groups.
- Set up a point system where closer throws get fewer points and farther ones score higher.
For more fun party game ideas that’ll keep everyone entertained, explore these question games to play with friends.
3. Elmo’s Red World Photo Booth
Image Prompt: A vibrant photo booth corner with a red backdrop covered in Elmo faces and hearts. Props displayed on a small table including Elmo masks, red feather boas, oversized glasses, speech bubbles with Elmo phrases like “Elmo loves you!”, and goldfish bowl props. Soft lighting with a camera on tripod ready for photos.
Photo booths are basically mandatory at kids’ parties now, aren’t they? Making it Elmo-centric with tons of red everything just makes sense. Kids go wild with props, and you end up with the cutest party pics for your album.
How to Do It:
- Hang a bright red backdrop or use red streamers to create a wall effect.
- Print or buy Elmo-themed props: masks, fish bowls (Dorothy reference!), speech bubbles, and red accessories.
- Set up a camera on a tripod with a remote, or designate someone as the party photographer.
- Create a props table where kids can easily grab and swap items between photos.
4. Big Bird’s Nest Craft Corner
Image Prompt: A crafting station with brown paper plates, yellow feathers, googly eyes, orange construction paper, glue sticks, and scissors spread across a table. Sample completed Big Bird nest craft displayed prominently. Kids sitting around the table working on their crafts with colorful crayons and markers nearby. Bright, sunny party room setting.
FYI, craft stations are lifesavers when you need to wind down the energy a bit. This Big Bird nest activity is simple enough for toddlers but fun enough that older kids won’t roll their eyes at you.
How to Do It:
- Provide paper plates as the base for the nest.
- Offer torn brown paper strips or shredded paper for the nest material.
- Supply yellow pom-poms or cotton balls that kids can turn into baby birds.
- Include googly eyes, orange paper triangles for beaks, and glue sticks for assembly.
5. Count von Count’s Number Hunt
Image Prompt: A scavenger hunt setup with purple number cards (1-10) hidden around a party space. Count von Count cutouts and bat decorations visible on walls. Kids with small collection bags searching excitedly. Purple and black themed decorations with numbers prominently displayed throughout the room.
One, two, three… four amazing minutes of focused kid activity! This scavenger hunt is perfect because it’s educational without feeling like homework. The Count would approve, and so will the parents at your party.
How to Do It:
- Create number cards from 1-10 (or higher for older kids) using purple cardstock.
- Hide the numbers throughout your party space—under tables, behind decorations, taped to walls.
- Give each child a collection bag or list to check off numbers as they find them.
- Award small prizes when kids complete their collection or find all numbers.
Looking for more engaging activities? These kids activities offer tons of inspiration for keeping little ones entertained.
6. Bert and Ernie’s Rubber Ducky Race
Image Prompt: A long plastic gutter or water table setup filled with water and multiple rubber duckies lined up at the starting line. Yellow and orange decorations representing Bert and Ernie. Kids kneeling beside the race track with spray bottles or fans to propel their ducks. Towels laid out underneath to catch water splashes.
Remember how Ernie’s rubber ducky song basically defined childhood? This race brings that energy to your party. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and it’s absolutely worth it.
How to Do It:
- Set up a long water channel using gutters, water tables, or even a kiddie pool.
- Number each rubber ducky so kids know which one is theirs.
- Provide spray bottles or handheld fans for kids to propel their ducks forward.
- Mark a clear finish line and have small prizes ready for first, second, and third place.
7. Abby Cadabby’s Magical Fairy Wand Workshop
Image Prompt: A craft table decorated with pink and purple glitter, wooden dowels, star cutouts, ribbons, sequins, and glue. Abby Cadabby themed decorations with fairy wings and wands displayed. Sample completed wands standing in a decorated holder. Kids wearing fairy wings while crafting their wands in a sparkly, magical setup.
IMO, every party needs at least one “make your own” station, and these fairy wands are perfect. Plus, kids can wave them around for the rest of the party, which adds to the magical atmosphere.
How to Do It:
- Purchase wooden dowels or sticks as the wand base.
- Cut out star shapes from cardboard or foam in pink, purple, and silver.
- Provide ribbons, glitter, sequins, and stickers for decoration.
- Set up a gluing station with adult supervision for safety.
8. Sesame Street Character Costume Contest
Image Prompt: Kids dressed as various Sesame Street characters—Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Oscar—standing in a line for judging. Colorful backdrop with Sesame Street sign. Parents taking photos while a judging table with ribbons and small trophies visible. Festive party atmosphere with character balloons floating in background.
Kids love showing off their costumes, and this contest gives them a reason to go all out. You don’t need fancy prizes—even dollar store ribbons will make them feel like winners.
How to Do It:
- Announce the costume contest in advance on your party invites.
- Create judging categories like “Most Creative,” “Best DIY,” or “Looks Most Like the Character.”
- Set up a “runway area” where kids can show off their costumes.
- Award ribbons or small prizes to each participant so everyone feels special.
Need some conversation starters for the party? Check out these conversation starters for teens that work great for older siblings too.
9. Grover’s Super Hero Training Course
Image Prompt: An obstacle course setup with tunnels, cones for zigzag running, hula hoops for jumping through, and a “building” to rescue stuffed animals from. Blue Grover/Super Grover decorations and capes hanging on a rack. Kids running through the course with capes flying behind them. Outdoor or large indoor space with cheering parents.
Grover’s transformation into Super Grover is legendary, right? This training course lets kids channel their inner superhero while burning off that birthday cake sugar rush.
How to Do It:
- Set up various obstacles: tunnels to crawl through, cones for zigzag running, hoops to jump through.
- Create a “rescue mission” where kids save stuffed animals from a pretend burning building.
- Provide blue capes or bandanas so kids can dress like Super Grover.
- Time each kid (or don’t—competition isn’t always necessary) and celebrate their completion.
10. Cookie Monster’s Blue Snack Bar
Image Prompt: A dessert table exclusively featuring blue foods—blue cupcakes, blue Jello, blue candy, blue popcorn, and blue drinks. Large Cookie Monster face as centerpiece. Clear glass jars with blue treats and Cookie Monster labels. Blue tablecloth with cookie decorations and googly eyes scattered around.
Theming your snack bar around Cookie Monster means one thing: everything’s blue. It sounds weird, but kids think it’s hilarious, and it makes for seriously Instagram-worthy party pics.
How to Do It:
- Gather blue snacks: blue Jello cups, blue candy (M&Ms, gummies), blue popcorn (use food coloring).
- Bake blue cupcakes with Cookie Monster toppers or faces.
- Create blue punch or lemonade with blue food coloring.
- Label everything with Cookie Monster-themed signs like “C is for Cookies” or “Monster Munchies.”
11. The Count’s Counting Challenge Games
Image Prompt: Multiple game stations featuring counting activities—bean bag toss with numbered targets, stacking blocks with numbers, number matching cards laid out on table. Purple and black decorations with bat cutouts. Count von Count cardboard cutout overseeing the games. Kids engaged in different counting challenges with scorecards.
Learning disguised as fun? That’s what this is all about. The Count would be proud, and honestly, parents love when parties sneak in some educational value. :/
How to Do It:
- Create multiple counting stations: numbered bean bag toss, block stacking, number matching.
- Assign points or stamps for each completed activity on a scorecard.
- Use purple and black decorations to match The Count’s aesthetic.
- Award “Counting Master” certificates to all participants at the end.
For more thought-provoking activities, explore these thought provoking questions that can spark interesting conversations.
12. Zoe’s Orange Dance Party Corner
Image Prompt: A designated dance floor area with orange streamers, balloons, and lights. Speaker system playing Sesame Street songs. Zoe cutouts and orange tutus hanging as decorations. Kids dancing with glow sticks or ribbons. Disco ball or colorful rotating lights creating party atmosphere.
Every party needs a dance zone, and Zoe’s bubbly personality makes her the perfect mascot for it. Crank up those Sesame Street tunes and watch the kids go wild.
How to Do It:
- Designate a clear dance floor area with orange decorations everywhere.
- Create a Sesame Street playlist including classics like “Rubber Ducky” and “C is for Cookie.”
- Provide dance props like ribbons, scarves, or glow sticks.
- Host dance contests throughout the party with fun categories like “Silliest Dance” or “Best Elmo Impression.”
13. Sesame Street Storytime Corner
Image Prompt: A cozy reading nook with floor cushions, bean bags, and soft blankets arranged in a circle. Sesame Street books displayed on a small bookshelf or in baskets. Large Sesame Street character cutouts surrounding the area. Soft lighting creating calm atmosphere. Kids sitting comfortably while an adult reads from a Sesame Street book.
Need a breather from the chaos? A storytime corner gives kids (and you) a chance to chill out. Plus, it’s perfect for the little ones who get overwhelmed by too much action.
How to Do It:
- Gather Sesame Street books from your collection or the library.
- Set up comfortable seating with cushions, bean bags, or soft rugs.
- Schedule specific storytime sessions so kids know when to gather.
- Use character voices when reading to make it extra entertaining.
14. Murray’s Amazing Sidewalk Chalk Art Station
Image Prompt: Outdoor space with sidewalk or driveway covered in colorful chalk drawings. Buckets of various colored chalk pieces scattered around. Murray cutouts and Sesame Street characters drawn on the ground. Kids kneeling and drawing their own Sesame Street scenes. Sun shining with shadows of playing children visible.
If you’ve got outdoor space, sidewalk chalk is a no-brainer. Kids can draw their favorite characters, hopscotch games, or just go wild with colors. Murray would definitely approve of this hands-on fun.
How to Do It:
- Buy bulk sidewalk chalk in various colors.
- Create starter templates by drawing character outlines kids can fill in.
- Set up a “gallery walk” where kids show off their finished artwork.
- Take photos of all the creations before the weather washes them away.
Want more creative ideas for family bonding? These mother and daughter activities offer wonderful inspiration for quality time together.
15. Sesame Street Character Meet and Greet
Image Prompt: A designated greeting area with Sesame Street backdrop and person in Elmo or Cookie Monster costume. Kids lined up excitedly waiting their turn for photos and hugs. Parents ready with cameras. Character sitting on special chair with Sesame Street decorations surrounding the meet-and-greet zone. Balloons and streamers creating festive entrance.
Alright, this one’s the big finale—an actual character appearance. Whether you rent a costume or convince a talented friend to dress up, having a real-life Elmo walk in is basically the highlight of any kid’s year.
How to Do It:
- Rent or purchase a character costume (Elmo and Cookie Monster are usually the biggest hits).
- Schedule a specific appearance time so all kids are present.
- Set up a photo opportunity area with good lighting and backdrop.
- Plan a short interaction where the character waves, gives hugs, and maybe does a little dance.
There you have it—15 solid ideas to make your Sesame Street birthday party absolutely unforgettable. The beauty of these ideas is that you don’t need to do all of them. Pick the ones that match your kid’s favorites, your budget, and your sanity level. Mix and match, get creative, and most importantly, have fun with it.
Remember, the best parties aren’t about perfection—they’re about watching your little one’s face light up when they see their favorite characters come to life. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, just bringing that Sesame Street magic into your home is what counts. Now go forth and party like you’re on the most famous street in television history! 🙂
For more celebration inspiration and ways to make special moments memorable, check out these funny ways to say happy birthday to add some extra laughs to your greetings.