64 Birthday ideas to celebrate in new, fun ways.

These fun things to do on your birthday cover everything from themed parties to a perfect birthday spent alone.

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Some birthday has to be “the best one ever,” and this one might be it.

If you’re looking for fun things to do on your birthday because you’re out of birthday ideas, you probably have a lot of candles on the cake. The birthday cards, letters, and social media greetings are all great, but your birthday still merits something to get excited about.

Some birthday ideas are perfect for family, while others make for great birthdays with friends. Others celebrate big milestones, and some are great ways to celebrate for free. Add one of these birthday ideas to the stack of cards and certificates this year, and you’re guaranteed a good time.

Fun things to do on your birthday with family.

The classic birthday celebration is one with family. Nothing compares to sitting at a dining room table with the lights dimmed and the candles glowing while your family sings “Happy Birthday.”

Looking for new and fun things to do on your birthday with family requires some creativity. What haven’t you already done after so many birthdays together? Browse these birthday ideas for a meaningful and memorable celebration.

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Ask specific family members to plan different parts of your birthday celebration.

Maybe your daughter picks the menu and your spouse picks the decorations. Count on Dad to make the announcements.

Schedule a family photo shoot on your birthday.

Whether you go to a studio or have a photographer meet you, a family photoshoot is a sweet way to commemorate your birthday.

Have a cookie decorating party (and bring in an instructor if you’d like).

Pick something nostalgic that you and your family used to do (but haven’t in ages) and do it.

Was it Monopoly? Did you take family bike rides? Make the time to do it again.

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Green & Yellow Soccer Sport Kids Birthday Invitation

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Orange Basketball Kids Birthday Invitation

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Fun things to do on your birthday with friends.

If you plan to celebrate your big day with friends, there are loads of fun things to do on your birthday. Savor the fun chemistry you have together and organize an activity or adventure that will keep everyone smiling for weeks. If your friends live out of town, your birthday is a reason to meet up.

Fun things to do on your birthday with friends range from themed parties to creative adventures. Which of these would your friends be most excited about?

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Plan a trip with them.

Either take a trip with them, or (if they live out of town) plan a trip to see them — or invite them to come see you.

Pick an activity venue and make a day of it.

Activity venues like arcades, bowling alleys, and miniature golf all guarantee a good time.

Have the weirdest theme party you can think up.

Maybe your friends all come over with global cuisine from just as many different countries. Or maybe you host a spooky lunar party. Whatever theme you choose, don’t forget the thematic announcements.

Go to a concert together (even better if you have to road trip to get there).

Fun things to do on your birthday with your partner.

If you want to spend your special day with your partner and no one else, there are tons of fun things to do on your birthday that focus on you two together. If one of these ideas requires time or funds you don’t have right now, you can still start planning and make yourself a certificate to “cash in.” Set a specific date, though, because these birthday ideas are too much fun not to do.

If you’re looking for birthday ideas this year because you’re bored with the “norm,” then your partner is probably ready to switch it up, too. Peruse these fun things to do on your birthday, and the perfect birthday idea for you will jump right off the screen.

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Book a room at the fanciest hotel and enjoy a relaxing overnight (and don’t forget to splurge on room service).

If you had a certificate for this one, it would probably read: permission to relax like royalty.

Take a road trip together without setting a destination.

The trip is the best part, right? Get your playlist ready and hit the road for a weekend away.

Spend a day going wherever your partner takes you (without you knowing what’s planned).

Get dressed up and go out, even if it’s just to grab pizza or frozen yogurt.

Free things to do on your birthday.

If you’re looking for free things to do on your birthday, there are endless possibilities. Yes, there’s also a list of businesses that give you birthday freebies like a free pretzel or a free dessert, but if you’re looking for fun birthday ideas to fill the hours on your special day, you’re in the right place.

These free things to do on your birthday include some ideas with friends and family and others that can be done solo. Imagine each of these as you read through, and you’ll know it when you find the right free birthday idea.

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Go window shopping with someone who knows a lot about brands and products.

The conversation will be as interesting as the contents behind the windows.

Schedule a virtual show-and-tell.

Send a letter to friends and family asking them to send videos “showing and telling” about something that reminds them of you, or schedule a live session by video conference.

Find the places that give you free stuff for your birthday and sign up for all of them.

Company loyalty programs from your favorite establishments might offer freebies on your birthday. Why not check in and see?

Make a photo calendar for your next lap around the sun.

How to make the most of these birthday ideas.

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1. Find your inspiration.
Browse birthday ideas and pick one that fits your celebration, whether it’s for you or someone special.
2. Start creating.
Open Adobe Express and choose a template or start fresh. Add names, dates, and any party details.
3. Make it festive.
Experiment with bright colors, fun fonts, and graphics. Upload photos or use our stock images to make it personal.
4. Add extra flair.
Try animations, stickers, or even a soundtrack for digital invites.
5. Share the fun.
Download or share your design online with friends and family.

Ideas for milestone birthdays.

Milestone birthdays start with the momentous 1^st birthday then stretch into adolescence with hitting double digits, entering the teenage years, and legal adulthood. After that, milestone birthdays hit each of the decades (and the quarter-century landmarks in between).

Each milestone birthday is a rite of passage that’s worth remembering. These birthday ideas for major milestones give big birthdays their due recognition while celebrating the life lived so far.

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Have a theme party based on the decade you were born in.

Check something big off your bucket list.

If you don’t do something big by this milestone birthday, when will you? If you haven’t written your bucket list yet, do so now.

Have a bring-your-own decoration party.

Instead of heading to the hobby store to buy decoration themed for your milestone, ask guests to each bring some. The first task is putting it up when people arrive. It will look random instead of Pinterest-perfect, but that’s the point.

Turn your milestone number into an activity or theme.

Could it be a day of 50 flavors? How about a 40-minute race around a track to see who runs farthest? Or maybe you can make playlist of the 30 best songs from the decade you were born in.

Birthday ideas for special meals.

For many of us, the most important ingredient of a perfect birthday is the right birthday meal.

When we were kids, it was a great source of empowerment to choose our own menu. For something new and special now, there are plenty of creative options for eating out or staying in. See which of these birthday ideas would leave your belly full and your heart even fuller.

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Pick the fanciest restaurant you’ve ever fantasized about visiting and make the reservation to go.

Even if you have to schedule a month in advance or travel to get there, make the whole experience your birthday treat.

Hire a chef to come in for a privately cooked meal.

Make your birthday cake as a group.

Prepare your favorite childhood meal.

Maybe you want it to taste exactly the same, or maybe you plan to make some tweaks for an adult palette.

Birthday ideas in special venues.

For a mix of going out and staying in, friends and family, relaxation and mischief, there are many birthday ideas that focus on unusual venues for added fun. If you’re throwing a party or having a get together anywhere other than your house, these birthday ideas in different venues provide every imaginable inspiration.

Be prepared to take photos because these birthday ideas are guaranteed to be memorable.

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Plan a meal at a restaurant that you can get to by way of adventure.

Is there a place you can get to by bike, on foot, or by boat? Better yet, is there one you can only get to that way?

Rent a food truck for an outdoor birthday event.

Plan a movie night at a drive-in theater.

If there isn’t one nearby, who could you take on a road trip to get to one?

Have a picnic in the biggest nearby park or on a beach.

Don’t just pack the picnic basket, plan to enjoy an outing that really plants you in the center of nature.

Birthday ideas if you're flying solo.

Not every birthday is celebrated in the company of friends or family. A birthday spent alone doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though. In fact, there are plenty who prefer it that way. Birthday ideas if you’re alone can be just as much fun as every other idea in this list. When you fly solo on your birthday, you’re double entitled to be selfish and do whatever you want.

Browse these ideas for any birthday you spend alone and take your pick of how adventurous or easygoing you want to be.

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Take a solo trip somewhere.

This birthday idea is also popular for those who don’t want nearby friends and family insisting that they “do something” for their birthdays. This elusive move is technically “doing something,” so no one can complain.

Buy yourself a gift (and don't be cheap).

Reflect on your past year in a journal.

Going through old photos can help get your thoughts going.

Redecorate a room in your home.

Maybe it’s your office, the living room, or your bedroom. Pick whichever really needs a “refresh.”

How to keep birthday planning low stress.

If you’re looking for fun things to do on your birthday, you’re probably working with fragile excitement that could be punctured if your birthday idea becomes hard to plan. With announcements to write, reservations to make, and thank you cards after the fact, your birthday idea shouldn’t end up feeling like work.

Here are some tips to keep stress low to get the most out of these fun birthday ideas.

Know that the guest list won’t be perfect. Someone won’t be able to come, so just leave invitations open-ended and enjoy the company of those you do see.

If you want (or expect) someone in your life to help, ask directly.

Communicate what’s important to you. If you are trying a creative birthday idea like a show-and-tell, write a letter to your friends and family explaining what you want and what it means to you.

Always get help documenting the day with photos. Whether you’re going out or having people over, ask specific guests to take photos and videos so you don’t have to think about it during the event.

Exercise: how to get really excited about your birthday.

How can you get just as excited for your birthday as you were when you were a kid?

Here are some ideas to help you get excited all over again this year:

Give yourself enough space to enjoy the day. If your employer doesn’t already give you the day off, schedule it off.

Pick the right birthday idea and excitement will build naturally. Search for the birthday ideas on this list that spark something in you.

Remember: you’re a unique being on this planet, and your birthday celebrates what makes you, you.

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Adobe Express can help.

Adobe Express online editor has tons of free templates and quick and easy customization options to put your favorite birthday ideas to work. If you want to play with birthday ideas in cards, letters, announcements, certificates, or other creative projects, Adobe Express makes it as simple as picking a template and personalizing it, or making your own idea with easy-to-use design tools. Whatever message you want to share with others, Adobe Express brings it to life, no experience required.

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