Life Begins at…40 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas

Rumor has it that life begins at 40. Let’s brainstorm and highlight the best 40 year old birthday party ideas and trends to make that special someone feel truly alive! Without further ado, let’s dive into some fantastic birthday party decorations, themes, and ideas to help you celebrate your favorite 40-year-old in style.

This post is all about 40 year old birthday party ideas. It contains affiliate links, meaning, I might receive a small commission, but at no cost to you.

Every birthday party needs decorations, and for the big 4-0, experts say burgundy is the top choice. It’s the perfect shade to celebrate the special woman in your life as she moves out of her 30s.

Pairing burgundy with rose gold is a fantastic idea. Take a look at this mood board featuring 40th birthday party decorations to see how you can layer in those beautiful rose, wine, and coral shades.

40th Birthday Party Decorations for Her

• 40th Birthday Candles- https://amzn.to/3Cxlldo
• Women’s 40th Birthday Tee- https://amzn.to/3jQGdWh
• Rose Gold Glitter Happy Birthday Sign-https://amzn.to/3ieoeJf
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• #40 Balloons- https://amzn.to/3GOt8WQ
• Kissing My 30’s Goodbye Balloons- https://amzn.to/3GoSaKq
• Rose Gold Dotted Tablecloth- https://amzn.to/3Ztwhma
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40th Birthday Party Decorations for Him

For guys, the color scheme is more classic, sticking to simple shades. In this mood board, I chose black, gold, and silver. Check out these decorations and use them as inspiration, or a starting point for brainstorming your party.

• Tableware Set- https://amzn.to/3QkWHCa
• Straight Outa My 30s Shirt- https://amzn.to/3GLNgIO
• Disposable 40th Tablecloth- https://amzn.to/3QjY6ZZ
• #40 Candles- https://amzn.to/3VTduNV
• Gold #40 Balloons- https://amzn.to/3XuvNuj
• Happy Birthday Banner- https://amzn.to/3ZfOJOR
• 40th Birthday Hat- https://amzn.to/3vHPItE
• Outdoor String Lights- https://amzn.to/3GMxuNZ
• Silver, Black, and Gold Backdrop Streamers- https://amzn.to/3X3Ht6W

40th Birthday Party Games

Scavenger Hunt for the Adults

Remember how fun scavenger hunts were when you were little? Why not plan an adult version for your party? Everyone can join in! You can set up the hunt around the house or create a fun printable checklist and take it to the streets for an exciting adventure. Click here for more scavenger hunt ideas.

The Hilarious, This or That Game

Have you ever played the This or That game, also known as “Would You Rather”? It’s where you ask fun and thought-provoking questions, and your guests answer by moving to one side of the room or the other. Questions like, “Would you rather have 10 dogs or 10 cats?” It’s the perfect icebreaker to get the party started! Click here for more This or That questions you can ask your guests.

Card Games that Entertain

Don’t underestimate the fun of simple card games. Break out Uno, Go Fish, or Yahtzee and have a blast! Make it extra special by having the birthday guest deal the cards or be the first one up to “bat.”

40th Piñata Funsies

Amazon has the cutest #40 piñatas that would add so much fun, laughs, and goodies to your birthday party. You can fill them with adult items like money, scratch-offs, and funny “getting-old” gag gifts like prune juice, Bengay, and Ace bandages. Click here for piñata ideas.

White Elephant Birthday Gift Exchange

You can have a white elephant gift exchange any time of year, not just at Christmas. Why not include it as one of your 40th birthday party games and request that the gifts have a funny “getting-old” theme? It’s sure to be hilarious!

40th Party Themes and Ideas

Turn it into a Surprise Party

If you want to make the 40th celebration a surprise, be sure your guest of honor enjoys surprises. You don’t want them humming Leslie Gore’s, “It’s My Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To” the whole time. LOL! 😆

Costume Party

Encourage your guests to dress up in superhero costumes from back in the day when your favorite 40-year-old was a kid. Or, any other fun costume theme you can think of would be wonderful, too!

Cookie Baking/Decorating Party

Is the birthday boy/girl a fan of baking? Turn this party into a cookie-baking extravaganza! Frost the sweet treats after they cool and have a contest to see who can be the most creative with their designs. Maybe they can win a special party favor that night! 😉

Favorite Pinterest Recipe Potluck

Pinterest is a fantastic resource for finding recipes and inspiration. Invite your guests to bring their favorite Pinterest dish to share and turn the dinner party into a potluck gathering. Everyone will enjoy trying out new flavors and showcasing their cooking talents!

Take a Group Cooking Class

Does your loved one enjoy cooking? Treat them and their group of friends and family to a cooking class at your local Sur La Table or another community venue that offers cooking services. It’ll be a blast creating new and fresh masterpieces that everyone will love. 😋

Make it a Day at the Beach

If it’s hot outside, why not bring the party to the beach and enjoy swimming, squirt gun wars, beach volleyball, and a fabulous BBQ? 💦

Go Ice Skating or Roller Skating

If your guest of honor loves skating, why not take them roller skating? Opt for ice skating in winter and invite some of their favorite friends along. Often, with a large enough group, you can even rent the space for your party.

Host a Fancy Dinner

Your birthday guest will feel incredibly loved sitting at the head of a beautifully decorated table in their honor. Raise a glass and offer a toast to the birthday king or queen. To keep the conversation flowing during dinner, encourage everyone to share a special memory about their celebrated friend.

Hit the Hills and Go Skiing or Sledding

Depending on whether there’s snow during your celebration for that special 40-year-old, you can consider skiing or sledding for some outdoor fun. ⛷ If there’s a group of adventurous folks among his/her friends, why not invite everyone to meet up at the local hill and have a blast celebrating in the great outdoors, all bundled up?

Put on Your Dancing Shoes and Go Square-Dancing

If your favorite 40-year-old loves to dance, why not rent a room for your group at a local square-dancing venue or create your own dance floor in your home or backyard? You can all boogie until their dancing shoes fall off! 👡

Make it a Food Themed Party

My dear friend Barb is planning a special 40th birthday celebration for her son. He’s requested Grandma’s famous pasta with stuffed meatballs. A fun idea for his 40th birthday party is to center the celebration around this Italian food theme. Given the special Italian recipe, Barb could make the entire party an Italian feast and decorate it to give it the look and feel of Olive Garden.

Have a Bon Fire Party with S’mores

Hosting a bonfire and roasting s’mores is a trendy birthday party idea you can enjoy any time of year. I fondly recall my childhood memories of going up north for snowmobiling trips, where we’d always gather around bonfires in the snow and toast marshmallows. Bundled up in our snow gear, we’d relish the warmth of the bonfire while indulging in our gooey sweet treats.

Or, if you prefer the great indoors during the winter season, Amazon has the cutest tabletop s’mores fire pit options (click here for some fun tabletop fire pit options) where you and your special guests can stay toasty warm inside, and roast their marshmallows while gathering around the kitchen table.

If you want to knock your firepit hosting, s’mores roasting, 40th birthday party outa’ the park, place all of your sweet marshmallow treats and sidekicks on a charcuterie board. Click here for tips on how to create one.

Candy Land Goodness

This isn’t about the Candy Land game, but rather the presentation of your 40-year-old’s favorite candy treats in adorable containers, plates, and bowls.

Other Fun Posts You Might Want to Check Out

Best 40th Birthday Gifts for Wife

Fabulous 40th Birthday Party Invitations

Simple and Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

Thanks for joining me as we explored some fun and trendy 40 year old birthday party ideas. I hope you feel inspired and have gathered some great ideas for celebrating your special birthday friend.

P.S. Note of Encouragement

Embrace the moment! When birthdays roll around, I’m reminded of the value of life and time. There’s no price tag you can put on either. Enjoy the moments today brings and savor every minute.

When we live in the present, we allow ourselves to fully embrace the moment. It’s great to have dreams and visions for tomorrow, but live your life IN today. When you do, you’ll have no regrets when you lay your head on the pillow at night. 💤