A tennis birthday party is what happens when you want a country club but don't want to pay dues. It's crisp, it's green and white, and it makes a seven-year-old look like they summer somewhere.
Here's how to throw one, from the invitation to the last tennis ball rolling under the couch.
The palette
Keep it tight: crisp white, court green, a soft cream, and one accent (navy, butter yellow or a dusty pink). Tennis is a sport of rules. Your color palette should be too.
The dress code
Put it on the invitation: tennis whites requested. Pleated skirts, polos, sweaters tied over shoulders, sweatbands for the committed. It's the single easiest way to make photos look styled, and guests love having a brief.
Tennis party decorations
- A net as a backdrop. A mini tennis net (or a badminton net) behind the dessert table is instant context. [AMAZON LINK: mini tennis net]
- Tennis balls everywhere. In glass jars, in a bowl as a centerpiece, scattered on the table. Cheap, on-theme, done. [AMAZON LINK: tennis balls bulk]
- Crossed rackets on the wall. Two vintage wooden rackets, crossed. Thrift stores are full of them.
- Green-and-white stripes or gingham on the tablecloth. Think awning, not picnic.
- A scoreboard with the birthday kid's name and age as the "score." Love–Seven has a ring to it.
The tableware
This is where the theme does the heavy lifting. Our Tennis Club collection was designed for exactly this party:
- Tennis Outfit Cups: cups dressed in little tennis outfits, a mixed set of boy and girl looks.
- Scoreboard Popcorn Box: for popcorn, snacks or the favors you're hiding from the dog.
- Mini Duffel Bag: a paper tennis bag for party favors. Children will treat it like luggage.
[OOGA LINK: Shop Tennis Club]
Tennis party food ideas
- Tennis ball cake pops or macarons in yellow-green. A food-safe marker draws the seam. [AMAZON LINK: edible food markers]
- Club sandwiches, cut into triangles. It's a country club. Commit.
- Strawberries and cream, the Wimbledon classic.
- Pink lemonade or an Arnold Palmer in a drink dispenser.
- A round cake with white piping to look like court lines, topped with a mini racket.
Activities
- Mini tennis in the driveway or backyard with foam balls and kid rackets. [AMAZON LINK: kids tennis set]
- Ball-in-the-bucket toss. Easy, competitive, slightly chaotic.
- A "Grand Slam" award ceremony with paper trophies at the end. Everyone wins. Some win more graciously than others.
Tennis party favors
Fill the mini duffel bags with a sweatband, a tennis ball, a mini racket keychain and a candy bar. Tag them with "thanks for coming to my match."
Tennis party for adults
The same theme works for a 30th, a bridal shower or a bachelorette. Swap juice for spritzes, keep the whites, and add a dress code that says "club lounge" instead of "camp."
FAQ
What colors are good for a tennis themed party? White and court green as a base, with cream and one accent color like navy, butter yellow or dusty pink.
What should guests wear to a tennis birthday party? Tennis whites: polos, pleated skirts, sweaters over the shoulders, visors and sweatbands.
Is a tennis party good for both boys and girls? Yes. It's one of the most gender-neutral sports themes, which is why our tennis cups come as a mixed set.