Trying to plan a traditional birthday party can be a tough assignment, but a virtual birthday party? Where do you even get started? 

Fortunately, we’re here to help. Whether your family and friends are spread out across the country, or some other reason makes it impossible to get everyone in the same physical space, a virtual birthday party can also create real memories that last a lifetime. And it allows you to celebrate with loved ones near and far, but it also gives you the opportunity to get creative with party themes and games. In this guide, we’ll provide you with plenty of ideas to keep the birthday person and guests entertained throughout the event, including an exciting and interactive murder mystery party. 

Essential Virtual Party Planning Tips

With the right planning and preparation, you can host a birthday party that is just as fun and enjoyable as an in-person celebration. In this article, we’ll provide you with some essential tips on how to host a virtual party to ensure that you keep everything on track. So, grab a pen and paper, and let’s get started!

Invitations

Send out invitations early to ensure guests have time to RSVP and prepare for the party. Make sure to include the date, time, and video conferencing platform information in the invitation. You can also create a custom virtual invitation using websites like Canva or Paperless Post.

Food and Drinks

Consider sending out a care package to each guest before the party, filled with snacks and drinks. Guests can enjoy their treats during the party and feel involved. If the party is during meal time, consider having a virtual potluck where each guest prepares and shares their favorite dish. Alternatively, you can order food delivery for all guests from a local restaurant.

Entertainment

Keep your guests engaged throughout the event with games, activities, and surprises. Consider playing games like charades, trivia, or Pictionary. You can also create a virtual scavenger hunt or host a karaoke session. If the birthday person is a fan of movies, consider streaming a movie together using the Netflix Party feature.

Technical Setup

Ensure that all guests know how to use the video conferencing platform you’re using and test it out before the party. It may be helpful to have a co-host or moderator to help manage the party’s flow and ensure everyone gets a chance to participate. If the party is for a child, it may be helpful to have a few adult guests on hand to assist with technical issues or keep an eye on things.

Personal Touches

To make the party more special, consider adding personal touches like creating a virtual photo booth or a virtual memory book. Guests can take screenshots and share their pictures on social media using a custom hashtag, and a virtual memory book can be compiled into a single document to present to the birthday person after the party.

Group Activities

Group activities can be a lot of fun and help break up the party into different segments. Just remember to choose activities that are appropriate for the age and interests of your guests. You probably wouldn’t ask grandma to participate in a virtual game of Fortnite.

Group Trivia Game – Divide guests into teams and play a virtual trivia game. You can create your own trivia questions or use a website like TriviaMaker to make it easy.

Virtual Scavenger Hunt – Create a list of items that guests must find in their home and have them race to find them first. You can use a website like GooseChase to make it more interactive and challenging.

Virtual Cooking Class – Choose a recipe that everyone can follow and have a virtual cooking class. You can send out a list of ingredients ahead of time so everyone can be prepared. This is great if you have younger children. Kids absolutely love making fresh pasta!

Virtual Bingo – Create a virtual bingo card using an online bingo card generator, and then play a game of bingo together. You can even send out virtual prizes to the winners. This is a fun and easy game that everyone can enjoy regardless of their age or interests.

Virtual Talent Show – Have guests showcase their hidden talents by performing a song, dance, or magic trick. This is a great way to get everyone involved and show off their unique skills.

Looking for a Professional Virtual Party Planner?

We understand that planning a virtual birthday party can be stressful, especially if you’re new to hosting online events. At murdermystery.com, we are masters of planning and hosting virtual events—and nobody does it better than us. We take care of your planning and entertainment, leaving you free to enjoy the party. Contact us today to learn more about our virtual party planning services.

Ideas for Virtual Party Themes

One of the make or break components when it comes to figuring out how to throw a virtual party is selecting a theme. Choosing the right theme can set the tone for the entire event. We’ll explore some exciting and creative ideas for virtual party themes to help make your next virtual celebration a success. Even if you choose to go in another direction, these ideas should help get your creative juices flowing.

Murder Mystery Party

One of the most exciting virtual party themes is the murder mystery party. Guests can take on the roles of different characters and work together to solve the mystery. There are plenty of online resources to help you plan and host a murder mystery party, including kits and scripts. Alternatively, you can work with a service like the Murder Mystery Company who will provide a professional actor to host your virtual murder mystery party.

Time Traveler’s Ball

For a unique and whimsical party, consider a time traveler’s ball. Guests can dress up in period costumes, and the party can include activities like a history trivia game or a virtual dance-off featuring different eras of music.

Art Attack!

For a creative and colorful party, consider an art attack theme. Guests can dress up in their favorite artist’s attire or wear paint-splattered clothes. The party can include activities like a virtual art class or a group painting session.

Emoji Extravaganza

For a lighthearted and fun party, consider an emoji extravaganza theme. Guests can dress up in costumes inspired by their favorite emojis, and the party can include games like virtual charades or Pictionary using only emojis.

Out of This World

For a space-themed party, consider an out of this world theme. Guests can dress up as astronauts or aliens, and the party can include virtual space games like astronaut training or space-themed trivia.

Around the World

For a global party, consider an around the world theme. Guests can dress up in cultural attire, and the party can include activities like international food tastings or a virtual travel trivia game.

Garden Party

For a beautiful and serene party, consider a garden party theme. Guests can dress up in floral attire, and the virtual party room can be decorated with flowers and greenery. Play games like virtual garden tours or flower arranging contests.

Pirate Party

For an adventurous party, consider a pirate party theme. Guests can dress up in pirate attire, and the party can include virtual pirate games like treasure hunting or a virtual plank walking contest.

Retro Night

For a blast from the past, consider a retro night theme. Guests can dress up in retro attire from their favorite decade, and the party can include games like virtual dance contests or retro-themed trivia.

Superhero Showdown

For the superhero fan, consider a superhero showdown theme. Guests can dress up as their favorite superheroes, and the party can include games like superhero trivia or designing their own superhero.

Get The Party Started Right!

We hope these tips help you throw an amazing virtual party that your guests remember for years to come. Now that you know how to throw a virtual birthday party, it’s up to you to put the pieces together and create an unforgettable online event for your loved ones.