When my oldest daughter turned two, she was completely obsessed with Toy Story. She loved Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and all the characters, so a Toy Story birthday party felt like the perfect way to celebrate.
At the time, life was a little chaotic. I was only a couple months postpartum with our second daughter, and we were deep in the two-under-two stage of life. Looking back, I’m not entirely sure how I pulled this party together, but somehow I did.
This was also the first birthday party where I really went all out. Before this, our celebrations had been much simpler. But something about planning this Toy Story-themed party sparked a creativity I didn’t even realize I had. I loved dreaming up decorations, creating special details, and bringing the theme to life.
Years later, I can look back and see that this party was the beginning of something bigger. It was one of the first times I discovered how much joy I found in creating celebrations and memories for my family.
If you’re planning a Toy Story birthday party of your own, here are all the decorations, ideas, and details from Emily’s “Two Infinity and Beyond” birthday party.
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Toy Story Birthday Party Decorations
The decorations were my favorite part of planning this Toy Story birthday party.
I wanted guests to feel like they had stepped right into Andy’s room, so I used the iconic Toy Story cloud wallpaper as the backdrop for our dessert table. The bright blue background instantly made everything feel like Toy Story, even before adding any other decorations.
To bring the theme to life, I created a colorful balloon garland using red, yellow, blue, and green balloons inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Woody. I also mixed in cow-print balloons and cloud balloons to tie in some of the most recognizable details from the movies.
The centerpiece of the display was a large “Two Infinity and Beyond” sign, a fun twist on Buzz Lightyear’s famous phrase. Since Emily was turning two, it felt like the perfect theme for her birthday.
Looking back, this was one of the first balloon garlands I ever created, and it sparked a love for party decorating that has followed me ever since.
If you’re planning your own Toy Story birthday party, a themed backdrop and colorful balloon garland can make a huge impact without needing a lot of expensive decorations.
- Toy Story Balloon arch kit
- Electric balloon pump
- Toy Story helium balloons
- Cloud balloons
- Toy Story cloud backdrop
- “Two Infinity and Beyond” party sign
- Toy Story character wall decals
- Construction paper (for DIY lettering)
How a Party Disaster Became My Favorite Decoration
One of my favorite decorations from the entire party almost didn’t happen.
I had ordered a custom “Two Infinity and Beyond” sign, but somehow lost it while getting ready for the party. After searching everywhere, I finally accepted that I needed a backup plan.
Luckily, I had a Toy Story cloud backdrop that I had originally purchased for another area of the party. I moved it behind the dessert table and spent the next few hours cutting letters out of construction paper and creating my own sign by hand. I was still working on it just a couple of hours before guests arrived.
Of course, the original sign showed up the day after the party.
At the time, it felt like a disaster. Looking back, it makes me laugh because the handmade version ended up being one of my favorite decorations from the entire celebration.
Toy Story Birthday Party Food and Desserts
When it came to food, I kept things simple and focused on fun themed details that tied everything together.
The dessert table featured a homemade blue cake decorated with white clouds to match the iconic Toy Story sky backdrop. I also made cupcakes topped with Toy Story characters including Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Hamm, the Aliens, and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.
One of my favorite details was the individual popcorn boxes. They were inexpensive, easy to set out for guests, and added another fun Toy Story touch to the dessert table.
I also attempted to make Little Green Alien gelatin cups after seeing the idea on Pinterest. Unfortunately, they ended up becoming one of my biggest Pinterest fails. I used whipped cream for the eyes, and by party time they had completely melted into the gelatin.
📌 Real Mom Moment:
The alien gelatin cups were supposed to have cute eyes. The whipped cream melted. Pinterest lied. 😂
Even with a few imperfections, the dessert table ended up being one of my favorite parts of the party. The bright colors, character details, and homemade treats helped bring the Toy Story theme to life without spending a fortune.
🎨 PARTY ACTIVITY IDEA
A Build Your Own Forky station was one of the easiest and most popular activities at our Toy Story birthday party. I set out Toy Story Forky craft kits on a dedicated table and let each guest assemble their own Forky to take home.
The kids loved creating their own character, and I loved that the activity required very little setup. It kept the kids entertained during the party and doubled as a take-home favor, making it a win-win for both parents and guests.
✔ Easy setup
✔ Toy Story-themed activity
✔ Great for multiple ages
✔ Minimal party prep
✔ Doubles as a party favor
Shop this craft
Toy Story Birthday Party Activities
Since Emily’s birthday falls at the end of June, we planned the party outdoors and focused on simple activities that would keep the kids entertained.
The biggest hit of the day was the inflatable bounce house and water slide. It gave the kids plenty of room to run, play, and burn off energy while the adults visited nearby.
One of the things I’ve learned over the years is that kids don’t need a packed schedule of activities to have fun. Sometimes the simplest entertainment ends up being the most memorable. The bounce house kept everyone busy for hours and quickly became the favorite part of the party.
Looking back, some of my favorite photos from the day aren’t the decorations or desserts—they’re the pictures of the kids laughing, playing, and simply enjoying being together.
At the end of the day, that’s what birthday parties are really about.
- Bounce house (We rented ours, but honestly, for what we paid to rent one for the weekend, I wish we had just bought one like this!)
- Playhouse
- Bubble machine
When Things Didn’t Go According to Plan
Looking back, this party was one of the most rewarding celebrations I’ve ever planned, but it was also one of the most overwhelming.
At the time, I was only a couple of months postpartum with my second daughter and deep in the two-under-two stage of motherhood. Between caring for a newborn, chasing a toddler, and trying to pull together a themed birthday party, I felt completely stretched thin.
It seemed like every detail had a problem. I lost the original party sign and had to make one myself at the last minute. My Little Green Alien gelatin cups turned into a Pinterest fail. Decorations weren’t coming together the way I had imagined, and I felt like I was constantly running behind.
I spent so much of the day worried about the details that I almost forgot what mattered most.
The funny thing is that Emily didn’t notice any of the things I was stressing about. She wasn’t worried about the decorations, the desserts, or whether everything looked Pinterest-perfect.
She was simply excited to celebrate her birthday.
Looking back, that was a lesson I needed to learn. Sometimes the things that feel like huge problems to us as parents aren’t even noticed by our kids.
The Guests Who Did Show Up
As if I wasn’t already overwhelmed, I remember another part of this party that completely broke my heart at the time.
We had invited a lot of family and friends, and many people had told us they planned to come. But the night before and even the day of the party, cancellation messages started rolling in.
I understand now how busy the end of June can be. Families are traveling, summer schedules fill up quickly, and sometimes plans change. But at the time, I was crushed. I had spent weeks planning this party and wanted so badly for it to be special for Emily.
Thankfully, some of our family members from Alaska were visiting and came to celebrate with us. Looking back, they ended up saving the day.
The funny thing is that Emily had absolutely no idea any of this was happening. She was two years old, playing in the bounce house, eating cake, and having the time of her life.
That experience also changed the way I look at birthday party invitations. Since then, I’ve made a point to RSVP honestly and follow through whenever possible. After sitting on the other side of those last-minute cancellations, I know how much it can mean when a family shows up.
👉 Read more: Why We Always RSVP to Birthday Parties
Looking back, that party reminded me that what our kids remember most isn’t how many people showed up. It’s how loved they felt.
What This Party Taught Me About Party Planning
Looking back, this party taught me some of my biggest lessons about party planning.
At the time, I was doing so much at the last minute. Between caring for a newborn, chasing a toddler, and trying to finish decorations, I felt stressed and overwhelmed for much of the week leading up to the party.
While the party turned out beautifully, I realized afterward that I didn’t want future celebrations to feel that way.
Over the years, I’ve developed a system that helps me spread out the work, stay organized, and finish projects much earlier. Instead of crafting decorations the night before a party, I now work through a timeline and checklist that keeps me on track weeks in advance.
One of the best lessons I’ve learned is that the goal isn’t to create a perfect party. The goal is to enjoy the celebration alongside the people you love.
In many ways, this Toy Story birthday party helped shape the planning system I still use today. It reminded me that being prepared allows me to spend less time stressing about details and more time making memories with my family.
Use My Birthday Party Planning System
This 16-Page Printable Party Planning System includes the exact system I now use for every celebration—from the first ideas and guest lists to party-day preparation and cleanup. My goal was simple: create a planner that helps busy moms spend less time feeling overwhelmed and more time making memories with the people they love.
Shop This Party
Decorations
- Toy Story Balloon arch kit
- Electric balloon pump
- Toy Story helium balloons
- Cloud balloons
- Toy Story cloud backdrop
- “Two Infinity and Beyond” party sign
- Toy Story character wall decals
- Construction paper (for DIY lettering)
Dessert Table & Food
Party Activities
- Bounce house (We rented ours, but honestly, for what we paid to rent one for the weekend, I wish we had just bought one like this!)
- Kidcraft Playhouse
- Bubble machine
My Party Planning System
Ready to bring this party to life without the stress? Grab my 16-Page Ultimate Party Planning System on Etsy for just $4.99 to get instant access to my exact timeline checklists, budget trackers, and guest lists!
Final Thoughts
Despite the missing sign, melted alien eyes, last-minute cancellations, and all the chaos that comes with having two little ones at home, this remains one of my favorite birthday parties.
Emily had no idea that anything had gone wrong. She spent the day playing, eating cake, and celebrating with the people who loved her. Looking back, that’s what made the party a success.
This Toy Story birthday party taught me that the details don’t have to be perfect for a celebration to be meaningful. Some of the moments I stressed about the most ended up becoming funny memories and valuable lessons.
Years later, I still smile when I look back at these photos. Not because everything went according to plan, but because they remind me of a special season of life and a little girl who loved Toy Story with her whole heart.
If you’re planning a Toy Story birthday party of your own, I hope these ideas inspire you to create a celebration your child will love. And if a few things go wrong along the way, don’t worry—you might end up with some of your favorite memories too.
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