Every year, we let our kids choose any birthday theme they want, and then I do my best to bring their vision to life. This year, my daughter Emily surprised me when she chose a Lisa Frank birthday party!
As a ‘90s kid, Lisa Frank was a huge part of my childhood. I had the colorful folders, notebooks, and stickers, so I couldn’t believe Emily picked the same theme. It turns out she had been coloring in a Lisa Frank coloring book from Target and, after learning to read this year, proudly recognized the name on the cover.
From there, we created our own colorful twist with Emily’s Animal Rescue, where every guest adopted a stuffed animal to take home. We also transformed Grandma’s amazing property into a kid’s dream with three giant bounce houses, homemade cupcakes, and colorful DIY decorations—including hand-painted signs made by Mommy.
If you’re planning a Lisa Frank birthday party, I hope these ideas inspire you to create a celebration your child will never forget!
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Lisa Frank Birthday Party Decorations
Lisa Frank is all about bright colors, rainbows, and fun! So when I started planning Emily’s birthday party, I knew I wanted everything to be as colorful as possible. We filled Grandma’s property with rainbow balloons, colorful DIY decorations, and hand-painted signs to create a party that felt like stepping inside a Lisa Frank coloring book.
Rainbow Balloon Arch
We loved our rainbow balloon arch so much that we actually ended up creating two! We placed one at the entryway to welcome guests as they arrived and another above our cake and cupcake display. The balloon arch kit came with so many balloons that we were able to customize it for multiple areas of the party. I simply trimmed the arch to fit our cake table and used the extra balloons to create a second display, making the kit an even better value. I would definitely buy this balloon kit again for a future party.
Hand-Painted Lisa Frank Animal Cutouts
I wanted to create my own Lisa Frank-inspired cutouts instead of buying expensive cardboard standees. When Target was out of white foam board, I grabbed black instead—and it ended up being the perfect choice. The black background made the bright neon colors pop and tied in beautifully with the balloon arch. It took a few extra coats of paint, but I loved the finished look.
Hand-Painted Birthday Signs
To personalize the party, I painted two oversized signs on 36-inch craft paper: “Emily Is 7” and “Emily’s Animal Rescue.” They were an inexpensive way to make a big impact and tied the whole theme together.
For this project, I used an acrylic paint kit with vibrant colors and a variety of brush sizes. The paint was bright, easy to work with, and perfect for creating colorful DIY party decorations.
Out of everything I painted, my favorite was the oversized “Emily’s Animal Rescue” sign. It became the centerpiece of our adoption station and welcomed guests into what ended up being the highlight of the entire party.
Emily’s Animal Rescue Activity
The highlight of the party was Emily’s Animal Rescue! Instead of traditional party favors, every child got to experience adopting their own TY Beanie Baby before taking it home in a personalized pet carrier. It quickly became everyone’s favorite part of the party and was so much fun to watch.
Step 1: Choose a New Furry Friend
When the rescue officially opened, each child was invited to choose their favorite TY Beanie Baby from the adoption shelves. We displayed a variety of colorful animals so every guest could find the perfect new best friend to adopt.
Step 2: Visit the Pet Boutique
After choosing their new furry friend, the kids headed into the Pet Boutique, where they completed their adoption certificates and created colorful collars for their new pets.
We set out pipe cleaners, rainbow pony beads, and wooden name tag charms so each child could personalize their pet before taking it home. Watching everyone carefully choose bead colors and names for their animals was one of my favorite moments of the day.
Step 3: Adoption Certificates
Every guest filled out an adoption certificate for their new pet, making the experience feel like a real animal rescue. It was such a simple detail, but it made the activity feel extra special and gave the kids a fun keepsake to remember the party.
Step 4: Take Your New Pet Home
Once everything was complete, each child placed their adopted pet inside an iridescent pet carrier decorated with Lisa Frank stickers before taking it home.
I loved that this activity doubled as the party favor. Instead of handing out a favor bag at the end of the party, every guest left with a personalized stuffed animal they had chosen themselves and memories of the adoption experience.
Tips for the Animal Rescue Station
- Skip the metal jump rings. Instead of attaching the name tags with the included metal rings, we simply threaded the pipe cleaner through the hole and gave it a small twist around the collar. The tag stayed facing forward and it was much easier for little hands.
- Recruit a few parent volunteers. The Animal Rescue was by far the most popular activity! As soon as it opened, the kids excitedly swarmed the room. 😂 Having a few moms help the kids choose a pet, fill out adoption certificates, and make collars kept everything moving smoothly.
- Limit the number of kids inside at once. One amazing mom became our unofficial “door bouncer” 🤣 and only let about five kids into the craft room at a time. It kept the room from getting too crowded and made the experience so much calmer for everyone.
- Have plenty of table space. Kids needed room to fill out their certificates, decorate collars, and choose their new pet before heading back outside.
- Buy the TY Beanie Babies a little at a time. I found the best prices at my local grocery store ($5.99–$7.99 each). I grabbed a few every time I went grocery shopping leading up to the party, which made buying nearly 40 of them feel much more budget-friendly. 🤣 I’ve also linked them on Amazon below if that’s more convenient!
🛍️ Shop the Pet Rescue
- TY Beanie Babies
- Iridescent Pet Carriers
- Lisa Frank Stickers
- Wooden Name Tag Charms
- Rainbow Pony Beads
- Colorful Pipe Cleaners
- Fine Tip Permanent Markers
- Adoption Certificate Printable
Outdoor Birthday Party Activities
With nearly 30 kids at the party, having three bounce houses was one of the best decisions we made! We already owned two bounce houses and decided to add one more to accommodate all of the kids. It worked out perfectly because one of the bounce houses featured bright pink, purple, and blue colors that matched our Lisa Frank theme so well.
Instead of paying full price, I found the exact bounce house I wanted on BuyWander for more than 50% off—and it was brand new! BuyWander is an online auction marketplace where you can bid on customer returns and overstock items from major retailers. Each listing includes the item’s condition (such as new, like new, or used), and once the auction ends, the highest bidder arranges a local pickup. It’s become one of my favorite ways to save money on larger purchases!
If you’re planning a birthday party with a large group of kids, I highly recommend having multiple bounce houses if you have the space. It kept the kids entertained for hours, prevented long lines, and gave everyone plenty of room to play. The bounce houses were definitely a favorite throughout the entire party!
🛍️ Shop This Party
One thing I’ve learned after planning lots of birthday parties is to start early! Spreading out projects over a few weeks makes the entire process much more enjoyable and far less stressful.
🎉 Planning your own party? My 16-page Birthday Party Planner is designed to help you stay organized from start to finish. It includes a planning timeline, party planning tips, kids’ and adult guest lists, a gift tracker, and a cleaning checklist so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying the celebration.
🎂 DIY Lisa Frank Birthday Cake & Cupcakes
The dessert table was one of my favorite parts of the party because it looked so colorful without costing a fortune.
For the cake, I kept it simple with a boxed Funfetti cake mix. Instead of ordering an expensive custom cake topper, I made my own using Lisa Frank stickers from my daughter’s sticker book. I placed the stickers on cardstock, cut them out, hot glued popsicle sticks to the back, and inserted them into the cake. It took just a few minutes and gave the cake the perfect Lisa Frank look for a fraction of the cost.
For the cupcakes, I used Funfetti cake mix with white buttercream frosting that I tinted in several pastel shades using food coloring. I piped the frosting myself with an inexpensive piping kit, then topped each cupcake with custom Lisa Frank cupcake toppers. Those toppers were my one splurge, and they instantly made homemade cupcakes look party-worthy.
Budget Tip: Skip the pricey custom cake topper! Lisa Frank stickers, cardstock, and popsicle sticks create a fun DIY version that looks adorable in photos and costs just a few dollars to make.
Shop This Cake Table
- Piping Kit
- Rainbow Cupcake Liners
- Rainbow Cheetah Birthday Cupcake Stand
- Cupcake Display Ferris Wheel
- White Buttercream Frosting
- Gel Food Coloring
- Lisa Frank Stickers
- Lisa Frank Cupcake Toppers (these are no longer available but keep scrolling for an easy DIY to make something similar)
- Rainbow Cheetah Print Tablecloth
- Funfetti Cake Mix
- Funfetti Cupcake Mix
Make Your Own DIY Lisa Frank Cupcake Toppers
Update: The exact Lisa Frank cupcake toppers I used for Emily’s party are unfortunately no longer available. The good news is that they’re incredibly easy to recreate yourself!
All you need is a Lisa Frank Sticker Book, white cardstock, and wooden toothpicks.
To make your own cupcake toppers:
- Cut a small square or circle of cardstock.
- Lay a toothpick flat with the pointed end extending below the cardstock.
- Place your favorite Lisa Frank sticker over the cardstock, covering the top portion of the toothpick.
- Press firmly, trim around the sticker if needed, and let it dry if you’ve added any glue for extra security.
These DIY toppers are colorful, inexpensive, and only take a few minutes to make. I honestly love how they turned out, and they’re a fun way to personalize your cupcakes with your favorite Lisa Frank characters!
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Lisa Frank Sticker Book
- White Cardstock
- Wooden Toothpicks
- Paper Scissors
This simple DIY is a great alternative if you’re unable to find premade Lisa Frank cupcake toppers, and it gives you the freedom to customize each one with different stickers for an extra colorful party display!
Budget-Friendly Party Food
We kept the food simple, affordable, and easy to serve so we could spend more time enjoying the party.
- Papa Murphy’s Pizza
- Individual Bags of Chips
- Animal Crackers
- Large Fruit Platter
- Several Veggie Trays
- Garden Salad
We set everything up buffet-style on the kitchen island so guests could grab food whenever they were hungry before heading back outside to play.
What We Wore to Emily’s Lisa Frank Birthday Party
One of my favorite parts of planning Emily’s Lisa Frank birthday party was putting together our colorful outfits! We wanted something fun, bright, and full of those classic neon Lisa Frank vibes.
💕 My Party Outfit
For the party, I wore a hot pink romper that I’ve had for several years (Fashion Nova) layered with a bright pink blazer from Stitch Fix. While both pieces are older and no longer available, I’ve linked some similar styles that would be perfect if you’re recreating this colorful look.
Shop Similar Looks:
- Pink romper (lulu’s)
- Hot pink blazer (Amazon)
- Reef Pink platform sandals (Amazon)
🌈 The Outfit That Almost Made It…
I actually ordered the cutest purple neon romper from Amazon that matched the Lisa Frank theme perfectly…
…except it arrived after the party! 😂
I was so excited to wear it because the colors reminded me of all those bright Lisa Frank folders and stickers we grew up with. Even though I missed wearing it to the party, I still think it’s adorable and would be perfect for any colorful birthday celebration, summer event, or girls’ trip.
👉 Shop the Outfit That Arrived One Day Too Late 😂
✨ Emily’s Birthday Dress
Emily absolutely stole the show in her sparkly rainbow sequin dress from Lola and the Boys.
If you’ve never shopped there before, it’s honestly become one of our favorite places for special occasion outfits. Their clothes are incredibly fun, colorful, and surprisingly well made. The quality has been excellent, and Emily always gets compliments whenever she wears one of their dresses.
I’ve linked her dress below (or similar styles if it’s sold out)!
👉 Emily’s Lola and the Boys Sequin Dress
💖 Shop Our Party Looks
- 💕 Pink Romper
- 🌸 Hot pink blazer
- 🌈 Purple Lisa Frank Romper (Amazon)
- ✨ Emily’s Rainbow Sequin Dress
- 👡 Reef Pink platform sandals
Since my exact outfit is no longer available, I’ve linked similar pieces that capture the same bright Lisa Frank-inspired look.
Things I Learned From This Party
- Moms are absolute angels. Several moms jumped in to help with crafts, organizing kids, and keeping everything running smoothly. Their help made such a difference, and I’m so grateful for every one of them.
- Seven-year-olds have endless energy. Having multiple activities throughout the party kept everyone entertained and prevented kids from getting bored. Between the bounce houses, sprinklers, and the Animal Rescue craft station, there was always something fun to do.
- The Animal Rescue station was the biggest hit! Once it opened, kids were so excited they rushed inside all at once. If you’re planning a similar activity, consider having a parent help limit the number of kids inside at one time—it made the experience much more enjoyable for everyone.
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
Looking back, this party was everything I had hoped it would be. The weather ended up being absolutely beautiful—sunny with just a little chill in the air, which made it perfect for spending the evening outside.
Seeing Emily celebrate her seventh birthday surrounded by her friends made every hour of planning and crafting completely worth it. She felt so special from beginning to end, and seeing the smile on her face all evening was the best part of the day.
One of my favorite memories was that no one wanted the party to end. The kids had so much fun bouncing in the inflatables, choosing their new stuffed animals, and visiting the Animal Rescue that everyone lingered well into the evening. Parents stayed to chat while the kids kept playing, and it turned into one of those rare summer nights where everyone was simply enjoying being together.
As much as I loved all of the decorations and DIY projects, my favorite part wasn’t the cake table or the balloon arch—it was watching Emily feel celebrated and seeing so many families making memories together.
If you’re planning a Lisa Frank birthday party, I hope this guide gives you plenty of ideas and inspiration. Whether you recreate the Animal Rescue, make your own decorations, or simply borrow a few ideas, remember that the most meaningful part of any party isn’t having everything perfect—it’s creating an experience your child will never forget.
For Emily, this was the perfect way to celebrate turning seven, and I know these are memories our family will treasure for years to come. 💕🌈
Looking for More Birthday Party Inspiration?
Visit my Parties page to browse all of our birthday celebrations, DIY decorations, and party planning ideas. Or keep scrolling to explore some of our favorite themed parties below!
No matter your child’s favorite theme, I hope these celebrations give you plenty of inspiration for creating magical memories with your own family.
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