Unicorn party ideas – top supplies to buy

Unicorn party supplies – shop the look

1. Pearlescent pearl cake stand and dome – buy now from LSA International (£80)
2. Unicorn milk bottles – buy now from Amazon (£4.50)
3. Unicorn mug – buy now from Very (£9.99)
4. Painted unicorn cake stand – buy now from Etsy (from £30)

1. Pink terrazzo serving platter – currently out of stock at The Conran Shop (usually £67)
2. Iridescent unicorn pinata – buy now from Trouva (£20.50)
3. Unicorn cupcake cases and toppers – buy now from John Lewis (£10)
4. Unicorn tassel bunting – buy now from Hobbycraft (£6)

Unicorn party tableware

Most of this tableware can go straight into your kitchen cupboards to be used again in future, as some of the products chosen are subtle enough to function as general kitchen crockery, and the unicorn-themed cups can be used for kids' mealtimes.

Eco-friendly paper plates and napkins
These stylish scalloped paper plates are available in two convenient sizes, and are suitable for children and adult guests alike.
Available from Meri Meri:
£13.50 for large plates (set of eight in pink)
£11 for small plates (set of eight in blue)

Unicorn mugs
Warm up your guests with hot chocolates sipped from magical rainbow unicorn mugs. The pastel pink-and-white colour combination plus a shiny silver horn is overflowing with character. Available from Very (£9.99) or Sass & Belle (£11)

Unicorn paper straws
Combining all the elements of a unicorn party – pastel, metallic and stars – these fun paper straws are perfect for your guests to drink from. Available from Just for One Day (£4.50)

Unicorn milk bottles
These magical milk bottles will ensure little hands cause fewer spillages, and make an enchanting addition to your unicorn party. Available from Amazon (£4.50)

Unicorn party bakeware

Creating homemade birthday cakes can be such a big task that you might overlook how they'll be presented. Simple cake toppers, sprinkles and cases can set things off a treat. For something that you can use over and over again, invest in a cake stand to ensure your bake sits proudly on the table, whatever the occasion.

Pearlescent globe cake stand
A cake should be the centrepiece of any party table, and this stunning glass cake stand with matching dome will make it look extra special. The mother-of-pearl sheen completes the unicorn look. Available from LSA International (£80)

Unicorn wooden cake stand
This handmade rainbow cake stand comes in different sizes, so it's sure to suit all needs. It's perfect for adding height to your unicorn display and can be reused for future parties. Available from Etsy (from £30)

Meri Meri unicorn cupcake cases and toppers
Perfect for a magical celebration, these cupcake toppers have rainbow colours and unicorn shapes, and are matched with gold foil cases. Available from John Lewis (£10) or Meri Meri (£12)

Unicorn party decorations

Where possible, we've used recyclable products, but it can be a challenge to keep a kids' party sustainable (see our eco-friendly tips below). We've kept balloons to a minimum and chosen paper over plastic. We used a rainbow-trimmed pastel cloth as our table protector – available from Amazon (£5).

Iridescent unicorn piñata
No party is complete without some games, and a magical unicorn piñata is perfect for adding some sparkle and entertainment. Be sure to fill it with plenty of treats for all your guests. Available from Trouva (£20.50), Meri Meri (£20.50) or Amazon (£19.58)

Unicorn garland
Garlands are great for framing your buffet table, and the iridescent unicorn cut-outs on this particular one create a fun, dramatic visual. If you pack it away carefully, it can be reused for future parties or displayed in a kids' bedroom. Available from Ginger Ray (£5.99), Party Delights (£5.99) or Hobbycraft (£6)

Talking Tables paper cupcake stand
Pastel, reusable and topped with a cut-out of a unicorn, this cardboard cupcake stand ticks all the boxes for a unicorn party. It’s also a great space saver if your buffet table is on the small side. Available from Not on the High Street (£12.99), Party Delights (£12.99) or Talking Tables (£15).

Unicorn confetti balloons
Fill these balloons with helium to create a magical display. The star confetti makes a stunning extra touch to your unicorn party. Available from Amazon (£3.99) or Party Delights (£2.79).

Tasselled unicorn party bags
Send your guests galloping home with lasting memories of your party with these cute party bags – pop a slice of the matching ombre cake inside (below) to leave everyone mesmerised. We lined our bag with star tissue paper from Paperchase (£2). Available from Ginger Ray (£6.99)

Unicorn party recipes

Complete the look with our showstopping unicorn recipes. The biscuits and cupcakes can be baked in batches, then iced and assembled at the last minute. The ombre cake is more of a challenge, but strikes the perfect balance between a magical child-friendly cake and grown-up bake. Balance out the table with snacks like rainbow fruit skewers and add savoury options like simple salted popcorn and classic sandwiches. Invest in a unicorn cutter to give your butties that magical finish.

Rainbow buttercream unicorn cupcakes
Pink unicorn hot chocolate
Swirled unicorn biscuits
Raspberry & caramel ombre cake
Rainbow fruit skewers
Unicorn poo meringues

Tips for throwing kids' parties

Be sure to set a budget as costs can escalate quickly, and try to set a price per head based on what you'd feel comfortable spending.

It's wise to check that important guests, such as best friends and grandparents, will be available on your preferred date. If possible, you might want to have a joint party with other children, particularly at busy times of the year like September or December.

Lastly, set a strict time period, like 2-4pm. It's also a good idea to clearly specify if you're happy for the parents to stay, and if so, you'll need to provide drinks and food for them as well.

Unicorn party theme

Kids' birthday parties are a magical event, so it's easy to understand why the recent trend for unicorn-themed celebrations has been so popular. It's also very adaptable and easily tailored to suit a baby shower or hen party.

Using all the colours of the rainbow, it's not a difficult style to recreate – the most important thing is to add a touch of sparkle! We've taken the stress out of organising by gathering some great items to help you throw the ultimate celebration in unicorn style.

Practical tips for throwing a unicorn party

Home. Start with looking at items you already own. Most people have a white tablecloth or even a blank white wall where they can hang some bunting. Those old, discarded bits of tinsel in the Christmas box can have fresh new appeal – try putting them around the edge of the table or around doorways.

Balloons. No party is complete without balloons. From bespoke balloon arches – a big party trend in 2019 – to a few scattered around the room, it's a decoration that instantly says 'party'. For your unicorn theme, go with pastel colours, metallics, confetti or a mixture of all three.

Bunting and tassels. There are so many styles to suit all budgets, and they're a good investment too, as with careful handling, they can be stored and used again.

Tableware. Whether you decide to go for recyclable products or reusable porcelain or melamine, the look is easily achieved with some iridescent or printed plates, cups and napkins or pastel-coloured crockery.

Food. Keep the unicorn theme going strong in your food selection. Add edible glitter and sprinkles (most supermarkets offer a huge range to choose from) and try pastel-coloured drinks, such as flavoured milk or sliced fruit in fizzy water for a healthier options to traditional fizzy drinks.

5 eco-friendly party tips

1. Avoid too many products that are made from metallic card or printed with metallic inks, as these aren't biodegradable.
2. Send e-invites instead of paper using a simple digital RSVP system to help you keep track of attendees.
3. Even with the best of intentions, parties can create a lot of waste – have recycle bins clearly marked so everyone knows where to place rubbish.
4. Try to make as much of the food from scratch as possible. We have lots of briliant kids' party recipes and tips to inspire you.
5. Reconsider the party bag, or if you want to provide them, think about useful, eco-friendly party favours, such as chalk or jigsaw puzzles.

This page was last updated in January 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.