When I began to plan my daughter’s 3rd birthday party, there was only one option — she wanted a Toy Story Birthday Party. And from the moment I agreed to make her Toy Story party dreams come true (approximately last January for her October birthday), she told everyone she met, “I am going to be three, and I am going to have a Toy Story Birthday Party.”
Don’t miss my Free Toy Story Party Printables and find tons of inspirations on my Toy Story Pinterest Board.
Toy Story Party Invitations
The Toy Story party invitations were inspired by Sissy’s “best friends” Woody, Jessie and Buzz and set the tone for all of the other party decorations.
Toy Story Birthday Party Ideas
I spent many late nights crafting the perfect details from Sissy’s favorite Toy Story moments for the party including The Claw.
Toy Story Birthday Party Outfit
I think my favorite part of the whole party was how cute Sissy was in her Jessie Costume. The shirt says, “Cowgirls Rock,” and she spent weeks repeating that saying.
Toy Story Birthday Favors And Games
I decided not to do any organized games for the little ones, but I did have a couple of Toy Story games available to play for the bigger kids to play on their own — Toy Story Mania for the Wii and Toy Story Ker Plunk (I found Ker Plunk at a local consignment shop).
For favors each kid received a Toy Story Pez dispenser tied with a Toy Story Thank You tag. I also lucked out and found red foam cowboy hats at the Dollar Store (for Halloween). With a hole punch and two sizes of white ribbon I was able to transform them into Jessie hats for all of the girls. (And one black Woody Hat for the loan boy.)
Toy Story Food Ideas
Pizza wasn’t the only thing served at our Pizza Planet. The birthday lunch included:
- Bullseye Bites (popcorn chicken)
- Buzz’s Rockets (fruit skewers)
- Slinky Dog Pasta (pasta salad recipe)
- Galaxy Puffs (Pirate’s Booty)
- Alien Friends
- There’s A Snake In My Boot (plastic boots)
- Bucket of Aliens with Rocket
Update for Toy Story 4, these Forky Cupcakes would be perfect for a Toy Story Party!
Toy Story Mr. Potato Head Craft
Out of all of my projects for the party, the Mr. and Mrs. Potato head craft project was the most time-consuming to prep. My sweet husband spent many nights tracing and cutting out parts on my behalf while I worked on other projects.
You never know how well an idea will go over with kids, so I was crazy excited that the kids adored the project. Every single kid sat down to make Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. It was awesome.
Make your own Mr and Mrs Potato Head craft with printable parts.
Toy Story Photo Booth
I love to use photobooths for a party because they are a natural way to take pictures of partygoers and make a great memory for everyone. I created a photobooth background by taping white clouds on my blue wall. (If you don’t have a blue wall, you can get the same look by taping up a blue tablecloth.)
Download the clouds template here.
More Etch Sketch photobooth details coming soon. (The Etch A Sketch font is “Connected” from the Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge.)
Toy Story Decorations
There were a lot of little details that made this party special.
Toy Story Printables
Whew! That’s a lot of details for one post! (It’s a lot of detail for one party too, but that’s another story!) All of the printables from my party — cupcake toppers, signs, bunting, banners, etc. are available free. Get all of the Toy Story Party Printables here.
For now, don’t miss the 12 Toy Story Coloring Pages I rounded up.
BRENDA PROPPS/jeff's mom says
JEN, YOU ARE AMAZING! SO TALENTED AND I KNOW YOU MADE IT WITH LOVE. THAT IS ADORABLE. ,I ENJOYED PEAKING IN ON YOUR PLANS. THANKS FOR SHARING.
jen says
Thanks Brenda! It was a lot of fun creating it, and the joy on Sissy’s face was priceless!
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
OH I LOVE IT!! Every detail is SO perfect!
jen says
Thanks Sara!! It was so much fun to create!
Kara Meek says
That is a great idea, I am intersted in purchasing your signs and claw, please contact me
Mindy says
This party is AMAZING!! You are so creative! I was wondering if you had a place to purchase your amazing printables?! I would love them for my son’s 2nd birthday!
Lindsay says
Love this! I’m planning a TS party for my daughter now, and you have so many of the ideas I was planning to do too! Where did you find the Jessie hats and rockets with mini aliens?
jen says
The Jessie hats were red foam hats that I lucked out and found at the Dollar Store at Halloween time. Then I used white ribbon and a hole punch to make them look like Jessie. The Rocket with Mini Aliens is a Disney product, and you can get that here –> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V6BHKC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003V6BHKC&linkCode=as2&tag=babubl-20&linkId=2WDMXQASL7O2IRG2
Jessica says
Where did you ever find the small boots for “There’s a snake in my boot”?
jen says
The boots are plastic shot glasses available on Amazon here -> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046EEGK6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0046EEGK6&linkCode=as2&tag=babubl-20&linkId=4Q77UDARUOCXZWYK
Kari says
Have you ever considered buying a cricut? I love your party it turned out awesome!
jen says
Yes, I LOVE it!!! Actually ready to upgrade to a new one, as soon as I can justify it 😉
Elena says
Hello Jen,
I’m also doing the same theme for my daughter’s 3rd birthday. I was wondering if you have the signs with her name on it or anything that says Sydney’s Story left for sale?
Please let me know.
Thank you,
Elena
jen says
Do you have a Sydney too?! 🙂 Email me jen@thesuburbanmom.com.
Felicia Gonzales says
I absolutely love what you did for your daughter’s toy story party. My son is turning 4 and we are doing toy story, as well. Do you have anything for sale and would like to get rid of? Thank You! Felicia Gonzales
jen says
Hi Felicia – Thank you so much. It was defiantly a labor of love. Unfortunately, I sold all of the items I made this summer.
Dana says
Where are the printables? This is all so cute!
Dana says
Jen, Did you end up making the printables – the bunting, signs, etc? I would love to have them! It’s all adorable!
Dana
Jerrica Jones says
This has been the inspiration for my son’s 2nd birthday! How did you get the clouds for the background? The only piece I’m missing!
jen says
I have an image I printed and cut out, I am going to email it to you 🙂
Shannon Bush says
Could you email me the cloud image too please? I have already made a photo booth and have been searching for a background for it. This would be perfect! Great party! Love the claw and aliens too. Perfect extra touch.
jen says
Yes, will do 🙂
Chelsea says
Did you make the Sydney Story 3 sign? We’re doing toy story 3 for him and i would love to make him a sign like this =)
Thanks!
jen says
I did make it. Feel free to reach out to me by email – jen@thesuburbanmom.com – if you would like to order a custom one.
Mo says
Hi Jen, I am making my sons 2nd birthday party this theme as well and loved the banner you made for the center of the main table “Sydney Story 3”
How much would you charge to make my son one identical “Jonah Story 2” ?
before November 20th
Ashley says
I love all of your decorations. How did you do the toy story birthday sign?
Rabzi says
This has been the inspiration for both my boys’ birthday!
I just can’t the clouds down…Could you email me the cloud image too please? I have been struggling with my back drop
Marisol Marquina says
Where did you find the font for the etch a sketch? I can’t figure that one out. You are amazing!
jen says
Hi Marisol, the font is “Connected” from the Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge –> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002161CW6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002161CW6&linkCode=as2&tag=babubl-20&linkId=OVLMNFOUZ2ANBND3
Blanca says
Hi
I came across your post through Pinterest and absolutely love every decoration!
I was wonder about the Sydney Story 3 sign? We are having a toy story theme birthday party as well for my son, and I am so interested in this sign. I believe you have an epsy shop, can you provide me with the name of your shop please? Also is it possible if you can email me the cloud image? Did you use a blue plastic table cloth for the background?
Thanks I appreciate it
Blanca says
Hi i would like to order a custom ( Sydney Story 3 sign). Can i reach out to you by email? or go do you have an Etsy shop?
Blanca says
Hi i would like to order a custom ( Sydney Story 3 sign). Can i reach out to you by email?
jen says
Hi Blanca – Please email me jen@thesuburbanmom.com 🙂
Camila says
Love this post! Can you please provide me with your Etsy Shop? Would love to purchase some banners etc.
jen says
Hi Camila – Please email me jen@thesuburbanmom.com 🙂
Elysha says
Since doing this party are you selling or doing anything off etsy? My daughter 3rd birthday is coming up and really wants a toy story party!! I’d love to do the mr and mrs potato cutouts.
jen says
Hi Elysha – Please email me jen@thesuburbanmom.com 🙂
Amanda says
FABULOUS ideas, and I am SO appreciative of your time to share! Would love to purchase a custom invite if you are still selling them. Thanks!
Amanda
jen says
Hi Amanda – Please email me jen@thesuburbanmom.com 🙂
Chelsea says
Hi jen,
I wish I could be as creative as you appear to be! Every detail turned out amazing. I am also going with the toy story theme for my son’s first birthday and am dying to know if you are willing to share your printable. Thanks in advance.
jen says
You are too sweet! 😉 Email me jen@thesuburbanmom.com.
Dana says
Hi Jen! I was wondering if I could also have your Etsy information. Everything looks so wonderful! Thank you!
jen says
Hi Dana – I am sorry this comment slipped through. Feel free to reach out to me by email 🙂
Marisse says
Hi Jen!
I love all your ideas! My son’s birthday is coming soon and we are planning to have a toy story party. I just want to ask what are the dimensions of your etch a sketch prop?
Thanks!
-marisse
jen says
Hi Marisse – Thank you so much. I used a 20×30 piece of foam board from the Dollar Store (2 for $1) for the Etch A Sketch. I don’t remember how big I made the opening, but it was just whatever looked good when I looked at it. LOL. I think the frame was about 4 inches or so. The “knobs” were cut from the foam board middle that I didn’t need. Hope that helps.
Jessica says
I’m looking for red hats and can’t find them anywhere can I also use your printable
jen says
I am lucky my daughter has a fall birthday, so I found them in the Halloween section at the dollar store. I am really not sure where you would be able to find them off season, especially in bulk. Sorry!
Lauren Price says
We’re doing a huge Toy Story bash for my little boy’s 1st Bday! Where in the world did you get the tiny aliens from the claw machine? I’ve been looking everywhere for some for some Goody Bags!
jen says
Aren’t they cute?! You can buy a whole bucket of the Little Green Aliens from Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Disneys-Story-Bucket-Little-Green/dp/B003V6BHKC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&keywords=little%20green%20alien&qid=1463015531&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=babubl-20&linkId=d1799b9f2352eeab05b86329382e2727. Have a great party!
Amanda says
Amazing ideas! I’m putting the final touches on my son’s party and was wondering how exactly you made the claw? I have the foam board and foil, not sure what to do next lol. Thank you so much!
jen says
I didn’t take pictures of the step by step because I made it up as I went, so I never wrote a tutorial. But basically, I sketched the shape with a pencil, and then used an Xacto blade to cut it out. You will need two claw shapes, which you will fit together. In one shape you will cut a slit down the top, in the other from the bottom up. That will let you slip them together at a cross. (Cover with foil first.) Then hang with monofilament. Hope this helps and good luck!
Zoe edwards says
Hi where did you get the plastic boots from?
Zoe x
jen says
I bought them on Amazon – http://amzn.to/2kAcaxM
LIz says
Hi! Where did you get the picture frames, and the print outs in them? Also the banner 🙂
jen says
Funny story. When my husband’s grandmother past, we ended up with many framed family photos. The frames were the gold metal frames you could buy at drug stores in the ’80s – not my style. But I can’t throw anything away. With a little spray paint, I converted them into my favorite party decor – they have been painted and repainted several times to match the theme. So any cheap frame and some spray paint will work.
I made all of the printables. 😉
Michelle says
Where did you get the price to out of the banner above the favor table, I need it for this weekend…my son’s 3rd bday party.
Michelle says
*the print outs for the banner above favor table…
Tracy says
Hi there. I love the way everything looked. It looked very well thought out and beautiful. I’m wanting to throw my son a toy story themed birthday party in a few months and I want to steal one of your ideas 🙂 because it’s so amazing!
I’d love to know where to get the potatoe head printables as a craft to do at my sons party!
jen says
Thanks Tracy! You can download the Potato Head Printables (for free) here – http://www.thesuburbanmom.com/2016/01/29/mr-and-mrs-potato-head-craft. Have fun!
Cindy says
Awesome birthday party!! Thanks for the cool ideas. My son’s 4th is coming up and will be ‘borrowing’ some of your idea!
Thanks for sharing!
jen says
Awe thanks!!!! Have fun party planning.
Kelly says
Hi, great party ideas! I wanted to see where you may have gotten the Toy Story Banner printables or if you made them. This is for a 2nd birthday so I was hoping they had them with a 2 instead of a 3.
Thanks for sharing!
jen says
I think you are referring to the banner with the characters each holding the “3.” Those were actually the movie posters for Toy Story 3. It’s the one thing I didn’t have to create because Pixar already had, I just printed the images. Sorry!
Kelly says
Thank you! Smart idea, I will see what I can find from Toy Story 2 🙂
Kaylea says
Where did you order the Pez dispensers?
jen says
I ordered them from Amazon https://amzn.to/2OVVIb1.
Sarah says
Do you have a link to order and personalize the invitations as well as the “Sydney Story 3” sign?
jen says
I am sorry, I do not offer those for sale at this time.