Awesome 80’s Party Ideas, Decorations, Games

Are you looking for some epic 80's birthday party ideas for adults this year? Going back to the 1980s where bright colors and big hair were in is a great way to celebrate your birthday in a big way, with the awesome parties to boot. Who doesn’t love an 80’s Birthday Party? Throw together a couple of 80’s albums, get people to dress up, and maybe even break out some dance moves to teach your guests. These 80's birthday party ideas are endless and so is the fun and have great 80s theme party ideas. So here is your guide to making the most out of your budget for your 80’s theme birthday party! 80s parties can be a great, nostalgic time for everyone involved!

80's Party Ideas: Decorations

Every party needs decorations and for an 80’s birthday party you have to go big, even for gifts. Décor is the basis of every good party and cannot be looked over. Your options for 80s theme parties ideas are endless because there is so much room for creativity! What comes to mind when you think of a 1980 theme party? Hopefully, you think bright neon colors, streamers, noise-makers, and everything 80's in between. Focus on the color scheme before you buy anything. Make sure they correspond with table cloths, balloons, plates, utensils, napkins, and streamers. This way, your party will look put together and fun without putting too much work into it yet.

Color Scheme

80s party decorations aren't complete without the color! You can not go wrong with neon colors. Neon Blue, Pink, green, and yellow are great starters. Also, the use of black here and there is important for contrast. Your 80s theme party decorations should be bright, fun, and as kitschy as possible to commit to the theme!

Balloons

80s themes aren't complete without the big, bright balloons! Go with an assortment of balloons. A mixture of helium and latex balloons are the perfect combination to spice up the room. When choosing colors, it's important to follow the color scheme you chose.

Don't forget the fundamentals

• Streamers are an easy 80s party decorations DIY!
• Tablecloths are a great way to add fun pops of color to your 80s party theme and tie it all together.
• Plates/cups/napkins/utensils are essential supplies, even better if they match your 80s party theme!

80's Party Ideas: Music

80's Styled Music Artists

To make a party fun and energetic, music cannot be overlooked. A 1980s party wouldn't be complete without an awesome playlist lifted straight from one of your old mixtapes. 80’s music is the best kind of party music. It’s upbeat and happy and really gets people moving. 80’s music brings a sort of nostalgia to people who haven't even lived through the 1980s. So bring out the boom-box and put in your favorite cassettes! Here are a few artists to pick from for your 80's Birthday party playlist:

• Bon Jovi
• David Bowie
• Duran Duran
• Herbie Handcock
• Michael Jackson
• New Order
• Prince
• Queen
• Rick James
• The B-52’s
• The Bangles
• Toto
• Whitney Houston

Song Ideas

Or if you’re looking for the ultimate music list of 80’s dance songs, here are a couple of top hits of the decade to start with to party in style:

• Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
• Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics
• Tainted Love by Soft Cell
• Super Freak Part I by Rick James
• Beat It by Michael Jackson
• All Night Long (All Night) by Lionel Richie
• Another One Bites the Dust by Queen
• Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic
• Thriller by Michael Jackson
• I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston
• The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground
• Love Shack by B-52s
• Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by Michael Jackson
• Let's Groove by Earth, Wind, and Fire
• Jump (For My Love) by The Pointer Sisters

But why not just dig in your closet and pull out your old boom-box and cassette and crank some authentic 80’s tunes.

80's Party Ideas: Wardrobe

Implementing a wardrobe is a fun way to get people excited and involved in your party. Curious about how to dress for the theme? What comes to mind when thinking of 80’s apparel? Think bold, color, and big hair. There are many genres within the 80’s style. If you want great 80 attire for a party, the options are endless. The 80s party attire can be HipHop, Punk, Fitness, and business attire. Here are a few things that fall into your 80s party accessories to incorporate into your outfit:

• Studded leather jackets
• Ripped jeans/baggy pants
• Band t-shirts
• Bulky boots
• Colors- bold and bright including patterns
• Snapback caps
• Leotard
• Leg-warmers
• High-rise bodysuits
• Neon-bright leggings
• Bike shorts
• Over-the-knee boots
• Shoulder pads
• Body-con
• Fingerless gloves

You can even dress up like an icon from the 1980s like Madonna, Prince, or Micheal Jackson. Or you can be characters from your favorite 80’s movie like Ghostbusters, The Breakfast Club, Dirty Dancing, or Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Don't be afraid to go all out, the more involved the more fun it will be.

80's Party Ideas: Party Games and Activities

Party games are a fun way to get people active and participating in the fun. Party games don’t have to be childish or awkward either. When it comes to this time period, it's really hard to run out of 80s theme party ideas. Games take the form of all different kinds of fun and entertainment. Here are some 80’s themed party games/competitions to include in your party:

80’s trivia

Have everyone participate in a throwback trivia night. The topics can be movies from the 1980s, singers, music, or 80’s tv shows.

Costume Contest

Since everyone is dressing in their 80’s gear, why not host a contest to see who has the best 1980 costume idea! See who has the most 80’s spirit out of you and your guests. There are so many classic looks to do, you and your guests will be stunning! Set up a small photobooth to get great pictures of you and your guests in costume!

80’s Karaoke

Karaoke was a popular form of fun and entertainment, so grab your mic and karaoke machine and share a few laughs and fun memories with your friends. For some 80s costume party ideas, consider having everyone dress up as an artist and karaoke to their songs! Throw in a dance contest with your karaoke for extra fun.

Cocktails

The eightes were a time to get wild. For unique 80s party ideas, Why not have your guests assemble their love for the 80s with a cocktail party. Give your guests recipes for popular 80s cocktails, free access to the bar, and see what happens! Skip dinner, and save room for 80s themed snacks and classic bar foods.

Play Pac Man

Pac man is an old joy-stick game people played in the late ’80s. It's a simple plug-and-play game that your guests can enjoy during the party.

Dizzy Bat

This is a relay-race game that involves a big group and teams. All you need is a bat, a basketball, and a hoop. Line up in order and the first person from each team runs up, grabs the bat, and spins your head on top of the bat 5-8 times then tries to grab the basketball and make a basket without getting too dizzy to do it! It's a fun game that will get people laughing. Originally, it was a drinking game, but there is no reason for it to only be that. It works all the same! So choose depending on the crowd.

80's Party Ideas: Party Favors

Party favors are a fun little way of saying “thank you for coming” to your guests and top off your 80s themed birthday party. It’s another way for your guests to remember your fun party. These party favors are a throwback from the ’80s and some great popular gift ideas as well! Gather a few of these in goodie bags and your 80s birthday party is complete!

• Slap bracelets

• Fingerless gloves

• Rubix cube

• Oval Lens sunglasses

• Funky wigs

• 80’s food/candy

  • Pop Rocks

  • Sprees

  • Smarties

  • Jawbreakers

  • Wax bottle candy

  • Gobstoppers

  • Runts

80s Music Mixtapes

Give your guests CDs or USBs with 80s songs.

Custom Buttons

Hand out buttons with 80s sayings or catchphrases.

Cassette Tape Keychains

Create mini cassette tape keychains for guests.

Glow Sticks and Neon Accessories

Give out glow sticks or anything neon to your guests so they can remember this 80s style event.

Personalized 80s Movies Posters

Make customized posters unique to each guest.

Retro Button Up Pins

Hand out pins with designs from the 80s.

Pixel Art Magnets

Make 80s themed magnets using beads.

Movie Night Kit

Give out gift bags with necessary 80s movie night items.

Sweet Party Favors

Neon Gummy Bears

Hand out packs of gummy bears in 80s colors.

Jelly Bracelet Candy

Gift guests candy similar to the popular jelly bracelets of the 80s.

Pac-Man Gumball Machines

Give guests Pac-man themed gumball machines.

80s Lollipops

Hand out rubik’s cube or cassette tape shaped lollipops.

Mixtape Chocolate Bars

Make personalized chocolate bars with designs from the 80s.

Cookies

Bake cookies shaped like boomboxes or rollerskates.

Rainbow Popcorn

Make bags of rainbow popcorn with food coloring.

Record-Shaped Chocolate CDs

Hand out chocolate CDs that are shaped like vinyls.

Mixtape Mints

Give containers of mints that look like mixtapes.

Neon Rock Candy

Offer rock candy in neon colors.

Big League Chew Bubble Gum

Give out Big League Chew Bubble Gum, a popular bubble gum in the 80s.

Candy Necklaces

Provide candies roped out as a necklace.

Gummy Worms

Give out packs of gummy worms.

Ring Pop Popsicles

Create popsicles that use Ring Pops as the stick for the guests.

Candy Dots

Hand out the popular 80s candy, candy dots on paper strips.

Salty or Savory Party Favors

Popcorn Seasoning Packets

Give out packs of popcorn seasoning powder to the guests.

Retro Potato Chips

Hand out potato chip bags in popular 80s flavors.

Pretzel Rods

Offer bags of pretzel rods.

Cheese Balls

Hand out containers of cheese balls, a snack reminiscent of the 80s.

Veggie Chips

Give out bags of crunchy veggie chips.

Nacho Cheese Dip Cups

Provide cups of nacho cheese dip along with tortilla chips.

Popcorn Chicken

Give popcorn chicken out in containers for guests to enjoy.

Mini Hot Dogs

Offer mini hot dogs on trays as a snack.

Retro Snack Mix

Make retro themed snack mix with pretzels, crackers, and various nuts.

Pizza Rolls

Give out mini pizza rolls in serving cups.

Beef Jerky

Hand out some protein filled beef jerky!

Nacho Tortilla Chips

Offer bags of nacho cheese flavored tortilla chips.

Salsa or Guacamole Cups

Provide salsa or guacamole cups to have alongside tortilla chips.

Chili Cheese Fries Cups

Serve cups of chili cheese fries as another great snack.

Pickle Spears

Offer some wrapped pickle spears.

Drinkable Party Favors

Retro Soda Bottles

Offer mini bottles of soda with retro wrappers on them.

Neon Lemonade

Give trays of neon lemonade to add to the 80s vibe.

Fruit Punch Pouches

Provide pouches of powdered fruit punch to mix in for a nostalgic drink option.

Milkshake Mix Jars

Offer jars filled with different milkshake flavors.

Slushie Cups

Give out slushies in colorful cups with straws.

Smoothie Shots

Provide shot sized cups of various smoothies.

Bubble Tea

Give out cups of bubble tea in different flavors.

Ice Cream Float Kits

Hand out kits of ice cream and soda for guests to make ice cream floats.

Sparkling Fruit Water

Offer cans of sparkling water in many flavors.

Energy Drink Shots

Provide shot sized cups of various energy drinks.

Customized Water Bottles

Give out 80s themed water bottles.

Iced Coffee Bottles

Hand out bottles of iced coffee.

Retro Juice Boxes

Offer juice boxes in classic flavors.

Customized Drink Coasters

Set up drink coasters with 80s designs on the tables.

Wearable Party Favors

Leg Warmers

Give guests 80s style leg warmers.

Sweatbands

Hand out sweatbands with bright colors or fun prints as an addition to their 80s style outfits.

Jelly Shoes

Provide jelly shoes for the guests.

Neon Beaded Necklaces

Offer guests beaded necklaces in vibrant colors.

Bandanas

Hand out bright colored bandanas.

Neon Suspenders

Give out neon suspenders.

Button Pins

Make button pins with popular 80s designs or sayings.

Fanny Packs

Offer guests 80s style fanny packs.

Scrunchies

Hand out bright colored 80s scrunchies.

Oversized Earrings

Offer guests oversized earrings.

Fishnet Gloves

Provide guests with fishnet gloves.

Rainbow Socks

Give rainbow socks to guests.

Boombox Necklaces

Offer guests mini boombox necklaces.

Electronic Party Favors

Digital Music Download Codes

Give out download codes for an 80s playlist.

LED Fidget Spinners

Offer guests LED fidget spinners that light up in various colors.

Retro Cassette Tape USB Drives

Provide USB drives that look like cassette tapes to guests.

Digital Photo Frames

Give guests digital photo frames preloaded with 80s images.

LED Light-Up Shoelaces

Hand out LED light-up shoelaces in neon colors.

Digital Retro Clocks

Give guests digital clocks with retro designs.

Mini Portable Projectors

Hand out mini portable projects that connect to tablets or smartphones.

Neon Headphones

Give out neon headphones for guests to listen to their favorite 80s tunes.

LED Digital Watches

Offer guests LED digital watches in neon colors.

USB Disco Ball Lights

Provide USB Disco Ball Lights that are able to plug in to guest devices.

Personalized or Customized Party Favors

Customized Phone Cases

Give guests customized phone cases with 80s designs.

Hobby Party Favors

Pac-Man Stress Balls

Offer Pac-man themed stress balls to guests.

Retro Pencil Toppers

Provide retro pencil toppers with 80s symbols.

Cassette Tape Notepads

Hand out cassette tape notepads to guests.

80s Movie Character Masks

Give out masks of 80s icons to guests.

Cassette Tape Wallets

Provide cassette tape wallets to guests.

Unique Favor Containers

Boombox Favor Boxes

Create mini boombox favor boxes to fill with treats and gifts.

Cassette Tape Cases

Use cassette tape cases as favor containers.

Neon Fanny Packs

Give guests neon fanny packs full of gifts.

Rubik's Cube Boxes

Make favor boxes that are designed to look like Rubik’s cubes.

Vinyl Record Sleeves

Provide vinyl record sleeves to use as favor containers.

Pac-Man Tin Containers

Create Pac-man themed tin containers.

Colorful Popcorn Boxes

Give guests treats or gifts in colorful popcorn boxes.

Retro Lunchboxes

Use 80s style lunchboxes as favor containers.

Plastic Cassette Tape Cases

Make plastic cassette tape cases as favor containers.

Arcade Game Token Bags

Give guests treats or gifts inside of arcade game token bags.

Glittery Pouches

Give guests glitter pouches as favor containers.

Video Game Cartridge Boxes

Make favor boxes designed as video game cartridges.

Neon Socks Containers

Use neon socks as favor containers to present guests with gifts.

Oversized Sunglasses Cases

Provide oversized sunglasses cases to guests.

Glow Stick Tubes

Make glow stick tubes to use as favor containers.

Arcade Game Prize Buckets

Offer arcade game prize buckets to use as favor containers.

80s Theme Party: Conclusion

You don't have to be an expert on all things 80’s to throw a great 80's Birthday party. All you need for your special day is a little spirit and this guide to the best 80’s birthday party ideas. Escape the day-to-day and go back in time for a night. The 1980s are calling!

We partner with various affiliate sites, like Amazon, from time to time to assist our users in planning their events more quickly. If purchases are made, we receive a small commission.

Written by Elizabeth Blair; Contributor: Michelle Aminov