Lets face it, parties are the stuff childhood dreams are made of- think back to your own childhood and chances are your birthdays and friends parties are some of the memories that stick out most. My daughter's third birthday is right around the corner, so I've been thinking about some different themes and ideas to celebrate the occasion. Since it will be a party at home I've been after ideas that can be done on a smaller scale, and here are just a few that I've considered. They can be done on any kind of budget, and maybe they will help you too- read on to find out more!

An underwater theme is so easy to achieve- and with the recent re-release of Disney's Little Mermaid there are tons of themed items in shops at the minute. Go with a balloon arch to look like bubbles, and add floating helium balloons of fish and underwater sea creatures. You can hang green streamers from the ceiling to look like underwater plants, and easily decorate your cake and cupcakes with any kind of underwater or sea theme. Activity- wise, you could set up a mermaid craft station where guests can create their own mermaid crowns or seashell necklaces, or organise a treasure hunt with hidden seashells. For toddlers, a mini "ocean" in a kiddie pool for the little mermaids to splash around is the perfect activity, especially if like me you have a summer baby. 

You can't go wrong with unicorns when it comes to little girls, they're fun, colourful and there's absolutely loads of unicorn themed items in shops. Fill the room with tons of pink balloons or add a pastel coloured rainbow balloon arch. Bake a rainbow cake and add some simple unicorn decorations on top such as a piped mane, eyes and a unicorn horn- a decorated ice cream cone works well for this. You can get large, 3d unicorn balloons that will really make your decor pop, and go with themed activities like pin the tail on the unicorn or unicorn horn ring toss. We went with this theme for my daughters first birthday so decided to use something different this year, but I'm sure it's one we'll be revisiting for future birthdays.

A fun theme if you have a mix of boys and girls attending, you could ask your guests to dress up or provide some simple dressing up accessories when they arrive. Cardboard superhero masks and capes, princess hats and dress up jewellery can all be found cheaply and make good little party gifts for them to take home. 

Afternoon tea might be a bit of an elegant affair but it can definitely be tailored for little girls! Set up a table in the garden and add lots of flowers and fairy lights. Serve mini sandwiches and cakes on an afternoon tea stand and cups of milk or squash in little plastic teacups. Decorate the garden with fairy cutouts and decorations and add bunting, helium balloons and lots of other little touches to bring it to life. You could do a fairy themed treasure hunt as an activity where you hide sweets and little treasures around the garden.

What themes have you done for your little girls birthdays?