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How to Throw a Train Birthday Party

If you know me personally, you have probably heard about the slightly insane parties I throw for my children’s birthdays. Growing up, I loved the birthday parties my parents gave us. And they had to throw 2 in one week (my older sister was born 5 days before my twin and me. I love throwing very detailed parties for my boys. While some people may think I go a little overboard, I love to do it. I think it is so much fun. The most important part is that my boys love them. Now, the only trouble is Carl has very specific birthday party requests and he knows Mommy will do them…

Trains, Trains, Trains

My boys love all things boy. It didn’t matter what I introduced to them, they gravitated immediately to anything with wheels or roaring engines. We have more vehicles in this house than Jay Leno (although ours are a little bit smaller and a lot less expensive). Our oldest son, Carl, has always loved trains. He chose to have a train birthday party for his third birthday. For his fourth, we were set to have a Paw Patrol party and then we went and did Day Out with Thomas and he changed his mind and wanted a Thomas party. After throwing two train parties, I feel like a train party expert (which is a wonderful quality to have). As a girlie Mom, it can be hard sometimes to get my creative mind flowing. I’m not going to lie, I told Carl that there will be no more train parties because Mommy is out of ideas.

 

Train Party Ideas

Our first party was based on all sorts of trains. My son at the time loved Chuggington primarily but it was hard to find just Chuggington things because we are a little late to the game (it was popular a few years prior). So our decor included various train characters. The second year, we focused primarily on Thomas. Both parties are mixed below.

I know what you’re thinking…

How can anyone afford to throw a crazy party like this? Now, as you will see, I put a lot of details into my parties. BUT, I try not to spend a fortune on them. I am sure many of you are just like me and look at some of the parties on Pinterest and think, who could afford that? I think it all. of. the. time. While my parties take me a lot of time to get the details right, and we do spend a little bit of money, we actually try our best to keep the costs down.

Since I make all of my own decor and cakes, it really keeps the parties reasonable. With the free printables, you can totally host your own party! We order some pizza for the food to also keep costs down.

Check back Wednesday and Saturday for the remainder of the train party information! Have you ever thrown a Train party? I’d love to hear any other train ideas (especially in case one of my kids convinces me to throw another train party…)

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas Inspiration – Part 1

The invitations:

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

The Welcome (which included train sounds playing in the background and Thomas’ Great to be an Engine the next year). 

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

The Cakes (I made both cakes to keep costs down). Carl was adamant the second year that the cake had a moving train. I’ll tell you a little secret about them Thursday.

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

The Happy Birthday Banners (I always make a custom banner).

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

Food Display (I missed getting a picture before everyone ate)

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

The Outfits (For the Thomas party, my husband was a great sport and dressed up at Sir Topham Hat. I dressed up as Rosie.

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

The Goody Bags (I’ll share later what’s inside)

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!Tag from the bag.Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

The Trains and the Tape Tracks (I’ll explain how I made these on Thursday).

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

(Sir Topham Hat sign made by my cousin-in-law, Melissa!)Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love! Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love! Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

Pin the Train on the Rails or in the Station

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love! Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

The Games & Activities Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

Various Details and Decor Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!     Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love! Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love! Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

This face made it every little bit of work totally worth it. Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

 

Want to save these ideas for later? PIN ME!

Train Themed Birthday Party Ideas from https://momenvy.co. Thomas the Tank Engine birthday party ideas. Train party. Thomas party. Get some awesome ideas about how to throw a train party that your kid's friends will love!

Sarah

Tuesday 3rd of May 2022

Absolutely incredible!! Great inspiration thank you !!

Allison S.

Tuesday 3rd of September 2019

Where did you get that Thomas Toy that is pulling the food? I have been looking for a larger one and I cannot find one for the life of me! They are all too small and look goofy. Thanks!!

Laura

Sunday 8th of September 2019

Hi Allison! Unfortunately, we bought it so many years ago. My mother-in-law actually bought it and I think it may have been used when she bought it?? They don't sell him anywhere anymore :( Maybe Ebay would would -- this may actually be the one we have?? Large Thomas on EBAY

How to Throw a Train Birthday Party - Part 2 - Games and Activities | Mom Envy

Saturday 6th of January 2018

[…] be on train party games and activities. If you missed Part 1 of Throwing the Ultimate Train party, click here.  As you look at the games and activities we had, keep in mind our parties were for when Carl was […]

How to Throw a Train Birthday Party - Part 3 - Train Cakes and Party Tips | Mom Envy

Saturday 6th of January 2018

[…] Part 1 – Overview of how to throw a train party and inspiration (SO many great ideas!) […]

How to Throw a Train Birthday Party - Part 4 - Free Train Party Printables | Mom Envy

Thursday 12th of October 2017

[…] some more train party inspiration? See Part 1 (Inspiration/Overview) OR Part 2 (Goody Bags, Games & Activities) OR Part 3 (Party Tips and […]