Karate Birthday Party

I used a classic red, white and black palette for this karate-themed birthday party. In Japanese culture, red is the color of power, strength, and protection.

If you are hosting a party to celebrate progression to a new belt, you can easily incorporate this color into the details such as the cake, cupcake toppers, napkins, or forks that you use.

I wanted to use a traditional Japanese-style low table (Zashiki) with cushions on the floor. To make my own, I used a tabletop on milk crates to get the look and feel.

In the middle of the table, I used a Short Round Pedestal Jar to hold sweets from Japan. I visited my local Asian market to get these treats, plus Pocky sticks (a fan favorite) and some Japanese sodas to tie in with the theme.

I added Personalized Karate Favor Stickers to the candy and Pocky stick packs. I love using these to bring the birthday child's name into the decor!

I don't know about your kids, but mine love putting on themed tattoos at parties, so I added Ninja Temporary Tattoos to the table for the kids to have some fun with.

The Ninja Sword Set comes with a back holster for the swords, but I used it in a different way! I removed the straps from the holster and it made a great container to hold Bamboo Paper Straws for drinks!

I added sushi (cucumber and avocado maki rolls are the perfect choice for this age group) on a White Long Platter in addition to my own soy sauce, ginger, and wasabi containers for a true Japanese dining experience. Of course, pizza and mac n' cheese were on hand, too!

Next, I used Bamboo Print Placemats for each place setting, along with a Black Metallic Stripe Beverage Napkin. You could change this out to another color such as green or red if your child is at a certain belt level or leave it with the aspirational black belt!

Next, I added the fabulous Karate Party Dinner Plates in the shape of a traditional Karategi, along with small rice bowls I had at home.

At each place setting, I used both a red fork and Decorated Wood Chopsticks to give the kids the option to use either one. Personalized Karate Mint Tins made a great decorative accent, as well as helping with after-lunch freshness and a being bonus take-home favor!

Tip: Use a small piece of paper between the tops of the 2 chopsticks and attach it with a rubber band to help kids learn how to use the chopsticks.

The final touch, Japanese sodas from the Asian Market, were placed on mini wood slats (warning: kids may want to karate chop these, Hi-ya!) along with water bottles with Personalized Karate Water Bottle Labels.

Next, greet your guests with a standing bow (seiritsu), and escort them to the dessert table! Yum!

I set up a backdrop to add a traditional vibe, simply using a sheet of bamboo fencing that you can get from your local hardware store. In the center of this backdrop, I attached the swords from the Ninja Sword Set in a crossed design.

Across the top of the backdrop, I strung Mini Red Hanging Paper Lanterns entwined with a Bamboo Garland.

In the center of the table, I placed a black cake stand on a Bamboo Print Placemat and then added a headband around a store-bought white cake. Be sure to add a layer of cling film between the two to maintain food safety.

To create a cake topper, I cut the design from the middle of a Karate Party Dessert Plate and attached it to a straw, which I then inserted into the top of the cake. Then to give the bottom a pop of color, I added two Ninja Sword Picks in the same cross-over pattern as the sword on the backdrop.

Finally, I added the 2 smaller blades from the Ninja Sword Set to the bottom of the stand, securing them in place with glue dots.

Many kids prefer smaller cupcakes as desserts, so I used the Ninja Cupcake Stand to hold cupcakes of various sizes.

To decorate the smaller cupcakes I used Ninja Sword Picks.

For the larger cupcakes, I tied sour straps as if they were Karate belts. They come in all the colors of the karate belts. You can also use Twizzlers for kids that prefer sweet to sour!

I served up both the cake and cupcakes on the Karate Party Dessert Plates.

To decorate the other side of the dessert table, I displayed a lucky cat and a Karate Black Belt Treat Bag on risers and used Large Clear Cylinder Jar to display more mint tins for the kids to take home.

One of my favorite elements of this party was the Karate Life-Size Cardboard Stand-Up, which I used on one side of the dessert table. This made for great posed pictures, where kids had an opportunity to show me their moves!

On the other side of the dessert table, I placed the treat bags sealed with these favor stickers for kids to collect at the end of the party.

I also set up another photo booth area for the kids to practice their dojo moves! I used the Personalized Karate Backdrop at the center of this. This sign could also double as a welcome sign or could be used above the dessert table. There is also a version of the poster where you can add a photo of your child. This is a great option if they are celebrating a belt promotion!

Around the backdrop, I used Karate Party Cutouts to decorate the space. Each one shows moves the kids can try out as well as the core elements of martial arts such as honor and respect.

For the child that is more a fan than a competitor, grab the Boys Karate GI Costume, so they can look the part! We pinned the front for my daughter, and she LOVED the yin yang and tiger symbols on the bottom, so it works for both boys and girls!

Now it's time for them to have some fun and show their moves! Consider hiring a martial artist (or an experienced older teenager) to lead the beginners in a basic lesson or even give them a demonstration.

You could also have a little fun with the children taking turns karate-chopping through balsa wood. It is extremely lightweight and available at craft stores.

Hi-ya and Sayounara!