Rainbow Party Ideas: Decorations, Party Bags & Things That Actually Work
A rainbow party is one of the easiest themes to do well — the colour palette is the decoration. Done right, it looks striking and cheerful without any particular skill. Done wrong, it looks like a jumble sale. This guide covers the decorations that work, the table elements worth including, and what to put in the party bags.
Rainbow party decorations
Streamers — the fastest rainbow effect
Crepe paper streamers are the best tool for a rainbow party. Run them from a central ceiling point out to the walls for a tent effect, or hang lengths side by side across the ceiling in ROYGBIV order for a colour-block backdrop. Our Rainbow Party Streamers 7pk gives you all seven colours in one set — 70 metres total, enough for walls, ceiling and door curtains in one go. For a more tailored palette, mix individual colours: orange and baby blue give a bright, modern contrast that works well for summer parties.
Balloons — build your own rainbow
The most effective rainbow balloon display is a colour-by-colour arch or column rather than a mixed bunch. Buy individual colours in matching quantities and arrange in order: red → orange → yellow → green → blue → purple. Our natural rubber latex balloons come in all the colours you need — red, orange, yellow, sage green, blue, violet and fuchsia pink — all plastic-free, natural rubber. For the centrepiece, the Rainbow Stripe Heart Foil Balloon makes a strong focal point above the party table.
Bunting and finishing touches
Fabric bunting lasts longer and looks better than paper for indoor parties. The Rainbow Tie Dye Fabric Bunting is 3m of sustainable cotton — hang it above the table or along a window. Pair with Rainbow Paper Napkins and Birthday Brights Rainbow Paper Cups for a table that looks deliberately coordinated rather than thrown together.
The party table
Keep the table simple: one or two hero pieces (the foil heart balloon, the bunting) and the tableware doing the colour work. Add the Bright Birthday Twirl Candles to the cake — the neon spiral design picks up the rainbow palette perfectly. Use yellow party treat boxes instead of a plate for the food — they read as part of the colour scheme and give each child their own serving.
Rainbow party bags and fillers
For rainbow party bag fillers, the Sun Print Paper Kit is the standout option. Children create photographic prints by laying objects on FSC paper in direct sunlight — the results are genuinely beautiful, and the activity fits perfectly with a rainbow party's visual theme. Each kit has 8 sheets (15×20cm), no batteries, no plastic. It works as a party activity children do on the day, or a take-home item they complete later.
For younger guests, combine individual balloon colours into the bag itself — a small bundle of two or three matching latex balloons makes a simple, colourful rainbow party bag filler that costs almost nothing and gets an immediate reaction.
For the bag: use a colour-in card bag that children decorate themselves at the party, or a plain kraft paper bag in each guest's assigned colour if you're running colour-by-child seating.
See the full rainbow party collection for all decorations, tableware, fillers and balloons in one place.
Ready to fill the party bags? Our party bag fillers collection has plenty of rainbow-friendly options — wooden toys, colour-in kraft bags, eco-friendly fillers and more, all easy to sort by colour.