Emerson’s Narnia-Themed Sixth Birthday Party
We had the sweetest opportunity to celebrate our girl turning six right on her birthday this year, and it felt like such a gift to fill our home with her friends and step into a story she loves so much.
Emerson chose a Narnia-themed party all on her own. This past year, we slowly read all seven books aloud together—one chapter at a time, night after night. She would beg for just one more chapter before bed, and it became such a treasured rhythm in our home. When we reached the final page, we all cried. I remember lingering there, knowing you only get to read these stories for the first time once.
Since then, Narnia has stayed with us. She listens to the Yoto cards often, and we’ve been enjoying the BBC dramatized version in the car. It only felt right to celebrate her birthday inside that world!
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Stepping Through the Wardrobe
I wanted the activities to be simple, but the decorations to feel immersive. The centerpiece of the whole party was the wardrobe! We found a refrigerator box behind an appliance store and turned it into a wardrobe door, taping it over the cased opening to the room where the party was set up. You couldn’t see anything inside until you stepped through. Watching the kids walk through that doorway—unsure of what they’d find—was one of my favorite parts of the day.
Inside, we created a winter woodland scene using what we already had. I pulled out every Christmas tree we own (which, apparently, is quite a few). Between the front porch, living room, and the girls’ rooms, we ended up with six trees of different sizes. I added a winter woodland tapestry (similar) behind them, and just like that, the room felt like Narnia.
I made a simple banner from brown craft paper with the quote: “Once a King or Queen in Narnia, always a King or Queen in Narnia.”
We also made lanterns from the same paper—just rolled into cones and filled with yellow and red tissue paper. They were inexpensive, easy, and added so much to the atmosphere. A Christmas lamppost sealed the whole scene!
Kid Charcuterie
The food was simple and a little rustic. We set up a kid-friendly charcuterie-style spread—easy things to grab and snack on. I added radishes (a small nod to the Beaver’s house) and Turkish Delight from HomeGoods, which the kids were very curious about.
We served “Tea with Mr. Tumnus,” complete with a little sign, and poured grape juice into green plastic goblets so the kids could feel like kings and queens at a feast! One of my favorite details was a thrifted, embroidered map of Narnia that a family member found for us. We hung it above the table, and it tied everything together.
The Easiest $17 Cake
The cake might have been my favorite shortcut! I picked up an undecorated coconut cream cake from Sam’s Club and smoothed the top so it looked like fresh snow. Then I added a plastic lion from our safari bin and a few bottle brush trees from our Christmas decorations.
It cost less than $20 and felt completely on theme!
Crafts and Play
As the kids arrived, they jumped right into decorating. We set out cardboard swords, shields, and crowns, along with rhinestones, tissue paper, glue sticks, and paint pens. It gave them something to do right away and doubled as their party favor to take home.
After cake and presents, we headed outside for a game that ended up being a highlight of the day. We turned the yard into Narnia!
I hung signs around the yard for different locations: the Beaver’s Dam, Cair Paravel, the White Witch’s Castle, the Stone Table, and the Lamppost. One child played the White Witch, and the rest ran from place to place as I called out scenes from the story.
“The White Witch is coming—run to the Beaver’s Dam!”
“Aslan’s side is gathering at the Stone Table!”
If they were tagged, they were “turned to stone.” The kids loved it. After a while, they took over—calling out locations and taking turns being the White Witch.
A Little Something Extra
Before the party, I made Emerson a wardrobe-shaped birthday card out of craft paper. The doors opened, and I wrote her note inside. It was simple, but I knew it would be something she would love.
And she did. 🙂
A Party We’ll All Remember
It wasn’t elaborate in the way parties can sometimes be. It was simple, a little scrappy in places, and full of things we already had. But it felt magical. Our girl was filled with wonder, and that was everything! There is something so special about bringing a story your family loves into your home and inviting others into it. This one will stay with me for a long time.
If you try a Narnia theme, I would love to hear what you do with it. There are so many beautiful ideas out there—but truly, a little imagination goes a long way.
