Kids love trains, making it a great party theme! Here are some awesome DIY train party ideas featuring decor, food, cakes, games and more!

Few things are as charming as train travel, and I feel this is true wherever in the world you are! The soothing chugging sound of the wheels, the occasional horn, and the gentle swaying – nothing else can match it! Probably makes sense why we have an entire day dedicated to trains!

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What is National Train Day?

National Train Day was started by Amtrak in 2008 and is observed every year on the Saturday closest to May 10, which is the anniversary of the Golden Spike Ceremony in 1869.

This is the day when the ceremonial 17.6-karat gold spike was driven into the ground to celebrate the completion of the first American transcontinental railroad across the United States.

Amtrak’s intention was to remind everyone how useful trains are to the general public, but we also think that they’re really fun, which probably explains why trains are so universally loved, especially among kids!

So today, we’ve got together some awesome DIY train party ideas, with suggestions for decor, cakes, food and more. The best part of having a train party is that you can customize it to any age – from toddlers to teenagers! So let’s start chugging ahead!

25 Awesome DIY Train Party Ideas for Kids

1. Sidewalk Tracks

Your little guests will love walking along a train track on the way to your party, like this one by Welcoming Sentiments! This one was made with electrical tape, but you can use multiple methods to create these tracks.

2. Train Balloon Wreath

Greet your guests with a colorful balloon wreath like this one from Chickabug, featuring a little train in the center so your guests know they’re at the right place!

3. Vintage Train Table Backdrop

You can fine-tune these train party ideas to match any sub-theme, and we love what Kara’s Party Ideas has done with this vintage train theme backdrop and the cute vintage food signs!

4. Birthday Crossing Sign

Arch Days has ideas for a Thomas-themed birthday party, but you can steal their track crossing idea for any kind of train party. It’s really easy to make too, and works for all ages.

5. Giant Cardboard Train

Among all these train party ideas, your kid’s favorite is likely to be this large cardboard train from One Time Through. They’ve got step by step instructions to make it, so don’t worry!

6. Train Pinata

No party is complete without a piñata, and thanks to Little Miss Casual, you can now have a train-themed piñata! It’s not as difficult as it looks, trust us!

7. Train Centerpiece

Your table deserves a centerpiece worthy of a train party, and Familist shows us how to put one together! We love that you can also use it to display candy or other treats.

8. Personalized Train Table Mats

If you thought these train party ideas were only for boys, think again! Hostess with the Mostess shows us how to set up a completely girly train party, complete with themed table mats in pink and blue!

9. Railroad Crossing Cupcake Toppers

Keep the theme going with your cupcakes – and you don’t even need specially designed ones! Use regular cupcakes with regular frosting and show the theme with cupcake toppers, like these from Hostess with the Mostess!

10. Number Train Cake

This Number Train from Blue I Style is easier than it looks – all you need is a cake pan in the shape of the specific number. Another option is to make cupcakes and use biscuits as tracks!

11. Chocolate Train Birthday Cake

You can make this Chocolate Train Cake from Annie’s Amazing Cakes with just boxed cake mix and an assortment of colorful candy! It does require a little effort, but it’s budget-friendly and the result is completely worth it!

12. Mountain Rail Cake

This is a simple but effective idea for a train cake that is not in a train shape; make a Mountain Cake like this one from Catch My Party and set a rail track around it!

13. Assembled Train Cake

If you’re looking for last-minute train party ideas, this train cake from I Love Cooking is perfect! It is assembled using ready-made bakery products like loaf cakes, cookies and waffle cones – but looks like you spent hours on it!

14. Basic Cake with Train Topper

If you are absolutely short on time, try out this hack from Catch My Party – get a regular-shaped basic cake and create a little topper supported by skewers – easy way to bring out the theme!

15. Train-Shaped Sandwiches

If you can find a train-shaped cookie cutter, you’re in luck! There’s a lot you can do with those cookie cutters, like making train sandwiches as Hostess with the Mostess has done.

16. Railroad Crossing Sandwiches

If you can’t find a train-shaped cookie cutter, no problem – we can still make themed sandwiches! Try out these railroad crossing sandwiches from Mama Guru that are in a basic circle shape.

17. Rice Crispies Train Treat

Today’s Parent shows us how to turn regular rice crispie treats into a cute little train with treats stuffed in it. It’s so easy, it’s actually genius!

18. Build a Train Activity

If you’re looking for budget-friendly train party ideas, particularly activities, check out this printable from PJs and Paint. Print a few copies and hand it out, and let the kids build their own little trains!

19. Toss the Coal Game

Get the kids to test their aim with a ‘Tossing the coal’ game. All you need is a large cardboard box with a hole, and some ‘lumps of coal’ to toss in it. Check out Catch My Party for more details.

20. Pin the Train on the Rails

No party is complete without a ‘pinning’ game, and this Pin the Train on the Track game from Project Nursery is perfect for our train theme!

21. Wooden Train Painting

This is a great idea from Be Beh Blog – give the kids a quiet break by offering Wooden Trains to paint. Bonus – they can take their creations home!

22. Candy Trains

These Candy Trains from We’re Calling Shenanigans are super fun to make and for a change, the kids won’t be in a big hurry to unwrap their candy!

23. Caps and Whistles

It’s a train party, so we must have engineer caps and train whistles! Put together a little combo like this Caps and Whistles one from Chickabug, all neatly tied up with a yellow ribbon and a little printable Thank You tag.

24. Custom Train Cookies

If you are a baker or know one, you can get custom train-shaped cookies like these from Kara’s Party Ideas. Pack each one individually, preferably with a custom printable tag.

25. 3D Train Party Favor Box

We love printable train party ideas, especially when they solve a problem completely! This 3D train box from Playdates to Parties is one such idea, where you can simply assemble the box and fill it with little treats.

So there you go, 25 awesome train party ideas that are not too hard or too expensive! Mix and match to choose the ones that are appropriate for your child’s age as well as your budget. We’re sure that with these ideas, you can come up with a super-awesome train birthday party for your little one! Choo Choo!

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