A Mario Party is a fun-filled, interactive theme party inspired by the beloved Super Mario video game franchise. It’s perfect for fans of the games, with opportunities to incorporate exciting activities, colorful decorations, and tons of fun. Whether you’re hosting for kids or adults, here’s how to throw an unforgettable Mario Party that everyone will enjoy!

1. Invitations

Set the tone for your Mario-themed party with creative invitations.

  • Super Mario Invitations: Create invitations shaped like Power Stars, Mushrooms, or even Warp Pipes. You can design them yourself or order them online with Mario and friends on the cover.
  • Printable Invitations: Download and print free Mario Party invitations featuring characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, and Bowser. Add a fun text like “Join us for a level-up of fun!” or “Let’s-a-go to the Mario Party!”

2. Venue and Decorations

Transform your venue into the vibrant world of Mario with these fun and easy-to-implement decorations.

Colors and Themes

  • Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green: Use bright and bold colors like red (Mario), green (Luigi), yellow (Princess Daisy), and blue (Yoshi) to decorate the space.
  • Mario Kart-inspired: Use checkered flags (like those in Mario Kart) for table runners, walls, or banners.
  • Super Mario Background: Hang large Super Mario murals or cut-outs of Mario characters. A wallpaper scene with Bowser’s Castle or the Mushroom Kingdom will add to the fun.

Decorative Items

  • Mushrooms and Stars: Scatter Super Mushrooms (red with white spots) and Power Stars around the party area. You can buy inflatable mushrooms or foam stars for this purpose.
  • Warp Pipes: Create warp pipes by covering cardboard boxes with green wrapping paper and cut them to resemble pipes. These can serve as decoration or props for games.
  • Mario Coins: Print gold coins (or use chocolate coins) and scatter them around tables or as part of games. You can also hand out these coins as small rewards.

Character Standees or Cutouts

  • Set up standees or cutouts of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser for photo ops and to create an immersive experience.

3. Dress Code

Encourage guests to come dressed as their favorite Mario characters, or provide them with costume accessories.

  • Character Costumes: Ask guests to come dressed as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad, or even Bowser. Alternatively, you can provide party hats, Mario hats (red for Mario, green for Luigi), masks, and mustache props for guests to wear.
  • Mario-Themed Accessories: For a simple dress code, hand out Mario-themed pins, beads, or caps to guests as they enter.

4. Food & Drinks

Serve fun Mario Party-inspired snacks and drinks that reflect the whimsical, playful nature of the franchise.

Food

  • Power-Up Mushrooms: Serve meatballs, cherry tomatoes, or stuffed mushrooms as “Power-Up Mushrooms.” You can also bake large mushroom-shaped cookies or cupcakes decorated with red and white frosting.
  • Yoshi’s Yummy Treats: Use green foods like kiwi, lime jello, or spinach dip to represent Yoshi. You could also make green punch.
  • Mario’s Pizza: Offer individual mini pizzas decorated with pepperoni or toppings shaped like Mario characters. You could also create a Mushroom Kingdom Pizza with mushrooms as the main topping.
  • Princess Peach Cupcakes: Create cupcakes with peach-colored frosting and a peach topper or edible glitter.
  • Bowser’s “Fiery” Wings: Serve spicy buffalo wings or barbecue chicken to represent Bowser.
  • Coin Cookies: Bake round cookies decorated as gold coins using yellow frosting or edible gold glitter.
  • Piranha Plant Poppers: Make jalapeno poppers or stuffed peppers to resemble the dangerous Piranha Plants from the Mario games.
  • Super Mushroom Cake: Create a cake shaped like a Super Mushroom, or decorate a simple cake with mushroom designs.

Drinks

  • Green Yoshi Punch: Serve a green punch made with lime sherbet, lemon-lime soda, and pineapple juice.
  • Mario’s Power-Up Potion: Make blue or red drinks (using colored soda or punch) in honor of Super Mario‘s power-ups, such as the Fire Flower or Super Mushroom.
  • Princess Peach Lemonade: Serve pink lemonade or strawberry punch for a refreshing drink. You could add fresh fruit slices to match the theme.
  • Koopa Troopa Lime Soda: Serve a lime-flavored soda or a limeade with a fun name to represent Koopa Troopa.

5. Party Games and Activities

Mario Party is known for its exciting mini-games and fun challenges. Here are some creative game ideas to bring the game to life at your party:

Mario Kart Race (Relay Race)

  • Set up an obstacle course or a relay race where guests compete like in Mario Kart. Use cardboard boxes, tunnels, and cones as barriers for the “karts” (use tricycles or scooters).
  • Each participant can wear a Mario Kart helmet or hold a Mario Kart flag as they race.

Mario Trivia

  • Host a Super Mario Trivia game with questions about the Mario series and its characters. Award coins or Power Stars to the winning team.
  • Use question blocks with trivia cards inside, or create a Mario question block prop to keep the game immersive.

Pin the Mustache on Mario

  • A fun twist on Pin the Tail on the Donkey, where guests have to blindfolded pin a mustache on a large picture of Mario.

Bowser’s Obstacle Course

  • Set up an obstacle course that represents Bowser’s Castle, where participants have to dodge obstacles, climb, or crawl under things to make it to the finish line. You can include balloon “fire” hurdles, Piranha Plant “cages”, and tunnels.

Mario Party Board Game

  • If you have a game-loving crowd, set up an actual Mario Party board game where participants can collect coins or complete tasks to win. Use physical challenges or mini-games for each “turn.”

Mario Party Charades

  • Play a round of Mario-themed charades, where guests act out specific characters, levels, or moves from the Mario franchise for others to guess.

6. Music Playlist

Create an exciting Mario Party atmosphere with a mix of Mario game tunes, catchy songs, and lively music. You can include:

  • Super Mario Bros. Theme Song (classic)
  • Super Mario Kart Theme
  • Princess Peach’s Theme (from various Mario games)
  • Super Mario World Theme
  • Athletic Theme (from Super Mario World)
  • Bowser’s Castle Theme
  • Game Over Music (as a fun cue when things get competitive!)

7. Party Favors

Send guests home with Mario-themed party favors to keep the fun going:

  • Mario Beads: Give out mushroom or Power Star-shaped beads to guests as they leave.
  • Super Mario Coins: Give each guest a gold coin as a memento.
  • Mini Mario Figures: Small Mario figurines or plush toys make great keepsakes.
  • Mario Stickers or Magnets: Fun Mario-themed stickers or magnets can be a simple, cost-effective giveaway.
  • Power-Up Candy Bags: Put together bags with candy or chocolates in the shape of Power Stars, coins, and Mushrooms.

By bringing the world of Super Mario to life through your decorations, food, games, and activities, your Mario Party will be an unforgettable hit for fans of all ages. Whether you’re recreating classic Mario challenges or simply enjoying the colorful, whimsical theme, everyone will leave your party feeling like they’ve just completed the ultimate Mario adventure!