Clara’s second birthday party was a joyful mix of food, family, friends, sunshine — and a heroically embraced worm theme. She chose worms because she loves spotting, drawing, and even dreaming about them, so naturally the whole day leaned into that delightfully quirky obsession.
We were surrounded by people we love, the weather stayed around 75 degrees with sunny skies, and the birthday girl had an absolute blast. Here’s a look at how we pulled the celebration together.
The sunroom served as our central hub. Decorations were simple and cheerful: balloons and streamers from Target, a bright tablecloth from HomeGoods, and plenty of worm-themed snacks. We kept things easy and playful rather than over-designed.
We used the sunroom, patio, and carport for the gathering, which had about 30 people total — roughly ten of them little ones under four. Fortunately the weather cooperated, and having kids run around outdoors made everything feel extra festive. Keeping food in the sunroom was convenient and ensured we could use faux worms without any real critter surprises.
Just before guests arrived, the table looked ready to go. We kept a few surprises under the tablecloth (a project-in-progress doubling as a table), but everything on top was party-ready.
Food was labeled with silly worm-themed names printed at home, such as “worm crudités” (long carrot, cucumber, and cheese sticks), “puffed worms” (white cheddar puffs), “salted worms” (pretzel rods), and “worm dogs” (hot dog pieces boiled and cut so they curled like worms). The playful labels added a lot of laughs.
A sweet bouquet on the table was a Mother’s Day gift — a small but lovely detail.
The worm dogs were especially popular with kids and adults alike; we probably served more than we had people.
We used an eclectic mix of bowls and platters from our pantry. Though the shapes didn’t match, sticking with white pieces let the vivid tablecloth remain the star without clashing.
Individual cups of gummy worms were arranged so a few appeared to be crawling out — a tiny, silly touch that delighted the kids.
A separate small table held pizza. We leaned into the theme with one pizza topped to look worm-like (peppers and onions) and another topped with pre-cooked spaghetti. Two classic pies were labeled “dewormed pizza” for a laugh — the theme was consistently embraced.
Bird napkins were a fun find at Ikea — a wink to birds eating worms and another small thematic detail.
The drink station featured a HomeGoods tablecloth and simple, kid-friendly beverages: glass bottles of orange soda and Coke for adults, Izze, sparkling water, and water, plus apple juice and water for kids. We tucked gummy worms onto apples in front of the beverage tin for a playful garnish that actually got eaten.
Worm-like pink straws added another whimsical detail at the drink table.
Because the room is still a work in progress, we used a bare wall to display Clara’s monthly pictures from the past year alongside a set of 12 worm facts typed up on 4×6 cards. It made for a cheerful, personal backdrop above the food table.
The carport looked festive with pink and orange streamers draped in a wavy, worm-like fashion. I also hung a fabric banner I made for Clara’s first birthday and lined up small watering-can favors for the kids to take home.
Each watering can held a bottle of bubbles, a small shovel, and a plush toy transformed into a worm — an inexpensive, playful favor that delighted the little guests.
Decorations were simple beyond streamers and balloons: three paper lanterns from Target and a few worm-like swirly paper accents from Party City. We also set up a low play table stocked with bubbles, a bug-themed puzzle, crayons, and color-the-worm pages I sketched on cardstock. The kids enjoyed coloring the little worms, and the finished pages were colorful and cheerful.
Guests milled about the patio and carport, chatting and enjoying the warm afternoon. There’s something wonderful about a space filled with people you love.
Clara was particularly enthusiastic about the pizza, politely asking for bites from multiple family members — a hilarious, charming reminder that she was truly in her element.
Dirt cupcakes were a crowd favorite. We bought inexpensive vanilla cupcakes, pressed them icing-side-down into crushed Oreos to create “dirt,” and topped each with a gummy worm. The crunchy cookies added a winning texture.
The birthday girl chose her own green gummy worm for her special cupcake and sat in her favorite yellow chair while we sang and she blew out two pink candles. She handled it like a pro.
We managed a few family photos — candid moments that captured the day even if not everyone was looking straight at the camera. Those unposed shots often feel more genuine anyway.
Clara took the theme seriously, gleefully feeding gummy worms to loved ones and even sharing a sweet “Lady and the Tramp” style spaghetti moment with her dad.
Opening presents in the carport was a highlight. A wooden snake-toy from a friend was a big hit and unexpectedly echoed a craft we’d once made years earlier — full circle moments that make family gatherings feel extra sweet.
The carport filled with people, chairs, and balloons — a simple, comfortable space for visiting as the party wound down. We kept slipcovers on chairs to make cleanup easier and spent the time watching the kids play and catching up with friends and family.
Overall, it was a lovely day. We’re so grateful for our family, friends, and our happy little girl. Her birthday always makes me emotional — she’s our little miracle — and sharing this quirky worm-themed celebration with people we love meant a lot.
At the end of the party, our dog Burger surveyed the leftovers and even snagged a stray cheese puff under the table, content and sleepy after a day of excitement.
The End.
We also put together a short video of Clara’s last year to keep and enjoy later. It’s a fun way to look back on the moments that make her so special. Thanks to everyone who “virtually” attended our quirky little worm party — it was a day full of laughter, warmth, and memories we’ll treasure.
Psst — we have a handful of outtakes from this month’s Clara photo session on Young House Life if you want to see more.