Break out the teased hair, neon spandex, and funky retro vibes for the ultimate throwback celebration with an 80s Barbie themed extravaganza! This guide is stacked with wildly awesome ideas for transforming any space into Barbie’s outrageous world.
We’re talking prime venues with bright colors and non-stop energy, bitchen decorations to recreate her Dreamhouse, slap bracelets and scrunchies for party favors, and plenty more ways to soak up the 80s magic. Whether you’re a child of the 80s planning a far out birthday bash or just want to relive the outrageous era, use these tips to make it the most righteous party ever!
Find an 80s Dreamhouse Party Venue
To set the scene, you need a colorful venue that captures the vibrant, fun-loving spirit of the 80s. When choosing the perfect space, think pink, think neon, think rockin’ good times! Here are some prime locations to consider:
Rollerskating or Bowling Alley
For an 80s workout party, a local roller skating rink is sure to get guests in the groovy mood. Many offer private party areas and packages with dedicated space, skate rentals, and your choice of radical music. Add glow sticks for extra ambience!
Bowling alleys are another prime pick for an action-packed bash. Most have party rooms to decorate and will even play 80s hits over the sound system so you can bowl to the oldies. Consider combining the two with a “skate ‘n bowl” double feature!
Retro Diner or Arcade
For a truly throwback atmosphere, book a vintage-style diner with a checkerboard floor and neon signs on the walls. Many diners have party rooms or can accommodate a large group. You provide the 80s touches!
Similarly, a retro arcade with old school video games, skeeball, and flashing lights will immerse guests in the 80s. Some arcades cater to private events. Just add a bit of Barbie flair!
Community Center
An affordable option for large groups is renting out space at a local community center. The generic rooms become your blank canvas to decorate however your 80s heart desires! With enough neon balloons, streamers, posters, and costumes, you can transform even a bland rec room into Barbie’s bubblegum world.
House Party!
For a more intimate bash, your own pad makes a fab locale if you really commit to the theme. Move furniture and roll up rugs to create a dance floor. Use lights, posters, fabric, and anything pink or neon to achieve that 80s ambiance. Outdoor patios work nicely too! Just be sure to alert the neighbors in advance in case things get loud!
Wherever you choose, pick a space that allows you to go all out with lights, colors, photos, costumes, and rockin’ tunes to create the ultimate 80s time warp experience!
Design Eye-Popping 80s Barbie Invitations
Get guests psyched for your outrageous celebration with a vibrant 80s style invitation. Consider these bodacious options:
Digital Invites
Email or text digital invites featuring images of 80s Barbies and neon graphics. Search Google Images or Creative Market for hi-res photos of 80s Barbies you can include. Write clever text in crazy 80s fonts – think curly, bubbly and bold. Include an animated gif for extra spice!
Many websites like Evite and Paperless Post offer online invitations with ready-made Barbie and 80s templates to customize.
Artsy Handmade Invites
For a personal DIY touch, make each invitation by hand. Decorate cardstock with neon puffy paint, glitter, sequins, stickers, or scrapbook paper with tropical or geometric designs. Cut invites into the shape of Barbie’s Dreamhouse, a Rubik’s cube, boombox or other iconic 80s items.
Search Pinterest or Etsy for even more rad handmade invitation tutorials, like using Barbie boxes, Polaroids, plastic jewelry or art supplies to design something totally unique and funky.
Printable Templates
Find printable Barbie party invite templates online you can customize with your event details. Print onto brightly colored cardstock or photo paper, then trim to size. Decorate the edges with scalloped scissors, hole punches, or border stickers for a gnarly effect.
With any option, don’t forget to include tubular 80s slang and remind guests to wear neon, spandex and big hair!
Create a Rockin’ 80s Dreamhouse With Pink Decor
When decking out your space, think bright, think bold, think Barbie! Use decorations that embrace color, pop culture and all things 80s. Here are some righteous ideas:
Neon Everything
Pink, blue, purple – cover the space in super bright neon colors using balloons, streamers, tablecloths, wall murals, lighting, party favors, and more. Use neon duct tape to add stripes to tables, chairs and other surfaces. Blacklight posters and neon paints will make designs glow. Nothing says 80s like neon!
Barbie Overload
Showcase Barbie in all her glory with life-size cardboard cutouts, vintage dolls on display, a continuous slideshow of 80s Barbie ads, and infinite amounts of pink accessories, shoes, handbags, jewelry and other replica props. Drape hot pink boas from the ceiling and decorate with Barbie books, boxes and collectibles. Cover the walls in Barbie posters. A Barbiefied photo frame with the host or guest of honor also adds laughs.
Pop Art Vibes
Use colorful murals, graffiti art styles, and comic book designs in a pop art style. Add speech bubbles with radial 80s slang like “Freakazoid!” and “Take a chill pill!”
Light It Up
Spotlights, strobe lights, disco balls, lava lamps, fiber optic lamps, neon led strips – use lighting to infuse color and energy throughout the space. Blacklights will make white decor glow in the dark for a psychedelic effect.
Themed Fabrics
Drape patterned fabrics like animal prints, metallics, and splatter designs over tables, chairs and blank walls. For photo backdrops, use glitter curtains, fringe, and anything shiny. Tablecloths and runners in sequins, shoulder pads or geometric shapes scream 80s. Think pink, pink and more pink!
Nostalgic Touches
Incorporate barbies dressed in a retro style. Display boomboxes, cassettes, Rollerblades, scrunchies, and other iconic memorabilia around the party area.
With color, lights, props, textures, and patterns everywhere, your space will feel line Barbie’s 80s Dreamhouse in no time!
Crank Up These 80s Tunes
Get guests revved up by blasting the hottest jams from the era. Here’s a party mix of essential 80s hits:
- “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi – pump up guests with this high energy classic!
- “Sweet Dreams” by Eurythmics – perfect to skate or dance to!
- “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield – a super catchy chart topper.
- “Barbara Ann” by The Beach Boys – fun, upbeat retro vibes.
- “Take On Me” by A-Ha – play the iconic music video for extra nostalgia.
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston – ideal for a high energy dance off!
- “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell – dark electronic rock you can really sink your teeth into!
- “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany – bubblegum pop perfection.
- “Love Shack” by The B-52s – the zany lyrics and vibe epitomize 80s kitsch.
Here’s some 80s bubblegum pop for the perfect Barbie party soundtrack.
Dress the Part 80s Barbie Threads
The 80s were famous for bold, vibrant, larger than lifestyles. Encourage guests to embrace the decade with fun costumes and loud colors.
Righteous Women’s Costumes
- Check out 80s Barbie styles and recreate them for your costume
- Crop tops, off-the-shoulder shirts, chunky sweaters – pair with miniskirts, neon tights, or high-waisted acid wash jeans. Add colorful plastic jewelry and layered rubber bracelets.
- Give female guests fun bright props like boomboxes, roller skates, and Barbie accessories to carry around.
- Tease hair high with curls and volume! Crimped waves and side ponytails with scrunchies also scream 80s. Hair clips, headbands, and big bows complete the look.
- Go all out with blue eye shadow, bright blush, and matte or glossy lips in every hue. Draw on thick brows and rosy cheeks.
Most Excellent Men’s Costumes
- Rock that 80s ken look
- Button up shirts with loud patterns like paisleys, tropical florals, and geometric designs – pair with rolled up jacket sleeves and suspenders
- Block striped or pastel tees under leather jackets or cardigans with rolled up sleeves
- Rock acid wash or stone wash baggy jeans, pants with zippers, corduroys, or brightly colored trousers
- Give male guests props like skateboards, Walkmans, sunglasses, calculators, and Ken accessories to carry around
- Big hair, mullet wigs, moustaches, and Ray Bans totally complete an 80s dude costume.
Serve Up 80s Inspired Eats and Rad Drinks
Keep guests energized for a bodacious night with both savory and sweet treats, plus rockin’ cocktails and mocktails.
Gnarly 80s Savory Bites
- Individual veggie or cheese pizzas on neon cocktail toothpicks
- Chicken or tofu nuggets with ketchup, honey mustard, and blue cheese dips
- Mini corn dogs skewered with frilly toothpicks
- Cheese, fruit, and charcuterie kabobs threaded onto long skewers
- Rainbow cheese and cracker trays decorated with 80s candies
- Trail mix bar with nuts, pretzels, dried fruits, and neon cereal mixes
- Potato or corn chips served in disposable pink or blue bowls
Sweet 80s Candy and Desserts
- Individual Jell-O molds or gelatin “shots” in bright colors
- Candy bar skewers with layers of nougat, caramel, nuts, and chocolate
- build-your-own cotton candy stations with plastic Barbie cones
- Pop Rocks, Nerds, Laffy Taffy, Ring Pops, Fun Dip – load up on retro candy!
- Pink chocolate fountains with fresh fruit, marshmallows, rice krispy treats for dipping
- Ice cream bar with 80s candy toppings – Bubble Tape, Pop Rocks, Nerds
- Sprinkle-covered cupcakes and donuts decorated with 80s character figurines
Rockin’ 80s Inspired Drinks
- Neon colored “Sunset Splash” punch with grenadine, pineapple, orange juice – make a mocktail or add rum.
- Electric Lemonade spiked with vodka and blue curacao or lemon-lime soda for the non-alcoholic version
- Miami Vice – mix pina colada and strawberry daiquiri cocktails, or blend with fruit juices.
- Malibu Coconut Rum smoothies garnished with paper umbrellas
- Perrier, wine coolers, Zima, wine spritzers, and light beers in bright retro cups
With outrageous eats and drink ideas, guests will party in true 80s style all night long!
Play Totally 80s Games
Keep your guests stoked and entertained all night long with activities that embrace the outrageous decade. Pump up the jams and try these ideas:
- Lip sync or dance off contests – give prizes for the wildest interpretations of classic 80s hits!
- Best Barbie & Ken costume contests – reward bonus points for accessories, props, and commitment to the look!
- Twister, Skeeball, laser tag – any colorful 80s game, hold tournaments!
- Limbo and hula hoop contests – classic 80s Barbie fun!
- Karaoke – have guests belt out Madonna, Journey, Prince, and more!
- Roller skating or moonwalking relays – race from Point A to B in true bubblegum 80s style.
- Barbie or 80s pop culture trivia – test guests knowledge of the bodacious decade!
- Rubik’s Cube solving contests – time guests as they put the puzzle back together.
With maximum participation, 80s tunes, and totally outrageous activities, your bash will hit maximum levels of radicalness!
Send Guests Off with Barbie Party Favors
Help guests commemorate a bitchin’ time with fab 80s favors they can rock after the party. Give out:
- Slap bracelets in neon colors
- Scrunchies, crimping irons, neon earrings, and temporary neon tattoos
- Rubik’s cubes, Etch-a-Sketch, and Speak & Spell handheld games
- Neon glow sticks and bracelets that light up in crazy colors
- 80s movies like The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Desperately Seeking Susan on VHS
- Snap bracelets, plastic gem rings, tropical brooches and other loud costume jewelry
- Voluminous hair bows, lace gloves, sequin sunglasses and other accessories they can rock again soon
- Little Barbie and Ken trinkets like key tags and bracelets
With rockin’ keepsakes, your guests will be stoked to tubular relive the bodacious fun for weeks after the most triumphant event!
The 80s style was all about expression, fun, and larger than life attitudes. With bright colors, outrageous costumes, throwing it back to Barbie and the decade’s pop culture is guaranteed to take the 80s theme up a pink notch. So tease that blonde hair sky-high and start planning your 80s pink adventure – you and your guests be in a Barbie world all party long!
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