IRVING, Texas, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In honor of Sept. 9, the most common birthday in the United States, Chuck E. Cheese, the nation’s leading host of children’s birthday celebrations, is sharing its inaugural State of the Birthday Party Report. The report provides unique insight into how kids experience and remember their birthday celebrations and how parents feel about planning their kids’ special days. The report is informed by more than 10,000 responses across 29 countries and the brand’s experience of hosting more than 500,000 birthdays annually and more than 20 million birthday parties since 1977.
The Birthday Kid Is the Star
The State of the Birthday Party Report found that one in three parents chooses the birthday venue that their child requests. More than 75 percent of U.S. parents say that the entire birthday experience, not just the time in the party room, should center on the birthday child. That number climbs to more than 90 percent among parents of 6- and 7-year-olds, suggesting that these early elementary years may be the sweet spot when birthdays begin to feel especially momentous.
At these ages, children are old enough to understand that the day belongs to them, voice stronger opinions about how they want to celebrate and remember the experience long after the candles are blown out. The finding reinforces the value families find in creating a moment when the child feels unmistakably special.
Chuck E. Cheese believes that every child deserves a celebration that makes them feel like the star, regardless of a family’s budget or how that child experiences the world. Offerings such as Sensory Sensitive Birthdays and $99 Birthdays help make meaningful birthday celebrations more accessible to families, whether they are planning a sensory-friendly visit or looking for an affordable way to bring together play, kid-centered entertainment and memorable birthday moments.
The Anticipation Gap: Kids Are Ready Before Parents Start Planning
Nearly 60 percent of children start talking about or looking forward to their birthday at least a month in advance, with many beginning the countdown six weeks or more before the day arrives.
For children, that anticipation is already part of the celebration. They are imagining who will come, where the party will happen and what the day will feel like, often before their parents have begun working through the date, budget and guest list.
Activities Matter More Than a Picture-Perfect Theme
What children do at a birthday matters more than how the party looks. When asked what would make their child’s next birthday better, only 23 percent of parents name themes or decorations, while activities rank first. Kids are more likely to remember playing with their friends than the decorations surrounding them.
The report also found that the effects of a successful celebration can extend beyond the day itself. Globally, 66 percent of parents said that a successful party could help their child feel proud and confident, while 59 percent said that it could strengthen their child’s friendships.
Games and activities create the energy, but recognition, confidence and belonging are what children carry home.
“Birthdays are at the heart of what we do, and we want every child to leave feeling like the star of their day,” said Mark Kupferman, executive vice president and chief insights & marketing officer of Chuck E. Cheese. “This research gives us an even clearer understanding of what kids value most: more time to play, more ways to celebrate with their friends and more moments that make the birthday child feel truly special. We’re using those insights to rethink the birthday experience around what matters most to kids.”
A New Resource for Birthday Questions
The State of the Birthday Party Report is part of a broader effort by Chuck E. Cheese to become a useful, citable source for understanding children’s birthdays, from when families begin planning to what different age groups value most.
Families, journalists and industry professionals can find additional birthday research, planning information and celebration options at https://www.chuckecheese.com/birthday-parties/.
About Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese is where half a million happy birthdays are celebrated every year, with a mission to create positive, lifelong memories for families through fun, food and play. For nearly 50 years, Chuck E. Cheese has been the place Where A Kid Can Be A Kid®, and it continues to set the standard for family entertainment through its interactive experiences, exciting arcade games and beloved Chuck E. Cheese character. Committed to providing a fun, safe and inclusive environment, Chuck E. Cheese helps protect families through industry-leading programs such as Kid Check®. As a strong advocate for its local communities, Chuck E. Cheese has donated more than $24 million to schools and nonprofits through its fundraising programs.
About the State of the Birthday Party Report
The State of the Birthday Party Report draws from the 2025 International Birthday Experience Survey, an online quantitative study conducted in September 2025. The research included more than 10,000 responses across 29 countries, recruited through the third-party global panel provider ResearchDesk. The questionnaire examined family traditions, birthday anticipation, planning behavior, venue selection, decision-making, party features and the emotional outcomes families associate with a successful celebration. Check the latest updates at https://www.chuckecheese.com/birthday-research/.
Attachments
- As the Birthday Capital of the Universe, Chuck E. Cheese reveals kids hold real influence over their birthday celebrations and value activities over theme and decorations.
- Chuck E. Cheese is sharing its inaugural State of the Birthday Party Report, with unique insight into how kids experience and remember their birthday celebrations and how parents feel about planning their kids' special day.
Kendra Byrd SPM Communications 817-329-3257 kendra@spmcommunications.com
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