13 Creative Video Game Party Ideas

Looking for video game party ideas for your child or loved one? We’ve gathered some great options that will have your event hitting the high score.

Along the way, you’ll see some relevant listings we’ve provided from Peerspace – the internet’s largest hub for peer-to-peer event venue rentals. By connecting you with curated and themed event space rentals all over the country, you’ll have a cheat code to throw the best party possible!

Enjoy these video game party ideas and the amazing party venues that can help you bring them to life with ease.

1. Rent a retro arcade through Peerspace for your party base

While everyone loves their PS5s and Xboxes, nothing beats a classic arcade. Looking for one in your area? Search on Peerspace first to find the hidden gem party spaces in your area, including retro arcade rental venues.

You never know when you’ll come across something amazing like this retro arcade with a modern atmosphere in Fredericksburg, VA! With 65 classic arcade games and pinball machines, a retro video store, and a food truck, you’ll have to pry everyone out of this place at the end of the party.

We’ll share more information about video game arcade venue rentals throughout this article, just so you can see what’s available near you!

2. Gather up your gaming squad with custom invites

Just like when you form a party to play Fortnite, you’ll also want to send the right call out to all the gamers coming to your event. On Etsy, you’ll find dozens of great customizable options like this video game party invitation from Dahlia Paper Boutique’s shop. The signature green and black design is so iconic and conveys the theme perfectly. The best part about this card is you can save a little paper and money by sending them out as a digital invite!

3. Set up groovy gamer yard signs to greet your guests

Need video game party ideas for an outdoor event? There are some really cool decor options out there for any weather. Check out these cool “Game On” video game yard signs from Amazon! This is a great option for anybody trying to avoid balloons or other decorations that don’t work quite as well outside.

These fun Fortnite party food ideas provide some tasty gamer-gathering snack suggestions. Check them out!

4. Anchor your party balloons with controllers

If you do wind up having balloons for your party, you’ll want something to keep them under control. Instead of putting a boring paperweight or chair to tie them down, try these video game controller birthday party balloon holders from Hope2Create’s Etsy page. If you’re worried they only come in Xbox controllers don’t sweat it – they’ve got controller options for the Playstation lovers too!

5. Level up your snacks to keep your gamers fuelled

Searching for video game party ideas that will satisfy your guests’ appetites? We recommend turning easy desserts like cookies into themed treats by using icing to decorate. Or, you can try what Hunny I’m Home DIY did for their Fortnite party and creatively label everyday party food as consumables from the game. Scroll down to find a few free printables you can use for your own party!

If you need a cool place to make this idea happen with ease, check out this arcade room event home in Austin, TX. It offers you a private space with a games room that includes three arcade cabinets as well as ping-pong and foosball tables, for starters. But it also has its own kitchen AND a concession food stand with a hot dog roller, popcorn maker, candy jars, and more. No matter the age of your fellow gamers, you’re going to have plenty of treats to enjoy alongside your gaming at a venue like this!

6. Go old-school and host a classic LAN party

For those older gamers out there, you probably remember the good old days of everyone having to bring their computers or games over to play together. Want to recreate that feeling? Turn to Peerspace to connect you with amazing locations like this state-of-the-art gaming facility in Gilbert, AZ! It boast 47 computers, 12 Nintendo Switches, and 5 Xbox series X consoles, all in one party-perfect spot.

Take a look through some of the high-quality images uploaded by the host and see a sample of what it looks like when set up for a party. All Peerspace listings include plenty of photos, allowing you to go on a virtual tour before you make a decision.

7. Don’t slow down the fun; stick with cupcakes!

The last thing your gamers want to do is take a bunch of time away from their playing to watch a cake get cut and slowly eat it. Serve up cupcakes so they can get right back to the competition!

We recommend serving them on something like this three-tier gamer cake stand from Amazon. It’s super easy to assemble and creates a fun way to display your cupcakes while keeping on theme.

8. Go big with printable designs as your venue decorations

Need a few affordable video game party ideas for any budget? By going with printable decorations, you can save quite a lot of money that you would have spent at a party store. There are some really comprehensive options out there like this set of video game party decorations from Studio Panda’s Etsy page. For under $10, you get invitations, cupcake toppers, banners, and so much more.

If you’re looking for a place that’s already party-ready, then check out this retro 70s arcade lounge in Yucca Valley, CA. Hold your video game party here and you won’t need to lift a finger to decorate!

Add more of a retro aesthetic by adding some Y2K party ideas to your video game event!

9. Create memories by setting up a photo booth for your gamers

One of the best ways to have a great party is by including a photo booth. Guests love having an opportunity to take goofy pictures they can bring home at the end of the night. Get yourself some printable gaming photo booth props from Rainbow Monkey Art and leave finding a venue with a photo booth to Peerspace.

All over the country, there are spaces like this light-filled large event space in Seattle, WA that are incredible party venues with photo booths already on site. Get searching in your area and see what you can find!

10. Make it a costume party to add a fun cosplay element

One of the most immersive video game party ideas is to set a dress code: all guests must attend dressed as their favorite video game character! Video game enthusiasts often love cosplay too, so it can be a natural addition to your party that hinges on your guests’ creativity. And it’s sure to inspire plenty of laughs and photo-taking, too!

Any video game cosplayer would love gathering in an awesome spot like this 80s-style arcade and retro lounge in St. Paul, MN. It’s perfect for video game parties for all ages and features dozens of arcade games, retro pop culture memorabilia, pinball, board games, console games, and more. There’s also plenty of space for up to 50 (costumed!) guests.

11. Add in more activities to exhilarate your guests

We can all agree that video games are in and of themselves awesome and worthy of a party theme. But when you use Peerspace to book event spaces near you, you can also find venues that offer arcade games and so much more.

One great example is this Columbia City event space in Seattle, WA. Along with its arcade games, the host also provides you with darts, flat-screen TVs, a projector screen ideal for showing movies and streaming apps like Twitch, a bar (for your adult guests), and plenty of comfy seating areas. Sounds like the makings to a well-rounded video game party to us!

12. Save the princess by slaying a dragon

Everybody loves to be the hero – that’s why there are so many gamers out there! Give your guests a chance to slay a mighty dragon with this dragon piñata from Michael’s. Every party can benefit from a finale with candy flying everywhere and this dragon can hold up to two pounds of sweet goodness. If your little one has a favorite video game, see if you can find one in the shape of the game’s main villain or enemy!

13. Send them home with little loot boxes

Your guests are certainly going to want to feel like their gaming victories were well-earned – make sure you send them home with prizes to match! Candy, stickers, or other gaming knick-knacks are always a safe option. Instead of sticking to a brown paper bag, try something like this video game-themed favor box from mgulinpapercrafts on Etsy. They can be fully customized with any text you need and super easy to assemble.

Need an option for a larger crowd? Try this 110-piece video game party favors set from Empire Party Supply US instead.

Video game party ideas: conclusion

We hope you’re ready and more excited than ever to throw a killer video game party now. With these video game party ideas and the perfect party venue rental from Peerspace, it’s going to be an event your guests will always remember!

Find unique party venues on Peerspace