Two fast birthday: race cars on top of a cake

Someone’s second birthday is coming up, and they’ve requested a car-themed celebration. We have the perfect party theme — a “two fast” birthday party!

Get all the details you need to know about a two fast birthday party along with our favorite ideas and tips to help you bring this party theme to life. We’ll also share some of our recommended party invites to match this thrill-seeking theme.

What Is a Two Fast Birthday Party?

A two fast kids birthday party is an exciting way to celebrate a child turning two years old. This car-filled party theme is perfect for little ones who love playing with cars, watching cars go by, or just all things fast and exciting!

Many two fast birthday parties feature a black and white theme thanks to the iconic racing checkered flag. You can add in hints of red and blue to round out the look. These added colors don’t have to be bright and bold, though — you could also do a softer take on the theme with pastel tones and natural textures, inspired by vintage race cars or wooden cars.

The two fast party theme is designed with a second birthday in mind, but there’s no reason you couldn’t take these ideas as inspiration for a car-themed birthday party for a child of any age, or even a baby shower. The inclusion of “two fast” just makes it feel extra special for those tiny car-lovers who will be turning two.

12 of the Best Two Fast Birthday Party Ideas

Two fast birthday: Gold Balloons Two Invitation

Design: Laura Bolter Design

Ready to get planning an amazing two fast birthday party? Explore some of our favorite ideas to help you embrace this theme — from birthday party decorations to ideas for your food and drinks and invites — like this Gold Balloons Two invitation

1. “Two Fast” Birthday Balloons

It wouldn’t be a two fast birthday party without that phrase! Order some foil balloons that spell it out, or opt for “two fast, two curious” instead. Black, gold, silver, or a color to match your theme all work well.

If foil balloon letters aren’t your style, try something similar with a handmade “two fast” banner. Get some poster paper or fabric and create your own happy birthday banner design with paint or felt or fabric letters.

2. Checkered Flag Decor

Two fast birthday: checkered flag decoration

The checkered flag is an iconic design statement that definitely belongs with your two fast birthday theme. Use it throughout your party to bring some of that race day excitement out for your guests.

Since this black and white pattern can become overwhelming, stick to using it on smaller decor elements like a small banner or paper plates and napkins. Keep your tablecloth simple, or add some black tape stripes down the center to create a road or race track.

3. Birthday Balloon Arch

Balloon arches remain one of the most popular balloon decorations out there, and they work so well for this type of celebration. Ask a party supply store to create your dream 2nd birthday party decoration, or DIY your own with a race car balloon garland kit.

To make your balloon decoration really stand out, include colors and patterns that match your party theme. Try to mix in some checkered balloons or flag balloons for a fun and easy way to create a standout backdrop for your party.

4. Racing Car Cupcakes

Two fast birthday: tires themed lollipops

Your little racing drivers will need something tasty to refuel on. Make them smile by serving some delicious (and themed) race car cupcakes or wheel-shaped cake pops.

Order some personalized cupcakes from a local baker, or have a go at making your own if you enjoy baking. These race car cupcakes are easy to bake, and they look great with a car-themed topper. Serve them alongside some donuts, styled as spare tires, on your dessert table for a tasty way to honor the theme.

5. Car-Themed Craft Corner

While many of your party guests will spend their time zooming around, some will want a place to chill out. Create a relaxing craft corner with plenty of car-themed activities to keep your 2-year-olds (and other kids) entertained.

Print out some car-themed coloring pages and offer paper for them to get creative with. Lay out a stack of white T-shirts and invite your guests to customize their own with kid-safe fabric markers. Or supply some building blocks or salt dough and some examples of race car-themed things to make.

6. Themed Drink Holders

If you want your water bottles and drink cans to match your birthday party theme, invest in some fun themed drink holders or wrappers. This is a tiny detail, but these small things can help pull everything together.

Print out and stick some personalized wrappers on your water bottles, soda bottles, and cans. Bring out some themed paper cups or reusable plastic cups, too, so your guests can stay hydrated in style.

7. Cars as Table Decor

It wouldn’t be a race car theme without plenty of cars in the building. With a theme like this, styling your tables is easy — use toy cars as the perfect two fast birthday decorations.

Look to the birthday guest of honor’s favorite type or style of cars as inspiration, and use them to style your tables. Create a centerpiece with cars and race track pieces, or place a new car in front of each table setting as a gift for the party guests.

8. Classic American Diner Food

If retro race cars are your theme, the perfect pairing is some classic American diner food. While you don’t need to lay on a huge buffet for a 2nd birthday party, you’ll want some food for the hungry little guests and their parents.

Use these easy American diner food recipes as a starting point to put together your mini menu. Adapt the recipes to make them suitable for your younger diners, and offer something tasty for your guests of all ages.

9. Car-Themed Party Games

Boy lying on the floor with his toy cars

Two-year-olds have lots of energy, and party games are a great way to help them burn off some steam. Luckily, there are lots of fun games you can play that tie into your two fast 2nd birthday party concept.

Explore these car-themed party games, and make a list of all the supplies you’ll need. On the day, set aside some time for games and let them go wild. Introduce some break time afterward so your little racers don’t run out of energy before the party ends.

10. Refueling Station

With little ones running around and parents and carers chasing after them, it won’t be long before everyone needs a drink break. Take inspiration from the race track itself and create a fun pit stop area for your guests.

Set up a table or bar cart where your guests can go to refuel. Lay out refreshing drinks along with some ice, straws, and cups. It’s the perfect way to serve drinks at a race car 2nd birthday party.

11. Themed Party Cake

Every birthday party needs a cake, and a two fast birthday gives you a fun theme to work with — so use it! Take this opportunity to bake or buy a cake that celebrates their love of the fast and furious.

Bake your own birthday cake and create an exciting design with icing, or keep it simple and add a birthday cake topper to match the theme. If baking isn’t your zone of genius, commission a local baker to create a showstopping design that’s not only amazing to look at but delicious, too.

12. Race-Themed Party Bags

With a party this fun, nobody will want to leave. So when it’s time for them to go, let them take some of the excitement home with a personalized themed party bag.

Create your own party bags with a design that features brightly colored cars or a checkered pattern. Add in fun party favors like a toy race car, a mini flag, car-shaped cookies, and car-themed stickers.

Get Your Guests Excited with These Two Fast Themed Party Invites

Hosting a two fast birthday party is so much fun. There’s a lot you can do with the decor and styling to bring the theme to life. Get the party started even before that with some exciting themed party invites.

Explore some of our favorites from our car birthday party invite collection. Each of these online invitations can be customized — so you can change the layouts, colors, and fonts to give your party invite its own unique feel. Add your own birthday party wording and you’re ready, set, go!

Burnin’ Rubber Invitation

Burnin' Rubber Invitation

Design: Morgan Kendall

Let your guests know it’s a racing party with this colorful Burnin’ Rubber invitation. The brightly colored race cars are perfect for a 2-year-old’s birthday party, and there’s plenty of space for your party details on the front.

Start Your Engines Invitation

Start Your Engines Invitation

Design: Lisa Travis

If you’re looking for something even bolder, this Start Your Engines invitation is ideal. It puts the focus on racing and how exciting it is, and it’s great for an action-packed party to celebrate a 2nd birthday.

Cars and Trucks Invitation

Cars and Trucks Invitation

Design: Morgan Kendall

We love the soft, contemporary colors on this Cars and Trucks invitation. While it’s styled as a baby shower invite here, you can customize the design in a few clicks to make this perfect for a two fast birthday party.

Delight the Party VIP with a Fun Two Fast Birthday Party

We love planning a two fast birthday party — it’s such a lovely way to honor your little one’s love of all things cars and racing. Use these ideas to help you plan an adorable celebration that you’ll remember forever.

Once you’ve got all your party theme ideas finalized, use one of our car party invites to spread the word. Start by choosing your favorite design. Then customize the layout, colors, and fonts, and add your own details and wording to make the invite your own.