What to Write in a Kid’s Birthday Card: Quotes & Wishes

A birthday celebration is an exciting moment and even more so for kids. It’s a day full of gifts, cake and attention, a day where their friends show up, they’re not expected to do any chores or homework, and if they’re super lucky, they get to host a party or have an experience they might not usually get, like laser tag or soft play.

A child’s birthday is the perfect opportunity to send them a card that represents them and their personality, full of loving or humorous words they can revisit years later. Find a kids birthday card they’ll love.

So, if you’re celebrating a little Prince or Princess, Disney’s biggest fan or an extra special milestone, we have put together ideas for birthday messages that will light up the birthday kids face and make their day awesome.

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkUKI.

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• Toddler Birthday Wishes
• Birthday Wishes for Tweens
• 1st Birthday Wishes
• 5th Birthday Wishes
• 10th Birthday Wishes
• 13th Birthday Wishes
• 16th Birthday Wishes
• Encouraging Birthday Wishes for Kids
• Heartfelt Birthday Wishes for Kids
• Funny Birthday Wishes for Kids
• Birthday Wishes for their Friends
• Closing Messages for Kids

Toddler Birthday Wishes

Whether your little one has just reached their first birthday or exploring the world on their third birthday, here are a few ideas on what to put in their card.

• “Love the way you’re you, can’t wait to see what you do next!”
• “Wow, you’re getting so big! Happy (3rd) Birthday!”
• “You’re cute and loved… what an incredible combo!”
• “Your smile is brighter than all the candles on your cake.”
• “Have a train full of fun!” (or a digger… or a fire truck…)
• “I can tell you’re (2) because of all the brilliant things you can do now!”
• “You make me smile. I hope your birthday makes you smile too.”
• “Peak a boo, who’s two? It’s you!”

Tip: For the little kids, why not draw a silly sketch? Maybe a flower, heart or their favourite cartoon.

Birthday Wishes for Tweens

A Tween. Growing out of their childhood hobbies but not quite a teenager… Will go to the park with friends but no longer a fan of the swings (but will be a fan of these messages!).

• “Have a day as epic as you are. Happy Birthday!”
• “It’s so exciting seeing who you’re becoming, proud of you (and love you lots).”
• “Happy Birthday to the coolest person I know!”
• “Happy Birthday to one of my all-time favourite people! Have an awesome (10th) Birthday.”
• “We hope your birthday is worth the wait and your whole year is awesome!”
• “Enjoy all the fun of being a kid before you get as old as me!”

Milestone Birthday Messages

1st Birthday Wishes

Here are a few birthday messages for the one-year-old! If you want some extra birthday wishes (or party ideas), check out our other blog, First Birthday Celebrations: 1st Birthday Party Ideas & What to Write Messages.

• “ONE = FUN, have a super 1st Birthday!”
• “You’re ONE of a kind and we love you so much.”
• “Have ONE heck of a birthday, baby!”
• “You’re One?! Already? How fun!”
• “You’re #1… #1 Cutest Baby, #1 Stinky Bum, #1 Baby in our lives!”

5th Birthday Wishes

• “You can count your age on one hand! Happy Birthday.”
• “It’s a high five kind of day… High five for the 5-year-old!”
• “I can’t believe it’s been five whole years of you being amazing!”
• “It’s time for 5 cheers for the new 5-year-old!”
• “It’s been 5 whole years?! When did you become the big kid?”

10th Birthday Wishes

• “Enjoy a 10/10 Birthday.”
• “You’ve finally hit double digits! Happy 10th Birthday.”
• “On a scale of 1 to 10, you’re definitely a 10. Happy Birthday awesome you!”
• “You’re a whole decade old! When did that happen?!”
• “Happy 10th Birthday! You’re the bravest, kindest, funniest kid I know.”

13th Birthday Wishes

• “You’re all grown up! How’s it feel to be old?”
• “Hope your teen years are the best! (But don’t go too crazy!)”
• “Happy 13th birthday! We hope you look forward to so many exciting new things happening for you!”
• “You’re totally rocking being 13.”
• “You’re a teen now! But I still plan on calling you ‘kiddo.’”

16th Birthday Wishes

• “16 means new freedom, new possibilities, new fun… extra chores… hope you enjoy it all!”
• “Hope your 16th is just as sweet (and amazing) as you are!”
• “You’re so close to being an adult… I’m so close to crying!”
• “Happy 16th Birthday! Have the time of your life and make it a party to remember.”
• “Ah… The ripe old age of 16… Wow, you’re ANCIENT. Happy Birthday.”

Encouraging Birthday Wishes for Kids

Sometimes birthdays can happen when the person isn’t in the best of situations or is having a rough time… this can be the same for a child. Sending encouraging words can remind them how loved they are.

• “I bet this will be your best year ever (I promise I’ll make it the best!)”
• “I have a feeling you’re going to make the best (11)-year-old ever… After all, you were amazing at being (10)!”
• “Your light shines wherever you go… We can’t wait to see you get brighter.”
• “The world just needs more you, that’s all there is to it.”
• “You’re full of magic that will WOW the world.”
  

Heartfelt Birthday Wishes for Kids

A heartfelt note doesn’t have to be left for older relatives, kids love knowing how loved they are too!

• “Hey (Liam), You make me proud every single day. Happy Birthday!”
• “(Sarah), exactly who you are is perfect. Keep going.”
• “I love how lovable you are. Happy Birthday (Arthur)”
• “I’m so lucky knowing a kind, awesome and hilarious kid like you.”
• “You fill a big part of my heart. Happy 6th Birthday, Love you lots.”
  
  

Funny Birthday Wishes for Kids

Making a kid laugh can bring so much joy to our lives, but their humour is a little different… in fact the sillier the better! The more ridiculous the better.

• “Happy Birthday! Eat all the cake you want!”
• “You’re a year older, where’s your long, white beard?”
• “Knock, knock. Who’s there? Birthday. Birthday who? Birthday cake… Let’s eat!”
• “Have the happiest of birthdays from someone who thinks you’re cooler than your parents.”
• “Happy Birthday. Hope nobody farts (especially you (Mr.) Fart)”
  
  

Birthday Wishes for their Friends

• “Happy Birthday (Kai), I hope you get all your favourite things.”
• “It’s your birthday, I can’t wait to eat cake! Everybody wins!”
• “Happy Birthday to my Best Friend. Can’t wait to play with your new toys.”
• “Friends like you make school fun. Happy Birthday.”
• “Have a fun day, I’m excited for your party and can’t wait to see you.”
  

Closing Messages for Kids

Finish your message with a fun joke, a loving note or a simple use of their nickname. 

• “Here for you always, (Auntie Lois and Uncle James)”
• “From your favourite Cousin, (Sarah)”
• “Love you, my little Prince/Princess.”
• “I’m so proud of you!”
• “Fist bumps from afar, (Uncle Ben)”

We hope you find the message or inspiration you need to write in a birthday card for your kid, whether it’s a milestone celebration or anything in between. And we hope their birthday is as brilliant as them!