The Birthday Party
The Birthday Party: find 5 differences in two pictures, then color. Free printable activity for ages 4–7 with instructions and answers.
- 👶 Age
- Ages 4–7
- ⭐ Difficulty
- Medium
- ⏱️ Time
- 10–20 minutes
- 🕵️ Collection
- Spot the Difference & Color
- 🎯 Theme
- The Birthday Party
About this activity
A cat celebrates with a cake and a wrapped present. This five-difference challenge invites you to inspect the party clothes, table and decorations, then color a celebration of your own.
Skills this page builds
- Visual comparisonMatch the same part of the scene in both pictures before moving on.
- Spatial languageExplain where a change appears using above, below, left and right.
- Pencil controlCircle a small detail and color within the outlines at your own pace.
How to do this activity
- Print or save the sheet. There are 5 differences to find between the left and right pictures.
- Compare matching areas from top to bottom. Look for missing objects, different shapes or changed numbers.
- Circle each difference in one picture. Count each changed detail once, even if you mark both pictures.
- Check the answers below together, then color the pictures however you like.
- Invent one extra difference: draw a small new detail in just one picture and challenge someone to find it.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Divide the scene into three areas: above the cat, the cat, and the table. Count the candles only after matching their positions.
- Take turns describing clues without pointing straight at the answer. There is no time limit; pointing is enough for a child who cannot yet write.
- Who would you invite to the cat’s party?
Frequently asked questions
Should we color before or after finding the differences?
Compare the uncolored pictures first so that your own colors do not create extra differences. Color freely after the search.
Does circling the same detail in both pictures count twice?
No. Each changed detail counts once. This sheet has 5 differences; the openable answer list describes all of them.
Answers for parents and teachers
- The balloon and its string are missing in the right picture.
- The cake has three candles on the left and two on the right.
- The cat’s bow tie is missing in the right picture.
- The star on the party hat is missing in the right picture.
- The bow on the gift is missing in the right picture.