Throwing your kid a memorable party, possibly topping the one you planned a few months back- clocks on the very top of every parent’s anxiety list. Isn’t it? When was the last time you had to methodically work through measly details, double-check the guest list, cake décor, and handle tears? Probably at your wedding if not your child’s first birthday!
Every parent wants to bring their children the most exciting and fun events, especially on their birthday. However, planning an unforgettable occasion for the little ones; that doesn’t hurt your pockets is certainly a feat. Whether it is an outdoor excursion or a themed party in your backyard, the catch is to keep them interested and busy with fun and mindless activities. Try randomly throwing out the word ‘Party’ in a room full of your kids and wait for the enthusiastic cacophony to erupt.
Is your mommy brain in an empty overdrive for what to plan this time? We’ve got you silly games, birthday themes, exciting performances, and many more dazzling ideas to make your child’s day enjoyable. Keep on reading for fun ideas.
1. Pick a Theme
Kids these days need more than a bunch of neighborhood friends with a couple of sandwiches for their parties. Similar to adults, the TV and internet hugely influence their preferences. Getting to know their preferences would relieve you from worrying if you chose the right dress and colors! Plan the event together with your kid to get them invested.
Take your pick of the most beloved themes- guaranteed to put an ecstatic grin on little faces.
- Magic theme– Popular amongst boys and girls- this is whimsical and enchanting. Find the most exuberant trollkarl barnkalas to make the party magical and engaging.
- Pirate Party– Captain Hook and his crew to your rescue! Get your kid an eye-patch and a hook for their tiny fists and unleash the ‘Aye, Aye, Captain’ swashbuckling.
- Pajama Party– Kids adore slumber parties. Don them in cute little PJs and have fun all night.
- Cowboy theme– Set up a ranch with animal plushies. Ponies, horses, and cows. Animals are your kid’s best friends.
- Vintage theme– set the table with mason jars, gumballs, and stripy hats- jazz it up with some glitter glam.
2. Scavenger/Treasure Hunt
Give your little detectives and pirates something fun like a treasure hunt. And no, scavenger hunts are not dated. Kids love to put on a sherlock person and turn their tiny brain cogs for the anticipation of a prize at the end. It can win you the best parent trophy with minimal effort. And the best bit of all you can have this activity in a group with teams competing for the prize or you can do this alone with your family and still have a great time.
We have got you covered with fun-filled ideas for these hunts.
- Stay at home hunt– make a list of clues and riddles. Set them up with tasks and a checklist to complete, using the most mundane objects at your home. Kids love ticking off the assigned tasks in anticipation of a reward. Make the clues fun with funky words- “something crooked,” “find the blue square,” “something that floats.”
- Secret Codes– throw in some symbols, riddles, and numbers for them to piece together and discover a hidden message. They will also learn teamwork and companionship as a bonus! Try it out with the siblings.
- Alphabet Bunny Hunt– Spruce up ordinary flashcards in bunny shapes with printed alphabets. Hide the bunnies and set off the kids to find the letter and spell out words for clues.
- Color Hunt– Set up a color code and make the kids pick things to match those colors. It will also help the toddlers in color association.
- Readathons/ Reading hunts– Level up the fun for your little book nerds with bookish prompts and reading lists. Help them read diversely!
3. Camp it Out
It is a great outdoor activity. If you are willing to go the extra mile and turn the outing into a full-blown vacation, pick out an excellent camping spot near you- mountains, forests, and parks.
If going out isn’t an option, make use of your backyard or garden. Maybe, grill some steak and have a barbeque party! Put up a few tents for the friends too, bring out the flashlights and sleeping bags.
If you don’t have an outdoor space, you can still set up a tent in the living room. Dim out the lights and tell scary stories or watch some horror movie. You could also convert the living room into a theater and put on their favorite movies!
4. Thief! You are it!
If you are planning to have many rowdy kids over, this is an exciting way to keep the group in peace for a while. All you need to play ‘thief’ is a blindfolded kid and a few candy bags. The other kids have to silently steal their candies without making a sound and avoid getting picked out by the blindfolded person and called the thief.
The winner is the one with the most stolen candies! Have them wear the winner’s tiara and scatter celebratory confetti to add some flare.
5. Get Crafty
Kids love handmade cards and invites. It is the time to bring out your creativity if you’ve got the time. Do the decorations with the kids. Children love to paint and draw- nothing will give them greater happiness than getting a good job or well done on their crooked letters and art from their parents. Let me run wild with their ideas.
Always Time it Right!
And lastly, time the party right. It is all fun and games until nap time. The biggest mistake parents end up making is long party hours, resulting in brawls, tears, and crankiness. Set the time and wrap the event in peace before the exhaustion sets in.
Brighten the day for your kids and bring them the happiness and exhilaration that they so rightly deserve.
