Does your kiddo have a birthday coming up and you’re wondering how to make it special and fun while social distancing? This has been the biggest question I’ve received since the shelter in place orders. Your kids’ birthdays and the concern that they won’t feel special or celebrated. I’m sharing my favorite tips for making this year’s birthday one to remember on this episode! How to still have a party, how to involve loved ones, how to stretch out the celebration so this is the birthday that your kid looks back on as their favorite!
Listen below or head on over to iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher!
Who’s Got a Birthday Coming Up??
1. Have the party!
I know, simple right?
Kids crave consistency, and if your child had a party on the books they were really excited about, have the party.
Keep it as close to “normal” as possible for them. They are already going to be sad about their friends not coming, but they don’t have to lose out on the whole thing!
Yes, it’ll be a family party, but you can still transform your house into a flower-filled garden or bring the boho adventure vibes to your backyard! Have a few decorations (perfect time to support some small shops and mom run businesses on places like Etsy!), serve their favorite meal (support your fave burger joint by getting take out!), bring out that cake, and party on!
2. Buy a Party Plan to Help!
Even though you aren’t having a traditional party, you still want to celebrate your child. And like I said, if they were excited about a party, let’s give them a dang party!
I create Party Plans that break down themed parties into very manageable chunks, saving you time and energy when it comes to party planning. Decor, activities, menu plans, etc.
Instead of applying that Party Plan to a “party”, download your plan and use it to create a memorable day, weekend or week for your birthday kiddo! Have a kid that loves firefighters? Have a firefighter birthday week! A themed snack one day, cake the next on their actual birthday, a firefighter activity the next, maybe asking the local station to come do a drive by surprise one day. So many possibilities and your plans are JAM PACKED with awesome ideas for you to do to make your kids feel special and so celebrated. I wouldn’t be surprised if they thought this was their favorite birthday yet!
Shop all Party Plans!
3. Get your people involved.
We live in a time where technology is our friend! If you have a kiddo at home, bummed about missing their friends on their birthday, invite your friends over for a portion of the party! You can do this in two ways, but both are surprise attacks, because everyone needs a surprise on their birthday!
First, when it’s time to sing, pull up all your kid’s friends on a video chatting app like Zoom! Contact them before, asking them to join the call a little before cake time so they’re all waiting, then turn it off and watch your kid’s mind get blown over all his loved ones singing to him!
The second way to involve loved ones virtually is to have them send in videos that you can show throughout the day. Funny stories, birthday wishes, hopes/dreams, whatever the sender wants to send! Compile these messages into a birthday video for your little to remember this unique birthday year!
A parade is also an awesome idea! Friends and family decorate their cars or make signs/posters for the birthday kiddo and drive by your house during the party! Another way to bring that sense of community and make your child feel seen and honored!
One last thing when it comes to virtual surprises!
If you have a child into a character, say a princess or superhero lover, many companies are now sending virtual messages from that character to celebrate birthdays! Firefighters or other community workers are also always happy to help celebrate! Reach out to your local fire station and ask for a video message from the station OR if you’re really lucky, they may be willing to do a drive by with the ladder truck!
4. Go back to basics.
Embrace that this situation calls for simplifying. Simpler party for simpler times, still making it special. You just need to be a little more creative when it comes to bringing the party to your home. What can you use as decor? Your house is full of items you can repurpose.
First stop, shop your kid’s room.
Chances are they chose a party theme that they are TOTALLY into. This means they have toys and other items in their room/playroom that fit this theme! Use those items as decor for your party. Add firetrucks to the cake table, hanging a little bunting birthday banner from the ladder, use a toy castle or dollhouse for some height and to add cupcakes in for something different.
They’ll be super excited to see some of their favorite things being used at their party too! Blankets or sheets can be used as table linens. Get a laundry basket and start wandering your house. You’ll be amazed at what you find that can be used to make a darling party!
My friend Nicole with Palm to Pine Design has also created a knock out birthday banner that is SO special. She is selling yard banners for you to put outside your house that say “HONK! It’s My Birthday!” These are adorable, themed to whatever you want them to be (match them to your Party Plan!), and make the day/week even more special!
5. Make a new plan.
Time to have something to look forward to! This can be with friends, or just a new experience you have together that may be a little bigger than you’d normally go. Summer camping trip? Staycation somewhere close? A new party for your kid’s half birthday?
What is something your little always wants to go do? This is the time to say yes and get something on the calendar for a later date. Never hurts to have something new to look forward to and to make your little feel like they get a double celebration this year!
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[…] Episode 80 of the Memories in Moments podcast, I shared my top tips for making a quarantine birthday special during the time of social […]