creative birthday party ideas

As each year passes I learn more and more ideas of what I can do to make my child’s birthday party a sure fire hit. (And if I am being totally honest- they probably would be fine with some cake and a candle to blow out, but the party is so much fun!) For my children’s first birthdays I tried to keep with the theme of their rooms (i.e. my eldest child’s room was frogs-so he had a frog 1st birthday party). I thought it would be fun to share a few tips, tricks, and ideas I have learned along the way.

1. A “themed” cake- Sure, it’s not required but it sure does help bring the theme together. When you choose a cake make sure you keep in mind that for their first birthday you will probably want a smash cake (one they get to dive into all on their own).

2. First birthdays are the ones that most people will come to (so if you want to impress this is the one to do it, wink, wink). It is a ton of fun to share photos of their first year with people but be creative about it, plaster them all over the wall of the room where the party is.

3. Treats for the party guests. Brace yourselves, I do not like cake (I know, crazy). Consider offering something other than cake (if you can). It could be something simple like ice cream or you can get more creative and go along with the theme of the party.

4. For a wonderful keepsake consider an autograph mat. Go to the store and pick up a frame one size bigger than the photo you are going to display in it and have people sign the frame and matting for a keepsake. Then proudly display a photo of the birthday kid!

5. Pinatas almost always equal success. I grew up in a household where we “did the pinata thing” at Christmas (oddly enough) and I thought that a pinata would be a fun tradition at my children’s birthday parties.

6. Cheap decorations are EASY to make. Consider dressing up the birthday boy or girls chair with curly ribbon or some streamers. You will want to look back on the photos later and not thing “hmmm, that chair was so 2010!” LOL

7. Be flexible. This lesson was learned this year. While I thought BINGO would be a fun game for my son’s 5th birthday party, I soon learned that not every 5 year old knows how to play it. Instead of the typical BINGO rules I “adapted” to meet the needs of the party goers.

8. Don’t let anyone rain on your parade. I say this light heartedly because I often am told I take parties to an extreme and that I invite too many people and kids. Personally I am not a fan of the “you’re five years old you can invite five kids” or “you’re eight years old you can invite eight kids” to your party rule. I think this is up to you and the birthday kid. What you are comfortable with is what is correct for you!

9.Google is your friend. Yup you heard me correctly! When in doubt try google searching “4th birthday party ideas” and I promise you will come across some amazing ideas! For my son’s last birthday we had a Star Wars theme and I found some awesome ideas for Star Wars themed food. The kids got quite a kick out of the Yoda Soda.

10.When all else fails…..sit in a corner, suck your thumb and rock back and forth =)

What things have you done for your child’s birthday?