Oh, birthday parties. I’ve attended (and hosted) decked out themed parties, with unique decorations alongside homemade goodies. Or the traditional parties are places like Chucky Cheese where parents watch their kids run from area to area, mixed with the sounds of laughter and cries. And let us not forget the parties hosting at your house. You attempt to clean your house like never before just to have to reduce to an explosion of toys covering your home, company by a slip or two. For my older two (whose birthday just passed this month) I couldn’t help but want to do something/anything else. They are both at the age where they want to spend time with their close friends and going places. So we did just that. Here are some birthday party ideas and alternatives.
- Sporting Events-This will take a bit of planning and saving, but if your kid is a fan of any sport/team, then this is an excellent opportunity to make some great memories. From being surrounded by other fans wearing the same colors, and cheering for ‘their’ team; T.V. just can’t compare or reproduce the energy of being there.
- Theme Parks– Now, I know the big names like Disneyland, Magic Mountain, etc. come to mind, but if you can’t afford those, there are other options. Just searching online you can find smaller water parks, trampoline parks, etc. in your surrounding area. So presence your birthday boy/girl with a few options and let them plan the day. And no worries if it’s somewhere you’ve never been, sometimes going to a new place can be half the fun.
- Museums– OK, I know there maybe some kids out there rolling their eyes…you can stop now. A trip to a museum can be fun. Again, keeping your kids interest in mind you can choose from interactive, art, dinosaurs, inventions, and so on. Bonus, include some spending money for the gift shop. That’s always a winner.
- Zoos/Aquariums– Just like museums this can be a fun and educational way to spend the day. If your child has expressed and interest in animals, this can help foster a love. Let your birthday kiddo be in charge of the map and let them lead the way. See animals up close is a great way to appreciate creation.
- Arts/Crafts– If your child likes more hands-on activities than going to a studio where they can make and paint mugs and plates, or a workshop to build a bird house could be right up their alley. Keep in mind that this activity may be completely quickly (depend on the child) so also have a plan to hit up a craft store to buy supplies so you can continue the creating process at home.
- Bowling/Arcades– I haven’t met a kid that does like to stay up late (think cosmetic bowling) or love playing video games. And because this can be a more reasonable priced activity including a friend or two can be an added benefits.
Remember what truly makes this day memorable is celebrating your child. So choosing an activity that they can enjoy along with their family is really what the day should be about. Though I’ll still be having ‘traditional’ birthdays for my younger two, it’s fun (and a little bittersweet) to enjoy this next stage with my oldest.