Birthday Parties For Little Ones
By Jeff Dalby
If you’re throwing a birthday party for your little one, you may feel like you have to compete with the other parents and their lavish party ideas. In reality, your child is going to love any party that you throw for him, making him the center of attention. Instead of renting a bouncy house or hiring a clown, keep your budget in mind and get creative. Here are five fun birthday party activities that won’t break the bank:
1. Mini Olympics
If you have a sports-loving birthday child, hosting a mini Olympics can be a fantastic way to get the kids active and having a good time. You can set up an obstacle course in your backyard, set up a basketball game in the driveway or even host a kickball tournament. The ideas are limitless when it comes to outdoor games that small children can play. To make it more like the Olympics, buy ribbons or medals for all of the participants at your local party supply store.
2. Scavenger Hunt
Do you remember going to camp as a kid and how much fun those scavenger hunts through the woods were? You can set up a similar hunt in your yard for the kids. You can let the kids pair off into teams or complete the hunt individually; the choice is yours. Each child that finishes the course can receive a small prize to make it even more exciting.
3. Activity Bags
Buy a gift bag for every child and fill it with a variety of age-appropriate activities. You may want to include a box of crayons, temporary tattoos, play make-up and sticker books in the bags. You can get as creative as you like with the activities; the only thing that you need to do is make sure that you stick to your budget.
4. Makeovers
If your daughter is having a birthday party and inviting only female friends, ask a couple of your friends or family members to come to the party and help you give the girls makeovers. You can set up a manicure station, a make-up table and even a hair styling station. Little girls love being fussed over and having someone make them look beautiful will be the highlight of the party.
5. Crafts
If your child’s birthday party will be held weeks away from a major holiday, making crafts can keep the kids entertained for an entire afternoon. You can make paper-plate masks for Halloween, greeting cards for Valentine’s Day or even stockings for Christmas. If you decide to make crafts, make sure that any with a religious overtone will be appropriate for all of the children in attendance.
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to entertain the children at your little one’s birthday party. By getting creative, you can easily keep the kids moving and having fun for an afternoon. Use the ideas above in their entirety or as inspiration for your own ideas; either way, both you and the kids are sure to enjoy the party.
Jeff Dalby writes for family blogs. For party bags and gift boxes, check out www.retailpackaging.com.
