Recently a terrible tragedy touched our lives here in upstate NY making me realize how much of a blessing it is to be able to make children’s birthdays special. We should celebrate each and every day we are with our children, but birthdays give us extra reason to celebrate them. What an incredible milestone it is to become a year older. Every birthday party I have attended has made me feel so lucky to be a part of a child’s special day. These are my little blessings!
Think Outside the Box
So much of these special days are centered around food. Pizza is the staple at almost every party, but why not think outside the (pizza) box and try something different! My son actually hates pizza which has made birthday parties difficult for us. I sometimes have to bring our own meal to parties and I have to be extra creative when planning his parties.
If you don’t know where to start, think about your child’s favorite food. Chicken nuggets and mac and cheese doesn’t sound too gourmet, but you can always take kid staples like that and make them from scratch. I know few kids who dislike nuggets! Burgers and fries is a simple choice as well, but you can also go with some fun themes around that food choice.
Have a tea party birthday where you offer mini sandwiches or pin wheels (think a wrap cut into thin slices). Offer drinks in tea cups and have mini cupcakes. Don’t feel like doing the work? A birthday party at a place like Abigail’s Tea & Tiara’s in Ballston Spa will take care of the entire event for you!
Make Food Fun!
I am planning a fairy party right now and we will be using an angel cookie cutout to make fairy shaped sandwiches. You can use cookie cutouts to make any plain sandwich more interesting!
Any food becomes more fun when it is on a stick. Make fruit kabobs and put out a container with fairy dust to sprinkle on (cinnamon sugar). If there are boys attending who sneer at the idea of princess or fairy food tell them that they are giants and all the food is mini-sized. This way you make both the boys and girls happy.
At a pirate party you could have pirate ships- banana cut into a boat shape with peanut butter-add a Popsicle stick mast and maybe even a little flag glued on there. Some of these extras can make a party extra fun.
Still Want Pizza?
All pizza doesn’t have to be delivery. Why not try making pizza with the kids. You can use English muffins and allow the children to make their own creation. Then lunch becomes a craft as well! Prep everything ahead of time and have different toppings for the children to choose from-you can even have items that children can make into a face. Olive eyes, pepperoni mouth, a silly green pepper nose, and tomato ears. Play with your food and have fun. You could also have a “sub shop” where the kids create their own signature sandwich. Provide the toppings, meats, and let them go to town.
Just Desserts!
Do you want to get away from doing lots of food? Have a “dessert” party where you offer a few different treats instead of a full meal. Or totally change things up and do brunch with cereal, pastries, and quiche (for the adults). You can also change up the cake idea by doing cupcakes or cake pops instead of cake. Cupcakes can be made to look very festive if you put them in the shape of your child’s age. It looks neat and you can save lots of money on buying expensive cupcakes and don’t have to cut a cake. Want another shortcut? Instead of scooping ice cream buy the mini-cups of ice cream
There are so many ways to liven up the food and impress the kids and maybe even some of the adults. Remember kids are generally easy to please and will love anything you do that is unique and different.
~Erin Carter
Need help with ideas? Call or email Erin from Birthdays Rock. playnsign@hotmail.com /518-727-4227
What is Birthdays Rock?
Do you find at your own parties you just want to lean back and let someone else entertain the kids so you can get some time to enjoy your guests? Contact me to have a “rockin birthday” and I will come to your house or another venue. I provide a fun-filled music and motion experience that will create a fun birthday memory for your child and their friends.
We begin moving and grooving to bubbles, sing songs, use bean bags, instruments, the parachute, balloons, and more! I can create a fun program for your child or gear it to a theme of your choice. Best for children under 5 years. Experience includes music and movement instructor at Fun4Tots and My Place to Play, MS in Early Childhood Education, Sp. Ed, and Literacy.
