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Birthday

Out of the Box Ways To Enjoy a Summer Birthday

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Year after year, celebrating your kid’s summer birthday becomes more challenging as they seek new ways to have fun. Renting a space at the park or cake at the pool gets boring after doing it so many times. While the memories are all that matter, there are various out-of-the-box ways to enjoy a summer birthday that can bring a little variety. Let’s look at a few of those here!

Seasonal Toy Donation

Depending on your child’s age, they may be outgrowing some of the toys they used to play with. A birthday is an excellent time to donate old toys to create space for their new gifted toys. In addition to creating space, donating is a great way to teach them kindness and generosity. Consider donating old toys to a local shelter or a family in need to support the community.

Bonfire Bash

If you enjoy that traditional summer birthday by the pool, add an evening by the fire. This can be a unique way to help everyone wind down from a day full of activity, and bring everyone to a gathering place. Here, you can sing “Happy Birthday” and share stories about the birthday person.

Connect With Nature

Summer is the best time to head outdoors, soak up some sunshine, and enjoy what nature offers. Plan a day at the park or wilderness hiking and consider this an opportunity to connect with nature. While there may be some struggle getting young ones out the door for this activity, they will remember this and appreciate it in the years to come.

Look Into Local Events

Most towns and cities offer summer-long events that cater to one theme or another. Look into what your town offers the weekend of the child’s birthday and see if you can make it a family outing. These local events are often annual celebrations, so it’s an easy way to create a new tradition.

A Day Away

Planning a day away is a memorable and unique way to enjoy a summer birthday. Consider asking the birthday person where they would like to go for a day, and see what that place offers. Larger cities have museums, experiences, and exhibits that make great day trips. Another option for a day away is booking a hotel, packing a bag, and using your hometown as a mini-vacation destination.

Summer birthdays come with the added layer of more time to plan or party. Try not to overwhelm yourself with ideas, and always remember that it’s the memories that count the most.

3 Unique Birthday Presents for Outdoorsy Kids

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Celebrating your kid’s birthday is so much fun. Children still love their birthdays when they’re little. Adults know this excitement dissipates as you get older. So make the most of these years while you can! Read about these unique birthday presents for outdoorsy kids if your little one can’t stand being inside.

An Electric Bike

Your kids will love you if you get them an electric bike for their birthday. These take traditional biking to the next level. They can speed across the neighborhood and learn about all the technology has to offer. Know that there may be an age requirement in your area and that safety gear is a must. So if you decide to get an e-bike for your kid’s birthday, you should also get a helmet and pads. They need to be safe while having fun.

A Microscope

Outdoorsy kids might love the outdoors because there are a bunch of creatures out there. If your kid loves looking at creepy crawlers, then a microscope is the perfect gift for them. They can use the tool to look at bugs and other animals that fascinate them. Be careful; you may have a future geologist on your hands!

Rollerblades

Another unique birthday present for outdoorsy kids is a pair of rollerblades. Rollerblading is a blast because you can glide across the neighborhood with your friends. Additionally, it’s a great workout! You can trick the kiddos into breaking a sweat by purchasing skates. As is the case with e-bikes, you’ll need to get safety gear with this gift.

Celebrate your kid’s birthday as they grow up. As they age, the excitement surrounding the day will go away. For this reason, it’s vital to make the day as special as you can while they’re still living with you. These gifts are perfect for kids to get out and explore.

How To Plan An Awesome Birthday Party For Your Child

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Hosting a birthday party for your son or daughter can create special memories to last a lifetime. Yet between sending invitations, tracking food allergies and feeding an army of hungry kids, fun can easily turn into stress. Understandably, the last thing you want is for your child to be disappointed on that special day. However, planning a birthday party doesn’t need to be a pressure-filled experience — it can be a piece of cake with these suggestions:

1. Choose a theme. From a backyard luau to a Star Wars-inspired birthday, a theme serves as the foundation for the party. Talk with your child to select a theme he or she likes. You’ll now have a focus, which can help simplify the rest of your party planning. Making decisions about decorations or invitations, for example, will be much easier once you have a party theme.

2. Guest amount. How many people do you want to accommodate? Who does your child want to invite? Considering the guests’ ages and your space, determine a number you feel comfortable hosting, otherwise the party can become overwhelming.

3. Send digital invites. Instead of buying invitations, envelopes and stamps, email them. You can find great paperless invitations that match your child’s birthday party theme, without spending a cent. Even better, a lot of websites that provide digital invites keep track of RSVPs for you, enabling you to focus on more important party aspects — like food.

4. Inquire about allergies. Worst-case scenario? A child having an allergic reaction from eating your party food. Make a note on the invitation for parents to notify you if their child has an allergy. Be sure to record these and adjust your menu, if needed.

5. Serve kid-friendly food. Now that you have a theme in place and know the guest count, it’s time to plan your menu. Remember, with children, simple is usually the path of least resistance when it comes to food. You don’t have to cook everything from scratch, either. Serve kid-friendly staples that can fit into little hands. Here are some ideas you can purchase a few days before and prep the day of the party:

  • Sliders
  • Take-and-bake pizzas cut into small squares
  • Tacos
  • Bite-sized fruit and veggies
  • Mini sandwiches or grilled cheeses
  • Pigs in a blanket
  • Chicken fingers
  • Cupcakes

6. Go with disposable. If you decide to host the party at your home, save yourself the hassle of washing your nice dishes — use disposable plates, cups, napkins and cutlery. Messes are inevitable, but at least that paper plate won’t break and become a sharp hazard if one of your young guests accidentally drops it.

7. Assemble goody bags in advance. Once you know the guest count, you can easily assemble goody bags and store them until the party. You don’t need to spend a fortune on party favors: Gather a few colored pencils, small coloring books, stickers or confetti. Or, go out of the box with a glow-in-the-dark themed goody bag with glow sticks, glow necklaces or glow bracelets. You can usually purchase these in bulk for a reasonable price. Party guests are sure to enjoy them.

8. Ask for help. Being solely responsible for hosting a group of children can be overwhelming. It’s OK to delegate. You don’t have to do it all yourself. Enlist the help of friends and family. It’s a great way to get your loved ones involved in the festivities during this special time in your child’s life.

From the perfect theme to easy-to-prep food to fun goody bags, a successful party boils down to the details. With careful preparation, you can help ensure your kid’s birthday party will be a blast — for everyone involved.