Four Easy Birthday Party Activities
July is all about birthday parties here at VancouverMom.ca, and today we’re trying to answer the question on the top of many a parent’s mind when they’re throwing a party: what do I do with all these kids? If you’re not all that experienced at throwing kids’ parties, it really can feel overwhelming. If we have one message for you, it’s that you don’t have to be Martha Stewart to throw a great birthday party. Sometimes simpler really is better. Today, to help you get started, we have four easy (and affordable) birthday party activities that you can do with kids of almost any age.
Four Easy Birthday Party Activities
1. Art Wall
If you have preschool-aged children, you’ve probably said, “Don’t draw on the walls!” at least once or twice. A great birthday party is all about upending the rules, though, which is what this activity is all about. The best part, in our book, is how easy it is. All you need is a roll of paper, some masking tape, and some markers. Tape paper to a large area of the wall, provide markers, and voila! Younger kids will enjoy the freedom to draw on a vertical surface, and older guests will create birthday drawings and messages. Just make sure the markers are washable, in case they soak through the paper, and you’re golden.
2. Cookie Decorating
Instead of organizing a craft and buying a bunch of candy to put in a goodie bag, kill two birds with one stone by letting birthday party guests decorate cookies to bring home with them. If your party has a theme, you can even look for cookie cutter shapes that go along with it, like crowns for a princess party or round “doubloons” for a pirate party. Add some colourful icing and sprinkles, something to spread with, and you’re all set. Kids of all ages will be ready to dive in and decorate.
3. Make a Magnet
Sticky-back magnetic tape is quite affordable, and a single roll goes a long way. Buy one, and you’re ready to make birthday party magnets out of almost anything. Find some fun foam shapes that correspond with your party theme, or do a paper craft at the party. Glitter glue is sure to be a hit with this one. Fabric, ribbon and buttons make great magnets, too. Or have the kids decorate foam or cardboard photo frames, snap a photo and print it out, and with the magnetic backing you have a great keepsake to send home. Do note that you will want to be mindful of potential choking hazards for any younger birthday party guests. This craft is best reserved for kids who are old enough not to eat the pieces!
4. Plant Something
Planting a seed is easy, fun and educational. If your child’s birthday party is taking place at a time of year when you don’t want to plant seeds, you can buy some winter plants from a nursery that can be re-potted. There are lots of affordable options for seeds and small plants. If you want to make this birthday party activity really cheap and easy you can have the kids do their planting in re-purposed yogurt containers or disposable cups. If you want to be more elaborate you can buy terra cotta pots, which the kids can decorate before they plant. No matter how you go about it, though, this is another birthday party activity that does double-duty, as the kids take their new plantings home in place of a goodie bag.
Do you have any suggestions for easy (and affordable) birthday party activities? Leave us a reply and share!
