How to Make Celebrating Birthdays at Home Special

Celebrating birthdays looks a little bit different right now than it has during other years. Instead of family and friends gathering together at home, or having a party at the local skating rink or bowling alley, we are all supposed to stay home and socially distance from our friends and loved ones.

Just because we can’t have the big parties does not mean that birthdays won’t be special though. This year’s birthday party during this strange time may be remembered above all others. So how can you have a birthday celebration to remember while we are all at home? Here are some ideas that you might want to try.

Make the Whole Day Special

From the time they wake up in the morning let your birthday boy or girl know that the day is theirs. Fill their room with balloons, put birthday wrapping paper on their door, or hang streamers from their door frame while they are sleeping. Hang a birthday banner down the hall, and make sure to make your common areas look festive too!

Make a fun breakfast

Start the day with funfetti pancakes (just pancake mix with sprinkles), and top them with a little dollop of whipped cream. You can even put a birthday candle on top if you would like. If pancakes aren’t your child’s favorite make them whatever their breakfast favorites are. Try our Birthday Cinnamon Rolls!

Have a scavenger hunt

Instead of just having all of the presents in one spot waiting to be opened, how about hiding them around the house and setting up a scavenger hunt so the birthday boy or girl can find them? This takes a little advanced preparation, but it can make the thrill of opening birthday gifts last longer.

Have Friends and Family Make Video Cards

You might not be able to celebrate with friends and family in person, but why not have them make a video card to celebrate the big day? The birthday boy or girl will have a wonderful time opening their video greetings in honor of their big day.

Have a Special Meal

You may not be able to go out to a favorite restaurant right now, but many are still offering curbside pick-up or delivery services. You can order from a restaurant, or simply plan to make all of their favorite foods for dinner right at home.

Don’t Forget the Cake

You can make a cake or other special treat at home, or if you have a local restaurant that makes delicious cakes, cookies, or pies, order something from them to pick-up or have it delivered to your doorstep. It is important for us to support our local restaurants and businesses when you can right now.

Don’t Forget the Entertainment

Do you normally hire a magician, superhero, clown, or princess for your child’s birthday party? If so, you can still do the same this year and have them entertain your child virtually. These unprecedented circumstances are causing many businesses to think outside of the box, and party entertainers are no different. Since it is a virtual entertainment session you can pick from party entertainers across the country instead of only those available in your area.

Have a Virtual Party

Just because we can’t all gather together doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate together. Use a service like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime and move the party online. Your virtual guests can sing happy birthday, watch a movie together, enjoy your hired party entertainer, or have a dance party together.

Have a Camp Out

Have a camp out in the living room or the back yard. If you are having a camp out in the living room break out the sleeping bags, movie treats, and favorite family movies. If you are camping out in the backyard, have a campfire and make s’mores while you tell each other jokes or ghost stories, age-appropriate of course.

Have a Birthday Parade

You can decorate your car and take your birthday boy or girl for a ride past friends and family’s homes. Let them know you are coming in advance so that they can have balloons and signs ready for them to see. Alternatively, you can make arrangements with friends and family to drive or walk by your home with birthday signs and balloons, with everyone still practicing social distancing.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can celebrate your child’s birthday at home. These are unusual circumstances, but that is all the more reason to properly celebrate birthdays. You can make this a birthday that they will remember forever even if it looks a little different than it has in the past.