ULTIMATE BIRTHDAY PARTY GUIDE
SIMPLE CELEBRATIONS FROM A TO Z: 26 THEMES FOR YOUR CHILD’S NEXT BIRTHDAY By Heather Lee Leap
Struggling to come up with a fresh idea for your child’s next party? Bigger isn’t always better, and a party shouldn’t cut into your college savings fund. Get creative, be inspired and make one or more of the following ideas your own: Abracadabra spells magic. Invite guests with a welcome letter to Hogwarts or break out the top hats and card tricks. Bowling, with or without bumpers, means casual fun that keeps everyone moving. On-site food allows parents to relax – just bring the cake to celebrate your next big day. Clowning around. Face paint, juggling and dressing up. Kids can create their own acts and entertain one another. Donation to a cause. In lieu of gifts, request that guests contribute funds to an organization the birthday child is passionate about. Develop a theme around the cause, such as a pet theme for an animal shelter donation. Extraterrestrial explorations. Is there life on Mars? Plan a space-themed party for your future astronaut. Fairy Tale Theater. Raid the dress-up bin for costumes, clear a space for a stage and let the kids enact their favorite stories. Simple, familiar tales mean everyone knows the story and can embellish at will without a script. Golf, in miniature. Get outside and laugh as your group makes its way around the mini-golf green. Hawaiian Luau. Eat pineapple and serve fruit punch in tall glasses with tiny umbrellas. Find leis at your local party store. Ice Cream Truck. Did you know you can arrange to have them come by your home? Call your local company, set a date and time and let the birthday child have first pick for a treat. Jammies. If you’ve been putting off that much-requested sleepover, now is the time to say yes to pizza, popcorn and late-night giggling. Kitchen creations. Seek out local cooking classes for children. Most locations that teach classes also offer party packages. continued on page 22 20 | birminghamparent | june 2016