Celebrating birthdays with your child or children is only going to get more and more fun over the years. Why? With each birthday and corresponding age, your child is developing their likes, dislikes, opinions, and it’s easier to shower them with events and excitement. They even understand the specialness of a birthday at this point. 

What Makes a 7th So Special

Let’s talk about age seven. The number itself is usually really special – seven is one of those mystical numbers in fairy tales, stories, movies, and lore. It’s also the age when your child is probably making the jump from preschool to grade school. That’s, for sure, something to celebrate, right? 

At this point, the parties are generally longer than an hour or an hour and a half. Guests are often playmates from school, activities, or neighborhood friends. If your little one is celebrating their seventh birthday at school, there’s never a wrong time to bring in cupcakes! 

For your celebration, consider making your child’s seventh birthday party special by planning significant gifts which support the theme of a special seventh. 

1. Something they want

A great gift is usually something special an individual wants. It’s pleasantly frivolous, typically a toy or an outrageous outfit, accessory, or otherwise. 

2. Something they need

Did your 7-year-old recently outgrow their soccer cleats and uniform? Did they start a sport you could outfit them in? Gifting your child something they need is a great way to build gratitude, and show them they’ve got the gear to do what it takes for a sport, hobby, or interest. 

3. Something to read

Is there some book series, set, or universe you can help introduce your child to with books? Or, alternatively, if they’re interested in puzzles, a game-book is a good route to go. 

4. Something to watch

This one can run the gamut from a video game to a video, a movie to a TV show series. It could be an app you purchase that helps your child learn something, or it could be a more interactive show than the ones running live on streaming services or cable. 

5. Something they can wear

Whether they’re gifted a party outfit or a new pair of light-up sketchers, something to wear is a great gift for your seven-year-old. Having a new outfit for their party or celebration could be exciting, but it could also be exciting for them to have that pair of sneakers that are just a little too expensive for everyday wear or a costume of their favorite movie character.

6. Something to play with

Toys are also in the categories of something they want and something to watch, but something to play with is always memorable. Gift sets of ponies, play gardening gear, hot wheels, and more are the type of gifts your seven-year-old will love. Pick a set based on their budding interests.

7. Something to remember 

At age seven, I received my first cross necklace. It was a special gift and signified a new age of independence, guided by my values and ideas. With that in mind, gifting your child something to remember —  whether it’s an important accessory like a necklace or watch, or instead an event like Monster Jam or Frozen on Ice — is the ultimate way to make an experience a magical memory.

And then there was 10! This is perhaps the most important milestone birthday since the first birthday. Your child has gone through so many changes and grown so much up to this point, and you want to celebrate how far they have come. It’s time, they are crossing over into the double digits, and on the hills of adolescence. 

This is such an important and exciting time as kids begin to develop a better sense of who they are in the world. Many are preparing for junior high school and are ready to navigate new social situations. According to Very Well Family, 10-year-olds have the ability to sense the emotions of others and read facial and body language. At this age, the acceptance by peer groups is very important and is a critical step that can strongly affect the next level of development.  

At ten, most children have developed the ability to be pleasant company at social gatherings such as parties and dinners. They can clearly express their thoughts on current events, music, art, etc. 

The type of party you throw will not only help further groom your child for social settings, but it can also play a major role in peer connection and acceptance. So, let’s jump into a few tips on how to through a rockin’ party for your 10-year-old. 

Theme Ideas 

Picking a theme can difficult, whether it’s for a boy or girl. So here are a few theme ideas for boys and girls. 

Boy Theme:

• Sports Theme (Base the party theme around your kid’s favorite sport)
• Space Theme 
• Super-hero Theme (Base the party theme around your kid’s favorite superhero) 

Girl Theme: 

• Tea Party Theme
• Slumber Party 
• Fairytale Theme (Base the party theme on Disney Princesses) 

Venue Ideas

When it comes to parties, venues are everything! You may want to keep it traditional and have a themed birthday party at your house, but if you’d like to take it to the next level, book a venue. Your 10-year-old will probably appreciate it, and you don’t have to worry about a huge clean-up!

• Bowling Alley
• Movie Theaters
• Bouncy House
• Park Party 
• Skating Rink

Food 

Food can be difficult to get right at a party. Kids may have allergies or preferences, so simple is better. Check out these food ideas, that allow everyone to enjoy. 

• Chips and Dip (Buy an assortment of chips, so that kids have a variety to choose from)
• Pigs and a Blanket (This fun activity allows kids to participate by making their own snack, and it’s a classic party hit) 
• Make Your Own Pizza (This allows kids to pick what they want on their pizza, and leave out things they can’t eat or don’t like to eat)

With these tips, you can provide the basics for a good party! However, 10-year-olds are at an age where they can entertain themselves and their guests, for the most part. You don’t have to over-plan activities, because they’ll most likely want to do their own thing, and engage with their peers. Ready, set, let’s go party!

Slumber parties can be so much fun…even if there is actually very little sleeping involved. And right around the age of nine, kids may be starting to host and attend their first sleepover birthday parties.

With the newness of these extra long parties comes some understandable anxiety for hosting parents. After all, entertaining a house full of nine-year-olds can be pretty daunting. An easy fix-the classic sleepover movie. Pressing play on a perfect flick is a great way to distract kids for a few hours of cleaning, making cake or even just having a break. Here are some age-appropriate movies that will give you some time to be the coolest party parent ever. 

If You’re Celebrating a Sport Star: Little Giants

This classic movie, about the scrappy underdog Giants football team, is funny and heartwarming. With lovable characters like the tomboy football star, Becky, and the hilariously clumsy Rashid, everyone at the slumber party will have a favorite teammate on the Little Giants. Just be sure that the kids are all exhausted, or you may have them trying to run the “Annexation of Puerto Ricos” in the living room. 

If You’re Hosting a Room Full of Rockers: Sing

If your nine-year-old and all of his or her friends are constantly moving and grooving, Sing is the perfect pick. A movie that features all types of animals performing all types of music, each kid will be sure to have a favorite. For extra fun, you can throw on the soundtrack during a pancake breakfast the next morning and see which songs everyone belts out with spoon microphones. 

If You Have a Little Action-Loving Daredevil: The Lego Batman Movie

Superhero movies might still be a little intense for kids under 10, but no need to fear! The Lego Batman Movie is here! The movie has the perfect mix of laughs, action and even some silly songs performed by Batman and Robin as they get into cartoon hijinks. Plus, with accompanying movies The Lego Movie and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, you can even recommend that parents hosting the next sleepover join in on the plastic figure bandwagon. 

If You’re Raising a Little Astronaut: E.T.

If your child loves all things sci-fi, why not put on the classic oldie E.T. The heartwarming movie about Eliot and E.T. will inspire your nine-year-old and their friends to never stop exploring the skies and feed their interest in both science and the supernatural. The whole room will grip their sleeping backs as the movie’s crew of kids bike into the air. Plus, once you get your son or daughter hooked on E.T., there’s a whole world of oldie-but-goodie movies you can add to the family watchlist. 

If You’re Bookworm is Having a Party: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Odds are that if your nine-year-old is making weekly trips to the local library, then Harry, Ron and Hermione have already become well-known names in your house. But, if your little witch or wizard and their friends haven’t already started watching the Harry Potter movies, then this is the perfect time to start! They really are fun for the whole family and you can even have an entire Harry Potter-themed party, complete with a sorting hat and games of imaginary quidditch in the backyard! 

Hopefully, these movies offer some help for planning the perfect movie for the perfect sleepover. Most of these films can be found on different online streaming services, but if not, it’s a great idea to check at your local library to see if any DVDs are available in the kid’s section. Don’t forget to dim the lights low so kids feel like they’re at a movie theatre. For added fun, you can even put out movie snacks like popcorn, pretzels and candy for kids to munch on during the movie. Good luck with the party and happy birthday to the newly-nine-year-old! 

At eight years, your child is really coming into his or her own and will be starting to remember and treasure their birthday party traditions. Still, as your child gets older and you deal with more expectations from child-age…. and parent guests, being a great birthday party host requires some know-how. Here are some tips to help make eight great! 

Do…Get The Birthday Kid In On the Planning

Now that your child is taking on more responsibilities and has more defined interests, it’s a great idea to have them help you plan the party. Not only will they be able to offer their ideas for their favorite themes, games and birthday snacks, but they will also learn a little about what it takes to be a good host. Make sure they are learning about everything from writing out the invitations to scheduling in time for cleanup so that the birthday celebration can be an opportunity for growth. 

Don’t…Let Your Child Run the Whole Show

A caveat for the above advice is that giving total reigns of a party to an eight-year-old probably isn’t your best option. Instead, offer options for them to choose and plan from that you have already decided will fit your time and means. For example, let them help you plan the menu for the party snacks, but keep their option to healthier treats with maybe one or two sweet selections. 

Do…Let The Kids Loose

If your son or daughter and friends are around eight-years-old, they’ve been in school for a fair amount of time and have likely built up skills in playing nicely on their own in the classroom and on the playground. Therefore, you can probably trust the kids to do their own thing for a while during parties without extremely close supervision. Let them run around for a game of soccer, work on crafts or eat their meal with light supervision, and you can take the time to set up other activities, take a break, or snap some pictures from afar. 

Don’t…Tolerate Drama

With consideration to letting the kids be independent, it’s important to keep a light radar out for drama, so that it can be stopped before ruining your child’s party. As your kids self-regulate, there will be room for certain children to take charge, argue or depart from party-planning etiquette. If that happens, don’t be afraid to have a timeout or switch to a different activity so that the party doesn’t go awry. 

Do…Get Creative

With more than a few birthday parties under your belt, why not have a little fun with this one. Switch out the classic birthday cake with s’mores or even donuts. Instead of party games, put out your child’s favorite board games. Even consider switching the classic afternoon party for a breakfast bash. There are no rules for birthdays, so simply lean into your child’s favorite things and have fun with it! You’ll be teaching your child that the key to celebration is good friends and family. 

Don’t…Break the Bank

Your child is going to remember a few things about their eighth birthday party…but the extravagance of the party won’t be one of them. While it may be really tempting to try to impress your child and your visiting friends and parents with impressive color-coordinated decorations and magazine-ready goodie bags, don’t fall into this trap. It will only make you stress more about the party and your bank account, not to mention adding a sense of competition among parents trying to top one another in party planning. Keep it simple and all about fun. 

Do…Get Your Child in on Thank You Etiquette

Now that your child is eight, they should know their P’s and Q’s from school, sports and your own family lessons. While you may have written thank you notes in the past for your guests’ attendance and gifts, it’s about time to get your kids into the habit of sending out thank you notes after parties. Take them to the store to pick out some fun thank you cards that they can get excited about and have them send out thank yous to all their friends and family. 

Don’t…Forget to Smile

Don’t forget to take time for pictures. Whether it be a family pic before the guests arrive, a group shot of kids’ faces covered in frosting or a picture of the parents coming together for their little ones’ fun, capture it all. Believe me! In ten years when your child is *technically* an adult, you will treasure these pictures from the eighth birthday party!

When your kid is turning six, it’s such a fun age, because their birthday is the BEST day as far as they’re concerned and they’re super excited about everything about it. Of course, you want their party to be amazing, and the best part is, kids are so enthusiastic that the sky’s the limit. We’ve outlined a few ideas for kids parties below so you can make sure that 6 is the best birthday ever!

Dinosaurs

• Activities: Have a sandbox set up for archeological investigations. Bury some plastic dinos and have the kids take them home as party favors! You can also bury some “dino eggs” with candy or other small prizes. 
• Adults: Adults can enjoy an adult beverage in a dinosaur cup that they can take home.
• Cake: To make a dinosaur cake, you can bake a regular round cake, frost with green and blue frosting, and set dinosaurs up as though they’re grazing! You can also include ground-up Oreos as “dirt”.
• Gifts: Dinosaur themed gifts
  • A dinosaur-themed play mat with dinosaur figures
  • A dinosaur fossil egg play set
  • Dinosaur book and toy play set

Beach Bash

• Activities: Have a limbo, make your own lei, and have the kids decorate their own flip flops or crocs!
• Adults: Parents can decorate their own stemless, silicone wine glass, and enjoy a Blue Hawaiian during the party.
• What to Wear: The kids (and adults!) can get into the spirit with grass skirts for the girls and Hawaiian shirts for the boys. Everyone gets sunglasses too!
• Cake: For the cake, you can bake a sheet cake, frost it with blue frosting on one side, and graham cracker crumbs on the other. Add in mini “beach” umbrellas on the sand side using little drink umbrellas and Swedish fish in the water!
• Gift Ideas
  • Ocean life book
  • Beach toys
  • Water Gun Toy

The party shouldn’t last too much longer than 2 hours at that age- that’s probably the max you and the other parents will be able to take! Within that time frame, you’ll have time to do a couple of activities, eat cake, open presents, and let the kids work off their sugar rush.

Fifth birthdays can be the best yet for children. With new kindergarten friends and emerging obsessions ready for themed parties, five-year-old children have a lot to be excited about. But these new considerations can make planning a fifth birthday party a little challenging. Here are five tips to make your child’s fifth birthday party the best one yet. 

Tip #1: School’s In Session

If your five-year-old has started their kindergarten career, planning a party just got so much easier. The past few parties have centered around family, but now it’s time to invite classmates! 

You can invite new friends from school and plan the party around your school’s location and schedule. After school birthday parties at a local park are easy to attend and need only last a couple hours before dinnertime. Plus, if you are planning a party at a movie theater or bowling alley, weekdays generally provide a little more privacy, as this guide explains.  

Just remember, inviting the whole class to the birthday is rarely a feasible option. Follow the Girl Scouts advice and send out digital invitations privately to your child’s closest buds. 

Tip #2: Find that Theme 

At five years old, most kids have a set of likes and dislikes. Many even have definitive obsessions that take over their wardrobes, crafts and imagination.  Make your child’s birthday special by leaning into these interests. You can…

• Dive into a favorite book or movie. 

Plan activities around the characters and story. Make crafts or treats that incorporate parts of the work. Pull together a playlist with songs related to the theme. 

• Get Your Game On 

If your child has already found a passion for a certain sport or game, make it the theme. Head to a local park to play and round out the party with some well-deserved post-game snacks and even a cake decorated with their favorite team’s colors. 

A sure way to score? Make sure that your party has an even number of attendees and pick out teams before the party so no player feels left out. 

• Anything Can Be A Theme

If your child is between obsessions, remember that literally anything can be a theme. If they have a favorite color, make it the center of a monochromatic party where kids can even decorate cupcakes to match their favorite hue.

Tip #3: Seek Out A Party Location

Staying at home is a great way to save money, but if your child requires more structured activities that you don’t want to facilitate, look into visiting a party site, like this one.  With supervision, five-year-olds may enjoy a trip to the movie theater, a craft studio, or a local garden. 

Just make sure enough parents are on board to come supervise!

Tip #4: Become an Allergy Expert

With new friends come new allergies to remember while planning an allergy-free party. Include an allergy question in RSVPs, and if an allergen can’t be totally avoided, use things like stickers and labels to make sure kids don’t pick up a harmful treat. 

Tip #5: Take Five for Family

Your child is just starting to come into their own. Their fifth birthday party is an opportunity to celebrate their blooming personality and new friends. But, that can be a lot. It’s important to keep things from getting too outrageous and block out time in the party for a family picture, craft or slice of cake so you remember the special time forever. 

As you plan your child’s fifth birthday party, keep these tips in mind to have a good celebration! And, don’t forget to write down things you learn for next year’s party too! Now, go light the candles for that cake!

We hear it’s time for another birthday! Celebrating your little one’s birthday only gets more and more fun as time goes on because they can appreciate the effort you put into their parties. Not only that, but the parties are more exciting for the little guest of honor, especially because they’ve begun to form their own opinions, ideas, and interests. They might even remember that fun smash cake at a friend’s party, or how cool the pinata was at their cousin’s bash. 

So to begin, there are a few details you’ll need to know before you pick your theme. Even though parties for little kids aren’t generally long and they rely on the child’s particular schedule for what time works best, as the kids get older, the parties can be a bit  longer. 

How Long Should the Party Last?

Your one-year-old didn’t need more than one or two hours of friends and family celebrating, but your four-year-old might enjoy having a little more time with their guests. For the 4-6 year old crowd, 2 hours may be plenty enough party time. 

Should We Invite Friends and Family? 

For the first few birthday parties you have with your little one, it’s safe to say that family is your best bet in terms of attendees. But as your child is getting older, your child is making friends who may love to attend a birthday party. Speaking of friends, if you’re inviting a bunch of children from your child’s class, it’s important to make sure no one feels singled out or left out. If you are inviting more children from a daycare class or pre-K, you can even invite the parents.  

Party Planning and Theme Ideas 

Party planning for your four-year-old is pretty fun, because your little one is likely in pre-K at this point. If they’re in pre-K, then they have a whole classroom full of little friends to celebrate special occasions with! With that in mind, if your child’s birthday is towards the end of the year, you’ve probably already attended a couple of fourth birthday parties recently. That’s why you have to keep it interesting and exciting for your child with a unique party theme. 

We’re here to help you plan a great party that will exceed your kid’s expectations, but not your budget. Here are four party themes your little one and their friends will love. 

I’m Digging Being Four

Who doesn’t love digging in the dirt, especially when you’ve got your best buddies around? Construction-themed parties are fun for everyone involved. You can set up the party theme to include goody bags, the cake, decorations, and more. 

You can even add in some fun activities for the birthday builder, like:

• Foreman Says (just like Simon Says!) 
• Pin the Tools on Bob 
• Dirt Pile Play  

An Out of This World Party… 4,3,2,1…Blast off! 

In 2020, heading to outer space was a big deal. A UFO or space-themed birthday party is one of the most fun ways to celebrate leaving age 3 behind. There are so many different party games that could be fun with a space party, too. From decorating a room to look like outer space or having costumes for the little astronauts, this can be a really unique party.

Here are some fun activities to consider: 

• Make moon rocks
• Set up a space slime table
• Rent an inflatable moonbounce 

The Princess Has Arrived

Although princess parties are age-old and sort of par for the course for your little royal gal, there’s no excuse for the party to be “usual”. You can find all sorts of unique, unusual ways to make your princess’ party stand out, from different types of princess themes to different kinds of games played at the party. Don’t forget to match the decor with the goodie bags – your princess’ pals will love it. 

Here are some fun, unique ideas for your princess party:

• Play musical thrones
• Design crowns at a craft table for all
• Get fantastical with unicorns, pegasus, and other fantasy creatures

It’s Summertime 

There’s nothing like a summer pool party. When the temperature is warm, kids love to spend time in the pool or outside. There are so many ways to make a pool party unique and fun, so focus your summertime theme on “under the sea”, mermaids, fish, or tropical scenery. 

A pool party can, of course, include a pool but if you aren’t set up to host a pool party, you could try one of the following instead: 

• Set up a homemade slip and slide
• Rent a splash pad
• Use your sprinkler to your advantage! 

How are you going to host your 4-year-old’s party? Tell us in the comments! 

Just like that, your little sprout is turning three! They’re getting a little older and can actually have some fun at their birthday party. So, you know what they say… “Go big or go home!” Well, it’s time to go big. 

Three is such a great age, it’s a time when you’re little person begins to develop their personality. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, age three is when children start learning to share, enjoy playing with other children, and start to show their feelings in acceptable ways. Now that you’re child is developing some or either all of these skills, they can appreciate a party a lot more, which means you get to go all out!

If you’re stressing over what type of party to plan, take a deep breath, we’ve got you covered. Here are some cool ideas and tips on themes, cakes, activities, and even party logistics. 

Theme Ideas 

Everyone knows the theme makes the party. Your theme will dictate your decorations, invitations, food, party favors, and activities. So you want to pick a solid theme, then you can build around it. Here are a few ideas for girls, boys, and gender-neutral parties as well. 

• Girl 
  • Princess Party 
  • Mermaid Party 
  • All Pink Party 
• Boy 
  • Dinasour Party 
  • Pirate Birthday Party 
  • Fire Fighter Birthday Party 

• Gender-Neutral 
  • Paint Party 
  • Outdoor Drive-In Movie Night 
  • Candyland Party

Cake Ideas 

When it’s time to gather around and sing “Happy Birthday to youuuu….”, the perfect cake should be in the middle. In this case, you can tailor this to your child’s preference. Do they like chocolate or vanilla? Sprinkles or gummy bears? A lot of icing or no icing? Whatever they like, it’s a great idea to include them in the cake making process. You know, make an afternoon activity out of it. 

However, you may want to buy a specially designed cake that accompanies a theme. There is definitely nothing wrong with a store-bought cake, but here a few ideas for cakes you can make at home. 

• Funfetti Cake 
• Numbers Cake (Make a #3 cake) 
• Ice Cream Cake 

Activities 

Keeping toddlers occupied at a party is key, and this can be done with fun activities. Here are a few fun ideas for a three-year-olds party. 

• Dance Break: Pull out some classic, clean tunes and get to jammin’. 
• Bubble Break: If you’re having an outside party, children can have a bubble blowing contest.
• Balloon Break: You can use a bedsheet and have the children gather around and hold the sides. Then you can bounce the balloons around on the bedsheet like popcorn.

Details. Details. Details.  

Aside from planning the party decorations, activities, and food, you will need to consider other important details. How long should the party last? How many kids do I invite? How do I ask parents to stay? What time of day should the party be? 

These are important factors that will ultimately shape the celebrations. For example, according to Parents, for children three and under, the party should be no more than one hour. As long as they are preoccupied with activities, they can handle an hour-long party. Here are a few more tips surround “children’s party etiquette”.

Time of Day: Experts suggest that 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. is a great time for a toddler party, that way parents can still make nap time. 

Length of time: The party should be one hour long.

Who is invited?: A good rule of thumb is to invite as many children as your child’s age, plus one. Aside from this close family and friends. 

Asking parents to stay: If you want parents to stay, detail this in the party invitation. You can ask that the invited child be accompanied by a parent. 

Now, it’s time to get this party started! Good luck, and remember it’s a party, so have fun with it!

The time has come to celebrate your toddler’s 2nd birthday! Seeing your child grow right before your eyes as they approach their 2nd birthday might have you feeling like time flies. That baby you celebrated just one year ago has now grown taller and is developing into a toddler. 

Just like the 1st birthday party, the 2nd birthday is nothing short of a big deal. At 2 years old, your toddler might be having more social interaction and is becoming more active and talkative. This means a bigger – and even better – party to celebrate and accommodate your toddlers needs and desires. Whether that means more children and less adults or fun activities like a bounce house, bubbles, or face paint. 

If you’re looking for a little assistance in planning a 2nd birthday party, look no further. 

Party Theme Ideas

Party theme ideas get a little easier as your baby grows up. As they start to become interested in certain things like animals, space, or a particular TV show, it’s easy to center your celebrations around them. Care.com suggests choosing a theme that captures your child’s imagination the most and carrying that theme throughout the party from invitations, to favors, and cake. As your toddler starts to take a liking to things and broaden their imagination, here are some fun themed ideas for your two-year-old. 

• Petting Zoo 
• Tea Party 
• Bounce House
• TV Show themed (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Dinosaur Train, Peppa Pig, etc.)
• Face Painting
• Superheroes 
• Pet themed (Dog/Cat) 
• Sandcastle 
• Astronauts and Space 

Birthday Outfits for Your Toddler 

Typically with birthday outfits, you stick to the same theme as the party. So if you’re planning on doing a superhero-themed party, you would dress up your toddler in a fun, age-appropriate costume with a cape so they fit the part. 

Keep in mind, at this age toddlers start to become picky about their clothing and want to dress themselves. So while you can have an outfit planned out for your boy or girl, there is a chance there might be a last minute wardrobe change from your little one. One of the best and most time-efficient places to purchase a costume for your child’s birthday party is Amazon with over 50,000 different outfits to choose from. 

How Long Should a Party Be?

One of the biggest tips for throwing a 2nd birthday party is to keep the party short and sweet. Two-year-olds are still taking naps at this age and most likely have very short attention spans. For a party at this age, the party should be no longer than two to three hours. 

Party Favors for Kids and Adults 

Party favors, or goodie bags, usually are one of the highlights for children at the end of a party, apart from the cake of course. However, sometimes upon opening up the goodie bag, many of the items tend to be junk, easily distracted, or don’t provide long-lasting entertainment. To ensure you have a top-notch party favors, here are some items to include, and of course, this can change with the theme:

• Crayons, Markers, Colored Pencils 
• Coloring book
• Crafting activity for home
• Stickers
• Puzzles
• Books
• Candy 

As for the adults, it’s important to thank them for bringing their child to the party and for giving a gift to your little one. During the party, offer plenty of refreshments and adult-friendly food and drink to keep them satisfied and hand out thank you cards on their way out. 

Cake and Dessert Ideas 

As mentioned above, it’s important to carry the theme of your toddler’s birthday in every aspect, including the cake. While your child will be more excited about the idea of eating cake than how it looks – it’s a good idea to stick to the theme with the desserts, if possible. 

Gift Ideas for Boy and Girl 

The only thing more fun than getting gifts is gifting gifts to a cheerful 2-year-old on their birthday. When deciding what to gift for your boy or girl, remember that toddlers don’t tend to have high standards at this age. Every gift is very exciting and important to them and they’ll be grateful for almost anything. 

In general, make sure to purchase age-appropriate gifts that are safe for them at this period in their life. Try to avoid gifts with excessive packaging, or consider gifting the item out of its packaging at the party. Your toddler will be working on their motor skills at this age so toys that involve coordination of the hands (I.e. buckling, zipping, lacing, etc.) will be very beneficial for them. 

For a boy or a girl, get them their very first bike. A bike is a fabulous and exciting gift for a two-year-old because it allows them to exert their energy and feel powerful and accomplished doing something new. 

For girls, this educational plush doll allows your toddler to fine-tune their motor skills by zipping, tying, and using velcro. For boys, the same toy but in a bear version is available. 

What are you planning to do for your toddler’s 2nd birthday party? Let us know in the comments below!

So, we hear someone is turning one… it’s time for a birthday, right?!

Don’t worry – there are plenty of other birthday parties to host down the line. According to professional party planners, your little one likely isn’t ready to celebrate in style, so it’s OK if the party is geared towards the friends and family of mom and dad. 

Your baby’s first birthday is a big deal, both for you and baby. That means it’s the perfect time to celebrate this milestone for both of you. While your baby might not be walking, talking, or really ready to enjoy a party of their own, a first birthday needs to be celebrated. Mark the occasion by hosting a birthday party for your baby, close friends, and family. We’ve got you covered on how to do this in style but without breaking the bank. 

First, we’ll cover a few basic questions like how long the party should last, some great places to get both gifts and gear, as well as a few theme ideas. Then we’ll get into the specifics!

Here are a handful of commonly-asked questions about hosting a first birthday party. 

• What can you do for a first birthday?
• How much should you plan to spend on your baby’s first birthday?
• What are some popular party themes? 
• How long should the party last? 

What can you do for a first birthday? 

Celebrate, of course! 

A first birthday party is a big occasion for both baby and parents, so there’s no reason to skip out on a party or celebrations just because the guest of honor isn’t fully ready to appreciate a party in their name. 

There are so many different things you can do to celebrate your baby’s first birthday. There are some special things you can plan to do, like take a photo with your baby for a keepsake. You can also think about writing them a letter to read later in life. Another way to celebrate baby’s birthday is to try a new experience together. Of course, these aren’t necessarily party ideas, but they are activities that baby can enjoy too. 

In terms of the party, keep it simple. 

How much should we spend on the first birthday party? 

Party planners suggest budgeting somewhere between $300.00 and $1,000. Of course, budget is a personal preference. To help you get a better idea of what exactly you might need to add in to your party budget, consider the following: 

• Food
• Decorations
• Goody bags or party favors
• Gifts
• Cake 

That should help you get started!

What are some popular first birthday party themes?

At this stage, there won’t be too many opinions from the peanut gallery (your baby) about what sorts of decor to have, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with the party theme. Experts suggest staying away from clowns and similar costumes or decor in order to make sure your little one doesn’t get scared or shy away from the party. 

These 46 creative 1st birthday party ideas should get you going, but some of our favorites include: 

• A country fair
• Forest fur friends
• Cars-themed
• Sports of any kind, from football to hockey
• Baby shark (check out this sweet decor theme) 
• Disney
• Princess themed (you should absolutely order a crown like this) 
• Sun and Moon 

Check out some other fun themes for your baby’s party here. 

How long should the party be? 

For one thing, you know your baby’s schedule. Plan to host the party during a 2-hour window that will help baby be on his or her best behavior. You don’t want the party to be too close to nap time, bed time, or another part of your routine that could throw behavior off. That said, 2 hours is a great timeline for a first birthday party so the guest of honor isn’t overwhelmed after the party, or even during. 

What to Expect shares some great insight on how to time the birthday party for the little guest of honor. 

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about the goodies! 

Party Favors for the Kids

One of our favorite parts of our childrens’ birthday parties is the goodie bags. Party favors are a fun way to make the celebration memorable for everyone. From cake-pops or decorated edible favors to cutesy boxes full of small toys, trinkets, cups, or similar items are perfect for a first birthday. You can even find matching party favors to your decorations from Etsy or Amazon, which we totally recommend. There’s nothing like a one-stop-shop.

Party favors for the Adults

Depending on the theme of the party you’re hosting, party favors for the adults can be lots of fun too. Especially if you manage to match them with your theme. Say your little girl is the perfect match for a princess party. There’s no reason not to order personalized glasses or cups that will go along with the decor and the guests when they head home. 

Maybe baby girl isn’t necessarily ready for a bottle, but your gal pals will be ready for this rose-gold bottle opener. 

Giving Little One Their Gifts

No party is complete without the gift table. Even though your baby might be a little young to enjoy the full festivities, gift-giving is not one of those things. With the help of moms everywhere, we are putting together a little list of great first birthday gifts for your little one, all of which are below $100. Check back soon!