It’s no secret that American healthcare is wildly complicated, and, for many young families, intensely intimidating. When figuring out how to insure your child’s health, managing trips to clinics versus the hospital and trying to create a healthy baseline for your child with as much preventative care as possible, it can be hard to determine what’s right. A factor that adds yet another layer of complexity to the youth healthcare dilemma is cost. And certainly, taking care of kids is expensive. 

Interestingly, as pointed out in a recent study by Weiss & Paarz, a medical malpractice attorney team, where you live in the United States has major implications on the expenses associated with a child’s health. 

According to their study, the cost of healthcare for children from birth through age 18 spans over $14,300 in statewide averages across the country. 

On the low side of costs is Hawaii, where healthcare costs through age 18 average out to around $7,500. According to the Honolulu Civil Beat, Hawaii’s low healthcare costs are no accident. Per Hawaii’s 1974  Prepaid Health Care Act, all employers must provide health insurance to employees working over 20 hours a week. This means that Hawaii is generations ahead of the rest of the country in terms of healthcare accessibility and employer stipulations, helping create a healthier state, which, in turn, has lower childhood healthcare costs. 

But, as much as we’d like, not every family can up and move to Hawaii to save some money on healthcare. It may be more realistic for families to rule out states with exorbitantly high childhood healthcare costs. 

The state with the highest healthcare expenses through age 18 was Washington, D.C., where childhood healthcare expenses averaged around $21,900, over 39% above the national average. There has to be some explanation for these huge numbers. 

It just might be that everything associated with raising a child becomes more expensive D.C. lines. According to the Economic Policy Institute, Washington, D.C. has some of the highest costs of childcare across the country. The district ranked 1st of 50 states for the most expensive infant care, averaging at around $2,020 a month according to the 2019 report. Childcare costs remain high and exceed the costs associated with yearly housing and college payments for parents in the area.

Given these high costs of childcare, the costs of healthcare might appropriately match the location-specific inflation. And so, for young families looking to move near the D.C. area, living in a nearby suburb where both babysitters and routine check-ups are cheaper might be a huge budget saver. 

No matter where you live, child healthcare costs may be helped down by offering your child a healthy life, full of nutrition, exercise, and education in between doctor’s visits. So here’s to healthy kids and happy families!

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that life is too unpredictable to wait around for happiness to come. The same can be said for the future of your relationship. Despite women leaders like Elizabeth Warren famously beginning marriage with their own proposals, centuries of tradition tell women that they must wait for men to propose in order to start planning for a future of married joy. 

Well, according to a new survey from Shane Co., over 60% of men would be thrilled if their girlfriend proposed to them-exciting news for all the ladies who are ready and excited to ask their partners the big question. 

Still, it can be a little tricky to brainstorm a proposal to the man in your life. So, here are some ideas, tips and encouragement on how to propose to your boyfriend. 

1. Know If You Want to Give Him Something

As discussed in a Slate.com interview, one complication for women proposing to men is the question of the engagement ring. While the Shane Co. survey reported that over 60% of men think a ring isn’t necessary, you might still want something to symbolize a proposal. Whether that be a ring, a donation to a cause you both care about or a couple of tickets to start out life’s adventure, decide if you think a gift should be part of your proposal. 

2. Get Some Inspiration

Look to some other ladies who have popped the question to their man! Coming through some ideas and super cute stories like these ones on HowTheyAsked.com can get you excited about proposing to your partner, and help you leave behind any old narratives that say you can’t take a knee! 

3. Be Yourself

As stated in a list of tips from TheKnot.com, it’s most important to be yourself. No matter what your proposal is like, your hopeful fiance will want to see you and all your wonderful personality in your proposal. After all, a lifetime of happiness depends on love for your truest self! 

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!

Summer looks a lot different this year due to the social distancing rules in effect across the country. Normally, our kids’ schedules would be jam-packed with fun activities, like day camps or sleepaway camps, scouting, sports, and more. But this year, as we’re all faced with lots more time at home, lots of moms are looking for creative, educational ways to fill the endless summer days!

Bentham Science Publishers, an international publishing company that publishes well-known scientific, technical, and medical journals, knows how important it is to develop an early love of science, technology, engineering, and math (or, STEM). Our kids are the doctors, researchers, engineers, and mathematicians of the future, and we should do our best as moms to foster and encourage their curious minds.

These fun science experiments use easy-to-find ingredients and will spark your little ones’ imaginations! Kids young and old will have fun exploring and playing, and you can feel good knowing that you’re supporting their learning and development. Make sure to supervise children as they do these experiments, since some of the ingredients can irritate skin and eyes. 

A lot of these experiments are best done outside, since they can make a mess. Embrace that mess! Once you’re done with your afternoon of science fun, clean off with the hose or sprinkler. It’s lots of fun, and very effective at cleaning up after small scientists!

Without further ado, here are our best summer science experiments!

Rainbow Volcano

Supplies:

• Baking Soda
• White Vinegar
• Food Coloring
• Clear glass cups or jars

Instructions:

• Take your clear cups or jars and add a few tablespoons of baking soda to each one. Add a few drops of food coloring to each jar as well. You can experiment with color theory and combine colors to create new ones!
• Pour the white vinegar into each cup or jar slowly, and watch as the colorful foam erupts!

Summer Snow

Supplies:

• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup shaving cream 
• Food Coloring (optional)
• Large bowl

Instructions:

• Pour the cornstarch into a large bowl. Add the shaving cream and stir to mix. If using food coloring, add that in now too. 
• When the mixture comes together in pieces (similar to shredded cheese), use your hands to squish the mixture and combine. It should quickly come together into balls, with a texture similar to dough.
• If your mixture is too wet and sticky, add more cornstarch. If it won’t come together, add a bit more shaving cream.
• Use the summer snow to make snowmen, igloos, snow forts, and more! 

Elephant Toothpaste

Supplies:

• Clean 16oz plastic bottle
• 20 Volume Hydrogen Peroxide (This is a 6% solution which can be found at beauty supply stores. If you can’t find this, you can use the standard 3% solution available at most pharmacies, but the reaction will be smaller. Caution: Handle with care as Hydrogen Peroxide is corrosive in nature.)
• 1 packet of dry yeast
• Liquid dish soap
• 3 tbsp warm water
• Food coloring (optional)
• Small cup
• Funnel

Instructions:

• Using the funnel, carefully pour half a cup of the hydrogen peroxide into the bottle, and then add about 10 drops of your preferred food coloring. 
• Add about 1 tbsp of liquid soap and swish it gently around in the bottle.
• In the separate cup, combine the warm water and yeast. Let sit for about 30 seconds–it should look like the consistency of melted ice cream. You can add more water if needed.
• Using the funnel, pour the yeast-water mixture into the bottle and stand back! This foam eruption will be epic!

Clean Putty

Supplies:

• Cornstarch
• Liquid dish soap
• Food Coloring (optional)
• Large bowl

Instructions:

• Add 2 tbsp of cornstarch to the bowl followed by 1 and a half tbsp of liquid dish soap. Add the food coloring now too if you’re using it!
• Mix and squish together in the bowl until it forms a putty consistency. If it is too dry, add a little more dish soap. If it is too wet, add a little more cornstarch. 
• This putty should last a few hours, and it is way cleaner and less sticky than the common glue-based slime recipes online!

Homemade Lava Lamp

Supplies:

• Wide-mouth glass container (like a vase, pitcher, or tall drinking glass)
• Vegetable oil
• Food coloring
• Water
• Alka-Seltzer tablet

Instructions:

• Fill the container about three-quarters full with the oil, and then fill the rest of the way with water, making sure to leave a couple inches at the top of the container. 
• Watch as the water and oil separate and the oil falls to the bottom–so cool!
• Once settled, add about ten drops of food coloring to color your lava lamp. Wait and watch as each drop sinks through the oil and settles in the water. 
• Finally, drop in the Alka-Seltzer tablet and watch as the carbon dioxide gas bubbles push the colored water up into the oil like a lava lamp! 

While all these experiments can be enjoyed by people of any age, many are aimed at younger children. Bentham Science does offer resources for older children and young adults looking to dive deeper into science and technology, including free, open-access textbooks and informative webinars.

Who knows, moms – maybe you’ll learn too! Learning is a lifelong process, and it’s never too late to teach yourself something new!
For more from Bentham Science, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

At this point in quarantine, you’re probably running out of things to do with your kids. They’re tired of you and your activities and they just want to play with their friends. One thing that can help take their minds (and yours!) off their frustrations? Food! 

Food is the best way to soothe your soul and your body. Now I know, you’re probably tired of cooking at home too. You need to figure out what to make, how much to make, decide if the kids will eat whatever leafy green you put on their plate. What if I told you there was another way?

I recently discovered the air fryer and it has changed my life. You might think that the last thing you need is another kitchen gadget but this one is gold. Why? It can turn junk healthy and you can make it with the kids! There are so many recipes to make with an air fryer that the kids will love. And the upside is that it doesn’t use any oil. This means you can show your kids how to make it without hurting them and you won’t feel guilty about feeding them all that fatty oil because there isn’t any!

Here are five finger foods to air fry for your picky eaters. They can’t say no to this!

• French fries
• Corn dogs
• Pizza
• Onion rings
• Mozzarella sticks

My personal favorite snack is jalapeno poppers– how can you go wrong with spicy cheese? But the fact that it is so oily stops me from making it very often. I can convince myself that eating that much cheese isn’t bad for me but I just can’t reconcile frying the poppers in so much oil. With my air fryer, the oil is taken out of the equation and I can enjoy my jalapeno poppers more often than before! 

If you’re looking for more quick recipes with a little more nutrition in them for adults, check out this list of popular air fryer meals that you can make for the whole family. Better yet, help the kids make the recipe and let them learn that healthy food can be just as delicious as their favorite fast food!

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!