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.

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!

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!