The Location. If weather permits, Apaliski says you can’t go wrong with a park party. The beauty of nature helps you go light on the decorations, and simple park activities—from kicking a ball around to popping bubbles to hitting the playground—carry a light carbon footprint. If your kid has a b-day in the colder months, think about renting an indoor community rec center space (which often includes tables and other party gear) or host at home, so that you can have maximum control over all the elements.

The Food Spread. Go for finger foods like muffins, bagels, veggie and fruit kabobs, toasts, bars, and the like. Instead of a cake (which requires plates and utensils), try cupcakes instead. Simply put a compost bin next to the table for any muffin liners and bamboo skewers that are left over from the food. For drinks, skip the juice boxes and try a drink dispenser or two with compostable cups nearby. (More notes on the cups below.) Also, don’t over do it on the food! One of the best things you can do for the Earth is eliminate food waste.

Plates, Utensils, & Napkins. If you go the finger food route, you won’t necessarily need plates or utensils, but if there’s a specific plated dish you are dying to serve (cake included), Apaliski suggests either using your own dishes, utensils, and cloth napkins, or purchasing those that are truly compostable. This means no glitter, shine, or fancy textures or designs on them (any plastic coatings on paper products mean they cannot be recycled or composted). Look for compostable paper or bamboo options (we love these fun rainbow paper cups) and not so-called “compostable plastic.” Apaliski has used these compostable forks, plates, and napkins in the past. “The trick is to find something that says ‘compostable’ because that word has a legal definition much like the word ‘organic,'” she explains. “So forget all the other words (biodegradable, plant-based, Tater Ware, etc.) and stick with just compostable.”

Decorations. Nix the balloons immediately, says Apaliski. Not only are they likely to end up in the ocean, but the helium used to blow up balloons is a finite resource that has experienced shortages recently. Instead of balloons, opt for a bubble machine that you can pull out year after year. As for other decor, think about finding (on Craigslist or a Buy Nothing forum) or purchasing a cloth banner and other cloth, paper, or wooden decorations that you can keep reusing (Etsy has a treasure trove of options). Avoid buying items that feature the “number” of each birthday, so that they are evergreen. Once you have a small box of reusable birthday decor (and maybe the spare #7 candle), you can offer it up to other parents who have birthdays coming up, encouraging them to reuse and buy less. Also: consider flowers as decoration, small potted plants (that you might give as take-home gifts), and DIY leaf confetti if you’re crafty!

Activities. For smaller kids, the bubble machine and park equipment might be enough! Meanwhile, investing in a singer, storyteller, magician, superhero, band, or bubble person is a great way to support local performers in your community. Renting things—like a bounce house or inflatable costumes—is also a good choice, as are classic board games, egg hunts, playing sports, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, etc.

Gifts. Second-hand toys—especially for young kids—are a great idea. Same goes for gifting an experience, durable wooden toys that you’ll pass down, a gift card to a local shop, or even wrapping up library books! (Copy this wise mama of three’s idea here!)

Attendee Gifts. Instead of a plastic bag filled with tiny plastic toys that inevitably end up in a landfill, Apaliski suggests gifting your attendees a book (from the aforementioned book exchange), flower or veggie seeds, paper bags of homemade popcorn, a gift certificate to a local eatery, scoop shop, or store, or a tiny mason jar filled with DIY play-doh. Check out Apaliski’s favorite (and easy) play-doh recipe—which can even double as an activity to do at the party!

Gift Wrap. When wrapping gifts for your kid’s (or another kid’s) birthday, think about packaging that can be recycled or reused. Cloth bags and wrapping is a solid choice—check out Etsy’s furoshiki section or make your own from napkins and other textiles found at thrift stores or estate sales. Or find a 100% recyclable wrap, like newspaper or simple Kraft paper, that you can jazz up with colored pencil designs. Similar to plates and cups, you want to avoid gift wrapping with glitter, shine, etc. Of course, if you are gifted flashy paper or bows, hang on to them to wrap a future gift. As we know, there’s always another birthday around the corner.

For more creative party ideas—check out these tips for How To Celebrate Your Kids’ Birthday in Lockdown (from those early pandemic days).

This article was originally published in 2021.

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Have Them Dress Up Fancy. Even if there will be no guests beyond your immediate family, have your child wear their favorite fancy outfit (our son loved wearing this special “birthday suit” for his 7th at-home b-day), and if the rest of the family wants to get in on the dress-up action, the more the merrier.

Plan A Special Menu. Maybe it’s having your child pick out what they want for their birthday dinner, or perhaps it’s allowing them to plan the entire day’s menu—breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and even snacks! Every little bite will become exciting if they feel like it’s a special birthday treat.

Write Out A Birthday Schedule. If your kid thrives on structure and planning ahead, it can be a fun exercise to plan out their big birthday on a large piece of paper or white board and have them help you plan their dream day—from wake-up to bedtime. Any ahead-of-time planning with your little will help build up their anticipation and make the day’s arrival alone feel like a pretty big deal.

Let Them Have A Day Off Homeschool. The beauty of homeschool is that, in some cases, you might be able to take a day off and make-up the work on a weekend (or double-up a lesson on another day). If this is a possibility for your family and something the birthday kid will go gaga for, think about incorporating it into your b-day plans.

Host A Digital Party. Zoom, FaceTime, HouseParty, Google Hangouts, pick your poison and host a digital party—or two—throughout the day. For our child’s recent birthday, we hosted a Zoom with a handful of classmates earlier in the day, and had another in the evening with our extended family that included opening some presents and blowing out candles. You can keep these meetings simple (and short!) or you can choose a theme (LEGOs, Dress-Up, Tea Party, Play-Doh, Dance Party, etc.) to keep the kids focused.

Do A Drive-By. Drive-by birthday parties (and baby showers!) are all the rage these days. They allow folks to see each other’s faces IRL while also keeping the required 6-feet social distance between them. There are several ways to host a drive-by party. One option is to give your guests a designated time span (say, 30 minutes or 1 hour) in which they can drive by your home, honk, display handmade signs and balloons, maybe give a gift, etc. The time span you choose depends on how busy your street gets, if you want a short parade-style drive-by, or if you’d rather cars come spread out at different times in order to get a little curb-side chat in with each of them. Another idea is to take your own show on the road. Have your child decorate the car with balloons, streamers, and signs (one of our mama-friends made an attention-garnering “Honk It’s My 8th Birthday!” sign for her daughter’s fête), and drive by the homes of your child’s friends. Those friends might want to surprise the birthday kid with their own at-home decor, a gift, a song or dance, etc.

Set Expectations With Gifts. Due to shipping delays, your kid might not receive as many gifts for their 2020 birthday, or receive them after their actual birthday. Discuss this with your child beforehand, and lean into making the day about more than just gifts, but spending time with loved ones (however possible) and having a fun experience. If there are gifts exchanged by friends during drive-by activities, make sure you’re smart about handling and hand washing when it comes to receiving and touching packages. Have a game plan beforehand, explain it to your family, and follow it.

Balloons Make Everything More Exciting. Fill your child’s room with them or another room in the house. Decorate your house with them. Fill your bathtub up with them for a surprise. Break out the balloons to instantly make your home feel like a party zone. Look for biodegradable options when possible.

Create A Ball Pit. This is a great birthday surprise for babies on up to early elementary kids. Use your bathtub or an inflatable pool, and fill it up with plastic balls for hours and hours of fun.

Hire A Performer (Digitally). If you want a break from entertaining your kid yourself, you can bet that there are plenty of currently under-utilized party venues and children’s play spaces that would love to be a part of your big day. Think locally—or globally!—and book a performer, an arts & crafts instructor, a magician, etc. to entertain your kiddo (and even some of their friends) via the computer.

Do An At-Home Scavenger Hunt. Kids love hunting for stuff…that’s pretty much a fact! Whether it’s repurposing your Easter eggs or creating a more elaborate hunt, your child is sure to love this birthday surprise.

Create An Obstacle Course. If you’re lucky enough to have some outdoor space or enough room in your home to do so, surprise your child with a little birthday obstacle course (complete with prizes, if you want). The sky’s the limit on how creative you want to get here and if just the birthday kid will be asked to complete the course, or if the entire family will step up to the challenge.

Camp In The Backyard (Or Living Room). If you’ve got all the fixings for a campout, this can be a fun birthday activity. If you have an actual tent and want to pitch it, go wild. Otherwise, make a fort in your house and let your kid’s imagination run wild. This one can be as involved or as simple as you make it.

Make Their Birthday Cake (Together). Who says their birthday treats have to be a big surprise? Get your child in the kitchen and do some collaborative b-day baking (and cake-decorating!).

Focus On Decor. Either homemade or store-bought, add a few fun decor elements around your house or around your table to increase the pizzazz factor.

Play A “Happy Birthday” Montage. If light video editing is your thing, ask your child’s friends and family (ahead of time) to deliver a special birthday message for your kid and create a montage video that you can play to your child (and replay and replay and replay!) on their special day. A more low-tech option: Just ask your kid’s friends to record and text you their video message and play them in one-off spurts once received.

Or Just Do (Pretty Much) Nothing. There is a lot going on right now. Instead of going over-the-top for your child’s birthday this year, you can also strip it down to the bare basics. Let your child binge-watch their favorite TV show, play LEGOs, dress-up, or download that new video game they’ve been begging your for. Read with them for hours on end (or let them read by themselves). Sing happy birthday to them, tell them you love them (over and over again), have phone calls with friends and relatives, and top it all off with a birthday dessert. As long as you’re able to make them feel special, that’s birthday success.

Want more birthday planning inspo? Check out the Coolest Kids’ Party Supplies to make your at-home event even more festive.

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1. Start with big picture details
You’ll first want to think about who the party is for. How old are the kids? What do they like? Once you’ve done a bit of research, start with the guest list. Sometimes throwing a great kids’ party on budget means inviting fewer little ones and keeping the day simple.

2. Location, location, location
Consider free or affordable party venues like parks, public gardens, farms, beaches, playgrounds, or libraries. Kids love to be outdoors, so that’s always a great place to start! You’d be surprised how many great locations you can find for no cost at all.

3. Pull from what you have
Try utilizing decor and toys from your own home to add to the zest of the party. Little toys make great party additions for details such as cake toppers. Are there any additional flags, big pillows, bean bags, rugs, bunting, play mats, wands, dress-up clothes, art supplies, or balls you can utilize, too? The more items you can bring from home, the less you’ll have to purchase out-of-pocket.

4. Ditch the disposables
Avoid purchasing throw-away plates, napkins, and cups in favor of using your own favorite china or everyday dishes. It might be a bit more work on the backend, and you’ll have to encourage careful handling, but it’s definitely kinder on your wallet.

5. Get crafty
Try your hand at a few simple decorations to fit the party. Bunting crafted from felt, cake toppers built from wooden skewers and cardstock, and chalkboards can all be detailed to fit a party theme. Homemade games and no-cost activities are also just as fun as pricey options. Why not try your hand at making a quick pin-the-animal-on-the-habitat game (i.e. a bee on a flower garden), hanging donuts from string, bobbing for apples, crafting popcorn necklaces, setting up a treasure hunt, asking a local farm for grainstacks for races, or bringing bandanas for a three-legged race.

6. Forgo hosting during a big meal
To decrease costs, try avoiding hosting the party during mealtime. It is much more affordable to provide snacks, drinks, and a treat rather than a full meal. And, don’t fret: the kids will love a special treat, big or small.

7. Don’t set foot in a party store
You’ll only end up buying things you don’t need. Head to the thrift store, hardware store, or market for useful party supplies instead. They have great, affordable options that’ll often last you far beyond the party itself.

8. Don’t go overboard with favors
If you want to give a party favor to your kids’ tiny guests, opt for something affordable and useful like seed packets, a seedling plant, flower confetti, or a small edible treat. Kids are sure to love them just the same as the often plastic alternative!

9. Let the kids help you
Ask party guests to come with a favorite stuffed animal for a “stuffy” party, a favorite book for a story party, or dressed up in a costume for a costume party. The work is nearly done for you, and the kids love participating in this way.

10. Finally, don’t forget florals!
Look to your yard or garden to cut options that are blooming first. Even simple greenery or delicate tree branches are great to cut and use. If your yard is empty, talk to a local florist about getting a few bunches of affordable blooms that go a long way (feverfew is a good option). You can also ask about borrowing supplies to make flower crowns or take old flowers to dry into petal confetti.

For even more kids party tips and tricks, be sure to read 12 Simple Kid Party Ideas, Not Your Average Birthday Party Supplies, and Birthday Party Gifts Under $20.

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The Guest List: Do you invite only friends with kids? Just family? Everyone?! Honestly, it’s up to you and your entertaining style, but we think the first birthday party is a great opportunity to invite a mix of family, close friends (those with and without kids), and any new parent friends you’ve made over the past year at playgroups or parks. Think of it as a chance to catch up with everyone at once and thank those who have given both you and your baby unconditional love and support over the past year. (Note: If your family members are asking what to buy your little one, we’ve got a handy gift guide here.)

The Venue: Obviously, the season your little one was born will often dictate whether you consider an indoor or outdoor party venue, but, regardless, there are tons of creative options to suit your style. If you’re planning to keep it small and intimate and you have the space, opting for a party at your home can be super cozy and familiar for everyone. However, if there are going to be a handful of one-year-olds who are just learning to walk and (let’s be honest) you still haven’t gotten around to fully baby-proofing—or cleaning—your place, you might want to scout an outdoor location at the closest park or playground. A basket of toys and a few blankets scattered around a lawn is really the perfect one-year-old birthday setting (weather permitting). Many urban parks also have indoor spaces or clubhouses that are affordable to rent out. Meanwhile, local play spaces and kids’ gyms are solid—if not slightly more pricey—options. More and more breweries are also catering to young parents by offering kid-friendly areas so you can let the little ones socialize while you do the same.

Timing: Most one-year-olds are still on a two-nap-a-day schedule, so we recommend starting your party shortly after they typically wake up from their first nap of the day and are rested and ready to go for the next few hours. This often falls between a window of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for most babies. If you’re not in the mood to provide lunch, or feed your kid on the go, we suggest hosting a later afternoon gathering after their second nap. If you opt for the latter, it could even coincide with happy hour at that aforementioned brewery.

Food: Keep it classic and feed a crowd by ordering a few pizzas (this is also a great option if you have gluten-free or vegetarian friends), pick up a couple of party-sized subs at your local deli, do bagels and lox with all the fixins, or splurge and get a taco cart. Supplement the options above with a few pre-made salad kits, arrange some snacks and cheeses from Trader Joe’s or Costco, and you’ve got an ideal party spread. Don’t forget the kids, though! Many one-year-olds are now starting to get more comfortable with solids, so make sure you have some easy finger foods on hand for them, too, such as animal crackers, fruit, juice boxes, and a few convenient squeeze pouches on standby.

Activities: In case you didn’t get the memo, one-year-olds love balls. And we mean love. Give them the thrill of their lives (so far) with their very own ball pit! All you need is a portable kiddie pool (a blow-up pool or even a fun inflatable animal will do!) filled with a bunch of colorful plastic balls, and we guarantee the kids will be entertained and contained in one place for at least 30 minutes. For the artistically gifted among us, a fun make-ahead activity is to create a simple cardboard cutout for the kids to poke their faces through for a cute photo op to commemorate the day. Just paint or draw their favorite storybook character or animal on the outside and then snap some polaroid pictures of all the kids’ faces for a unique keepsake. Another touching idea is to ask your guests to write a letter to the birthday boy or girl that’s intended for them to wait to open until their 18th birthday. Just provide stationary, envelopes, and pens, and then let your nearest and dearest share their well wishes, which will surely warm your child’s heart years down the road. And, of course, the main event at a first birthday party is watching your little sugar baby take their very own first taste of cake! Be sure to have your camera on hand. And, just remember, no matter what you do or how you do it, it will surely be a day to savor and enjoy. You both deserve it!

For more first birthday inspo, check out this low-key family-only affair, as well as this artistic backyard bash—ball pit, included!.

The post How To Throw A Great 1st Birthday For Your Baby (And Yourself!) appeared first on MOTHER.

-First off, start checking the weather early—the week of the event, then in the days and hours leading up to your event.

-When you’re planning an outdoor event, try to consider your rain plan at the same time, so that you’re not caught in a bind day-of. Think about what you will do if there’s just dampness, sprinkles, or heavy rain. All are potentially different scenarios. If renting a back-up indoor space (parks often have community centers attached to them that aren’t too pricey) or buying a tent (with or without a floor) is a financial option, that’s always one route to take.

-If it’s raining hard, an outdoor party is sadly just not going to be a reality. We suggest canceling the event either that morning (be sure to have everyone’s cell numbers, since not all parents check their email on the weekends) or in the days leading up to the big event. At that point, you can either reschedule the party for another date when you suspect the weather will be better, or you could call it off all together and invite just your nearest and dearest to your home for a smaller celebration (hey, if the cake is ordered, someone has to eat it!).

-Another option is rescheduling the event for a different time that same day, when the forecast shows that the rain will taper off and end. A damp outdoor birthday party doesn’t have to be a total bummer (we’ve had one and it was great!). You can often shorten the amount of time folks will be out in the dampness (say, a 1.5 hour party vs. a 2.5 hour party) and give yourself a little extra buffer to wipe down picnic tables and play equipment between the time the drizzle ends and guests start arriving.

-Outdoor activities that work on damp grass include Stomp Rocket, layering a tarp with beach towels and blankets for a beading or pom-pom necklace activity or a big pile of toys, and hiring an impersonator of some sort to keep folks entertained and not thinking about the weather.

-Make water the theme! Ask that parents dress their kids in get-dirty clothing, rainboots, and rain jackets. If you want to take the wetness up a notch, you could hand out water guns or pumps (just don’t forget the stack of towels!).

-If you have a piñata planned, think about putting the prizes inside cellophane bags, so that the kids aren’t searching through wet grass to claim their damp prizes and candy.

-Remember that it’s all about the kids having fun and the birthday boy or girl celebrating with loved ones! Children don’t care about a little drizzle (puddle hopping is their idea of a good time)—and chances are their parents would love an excuse to get them out of the house. Party on!

Have any more suggestions to add to this list? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!

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