Is COVID-19 getting in the way of a celebration for someone you love? Lots of children have had a birthday during our stay-at-home orders and May has its own celebrations like Mother's Day and graduations?
So what do we do now that we can't gather for a party and are social distancing as much as possible?
First, look at the positive side! Instead of mom and dad are rushing around the party — greeting guests, preparing food, and entertaining children — we have the perfect opportunity for the family to gather around to focus on the person we're celebrating.
Second, don't make a big deal about having to cancel a birthday party or apologize that they don't get a birthday party with their friends. Your child will pick up on your mood and focus on the negative. Stay positive and emphasize how nice it is to have everyone home to celebrate their birthday all day.
Here are some ideas for special activities you can do for your birthday boy or girl, your graduating senior, or even for Mother's Day!
Balloon Surprise
Invite the birthday fairy to decorate with balloons and streamers. Blow up a bunch of balloons — no helium needed — and scatter them on the floor of your child's bedroom. After you close the door to their bedroom, tape streamers on the outside door frame and fill the spaces with more balloons. When they open their door in the morning (after wading through the balloons on the floor), they'll be covered with another huge batch of balloons — and then have to break their way out through the streamers! Need supplies? Try Parker Party America!
Decorate the House and Yard
Deck out your yard with balloons and signs or yard ornaments like pink flamingos. You can even post a sign telling passersby to honk for a birthday! Lillie's Closet and Sign Gypsies are great local companies that provide yard signs and more!
For your home, use whatever decorations you have to decorate the spaces your child spends most of their time in: the playroom, family room, and their seat at the kitchen table. Colorful buntings are easy to make from string and construction paper or wrapping paper.
Host an Online Gathering
Set up a meeting on your favorite conference app and invite friends and family for a virtual birthday party. You can even hold a "surprise" party by having the guest of honor join the call a few minutes late so everyone can shout "Surprise!" and then sing "Happy Birthday" or raise a glass in a toast. Need inspiration? Check out our 10 ideas for hosting a virtual theme party online!
Have Dinner and Dessert Delivered
A great way to support your local businesses in these difficult times is by ordering delivery! Order dinner from your family's favorite restaurant or pick up a meal kit from Uncorked Kitchen, The Melting Pot, or Farmgirl Foods to prepare a dish together. Choose a local bakery for something sweet for dessert.
Hold a Birthday Parade!
Organize friends to meet in cars at a certain time and encourage them to decorate vehicles with balloons and signs. Ask them to shout, beep horns, and play or sing "Happy Birthday" full blast as they drive (safely!) by. Both the Castle Rock and Parker Police Departments are taking requests for police vehicle parades; just remember that they may not make it if duty calls!
Create and Play Together
Pick up an art kit from Kidcreate Studio or Board and Brush. Purchase paint-your-own pottery to-go from Play Street Museum or Arts on Fire.
Would your child have wanted an active party? Get Your Whole Family Moving... While Staying Far Away from Others has tons of online resources — from dance parties in your living room to backyard games!
