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Written by Tanya Kaynes
There aren’t many kids on planet Earth that don’t get excited about their birthday. Friends, decorations, yummy food, cake and presents! But here are some ideas that you can try this year that will really connect with your child to let them know how special they are:
- Birthday parade. Ask neighbors, family or your child’s friends to decorate their vehicles or bikes and have a specific time to drive by your house with noise makers, singing or honking, shaking homemade signs and holding balloons. Ideally this would be set up as a surprise for your child. A parade in your honor – what could be better?
- Road trip. Take your child out for the day to their favorite place or a new spot to make memories. (An awesome memory making trip could be Vulcan. Only an hour and 20 minutes from Calgary and they can have a close encounter with a “real” spaceship!)
- Birthday throne. Get out the craft supplies and decorate one of the dining room chairs for the birthday child. Imagine their face as they come down for breakfast and see this special chair made just for them. Every meal that day will make them feel like royalty!
- Day off. It’s still important to make sure your child goes to school, but maybe let them have a break from daily chores, practicing music, math or spelling. Whatever it is, they get a pass for the day!
- Little surprises by age. Whatever age your child is turning, create that number of surprises throughout the day! You might want to do one surprise per hour, if possible for your schedule. These can be simple things like a special birthday hug, a homemade birthday muffin, a birthday card, etc. Stretching out the celebration through the day will make their special day last longer and it won’t be over in one quick whirlwind of gifts and cake.
- Favorite dinner. Every kid has their favorite food! Try making their favorite meal together from scratch. A fun challenge that you can work through together. Here’s hoping it’s delicious, but keep your delivery app close by just in case!
- Surprise delivery. If their special day falls on a school day, you can make their day by dropping off surprise homemade cookies. Make sure to ask their teacher first and check school policies about treats!
- Birthday time capsule. Turn an empty jar, canister or shoebox into a birthday “time capsule.” Fill the capsule with photos, toys, momentos and a letter from your child to their future self. Your child will love opening it next year to reminisce about how they have changed. You can continue adding to it each year, marking the years on each of the items you add to the capsule.
- Love what they love. No matter what it is – video games, collecting bugs, ballet, hockey, chess or painting rocks – do your child’s most favorite activity with them. They’ll never forget it!
- Dress up day. The birthday child can decide how everyone is going to dress for their special day. It may be a color theme (everyone has to wear their favorite color) or maybe it’s pajamas all day, or maybe superheroes. If you have work and school that day, you can always start this after everyone gets home.
Cake and presents are great, but I know your child will feel extra special with any of the above ideas incorporated into their birthday! Experiences and memories last longer than cake, especially in my house.
Tanya is the Head Curator at Menagerie Parties & Cakes, handcrafting boutique party experiences through custom décor, engaging activities, and show-stopping sweets for people living full, productive lives wanting to celebrate life to its fullest. It’s a Party in a Box! For more information, call 403-890-4803, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit menagerieyyc.ca. Follow on Facebook and Instagram @menageriepartiesandcakes.
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