How to Simply Make Your Child's Birthday Special

I just love celebrating the day that my little people were brought into the world! It is an opportunity to love on them and make their day as special as they are.

Check out these “must-do’s” to make your child’s birthday special!!

We have most of our birthdays in a very short time (4 in 5 weeks) so it is like a little birthday marathon!

In our home, we do it simply and awesome!

I believe that God perfectly and divinely chose the very moment my kids were born. One was on the 4th of July like a little firecracker and he has the personality to match it! Divine!

Need to do a Virtual Birthday this year? Head to the below post.

Kid’s Virtual Birthday Ideas

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalm 118:24

But this is the absolute perfect opportunity to remind each child that they are a gift to our family and that God has given them special gifts and talents too.

What an amazing reason to C E L E B R A T E ! !

1. Bright & Fun Birthday Decorations

First thing in the morning, I always try to go the extra mile for when my kiddos wake up. I use streamers, balloons, make signs, confetti, bright table cloths, fun plates, whatever I can find.

I get tacky and FUN!!

Picking up clearance items throughout the year, I have a little stash of goodies that I reuse or replenish. I will also hit the local dollar store for bright and fun party items. You can’t beat the $1 streamers or a pack of balloons. Even party hats and noisemakers (I always regret those…yet I get them every time).

One of the things my kids have come to expect is streamers on the stairs that hang sort of like a doorway for them to pass through. Some years I have zig-zagged it up the entire stairwell and no one gets to go downstairs until the birthday boy or girl does. They get to run through it like a finish line.

You can also decorate their bedroom door, doorway, or cover the floor with balloons! Cover up a chair with streamers for them and a crown to eat breakfast at.

Here is the perfect Checklist:

Here are a few fun decor packs to grab too!

2. A Few of Their Favorite Things

Birthday gifts in our house always include a few favorite foodie items that each person enjoys! My oldest daughter loves goldfish crackers and a bottle of coca-cola so she received those. I have done favorite cereals, candy, or bubble gum.

Whatever your child loves, even if they have it regularly, it is super easy to get the LARGE pack and gift it. We got our 6-year-old a huge bottle of apple juice since she can’t get enough of it lately!

Here is a simple list of ideas to get you thinking:

Candy
Favorite cereal
Favorites snack items
Stickers (I like these ones)
Crafty items
New pencils, markers, crayons (my 10-year-old loves Sharpies)
Bubble gum
Fruit! (my son got a mango once and said it was his favorite gift)

I honestly watch my kids’ eyes light up with the little things.

If you have a child with food allergies, then now it’s a good time to get them treats that they might not have often due to cost or availability.

They love and enjoy the larger gifts of course, but there is something significant about getting their favorite things, and it is totally the simplest way to make your child’s birthday special!

3. Head out for Adventure

After our kids have awoken to a special morning of decorations, singing, and gifts they know that they will get to choose an activity for the day.

Is there someplace your child likes to go? How about a park or activity they just love? Letting them choose a special adventure will certainly add to the special day.

We have done the zoo. Taken hikes. Recently we did the pet store even. The options are limitless. As an adult, I am the one to complicate things and trying to do the BIG once-in-a-lifetime thing every year. That is great for milestone birthdays.

But when I ask my kids what they want to do – what will bring them joy – it is usually quite simple.

You might need to give some ideas and suggestions or options for your child who just can’t decide, but letting him or her pick will make your child’s birthday special! Here are some fun ideas:

The local zoo
A hike or nature walk. Try this FREE scavenger hunt too!
Family bike ride
Visit a local farm
Museums
Pet Store
Fire or Police Station
Playground of his or her choosing
Mini-golf
Apple or berry picking
Indoor arcade
Movies
Indoor rock climbing

Find simple outing ideas here: Best Mom & Son Date Ideas

4. Pick a Special Meal

Food is where it is at with most of us humans, right? I love going to dinner at my favorite place anytime, but especially on my birthday.

On my kid’s birthday, they get to pick a special meal, which usually means choosing where to eat out for dinner. I used to try and get them to have me make them their favorite meal at home but going out is more fun for us all on most birthdays!

You can choose what is best for your family by doing one of these:

Having a special breakfast ready
Going on a picnic for lunch.
Head to the grocery store together and buy items for a special meal, then cook together.
Make a simple birthday menu for them to order off for the day.
Get take out from a favorite place.
Try something new – a new type of food or a new restaurant.

This is one of the most simple ways to celebrate and make your child’s birthday special, and you can easily cater to your resources.

To connect with your child regularly, check out this post: Quality Time with Your Kids

And of course, there is CAKE!

Sometimes we do homemade cake, or cupcakes, or ice cream cake, even pancakes once! But there is always cake to top off a birthday celebration!!

Making an intentional effort to celebrate your child and make their birthday special is worth more than the wish they make blowing out the candles!

God has a special plan for your child and birthday’s are the perfect way to remind them of this and make your child’s birthday special.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “
Jeremiah 29:11

What ways do you like to celebrate your little people? Add to the comments and share with us your special ideas!

Best,