Summer birthday party ideas
One of the very best things about having a summer baby is the opportunities it gives you for great outdoor parties that won’t have to be postponed because three feet of snow fell overnight! It also can save you a lot of money on hiring a venue if you have large enough yard for the party or can use the barbecue grills and picnic pavilions at your local park.
It is still important to have some structure to the party though, even if the children are going to be outside – otherwise you risk it all turning into Lord of the Flies! Here are gurgle’s ideas for a great summer birthday party for your child, whether it’s her first, second or third birthday…
Luau party
This definitely won’t cost you a fortune. You local dollar store will have brightly-colored leis – alternately, set up an activity for the kids so that they can make their own leis by threading together swatches of crepe paper. The also can make their own grass skirts by gluing strips of crepe paper to a paper ‘waistband’. Download some tropical music and ask the other parents to wear Hawaiian shirts and you’re all set! And see how low the kids and their moms and dads can go by setting up a limbo bear.
Pool party
If you have your own pool this is very easy but if you don’t you may be able to rent your local YMCA for a couple of hours, or arrange to use your community pool if you live in a gated community. You’ll need plenty of beach towels and floaties, and don’t forget to remind parents to bring sunscreen. If any parents aren’t staying at the party, check if they are happy for you to apply more sunscreen to their child’s skin to protect it from sunburn. However, do ensure that there will be sufficient parents poolside or in the water with your child’s guests to ensure their
safety and make sure that other parents are aware of where safety equipment is stored. Don’t have access to a pool? Then set up your lawn sprinkler for the kids instead, along with paddling pools, slip ’n’ slides and inflatable water slide.
Sports party
Kiddie tennis or badminton racquets and a net, skittles, miniature golf, lawn croquet, horsehoes, and a kid-sized soccer goal and basketball hoop will turn your summer party into a sports extravaganza! You can give out small prizes for who shoots the most hoops or goals, or who gets a hole in one.
Biker party
Ask your child’s guest to bring their trikes and bikes to the party and turn your driveway into a bike workshop. Set up a table where kids can make their own license plates and bike streamers, and have a pile of cards they can attach to the spokes of their bicycles. Set up an obstacle course (old gallon water bottles half-filled with spoil or sand are ideal markers) and road markers (use sidewalk chalk and duck tape) they can steer their bikes and trikes around, with a prize and a rosette for who does it fastest.
Cowboy party
Purchase cheap cowboy hats and bandanas online and have the kids make their own ‘Wanted’ posters. Set up a line of cans along a wall and have the kids test their sharshooting skills by having them use water guns to knock the cans off the wall. They can also practice lassoing soft toys.
Painting party
So simple and such fun – just buy a roll of old wallpaper at your local home improvement store and tack it to an outside fence. Then have the kids set to work creating artistic masterpieces and murals. Smaller kids can use water and paintbrushes to decorate the driveway or sidewalk.
Firefighter party
Ask at your local big-box store for a large box – one from a fridge-freezer is ideal – cut holes in it to form the windshield and side windows and and have the children decorate it to look like a firetruck. You can get inexpensive plastic firefighter hats at your local dollar store or online , and place a stuffed toy in the bushes or the lower branches of a tree for the children to ‘rescue’. And why not contact your local fire station to arrange a free tour?
Eating outside
If you’re having food outside it’s very important to store it safely to keep it cool and avoid insect contamination. Use coolers with bags of ice and keep food as simple as possible – young children tend to be so excited at parties that they don’t want very much to eat anyway. Chips, fruit, cheese sticks and juiceboxes will likely be sufficient. An alternative is to arrange to have fresh pizza delivered or use your own backyard grill to cook hotdogs.
As far as your child’s birthday cake goes, if you aren’t making it yourself why not ask at your local instore bakery – most offer cake making and have a range of designs that can be adapted to suit the theme of your party.
Party favors
The internet is a great source of pre-bagged party favors and most online stores will have themes and age-range guidance when it comes to choosing. Otherwise, buy a range of small, inexpensive treats at your local dollar store.
Safety
Partying outside has its risks. If you’re having the party in an unfenced front yard, set up chairs and a table at the end of the driveway so some of the parents can sit there and ensure the children down to wander into the road. Online parenting stores also offer ‘children playing’ signs that you can place roadside to warn approaching cars that they need to slow down.
If the weather is particularly hot, ensure that you set as many activities and games as possible up in shady areas, and set up a ‘cool down’ station, with seats, drinks, a fan and a large umbrella. Watch your child’s guests carefully for signs of dehydration and heatstroke. It’s also important to ensure that your child and her guests are protected from the sun, particularly if you are having a water party, when sunscreen will need to be reapplied.
Lastly, kids running around outside often fall down so have your first aid kit to hand, along with cream for insect bites and bug repellent.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 17/07/2009
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