Birthday parties are one of the simple pleasures of life that can truly make the magic of childhood even more iridescent. They can be monumental, and no kid should feel left out of these festivities. Even if the party is for your child, if you’re inviting other kids, you must make the party inclusive.
Parties can also be a great time to teach your growing child a lesson about being eco-friendly. If you’re planning a big birthday bash, consider these tips for a sensory and sustainable event that your kids will remember forever.
Decorating the Event
Although you can decorate however you want, it’s typically best to choose a theme. You can integrate it into every piece of decor — whether it’s the signs you use, the cake, or the games you end up playing. You can also find plenty of suggestions online.
When you’re looking for decorations, party favors, and wall art, you can save money and help the planet by remembering that less is more. Don’t buy extra decorations you don’t need, and focus on decorations that are not specific to that theme or decorations that your other kids will also like, so you can reuse them for more birthdays to come.
When you’re shopping around, you want to purchase accessible and functional event signage that everyone at the event can see and appreciate. Find signage that is clear and has large letters so everyone can read it. Also, place the signs at an appropriate height so kids of all sizes can read them. Signage can include anything from birthday greetings to directions for where to find the bathroom, so it must be legible for everyone.
Setting The Budget
During setup, look for ways to save money for your kid’s birthday party by encouraging families to eat lunch before they arrive so you only need to serve cake and ice cream. You can also save money by decorating the cake yourself. Finally, have a party at your house so you don’t need to rent a space.
You could also create a budget-friendly party for the benefit of the attendees. Some parents may not be able to afford presents or the cost of a party at a restaurant or fun center. So, you can be more accepting and potentially have more guests over for your child if you design a party with a financial max.
Consider Sensory Sensitivities
It’s wise to be well aware if kids attending the party have any additional needs or sensory sensitivities, so you can make the proper tweaks at the party and ensure everyone enjoys the festivities equally. Many children avoid certain sensory experiences, such as loud noises, foods with certain textures, or tight-fitting clothing. To account for any accommodations for these experiences you should provide, reach out to parents beforehand.
Even if you don’t get the appropriate information in time, you can still plan the party with consideration for those who may be sensory-sensitive. You can do that by clarifying that all activities are optional and keeping a breezy party atmosphere. You should also designate different areas for different activities. So, put a clear divide between where you hit the pinata and where you eat the cake.
You can also set up activities that are made specifically for children with sensory sensitivities. A craft station is an excellent idea because the kids can make their own creations at their pace and choose the materials that they’re comfortable using.
Eco-Friendly Considerations
There’s also more you can do to make your party eco-friendly. Start by skipping the paper and instead sending e-invites over social media, text, or email. You can also buy reusable straws for the drinks and use dispensers and pitchers to serve beverages instead of plastic bottles that will be thrown away.
Being smart about the people you invite to your party is also wise. Don’t just invite many kids to get more gifts because, even with your best efforts, the more people you have at the event, the more carbon footprint it will create. In fact, you can skip the individual gifts from guests completely or have them pitch in on a group present, so you produce less waste.
Even better, you can have fewer gifts but have them be eco-friendly. Examples could include a bamboo toothbrush, a wooden phone case, or an eco journal, so they can write down all the fun things they did after a long day
Yes, it is possible to have a sensory and eco-friendly birthday party that’s safe and also teaches the kids important lessons. Consider these tips and make it an event to remember.
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