Planning and throwing kids’ birthday parties is so fun! Unfortunately, the current global pandemic also makes throwing traditional in-person birthday parties next to impossible. But don’t worry, you and your kids can have an awesome virtual party with friends and family. Here’s how to make sure your child’s next virtual birthday goes off without a hitch.
The first thing to do is to make sure your child understands that their birthday will be a bit different this year. Let them know that they will still have a party, but it will be over video chats instead. If you can spin this as a positive, all the better. Tell them that a virtual party means that family members that live far away will still be able to attend. Your child is sure to be pleased that aunts, uncles, and grandparents that live far away will be able to celebrate their special day (virtually) in person.
You’ll also want to send out birthday invitations to the party. I always get my stationery from Basic Invite. They have the best invitations for any occasion. I really love their personalized birthday invites. So cute! All of their cards are customizable, so you can change the font and color of the invite til it looks perfect. They are one of the best invitation websites in my opinion.
There are several games that everyone can play, regardless of distance. Bingo is a good option, and won’t require too many resources. You can send everyone a picture of the bingo card, and they can print it out in their own homes. A few other games that are easy to play virtually are Pictionary, go fish, and charades. If your kids are older and the other parents feel comfortable, you may be able to have your kids play games online. Be sure to get input from the other parents first, as different people have different rules about what types of activities are appropriate online.
One tradition you may need to cut out of the birthday party is a cake. Since it’s an online party, only your child will be able to actually eat the cake, and the other kids may not have access to treats at their homes. Try doing the cake after a special family dinner instead to avoid upset feelings.
Virtual parties seem pretty stressful. But if you plan a few easy games, send out invites in advance, and prep your kids for a different kind of birthday, it’s sure to go great. I hope these tips allow you to throw your child the best virtual birthday bash ever!