Because our kids are our most precious treasure, I believe it is important to celebrate their entrance into our families by adopting a few memorable birthday traditions that will make them feel extra special. These traditions don’t have to be extravagant or expensive. They just need to be meaningful and consistent from year to year. Of course, blowing out candles, serving the child’s favorite meal, and school cupcakes will never go out of style. But here are 10 great birthday traditions that will create special memories for that special someone.
1. Best Things About You Door Signs
Acknowledge your child’s uniqueness by creating a large poster to hang on her bedroom door. I came up with this idea on the spur of the moment when the twins turned 10. I’d been so busy that I hadn’t planned anything really special to celebrate the double-digit milestone. In a panic the night before their birthday, I grabbed some butcher paper and some markers and listed the 10 qualities I find most endearing about each of them. Talk about making them feel special! It was a huge hit and those signs stayed up for weeks…a constant reminder of just how wonderful and unique each of them are.
2. Birthday Interview
This well-known birthday tradition is another way to keep a record of your kiddo’s evolution. Check out this free birthday interview printable. Be sure to have your child draw a picture or write their name (when they’re old enough) in the top box. Kids love to look back through the years and see how they’ve changed. Personally, I love doing a video of the interview. It’s fun to let my kids pretend they’re on a talk show and get their takes on things happening in their lives and in the world. You might have to coerce your teenagers. But if you get them to talk about pop culture, Tik Tok, or even serious subjects like world events, they are much more likely to be engaged. Besides, who doesn’t want an eye roll video to tease them with when they get older?
3. Bedroom Balloon Pop with Cash
The night before their birthday, sneak into your child’s room at night and create a surprise Birthday Balloon Forest. Stick a dollar in each balloon before filling them with helium. Tie the balloons on long ribbons and weigh them down with a rock or a metal nut. Write “pop me” or “Happy Birthday” on each balloon. Then arrange them like trees in the room. If you don’t want to bother with the helium, you can accomplish a similar effect by hanging them on the ribbons from the ceiling.
4. The Birthday Bucket
A Birthday Bucket packed with reusable decorations is another tradition family members will look forward to year after year. This idea comes from The Crafting Chicks. They suggest decorating a large metal paint can, filling it with birthday decor staples like banners, reusable streamers, a table runner, and a special birthday plate. You can replenish the balloons, candles, etc. as needed. The night before the birthday, family members retrieve the celebratory bucket and decorate for the birthday boy or girl. The bucket is then secretly filled with some special treats and toys and placed where the child usually sits for breakfast.
5. Special Birthday Plate
And speaking of birthday plates, make your child the star of the show by bringing out that special dinnerware that only appears once a year on his/her special day. This birthday tradition has been around a long time. Originally, families often had a red plate that signaled the special occasion. Today there are tons of options. You can make your own with an inexpensive plate and some ceramic paint, or simply choose from the dozens of personalized plates on etsy.com or classic plates from amazon.com. Whichever you choose, a celebratory place setting for the birthday kid sends a clear message that today is their time to shine.
6. A Trip Down Memory Lane
You know you’re already taking pictures of every important event in your child’s life anyway, so why not turn those photos into an annual “Year in Review” slide show? Pictures of vacations, dance reviews, the first day of school, a new haircut, or just hanging out with friends are all stored on your phone anyway. How much fun to go back and look at how much things have changed (or stayed the same) through the year! Put all those memories into your favorite slide show creator (Google slides, PowerPoint, etc). Show the “Year in the Life of _____” on the big screen while the family enjoys birthday dessert. If you make it an annual tradition, it’s always fun to show last year’s presentation before you get to this year’s photos.
7. Birthday Breakfast
Start the day out right with a special birthday breakfast. Some families do the breakfast-in-bed thing (especially for tweens and teens), but I like the festive family breakfast ideas I found over at Simply-Well-Balanced.com. Obviously, sprinkles are the key: sprinkle sweet rolls, sprinkle pancakes, sprinkle muffins, and even sprinkle unicorn sweet bread. But I have two top favorites. First, a waffle cone bowl filled with yogurt and topped with cereal and chocolate chips (plus sprinkles, of course). Second, a chocolate protein shakes smoothie that looks like malt from a fancy ice cream shop. I know my kids would be excited knowing they were waking up to a festive breakfast every time they turn a year older!
8. Pathway to Presents
Another morning birthday tradition that gleefully starts the day is a paper pathway that leads from the child’s room to either a pile of presents or the breakfast table. With a paper path created by the whole family, this fun tradition can be found at Your Modern Family. I especially like the idea of getting the whole family involved to send their best wishes to the birthday kid.
9. Birthday Scavenger Hunt
Similar to the present pathway, this great birthday tradition sends your birthday honoree on a quest to discover his presents. Kids love a treasure hunt! Even the siblings will enjoy getting in on the action as they search for the loot proceeds. You can create your own with post-it notes, or head over to Play Party Plan for a free printable version that’s ready-made.
10. Letters from Loved Ones
Finally, my favorite of all birthday traditions is special letters from loved ones. It’s my favorite because it gives your child lots of positive affirmations and creates memories that can be visited again and again. About 6 weeks before your child’s birthday, contact extended family, teachers, and close friends. Ask them to write a brief letter explaining what makes (your child’s name) special. Finally, ask them to send the letter back at least one week before the birthday celebration will take place. Save all the letters and deliver them to your child after the presents have been opened. These tender letters are sure to give your kiddo a loving boost of self-esteem, and really what better present could there be? The Dating Divas have a fun printable kit that will make this tradition super easy to recreate too!
Mariah
Owner at Giggles Galore
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