Throwing the Perfect Socially Distanced Kids' Birthday Party

July 30, 2020 Guest User

By now you’ve adapted to the “new normal.” (And you’re probably sick of hearing that phrase!) With social distancing and quarantine, parents everywhere have pivoted, having to get creative with things like working from home, virtual schooling, nanny shares, family vacations...you name it! For us, tabling our own birthday festivities for this year isn’t the end of the world, but for your kids, it’s a different story.

And fortunately, we are living in a time where more things are possible. By getting creative, we think your kids can still have a birthday to remember.

Here are a few of our top ideas for socially distant birthday celebrations for kids!

Treasure/Scavenger Hunt

When I was about 7, my aunt designed a treasure hunt for my birthday. She came up with 10-15 clues/riddles that led me all around the house, through the garden and the backyard. One of the clues was written on a blank puzzle, so I had to finish the puzzle to read it. The final clue led to a sweet little jewelry box (which was the physical “gift,”) and it was filled with little trinkets and chocolate gold coins.

This is the perfect birthday plan that is easy to adjust to your kids’ interests and age. The sky is really the limit with creativity here; it could be pirate-themed, an archaeological dinosaur dig, or spread out around the neighborhood.

It’s also incredibly cost-efficient! It may not be a big party with lots of friends and kids around, but it will certainly be a day to remember.

2. Virtual Costume Party

We’ve all got a little bit of “Zoom fatigue,” so it may be tempting to avoid doing a virtual party. However, if you add something to make it extra special, the virtual parties can still be incredibly fun and fulfilling. Plus, it’s one of the only safe ways to actually see many of your friends and loved ones in the same “space.”

We recommend throwing a virtual costume party! All of your guests will enjoy the excuse to get dressed up and your birthday kid will feel extra special.

Creativity is key! Think about picking a theme and asking everyone to change their backgrounds. Or make it a party for the parents as well and send out some theme-inspired cocktail recipes.

3. Birthday Parade

More than likely you’ve seen a few of these parades by now. They’re incredibly popular and for good reason! It’s the perfect way to stay safe, keep things simple, and still make your kids feel incredibly special.

Organize a “drive-through” parade in your neighborhood, where friends and family drive by and wave or say hello from a safe distance. Kids who are invited to the parade love the opportunity to make colorful birthday signs, drop off gifts, and play songs as they go by.

4. Play Restaurant

Create a one-of-a-kind dining experience for your little one, by transforming your dining room into a restaurant of their choice. Again, creativity is your best friend here, and the more committed you get, the more fun it will be!

Craft a menu where they can select what they want, dress like a server, and most importantly, commit to the bit! They will LOVE seeing you get into character and pretend to be waiting on them hand and foot.

Just make sure the dessert menu has birthday cake!

5. Go Wild with Decorations

Depending on your child’s personality, they may be more or less comfortable with some of the smaller and more modest party ideas. But for the ones who can’t seem to part with the grandiose, classic birthday party spirit, one way to salvage their experience is by going over the top with decorations.

Your guest list may be smaller (nonexistent even), but decking the place out in decorations will make their day memorable and unique. You can go classic or let them pick a theme. Want to make it even more special? Consider having someone in the family get them out of the house for the morning while you’re decorating so that it’s a big surprise.

6. Attend a Virtual Adventure

Fortunately, there is no shortage of virtual activities, with so many businesses doing anything they can to stay afloat. There are so many options for fun online activities and birthday parties, you just have to find the right one for your unique kid.

Here’s a list of some of the coolest kid-friendly events & parties we’ve found:

Visit the Disney Parks
Legoland Building Challenge
SeaWorld @ Home
San Diego Zoo Kids Corner
Group Gaming Party with Roblox
Sky Zone (Games, Scavenger Hunt, Dance Activities)
Virtual Princess Party

7. Weekend in the Woods

Travel has become incredibly tricky in the time of COVID-19, so this recommendation certainly may not work for everyone! But if you live somewhere where you can access some natural beauty within driving distance, a camping trip can be the perfect safe getaway for the family.

Get out into nature, unplug, and celebrate your little one’s birthday with smores, ghost stories, kayaking, and a break from all things “virtual.”

Now, camping may not be your thing, but it’s still possible to get a home-share (AirBnB or VRBO) that is totally safe, clean, and requires no contact.

However you end up celebrating your child, know that you are doing your best and that time with you and love from you will be enough.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, D.C., DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Treasure/Scavenger Hunt